Original subtitles

Deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa -la -la -la -la, la -la -la -la.

Tis the season to be jolly, fa -la -la -la -la, la -la -la -la. Oh, boy, it's a

noisy little holiday, isn't it?

Morning, Dr. Cabbage, your little world awaits you.

Hey, when are you leaving for home? Eleven.

How can you tear yourself away from Blair General at Christmas?

Willpower.

I'm Jones, public relations.

Would you mind looking in the mirror again, Doctor? I want to be sure we've

that. Where did you come from?

Santa Claus land.

Smile, Doctor.

Second doctor on the right, raise the guard a little higher, please.

Yes, sir, big chief, sir. Not you. Can't you count?

I can count, sir. I can see. Well, you're second on the left.

Who am I?

Third on the right. Now, you two lower yours, and second on the right, raise

yours.

You're beginning to feel like a stripper. When you start to look like

you have to worry.

Second doctor on the right, get that garland up.

Are you talking to me?

You're third on the left.

Third on the left of who?

On the left of the man on your right.

Well, who's second on the right?

Who's the second duck on the right? Duck on the right. Duck on the right. I am

doctor number one. Number one. Number one. I am doctor number one. Where is

number two? What is all this hooliganism?

Why aren't you men where you belong?

Who are you?

I'm Jones. Public relations.

Who are you?

I'm Gillespie, chief of staff.

Dr. Gillespie. Well, I've been up to see you a couple of times, but you were

busy. This is a piece of good luck. You're just the man to pose with the

We need a lead picture. On whose authority did you call these doctors

work? The administrator.

You can tell the administrator to... On Christmas?

These men are doctors. I am a doctor.

This is a hospital.

Exactly. Now, if you'll just pose with the angel and manage one little smile,

it'll all be over and we'll both be happy.

Now think, think about our public image.

Think benevolent, think happiness, think peace on earth, goodwill to men.

All right, all right, let's get it on.

Now, heads this way, men.

Chin's up.

Eyes on the horizon.

Come on, come on, come on.

Hold up the angel, Dr. Gillespie. That's it. Now smile.

Smile. Lots of teeth.

Beautiful. Hold it.

Thank you, Dr. Gillespie. That was very close to a smile.

Treasure it, Mr. Jones.

Yes, sir. Now, if you're finished, I'd appreciate the return of my doctors.

Well, thank you, doctors. Now, don't forget to return the ladder to

as you go.

Mr. Jones, I was warned to expect a different approach to public relations,

I have braced myself for the onslaught.

But I warn you that I will not tolerate anything that upsets the regular routine

of this hospital.

Do you understand?

Yes, sir. Thank you.

When a ton of brick falls on me, I get it.

You get the idea he was trying to tell us something?

Yeah.

Do you see what I see?

Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle.

Oh, sorry, Phyllis.

Picked up unconscious on Market Street. No identification.

Dear, I hope no children saw I'm in that condition.

I don't think this bump is going to amount to anything but otoscope film.

We'll hold him overnight for observation.

Doctor, have you got Santa Claus in there? We've got a guy in a Santa Claus

suit. Is he serious for you? No. Well, then how about a picture?

No. Well, could I talk to him? No visitors. He's stoned.

Stoned? Then?

I'm sorry, Mr. Jones, but you had to find out Sunday.

Would you rather have heard it from a stranger?

Well, you won't find anything in his stocking for me.

Oh, hey, here you go, Lucky.

What's this?

You told me to go operate in the pool. That's what I drew.

What's the action?

We have a pool on what plane Dr. Gillespie takes to Oregon.

Zero?

How do I win with zero?

Well, you win if he doesn't go at all.

Thanks a lot.

Well, I didn't make up the pool. You got complaints? See you, Gershke.

Oh, what number did he drop?

Nine o 'clock, and he's dying with it. I will.

Dr. Colbert, the chief resident wants to see you as soon as possible.

The chief resident? Why?

Dr. Hogue does not confide in me.

Is he the hatchet man?

It's not Santa Claus.

