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The Story of Doctor Kildare

The story of a crusading young doctor, The Story of Dr. Kildare feature Lionel Barrymore and Lew Ayres.

Doctor Kildare

60 old time radio show recordings
(total playtime 26 hours, 3374 min)
available in the following formats:

1 MP3 CD
or
30 Audio CDs


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Play a sample episode from December 08, 1950:

"A Morgan"



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Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

Lew Ayres

There are few heroic characters as compelling conscientious young doctors. Warriors wearing white uniforms, these medical miracle workers daily face down one of mankind's oldest and most persistent foes, disease. Like any other Warrior, no sacrifice is too great for a crusading young doctor to make to win the struggle over disease (although it is also true that it is rare to find a doctor who isn't rich).

The most recognizable medico from the Golden Age of Radio is Dr. Kildare, who came to the airwaves after appearing in nine films from a fifteen-film MGM series. Before that, the good doctor had been a pulp-crime fiction character created by Max Brand (the nom de plume used by Frederick Schiller Faust). Primarily a writer of Western and pirate fiction, Brand claimed to have based Dr. Kildare on a college friend, New York surgeon Dr. George "Dixie" Fish.

In keeping with Brand's more harrowing stories, Kildare first appears in Interns Can't Take Money (1936), a story of an idealist young surgeon who winds up chasing gangsters. Paramount released a film based on the story starring Barbara Stanwyck and Joel McCrea in 1937. MGM bought the rights to what would become the Dr. Kildare series, and Brand obligingly retooled the character into a more idealistic diagnostician.

Dr Kildare Advertisement

The MGM film series began with the release of Young Dr. Kildare in 1938, starring Lew Ayres in the title role and featuring Lionel Barrymore as his mentor, Dr. Gillespie. The first time Ayers and Barrymore appeared on the radio together was on the Good News of 1939 program broadcast on October 13, 1938, pitching Young Dr. Kildare. The film series continued with 1939's Calling Dr. Kildare and The Secret of Dr. Kildare, 1940's Dr. Kildare Goes Home, and Dr. Kildare's Crisis, The People vs Dr. Kildare and Dr. Kildare's Wedding Day in 1941, and 1942's Dr. Kildare's Victory.

As production on Victory was wrapping, Lew Ayres' draft number came up. Although he may have used his celebrity to find a non-combat assignment, he listed as a conscientious objector and was listed as 4E status. However, a review showed that Ayres had previously applied for A-O-1 status which would allow him to serve as a non-combatant medic. Barrymore continued the Dr. Kildare film series without Dr. Kildare, appearing in Calling Dr. Gillespie and Dr. Gillespie's New Assistant (both 1942), Dr. Gillespie's Criminal Case (1943), Three Men in White (1944), Between Two Women (1945), and Dark Delusion (1947).

Ayres began his service as a First Aid Instructor before requesting an overseas assignment (which required a cut in rank). He helped to set up field hospitals in support of MacArthur's invasion of Leyte and would go on to earn three Battle Stars. The hit to Ayres' career from the 4E Conscientious Objector status was erased by his new status as a War Hero, but his standing as a marketable leading man had mostly evaporated.

In 1946, the Marcus Loew Talent Agency bought station WHN New York, and in 1948 changed the call sign to WMGM to emphasize the station's relationship with the Hollywood film studio. MGM has a history of using radio to help drive movie ticket sales, and part of WMGM's business model was to use MGM films to boost sales of transcribed radio programs based on MGM properties. This is what brought Lionel Barrymore and Lew Ayres back together at the radio version of Blair General Hospital.

The characters for The Story of Dr. Kildare radio program were largely carry-overs from the film series, including Hospital Administrator Dr. Walter Carew, Nurse "Nosey" Parker, and Kildare's love-interest, Hospital Receptionist Molly Byrd. The stories had less to do with the relationships between the characters but emphasized the staff of Blair Hospital employing the latest cutting edge medical techniques to save their patients.

