The Interns: A Look at the Cast and Legacy of a Medical Drama

"The Interns" is a title that encompasses a 1962 film, its 1964 sequel "The New Interns," and a 1970-1971 television series. Each of these explored the lives and challenges faced by medical interns, offering a glimpse into the world of medicine, personal relationships, and the social issues of their time. This article will focus on the cast and legacy of the 1970 television series, while also providing context from the original film.

The 1970 Television Series: A "Hip" Medical Drama

The 1970 television series "The Interns" aired on CBS, focusing on the activities of Dr. Peter Goldstone (Broderick Crawford) and five medical interns at New North Hospital in Los Angeles. The series, created by William Blinn, Don Brinkley, Howard Dimsdale, Charles Larson, and Jack Miller, aimed to be more relevant than other medical dramas of the time, featuring a "new hip cast" of doctors.

Cast and Characters of the TV Series

The series featured a cast of both established and up-and-coming actors:

Broderick Crawford as Dr. Peter Goldstone: The experienced and perhaps somewhat cynical head of the medical department.
Mike Farrell as Dr. Sam Marsh: One of the central interns, navigating the challenges of the medical profession.
Christopher Stone as Dr. Pooch Hardin: Another intern, part of the core group facing medical and personal dilemmas.
Stephen Brooks as Dr. Greg Pettit: An intern whose experiences and struggles were depicted in the series.
Elaine Giftos as Bobbe Marsh: Likely a nurse or other medical staff member, involved in the interns' lives.
Sandra Smith as Dr. Lydia Thorpe: An intern, contributing to the diverse perspectives within the group.
Hal Frederick as Dr. Cal Barrin
Bridget Hanley as Sookie Post
George Grizzard as Dr. Quentin
Ned Glass as Joey Turpin
John Zaremba as Matthew Pryor
Carl Byrd as Wendell Derr
Peter Halton as Small Boy #1
Billy McMickle as Small Boy #2
Tom Hallick as Assistant Surgeon
Herbert Nelson as Dr.

Storylines and Themes

"The Interns" dealt with various issues of the day, including racism faced by one of the African American interns. The show aimed to be more relevant and address contemporary social issues through the lens of a medical drama. The stories centered on the interns' experiences at New North Hospital in Los Angeles.

Critical Reception

Despite its attempt to be modern, the series received mostly critical reviews. Critics found the show predictable and formulaic, even with its "hip" cast. Clarence Petersen of the Chicago Tribune noted that the show was similar to other doctor shows, but with doctors who smiled and laughed, and even ran down the street "as if they were doing a Pepsi commercial or auditioning for The Mod Squad."

The 1962 Film: A Precursor to the TV Series

The 1962 film "The Interns," directed by David Swift, served as the basis for the later television series. The film starred Michael Callan, Cliff Robertson, James MacArthur, Nick Adams, Haya Harareet, and Suzy Parker. It followed a group of interns during their first year at New North Hospital, exploring their personal and professional lives.

Cast of the 1962 Film

Michael Callan as Dr.
Cliff Robertson as Dr. John Paul Otis: An intern who gets involved with a model.
James MacArthur as Dr.
Nick Adams as Dr. Sid Lackland: An intern who initially wants to serve wealthy patients.
Haya Harareet as Dr.
Suzy Parker as Lisa Cardigan: A model who becomes involved with one of the interns.
Buddy Ebsen as Dr.
Telly Savalas as Dr.
Gregory Morton as Dr.
Angela Clarke as Mrs.
John Banner as Dr.
Brian G. Hutton as Dr.
J. Edward McKinley as Dr.

Plot Overview of the 1962 Film

The film presents several interconnected storylines:

John (Cliff Robertson) jeopardizes his career by stealing pills for a pregnant model (Suzy Parker).
Sid (Nick Adams) develops a relationship with a terminally ill patient (Ellen Davalos).
Alec (Michael Callan) juggles relationships with his wealthy fiancée and a nurse to advance his career.
Madolyn aspires to become a surgeon but faces prejudice because of her gender.

The interns also face an ethical dilemma when a terminally ill patient dies of a drug overdose, leading to an investigation and potential loss of residency offers.

Themes and Style of the 1962 Film

"The Interns" (1962) explored themes of love, ethics, ambition, and social issues within the medical profession. The film, while popular at the time, is now considered a product of its era, with a somewhat dated style and melodramatic elements. Some critics have noted that it feels more aligned with the 1950s than the evolving styles of the 1960s.

Reception and Legacy of the 1962 Film

Upon its release in 1962, "The Interns" was a major box office success for Columbia Pictures, even surpassing "Dr. No" in gross earnings in the US. However, it has since been largely forgotten, overshadowed by other medical dramas that followed. Despite this, it can be seen as a precursor to the many hospital-based shows that have appeared on television since, including "General Hospital," which premiered the following year.

Connection Between the Film and the TV Series

The 1970 television series "The Interns" was directly based on the success of the 1962 film and its sequel, "The New Interns." The film's exploration of the lives and challenges of medical interns provided a framework for the television series, which aimed to delve deeper into the personal and professional lives of its characters.

Lasting Impact and Cultural Significance

While "The Interns" (both the film and the TV series) may not be as widely remembered as some other medical dramas, they contributed to the genre's development and reflected the changing social landscape of their respective eras. The film, in particular, helped launch the careers of several young actors who went on to have successful careers in television. The television series, though short-lived, attempted to address relevant social issues and present a more contemporary portrayal of medical professionals.

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