Dr. Gillespie has to get started. He's going to miss that 9 o 'clock plane.

Now, he promised his sister in Oregon he'd spend Christmas with her. He can't

back on his promise. Why don't you go in and tell him?

That's what I like, a girl with a sense of humor.

Thank you.

You're not playing your cards right, sweetheart.

Some night your appendix may burst, and I'm going to be the only doctor with an

earshot.

Oh.

Who are you calling?

Hello, Pete.

Who's Pete?

Let the cab go. I'll have to try to book him on a later flight.

Right. You can't book him on a later flight the day before Christmas. It's

duty to say he gets on the 9 o 'clock plane.

Hello, travel office?

Is Mary there?

Who's Mary?

Mary is my best friend.

Hello, Mary.

Cancel that seat in the name of Bryce at 9.

We'll try for 10 with Culpepper.

All right, thanks, Mary.

How many seats are you holding?

One on each flight.

Who has the ten o 'clock?

Caprish, the lucky louse.

Tell him he's up at bat.

So when Dr.

Atkinson called in and said he had the flu, I knew you wanted first chance to

volunteer. Under any other circumstances, I'd be glad to. After

Christmas. And you don't have a wife and kids.

But it's the first family party we've had. My mother just called... And it is

Dr. Gillespie's service. Now, you want every whack at that you can get.

I haven't even sent their presents. You'll also cover his third man

And I know you're delighted to have that opportunity.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I must run.

Family's waiting.

Christmas, you know.

Oh, how I hate to think of bucking those crowds.

I kind of envy you getting a chance to stay here where it's quiet.

Cancel call, Pepper.

It looks like Vanderhoff at 11.

Talk to you later. Over and out.

Dr. Gillespie can't just skip from the 9 o 'clock plane to the 11 o 'clock. I'm

10 o 'clock. I'm entitled to at least a fast shuffle for my money.

Have a nice holiday, Dr. Kildare.

What's wrong with him?

He's hysterical. He's going home for Christmas.

That's fine, dear. I'll disappoint that cell.

How's that, Harry?

Exquisite. Am I showing too much?

Of course not. It's Christmas, isn't it?

Dear, look this way.

That's right. Now smile.

Say cheese.

Cheese. Got it. Thank you, dear. Now just take the ladder back to me.

My mother was right.

They're all nice till they get what they want.

Where are those blazers and everybody?

Where's everybody?

Somebody come.

Stop.

So I finally woke the dead, huh? Quiet down.

Where did you come from, baby dear?

Out of the nowhere, into the here.

Yeah. I come from the depths of the pit. That's where you can go. Thanks.

Just give my name, they'll open the gates.

Where am I?

You're in Blair Hospital.

Bring 60 cc's of beraldehyde. Oh, and get the charts.

Blast the charts. Get me a drink.

How'd I get here?

You collapsed on the street.

Oh, did I?

I haven't been invited. Yes, I'll be on my way. There's no hurry. We're keeping

you overnight for observation.

I can't afford it. It's on the house.

On the house.

Those mellow, delicious, bourbon -soaked words of good fellowship.

Will the house take me to a drink?

Sorry.

There are not pox on your house.

I'll leave these sterile antiseptic halls for the delicious, unsanitary

the tavern. Oh, in the name of sweet charity, boy, get

me a drink.

Oh, this will help.

You're going to get this Pirelda hide down and keep it down. And we're going

give it to you in a shot. And believe me, that hurts.

Oh.

How very lonesome young

people are.

All right, children.

Everybody in.

Hurry.

Mrs. Jones.

We've taken all we're going to take from you. I want your name.

Maud. Is that what you want me to put down? I don't give a tinker's damn what

you put down. You have a given name. What is it?

John Smith.

Andrette?

The gutter.

Any particular gutter?

One's as good as the next.

Your occupation?

Drunkard.

Any religious affiliation? Oh, yes.

The devil.

I hope you're enjoying yourself.

You'll hope nothing of the thought.

You're brimming with ill will.

When were you born?