Lionel Barrymore had the acting credits to take top billing but graciously remained as a supporting character to Ayres' Kildare. However, this could not prevent him from shining through in every scene he was involved in, which was doubly amazing given the fact that by this point in his career, Barrymore was confined to a wheelchair by arthritis.

Please also see Dr. Christian, Halls of Ivy, One Man's Family, The Goldbergs, Life with Luigi, Green Valley Line, Honest Harold, My Favorite Husband, Adventures of Uncle Jimmy, and the Adventures of Maisie for more human interest radio drama.

Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

These classic recordings are available in the following formats:

  • Show Rating

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    19     1


    COMMENTS

    I just finished listening to The Story of Dr. Kildare. I have never seen the movies, but that will change after listening to the show. The "reviews" I read about the show were not very flattering, but I really enjoyed it. Good uplifting show. Lionel Barrymore was a genius - not many actors can make a cantankerous grumpy somewhat verbally abusive old man into a likable character.

    John Verified Purchase

    I liked it a lot. Lew Ayers was fine as Kildare but Lionel Barrymore stole the show as Gillespie.

    Tim Verified Purchase

    Not a genre that I enjoy, but I really like this show.

    Sandy Verified Purchase

    I enjoy the episodes. Incidentally, I'd also recommend Lionel Barrymore in the underrated Mayor Of The Town series.

    Fran Verified Purchase

    I have a vague recollection of Lionel Barrymore also being in some other medical OTR show, but I could be wrong.

    Jim Verified Purchase

    I enjoy the old “Dr. Kildare” radio shows. Cantankerous is a good description for Lionel Barrymore’s character. By the time the TV series was on in the early 1960s, Dr. Gillespie had morphed into a more empathetic character. I loved the TV series.

    Cary Verified Purchase

    i like it and the other day i discovered another show similar to Dr Kildare. It's called Dr Christian.

    Andy Verified Purchase

    I really enjoy it. Dr. Gillespie is such a grouch/old curmudgeon!

    Paul Verified Purchase

    Western writer Max Brand actually created the character and wrote several novels about him. You may have to search second-hand stores for them though.

    Mike Verified Purchase

    I enjoy the show! I was surprised that Dr. Kildare could perform a prefrontal lobotomy to successfully treat mental illness in a recent episode. Barbaric by today's standards.

    Ken Verified Purchase

    I love this show! I have my own image of Blare General Hospital which is unique only to me. Nurse Parker should fight back a little more than she does.

    Gregory Verified Purchase

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  • MP3 CDs are delivered by mail. These archival quality MP3 CDs are playable in your computer and many MP3 player devices.



    60 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00. Total playtime 26 hours, 3374 min
    60 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00
    total playtime 26 hours, 3374 min
    Add MP3 CD Collection to Cart

