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1963 - DR. KILDARE: An Island Like A Peacock
Dr. James Kildare: Richard Chamberlain
Gina Beemis: Kathryn Hays
Max Beemis: Forest Tucker
Title Music: Jerry Goldsmith
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In front of a multiple storage building, Harry
sits on the stairs and reads the story of the Trojan Horse to some children as an
elderly man enters the house, asking them whether a Gina Beemis lives in here. Harry
tells him which apartment it is and the man proceeds.
Wondering what he might want from the blind woman Harry shyly follows him.
After Gina has let the man in, she learns that the man is her father who had left her
and her mother alone when she was a baby.
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Both
had had to struggle hard without
any support from him and she still hates him for that. The now sick man offers
her a big sum of money, but does not tell her that he is going to die soon. Gina does
not want him in any more nor does she accept his offer. As Max Beemis tries to
convince her that he cares and the argument becomes louder, Harry comes in and intervenes.
The distress is too much for Max Beemis, he brakes down.
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In the hospital Dr. Kildare seems to know that he does not tell Beemis anything
new when he informs him that he is very sick.
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Max Beemis insists in leaving,
but not before asking Dr. Kildare a favor: To try to convince his daughter to
use his money for an eye – operation.
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Dr. Kildare visits Gina and also does not succeed in talking her into
taking the money, but Gina agrees to have him check on her eyes in order to
find out what is possible. As Dr. Kildare leaves, he meets Harry outside her
door. He's waiting for his time to read to Gina, sharing with Dr. Kildare
that this is the brightest hour of the day for him.
Harry accompanies Gina to and from work, reads to her and cares for her
whenever the competent woman allows. He also goes to hospital with her.
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There Dr. Kildare points out that there is a chance for her to regain her
eyesight if there is a donor providing new eyes for her.
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She clearly states
that she had had unsuccessful operations before. She would not go unharmed
through another one which is in vain. Liking his voice Gina later asks Harry
whether Dr. Kildare looks as gentle as his voice is. Describing him as "looking average" Harry obviously fears any competition in his caring for her.
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n their way home Harry plays word- games with her and they have riddles
as Max Beemis approaches and asks to go on with her alone.
She allows and Harry leaves.
Gina's father leads her to a deserted part of the harbor. His intention
is to show her the harsh reality: Being blind she is helpless on her own. He
stands far away telling her that the steep rim of the road is ahead leading
right into the water. No one is near and she begins to panic. Again the
situation is too much for the father. He brakes down - leaving Gina in even
more despair crying for help.
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In hospital all know that he is going to die soon. Dr. Kildare informs them that there is a good chance for Gina's eyesight if she had the op. In a last attempt Max Beemis offers his eyes to Gina, who now sees his love for her and agrees to have the operation done. Gina brakes out in tears resting her head on her father’s breast as he dies. Harry silently leaves the room - alone.
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