I wasn't born. I was hatched. When?

In the year of the flood.

The sooner you give some intelligent answers, the sooner we'll be finished.

Your age has to go on this chart.

A man's as old as he feels. A thousand years.

I'll put 40.

As you wish, sonny.

Nearest of kin?

The monkey!

Who shall we notify in case of death?

The undertaker.

Nobody else?

The undertaker. The only one interested.

And there's little enough profit in it for him. Look, Mr. Smith, or whatever

unit.

Do you think this patient has mitral stenosis?

Hogwash! He's got a hangover!

Yes, and I'd say it was well earned.

I spent half a week's wages on it. Young Dr.

Patinsky's here wasted all the money.

He's uncorked me.

Drain me dry.

What's the size of the heart?

Not enlarged to the left.

Haven't you pill pushers got anyone else to practice on?

No one as appreciative as you.

Doctor, if you go around capturing helpless inebriates in your butterfly

you can hardly expect appreciation.

You might have been dead if they hadn't brought you here. What concern is that

of yours? We're just trying to help you. What's the rhythm?

Normal sinus.

What members did you hear?

Grade three apical diastolic rumble.

Do you take digitalis?

Not unless it's a hundred proof.

Any history of rheumatic fever?

No.

Look, I want to get out of here.

My head's pounding.

Do your ankles ever swell up? Do you have chest pains?

No, my ankles don't swell up. No, no, no. Be still for a moment, please.

You're fibrillating now.

Go over to your left side, please.

I could hear the rumble, but no opening snap.

Now, Mr. Smith.

I know you didn't ask to come here, but neither, for that matter, did Dr.

Kildare nor I ask you to come here. The fact remains you're here, and your

heart's acting up. And unless you remain very quiet, you're in for serious

trouble.

Try and be a little more cooperative.

Give us a chance to help you.

He has a walloping good mind. He was baiting you, and he got the rise he

too. I know, I know. I like his spirit. He's hit rock bottom, but he's full of

fire and brimstone. He's still fighting.

Dr. Gillespie, McDay is on the telephone.

I thought you were going to visit your sister in Oregon. Don't rush me.

Why can't you go off on a holiday like other people?

Maybe I'm afraid things would go all right without me.

Yes, Miss Day?

Oh, I can't catch an 11 o 'clock plane. It's nearly 11 now.

Isn't there a 12 o 'clock plane?

There isn't.

Good.

Get me an afternoon train.

Two o 'clock plane?

Thank you, Miss Thane.

Yahoo! Wow!

Two o 'clock! I win the pool!

I'm rich!

I'm rich! I'm rich! That's the nature of your good fortune, Doctor.

Money, money, money, money, money, money!

Merry Christmas, Dr. Gillespie.

Oh, excuse me, sir.

I hope Dr. Brown isn't coming down with something. If he is, I hope it's

catching.

This will be a disappointment for your family.

I'm sure you'll enjoy the experience.

Hey, have you ever had coffee with Dr. Gillespie?

No, I never fraternized with the brass.

It's not good for me.

He's never asked me either.

Hey, to get a load of Kildare with you, that cup of coffee isn't even shaking.

I've got nerves of steel. I hate a show -off.

May I join you?

Yes, sir.

Well,

now I know that this had a clause.

Thank you, Dr. Agerski.

God bless us all, cried Tiny Tim.

I know I can get a wire service break right now.

And I think I know a way we might do it.

They'll be in there a few minutes.

Let's find out.

Find out what?

If there is a Santa Claus.

That finishes that.

Now swallow these.

Follow them yourself, Miss Sturge.

My name is Mrs. Fane.

Congratulations.

Take these pills. It's Dr. Gillespie's orders.

What's he to me, or I to Hecuba?

Do you want me to call Dr.

Gillespie and tell him you're refusing medication?

Mrs. Fane gives me a pain.

Mrs. Fane gives me a pain. We'll see what Dr. Gillespie has to say about you.

The spleen is showing, Miss Dax.

We wait here until I see what the call is.

Now, what do you want?