    1. 60 shows – total playtime 26 hours, 56 minutes
    2. Dr Kildare 500201 01 Angela And Steven Kester.mp3
    3. Dr Kildare 500208 02 Marjorie Northrup.mp3
    4. Dr Kildare 500215 03 Benjamin Barkley.mp3
    5. Dr Kildare 500222 04 Rico Marchianos Dying Wife.mp3
    6. Dr Kildare 500301 05 Vernon Pendleton Hypochondriac.mp3
    7. Dr Kildare 500308 06 Barbara Lane Dope Addict.mp3
    8. Dr Kildare 500315 07 Caroline Shelley.mp3
    9. Dr Kildare 500322 08 Jane Dane New Cancer Treatment.mp3
    10. Dr Kildare 500412 11 Warren Jacksons Allergy.mp3
    11. Dr Kildare 500419 12 Terry Murphys Hearing Problem.mp3
    12. Dr Kildare 500426 13 Philip Van Courts Amnesia.mp3
    13. Dr Kildare 500503 14 Abandoned Baby.mp3
    14. Dr Kildare 500510 15 Kildares Old Girlfriend.mp3
    15. Dr Kildare 500517 16 Nurse Parker Resigns.mp3
    16. Dr Kildare 500524 17 Dr Carews Fat Wife.mp3
    17. Dr Kildare 500531 18 Dickbrennansteals 5000 Or 50000.mp3
    18. Dr Kildare 500601 19 Colonel Boregards Paralysis.mp3
    19. Dr Kildare 500608 20 Gordon Mallorys Lead Poisoning.mp3
    20. Dr Kildare 500615 21 Glaucoma.mp3
    21. Dr Kildare 500622 22 Pricillas Broken Arm.mp3
    22. Dr Kildare 500629 23 Dr Gillespie Almost Gets Engaged.mp3
    23. Dr Kildare 500706 24 Hunting Trip.mp3
    24. Dr Kildare 500713 25 Dan Malloys Peptic Ulcer.mp3
    25. Dr Kildare 500720 26 Mrs Stanfords Angina Pectoris.mp3
    26. Dr Kildare 500810 29 Buffalo Barnie Mcclure.mp3
    27. Dr Kildare 500817 30 Appendicitis Operation At Sea.mp3
    28. Dr Kildare 500907 33 Carew Gets Medical Examiner Mixed Up.mp3
    29. Dr Kildare 500914 34 Marion Lewis Teen Age Alcoholic.mp3
    30. Dr Kildare 500921 35 Sam Lubinski Has Spinal Paralysis.mp3
    31. Dr Kildare 500928 36 Mumpkins First Baby.mp3
    32. Dr Kildare 501020 39 Eddie Jenkins And Arsonist.mp3
    33. Dr Kildare 501027 40 Ling Co Refuses Leg Surgery.mp3
    34. Dr Kildare 501117 43 Mr Bradleys Heart.mp3
    35. Dr Kildare 501124 44 Mr Kramerparker Needs A Hobby.mp3
    36. Dr Kildare 501201 45 Lady Dunabees Annual Visit.mp3
    37. Dr Kildare 501208 46 Arthur Morgan Needs Brain Surgery.mp3
    38. Dr Kildare 501229 49 David Norton Has Pneumonia.mp3
    39. Dr Kildare 510105 50 Eddie Lazetti Kidnaps Nurse.mp3
    40. Dr Kildare 510112 51 Dr Gillespies Testimonial Dinner.mp3
    41. Dr Kildare 510119 52 Dr Conlon Quack.mp3
    42. Dr Kildare 510126 53 Joe Finleys Ulcer.mp3
    43. Dr Kildare 510202 54 Oliver Van Meters Allergy.mp3
    44. Dr Kildare 510209 55 Anthrax Infection.mp3
    45. Dr Kildare 510216 56 Pete Cosloff Is Mentally Ill.mp3
    46. Dr Kildare 510223 57 Buck Houston Cowboy Star.mp3
    47. Dr Kildare 510302 58 David Coopers Burned Face.mp3
    48. Dr Kildare 510309 59 Edward Carltons Dog Bite.mp3
    49. Dr Kildare 510316 60 Amy Dickens Breaks Her Leg.mp3
    50. Dr Kildare 510323 61 Cathy Mortons Baby.mp3
    51. Dr Kildare 510330 62 Joan Quinn.mp3
    52. Dr Kildare 510406 63 Gillespiesnewsuitforhendersonaward.mp3
    53. Dr Kildare 510413 64 Yukon Joes Gold Mine.mp3
    54. Dr Kildare 510518 69 Mysterious Hemophilia Patient.mp3
    55. Dr Kildare 510525 70 Dr Gillespies New Office.mp3
    56. Dr Kildare 510615 73 Pedro Maria And Rosie.mp3
    57. Dr Kildare 510622 74 Paul Bailey.mp3
    58. Dr Kildare 510713 77 Valerie And Walter Benton Murder!.mp3
    59. Dr Kildare 510720 78 Evelyn Briggs.mp3
    60. Dr Kildare 510727 79 Robert Lane Intern Shirks Duties.mp3
    61. Dr Kildare 510803 80 Alice Bradley Amnesia Victim.mp3
  • MP3 downloads are available instantly after purchase!



