Review of The Interns

Based on a novel concerning the trials and tribulations of a gaggle of medical interns at a large metropolitan hospital, this busy, multi-character soap opera entertains in fits and starts, ultimately winding up rather pat and not that memorable. Callan plays an eager beaver, juggling a rich and sexy girlfriend (Helm) with an older, spinsterish nurse (Bard) who he thinks can help further his career. Robertson is a self-assured, older intern who gets mired in the problems of a troubled model (Parker.) MacArthur plays an idealistic guy who longs to have his own clinic and who falls for perky nurse Powers. Adams is a party animal who is tamed by terminally ill patient Davalos. Finally, Harareet is the lone female intern, who faces prejudice from the male-heavy establishment, particularly Savalas. Ebson is on hand as well to help reign in the boisterous, overworked doctors in training, meaning that the interns are presided over by Kojak and Barnaby Jones. Other story threads include a paralyzed man (Brocco) who longs to die and a nurse (Stevens) who throws one dilly of a New Years Eve party. The film opens with what had to be some pretty frenetic editing for 1962. Glimpses of the interns at work flash rather quickly on the screen. Afterwards, the film settles down to a pretty standard level of drama, strife and mild comic relief. Highlights of the film include the crowded party sequence (with its exaggerated bits of faux debauchery), an almost surreal birthing sequence with MacArthur getting his hands wet for the first time and a hysterically over-the-top meltdown scene with Callan when something doesn't go his way. The film touches upon some very controversial topics along the way such as abortion, euthanasia and drug abuse, but the script is so scattershot and the acting so ham-handed by some of the participants that these don't end up having very much impact. There seem to be just a few too many characters and story lines present for any one of them to really hit home the way it should. Ironically, the one storyline that gets the shortest shrift (Harareet's) turns out to be one of the most affecting thanks to some sincere acting on her part and the able support from Savalas. As is to be expected from a glossy soap like this from 1962, there are a few unintentional laughs along the way. Adams gives Davalos a mechanized toy that is so unbelievably annoying and excruciating, one can only assume that it caused her to take a turn for the worst. Also, for a film dedicated to the medical profession and the saving of lives, it's unreal to watch the ungodly quantities of cigarettes consumed throughout. A perennially pregnant woman not only smokes, but drinks! It's an entertaining couple of hours, and inspired a sequel, but is unlikely to stay in the memory for too long after viewing.