I want to talk to Santa Claus.

Aren't you a little old?

Look here, you could do me a great personal favor.

Why? If you just put on that Santa Claus jacket and cap for a picture.

Not on your life, my friend.

Why not?

It's Christmas, the season of goodwill. Season of goodwill, nothing.

It's the merchant season, the hunting season, open season and the public.

Crowded streets, jingling cash registers. Buy!

Stuff yourself!

Stuff yourself!

Buy!

Get a bigger tree than the Joneses. Spray it a garish color.

Weigh it down with ornaments. Cover the floor with packages.

Go into debt. Buy now, pay later.

Decorate the houses. Decorate the lampposts. Buy, buy, buy, buy, buy.

It only comes but once a year.

Season of goodwill, nothing.

Peace and goodwills is out of date as the sweet dream of the carpenter's boy.

Who hired you as Santa Claus?

Patrick Hennessy of Hennessy Saloon. A fine old gentleman.

Put me out front instead of a Christmas tree.

Didn't mind when I was lit up, so long as I wished the customers Merry

Christmas!

How'd you keep from gagging?

For a drink of money, I'll say anything.

Hey.

You slipped me a bottle of bourbon.

I'll pose for you.

No, thanks.

I like to think I've got a sense of humor, but I haven't got enough to put

picture in a Christmas story.

Sorry, Dr. Gillespie, I know I'm out of bounds. You are.

But you conducted yourself very well under fire.

You just won your first merit badge.

I loathe Christmas.

That's your privilege. How do you feel?

Terrible. I need a hair of the dog that bit me.

You're a doctor. Do I have to explain the simple academic facts of life to

Let me explain them to you.

Alcohol is not indicated in your state of health.

You're walking the edge of a precipice. It won't take much to push you over. I'm

more than ready.

A lot of people have said that to me. None of them meant it when the chips

down.

One drink won't kill me.

We're not going to put it to the test.

Doctor.

You've got a mean streak.

It's not very nice.

I'm completely immune to flattery.

Oh, my head aches.

I can help you there.

No more of your blasted feraldehyde.

No.

Just a couple of my blasted pills.

Hello, Chaplain. Still spreading Christmas cheer?

I've only a few more awards to visit, and then, as far as I'm concerned, it's

officially Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

Why, Mark.

Well, I can hardly expect you to remember. It's been a long time since we

I'm the chaplain here.

Paul Armstrong?

I don't know you.

I'm sorry.

Aren't you Mark Addison?

I'm John Smith.

The resemblance is astonishing.

May I visit a moment? Spread your sweet platitudes somewhere else, Mr.

Armstrong. This is rocky soil.

What's troubling you, my friend?

the shining innocence of the prelate with his eyes full of sand.

The world is troubling me, Mr. Armstrong.

Take a long look around you. The world is spinning towards a holocaust.

And God has been crowded out of his heaven by the spaceship, the bomb, and

little green men from Mars.

When Job cried out in doubt, God said, Who hath divided a watercourse with the

overflowing of waters?

or a way for the lightning and thunder to cause it to rain on earth.

Hath the rain a father?

Who hath begotten the drops of dew?

Save your devotions for your flock.

Save them for the virtuous Christians who worship mammon during the week and

on Sundays.

Save them for the Sunday Christians.

I'll pray that peace comes to you. There's no God. There's only mammon.

that is in misery and look unto the bitter inside.

Please get me a drink. I can't.

I'm cold sober.

I've got a wretched hangover and I'm a prisoner to boot. No, a patient.

I'd rather be in jail than shut up here. There's too much brotherly love in

these corridors.

Too much of the milk of human kindness.

And no whiskey to make it palatable.

It isn't Christian to seal me up sober and force me to be a spectator.

Don't be a spectator.

Join us. Never. I'm a pagan.

I'd throw you to the lions if I could.

You can't stay drunk forever. You can't run away forever. There's an inevitable

day when a man faces himself.

Children, everybody in.

All right, children, nice and loud.

and I ache all over.

You know how it is, Doc.