    60 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00. Total playtime 26 hours, 3374 min
    60 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00
    382 MB – total playtime 26 hours, 56 min
    Add Instant Download Collection to Cart

    1. 60 shows – 382 MB – total playtime 26 hours, 56 minutes
    2. Dr Kildare 500201 01 Angela And Steven Kester.mp3
    3. Dr Kildare 500208 02 Marjorie Northrup.mp3
    4. Dr Kildare 500215 03 Benjamin Barkley.mp3
    5. Dr Kildare 500222 04 Rico Marchianos Dying Wife.mp3
    6. Dr Kildare 500301 05 Vernon Pendleton Hypochondriac.mp3
    7. Dr Kildare 500308 06 Barbara Lane Dope Addict.mp3
    8. Dr Kildare 500315 07 Caroline Shelley.mp3
    9. Dr Kildare 500322 08 Jane Dane New Cancer Treatment.mp3
    10. Dr Kildare 500412 11 Warren Jacksons Allergy.mp3
    11. Dr Kildare 500419 12 Terry Murphys Hearing Problem.mp3
    12. Dr Kildare 500426 13 Philip Van Courts Amnesia.mp3
    13. Dr Kildare 500503 14 Abandoned Baby.mp3
    14. Dr Kildare 500510 15 Kildares Old Girlfriend.mp3
    15. Dr Kildare 500517 16 Nurse Parker Resigns.mp3
    16. Dr Kildare 500524 17 Dr Carews Fat Wife.mp3
    17. Dr Kildare 500531 18 Dickbrennansteals 5000 Or 50000.mp3
    18. Dr Kildare 500601 19 Colonel Boregards Paralysis.mp3
    19. Dr Kildare 500608 20 Gordon Mallorys Lead Poisoning.mp3
    20. Dr Kildare 500615 21 Glaucoma.mp3
    21. Dr Kildare 500622 22 Pricillas Broken Arm.mp3
    22. Dr Kildare 500629 23 Dr Gillespie Almost Gets Engaged.mp3
    23. Dr Kildare 500706 24 Hunting Trip.mp3
    24. Dr Kildare 500713 25 Dan Malloys Peptic Ulcer.mp3
    25. Dr Kildare 500720 26 Mrs Stanfords Angina Pectoris.mp3
    26. Dr Kildare 500810 29 Buffalo Barnie Mcclure.mp3
    27. Dr Kildare 500817 30 Appendicitis Operation At Sea.mp3
    28. Dr Kildare 500907 33 Carew Gets Medical Examiner Mixed Up.mp3
    29. Dr Kildare 500914 34 Marion Lewis Teen Age Alcoholic.mp3
    30. Dr Kildare 500921 35 Sam Lubinski Has Spinal Paralysis.mp3
    31. Dr Kildare 500928 36 Mumpkins First Baby.mp3
    32. Dr Kildare 501020 39 Eddie Jenkins And Arsonist.mp3
    33. Dr Kildare 501027 40 Ling Co Refuses Leg Surgery.mp3
    34. Dr Kildare 501117 43 Mr Bradleys Heart.mp3
    35. Dr Kildare 501124 44 Mr Kramerparker Needs A Hobby.mp3
    36. Dr Kildare 501201 45 Lady Dunabees Annual Visit.mp3
    37. Dr Kildare 501208 46 Arthur Morgan Needs Brain Surgery.mp3
    38. Dr Kildare 501229 49 David Norton Has Pneumonia.mp3
    39. Dr Kildare 510105 50 Eddie Lazetti Kidnaps Nurse.mp3
    40. Dr Kildare 510112 51 Dr Gillespies Testimonial Dinner.mp3
    41. Dr Kildare 510119 52 Dr Conlon Quack.mp3
    42. Dr Kildare 510126 53 Joe Finleys Ulcer.mp3
    43. Dr Kildare 510202 54 Oliver Van Meters Allergy.mp3
    44. Dr Kildare 510209 55 Anthrax Infection.mp3
    45. Dr Kildare 510216 56 Pete Cosloff Is Mentally Ill.mp3
    46. Dr Kildare 510223 57 Buck Houston Cowboy Star.mp3
    47. Dr Kildare 510302 58 David Coopers Burned Face.mp3
    48. Dr Kildare 510309 59 Edward Carltons Dog Bite.mp3
    49. Dr Kildare 510316 60 Amy Dickens Breaks Her Leg.mp3
    50. Dr Kildare 510323 61 Cathy Mortons Baby.mp3
    51. Dr Kildare 510330 62 Joan Quinn.mp3
    52. Dr Kildare 510406 63 Gillespiesnewsuitforhendersonaward.mp3
    53. Dr Kildare 510413 64 Yukon Joes Gold Mine.mp3
    54. Dr Kildare 510518 69 Mysterious Hemophilia Patient.mp3
    55. Dr Kildare 510525 70 Dr Gillespies New Office.mp3
    56. Dr Kildare 510615 73 Pedro Maria And Rosie.mp3
    57. Dr Kildare 510622 74 Paul Bailey.mp3
    58. Dr Kildare 510713 77 Valerie And Walter Benton Murder!.mp3
    59. Dr Kildare 510720 78 Evelyn Briggs.mp3
    60. Dr Kildare 510727 79 Robert Lane Intern Shirks Duties.mp3
    61. Dr Kildare 510803 80 Alice Bradley Amnesia Victim.mp3
  • Standard Audio CDs are delivered by mail on archival quality media with up to 60 minutes on each CD and play in all CD players



