Watch Doctor in Clover

Doctor in Clover is a 1966 British comedy film directed by Ralph Thomas. It's the fifth installment in the Doctor series and features Leslie Phillips as the titular doctor. The rest of the cast includes James Robertson Justice as Sir Lancelot Spratt, Shirley Anne Field as nurse Nan, and John Fraser as Dr. Ernest Stoppidge. The movie opens with Dr. Gaston Grimsdyke (Leslie Phillips) as a medical student who is confident that he will get the coveted 'gold scalpel' award. However, his speech, full of muddled medical jargon, ends up humiliating him completely, and he leaves the stage in disgrace. Twenty years later, Gaston is a doctor with a reputation for being unconventional and boorish, and he is working at St. Swithins Hospital under the tutelage of Sir Lancelot Spratt (James Robertson Justice), a senior consultant surgeon.

Despite Gaston's initial reluctance to work in obstetrics, Sir Lancelot forces him to do so, hoping to keep a close eye on his apprentice's performance. Gaston is incredulous when he discovers that the best midwife in the hospital, Nurse Nan (Shirley Anne Field), is pregnant, and he's eager to learn why she decided to have a child at the age of 40. Things get more complicated when Dr. Ernest Stoppidge (John Fraser) arrives at the hospital, and Gaston falls in love with his wife Rhoda (Joan Sims), whom he mistakes for a patient.

The rest of the movie follows Gaston's misadventures as he bungles his way through various obstetric cases, including the delivery of a baby over the phone, a set of conjoined twins, and a pregnant gorilla at the zoo. Meanwhile, he is also trying to win the affections of Rhoda, leading to a series of misunderstandings and comedic mishaps. To add to the chaos, the new hospital administrator Miss Fosdick (Fenella Fielding) is trying to cut costs, leading to an uprising among the hospital staff.

Doctor in Clover is a lighthearted, slapstick comedy that satirizes the medical profession and the unorthodox methods that some doctors use to deal with their patients. The film's primary focus is on Gaston and his journey to become a better obstetrician, but it also highlights the hierarchical structure of hospitals, with Sir Lancelot as a gruff, authoritarian figure who takes pleasure in humiliating his juniors. However, despite his rough exterior, Sir Lancelot has a fatherly side that is revealed when he helps Gaston overcome his fear of childbirth.

Leslie Phillips is excellent in his role as Gaston, imbuing the character with both charm and awkwardness. His comic timing is impeccable, and he delivers some memorable one-liners, such as his response to a nurse who asks him why he's wearing glasses: "to protect my eyes from your smile." James Robertson Justice is equally impressive as Sir Lancelot, bringing a sense of gravitas to the role that contrasts nicely with Phillips' antics. Shirley Anne Field also shines as Nurse Nan, exuding warmth and compassion in every scene she's in.

Overall, Doctor in Clover is a fun and silly comedy that will appeal to fans of classic British cinema. It's not a particularly deep or thought-provoking film, but it's entertaining and filled with enough laughs to make it worth watching. If you're looking for a movie to lift your spirits and put a smile on your face, Doctor in Clover is a good choice.