I put my arm up to comb my hair, and I'm tired, and I've got this headache that

seems to come and go, and I'm feverish.

Well, you don't have a fever.

Well, it comes and goes.

I swear, an hour ago it was 106.

I need hospitalization.

I'm giving you the straight goods, Doc.

Living alone in this boarding house.

I can't find anything wrong with you.

Well, it isn't just something you can put your finger on, Doc. You know how it

is. Got these sharp pains.

Things keep getting out of focus.

You're getting fuzzy right now, Doc.

I could be passing out on you any minute.

Hello, Charlie.

How's the boy?

Oh, Dr. Gillespie.

I guess I'm not going to make it this time, Doc. Sorry to hear that, Charlie.

What's the problem?

Fever that comes and goes? Recurring pains in different parts of the body?

Erratic vision?

That's it. That's it. I told you I was sick. I was just getting to that.

Funny thing about Charlie's disease, he's had it five years running.

Always hits on December the 24th and usually clears up by the 26th.

Funniest darn disease you ever saw.

Well, what treatment would you recommend, Dr. Gillespie?

I think a little observation in Ward C.

That's it. That's it. The big ward.

Orderly. Any medication?

Normal diet.

See that he gets his drumstick and lots of stopping.

Thanks, Doc.

I'll be all right now.

I wish all my cases were as easy.

Merry Christmas, Doc. Same to you, Charlie.

What disease are you going to put down?

Acute loneliness.

Very good diagnosis.

Sometimes reaches epidemic proportions this time of year.

Well, it's beginning to seem like Christmas around here.

It is, isn't it?

This day has been paging you doctor. She wants to talk to you about your plane

reservation. Tell her I'm too busy to talk now Listen

any

action up there How the chances you want me to come in talk to the girls

All right, all right, you give them a little pep talk.

You tell those populated princesses that the first one tonight gets a handsome

gift from every merchant in town.

What do you mean they can't deliver babies on order? You tell them that

something's got to give.

What's wrong now?

My leg, the left leg, the pain.

The pain, the pain, the pain.

Lie still.

I'll call the doctor.

Call Dr. Hackett. Tell him he's needed for emergency surgery.

wrong with me?

You've thrown an embolus to the left femoral artery.

We'll have to perform an embolectomy.

Is that what's causing the pain?

Yes. If we don't operate, you'll lose your leg.

Time's an important factor in cases like this.

We've been on the watch for something all day.

We'll be after this fast. That's in your favor.

Who knew this would happen?

It was Dr. Kildare's diagnosis this morning.

Will you perform the operation?

I'm not a surgeon, but you'll be in good hands. Dr. Hackett is our chief of

surgical services. He'll operate.

You consider that I'm worth saving?

Yes, I do.

Very good of you.

What is there to fear if there is no God?

You believe in God. You, a man of science?

Yes. Why?

Why doesn't the sun consume the earth?

Why do celestial bodies revolve around us and not collide?

Why do the tides rise and fall?

Why does a seed grow?

There's a pattern.

An intelligence we can't deny.

Even the miracle of birth itself makes it difficult for a doctor to be an

atheist.

People speak of faith as blind.

I wonder if lack of faith isn't far more blind.

But I'm only your medical advisor.

Theological matters are highly personal.

They entail a great deal of self -diagnosis.

Dr. Kildare, this is Bishop Fanning. He's here at Dr.

Gillespie's request to see Mr. Smith.

I'm hoping that Mr. Smith is a man I've been looking for for a long, long time.

It's Ward B, just down the hall to your left, sir.

Did you really think you could hide from me forever?

He is the Reverend Mark Addison.

The Lord bless thee and keep thee.

The Lord lift up his countenance and give thee peace.

It's hard to say why I liked him the moment I laid eyes on him.

Maybe because he woke up mad.

He's a fine clergyman. What happened?

A whole series of tragedies.

He and his wife had only one child.

The night of her high school graduation, she was killed in an automobile

accident. His wife went to pieces, drank too much, and finally left him.