    60 recordings on 30 Audio CDs. Total playtime 26 hours, 56 min
    60 recordings on 30 Audio CDs
    total playtime 26 hours, 56 min

    Doctor Kildare Disc A001

    1. Dr Kildare 500201 01 Angela And Steven Kester
    2. Dr Kildare 500208 02 Marjorie Northrup

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    Doctor Kildare Disc A002

    1. Dr Kildare 500215 03 Benjamin Barkley
    2. Dr Kildare 500222 04 Rico Marchianos Dying Wife

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    Doctor Kildare Disc A003

    1. Dr Kildare 500301 05 Vernon Pendleton Hypochondriac
    2. Dr Kildare 500308 06 Barbara Lane Dope Addict

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    Doctor Kildare Disc A004

    1. Dr Kildare 500315 07 Caroline Shelley
    2. Dr Kildare 500322 08 Jane Dane New Cancer Treatment

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    Doctor Kildare Disc A005

    1. Dr Kildare 500412 11 Warren Jacksons Allergy
    2. Dr Kildare 500419 12 Terry Murphys Hearing Problem

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    Doctor Kildare Disc A006

    1. Dr Kildare 500426 13 Philip Van Courts Amnesia
    2. Dr Kildare 500503 14 Abandoned Baby

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    Doctor Kildare Disc A007

    1. Dr Kildare 500510 15 Kildares Old Girlfriend
    2. Dr Kildare 500517 16 Nurse Parker Resigns

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    Doctor Kildare Disc A008

    1. Dr Kildare 500524 17 Dr Carews Fat Wife
    2. Dr Kildare 500531 18 Dickbrennansteals 5000 Or 50000

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    Doctor Kildare Disc A009

    1. Dr Kildare 500601 19 Colonel Boregards Paralysis
    2. Dr Kildare 500608 20 Gordon Mallorys Lead Poisoning

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    Doctor Kildare Disc A010

    1. Dr Kildare 500615 21 Glaucoma
    2. Dr Kildare 500622 22 Pricillas Broken Arm

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    Doctor Kildare Disc A011