His congregation felt that...

If their own minister couldn't keep his own house in order, he wasn't a proper

person to preside in the house of the Lord. The Sunday Christians.

Oh, I wouldn't be too quick to judge them.

A minister is the leader of his flock.

You may love a man because he has feet of clay, but you may find it impossible

to accept his religious leadership.

If Mark had come to me, as he should have, I would have made him my assistant

for a time.

And then I would have found him another pulpit in which to serve.

But he didn't come to you? No.

He disappeared that same night, taking nothing with him but the clothes on his

back.

That was over a year ago.

I've searched for him.

I've prayed to find him. Every day since.

When Reverend Armstrong telephoned from this hospital today, I said to my wife,

If Mark is there, we've seen a miracle this Christmas.

He tells me he's parted company with religion.

A man can't part company with what he is.

He can't escape his God.

There is no worse agony than trying to shout down your own convictions.

If you win the fight for his body, Doctor,

I'll put up the fight of my life for his soul.

I mean no disrespect, Bishop.

But you won't save this soul.

He's strong.

He'll be his own salvation or his own destruction.

I don't know, Leonard.

We took care of the impetus all we can do now is wait and hope May

I wait in this room? Yes, of course Dr.

Gillespie this day wonders if she might go home. Mr.

Day I Didn't mean you to

work late on Christmas I wouldn't have bothered you doctor, but it's after 9.

Oh whatever happened to my plane reservations

Well, the airline said, why don't you try for next Christmas?

That was very constructive.

Did you ever have any intention of going to Oregon, Doctor?

I always intend to, but somehow I never seem to get there.

Better luck next year.

Oh, Miss Day.

Oh.

Thank you, Doctor.

I hope you have a very merry Christmas.

Well, the same to you.

Always do.

Merry Christmas.

Oh, Merry Christmas.

Does he mean us?

Probably you, not me.

Of course I mean you, Mr. Jones. As you said yourself, it's the season to be

jolly.

What happened, Doctor? Did you get out of going to Oregon?

How do you know I'm not going to Oregon?

Because it's Christmas and everybody likes to spend Christmas where he

Fair enough.

Did you get what you want?

Everything except a Christmas baby.

And without that, I haven't got a finish.

You know how it is. How can you do a feature on Christmas without a newborn

child? Well, don't give up hope. The night's far from over.

Every other maternity ward in town is probably shelling out babies like peas.

But not my ladies.

Couldn't we borrow a baby from another hospital?

That is cheating.

Wouldn't you think that on this night of all nights, the good Lord would help a

little?

How many children do you have, Mrs. Kelly?

This is my eighth.

How long were you in labor with the last one?

About 40 minutes.

How long have you been in labor with this one?

At least 35.

Hold on, Mrs. Kelly. Call obstetrics. Tell them to stand by for an emergency

delivery. Come on.

Clear the deck.

Wait for an elevator.

I'm sorry, Dr. Gillespie. Emergency.

That baby's anxious to get here.

I'm sorry, Doctor.

Your patient killed her.

How long since you've delivered a baby, Dr. Gillespie?

About 30 years.

Be my guest.

Okay, wheel her out. We got the table ready.

Forget the table.

Pass out the cigars.

I got a boy.

Congratulations. You've just given birth to Blair's Christmas baby.

It's my pleasure.

Hold it.

the night of the dear Savior's birth.

Until next year.

You win the pool.

How do you know about the pool?

Oh, I don't miss nearly as much around here as everyone hopes I do.

I wouldn't want to be anyplace else tonight.

It's beautiful.

There is a time when in their hands there is good success.

He that sinneth before his maker, let him

fall into the hand of

the physician.

And the angel said unto them,

Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to

all people.

For unto you was born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ

the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling

clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising

God and saying, Glory to God in the highest.

And on earth...

Peace, goodwill toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the

shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this

thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe, lying in

manger. Joy to the world, the Lord.

is come let earth receive her king let every heart

prepare him room and heaven and nature sing and heaven and nature sing

and heaven and