    1. Dr Kildare 500629 23 Dr Gillespie Almost Gets Engaged
    2. Dr Kildare 500706 24 Hunting Trip

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    Doctor Kildare Disc A012

    1. Dr Kildare 500713 25 Dan Malloys Peptic Ulcer
    2. Dr Kildare 500720 26 Mrs Stanfords Angina Pectoris

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    Doctor Kildare Disc A013

    1. Dr Kildare 500810 29 Buffalo Barnie Mcclure
    2. Dr Kildare 500817 30 Appendicitis Operation At Sea

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    Doctor Kildare Disc A014

    1. Dr Kildare 500907 33 Carew Gets Medical Examiner Mixed Up
    2. Dr Kildare 500914 34 Marion Lewis Teen Age Alcoholic

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    Doctor Kildare Disc A015

    1. Dr Kildare 500921 35 Sam Lubinski Has Spinal Paralysis
    2. Dr Kildare 500928 36 Mumpkins First Baby

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    Doctor Kildare Disc A016

    1. Dr Kildare 501020 39 Eddie Jenkins And Arsonist
    2. Dr Kildare 501027 40 Ling Co Refuses Leg Surgery

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    Doctor Kildare Disc A017

    1. Dr Kildare 501117 43 Mr Bradleys Heart
    2. Dr Kildare 501124 44 Mr Kramerparker Needs A Hobby

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    Doctor Kildare Disc A018

    1. Dr Kildare 501201 45 Lady Dunabees Annual Visit
    2. Dr Kildare 501208 46 Arthur Morgan Needs Brain Surgery

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    Doctor Kildare Disc A019

    1. Dr Kildare 501229 49 David Norton Has Pneumonia
    2. Dr Kildare 510105 50 Eddie Lazetti Kidnaps Nurse

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    Doctor Kildare Disc A020

    1. Dr Kildare 510112 51 Dr Gillespies Testimonial Dinner
    2. Dr Kildare 510119 52 Dr Conlon Quack

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    Doctor Kildare Disc A021

    1. Dr Kildare 510126 53 Joe Finleys Ulcer
    2. Dr Kildare 510202 54 Oliver Van Meters Allergy

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    Doctor Kildare Disc A022

    1. Dr Kildare 510209 55 Anthrax Infection
    2. Dr Kildare 510216 56 Pete Cosloff Is Mentally Ill

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    Doctor Kildare Disc A023

    1. Dr Kildare 510223 57 Buck Houston Cowboy Star
    2. Dr Kildare 510302 58 David Coopers Burned Face

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    Doctor Kildare Disc A024

    1. Dr Kildare 510309 59 Edward Carltons Dog Bite
    2. Dr Kildare 510316 60 Amy Dickens Breaks Her Leg

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    Doctor Kildare Disc A025

    1. Dr Kildare 510323 61 Cathy Mortons Baby
    2. Dr Kildare 510330 62 Joan Quinn

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    Doctor Kildare Disc A026

    1. Dr Kildare 510406 63 Gillespiesnewsuitforhendersonaward
    2. Dr Kildare 510413 64 Yukon Joes Gold Mine

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    Doctor Kildare Disc A027

    1. Dr Kildare 510518 69 Mysterious Hemophilia Patient
    2. Dr Kildare 510525 70 Dr Gillespies New Office

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    Doctor Kildare Disc A028

    1. Dr Kildare 510615 73 Pedro Maria And Rosie
    2. Dr Kildare 510622 74 Paul Bailey

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    Doctor Kildare Disc A029

    1. Dr Kildare 510713 77 Valerie And Walter Benton Murder!
    2. Dr Kildare 510720 78 Evelyn Briggs

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    Doctor Kildare Disc A030

    1. Dr Kildare 510727 79 Robert Lane Intern Shirks Duties
    2. Dr Kildare 510803 80 Alice Bradley Amnesia Victim

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