50 films that include the medical field/subjects, clinical locations and the horror genre

 

50 films that include the medical field/subjects, clinical locations and the horror genre. 

Happy Halloween - 2024. 

In The Fire (2023)
Set in 1890 Dr. Grace Burnham travels from New York to a rural plantation in Prue to treat Martin Marquez a child that has autism.  As she goes about her work, Dr. Burnham and the boy are being blamed for several natural disasters hitting the area by the local villagers. 

The Power (2021)
Set in 1974 a young Nurse is working a night shift in an old hospital. On this night the power goes out due to a miners’ strike. In the powerless hospital she deals with the dark and the supernatural.

12 Hour Shift (2020)
Set in Arkansas 1999 Nurse Mandy hands over a pair of kidneys to her cousin Regina to deliver to some organ harvesters. The Regina loses them. Mandy has to procure more. While Mandy is going about that Regina decides to take matters into her own hands. While all of this is happening, an escaped prisoner is also running around the hospital. 

The Influence (2019)
Nurse Alicia returns home with her family to help her sister with their dying mother. While there she deals with traumas from the past and an angry witch.  

Countdown (2019)
A Nurse uses an app that accurately predicts when a person will die. When it reveals she has 3 days to live. She seeks to escape her death before the countdown ends.

The Chosen One A.K.A. O Escolhido (2019-2020) 
Three Doctors go to a remote village in Pantanal, Brazil to vaccinate against the Zika virus. Once there the Doctors clash with a local faith healer. 

Herbert West: Re-Animator (2017)
Inspired by the short story Herbert West Re-Animator by H.P Lovecraft [First Published in 1922] but not related to the original series. Dr. West loses his daughter in a tragic accident and creates a serum to bring her back to life. 

Shut In (2016) 
A horror thriller about a recently widowed child psychologist in rural Maine; Believes that her and her injured child is in danger from a supernatural presence. 

Eloise (2016) 
Jacob Martin is set to receive a large inheritance if he can produce a death certificate for an aunt that was a patient of the closed Eloise Asylum. Jacob along with some friends break into the building where they find ghosts and evil.  

Cabin Fever (2016) 
Five college students go to a secluded cabin. While at the cabin a patient zero that has contracted a flesh-eating sickness dies and falls in a water reservoir that supplies the cabin. One by one the students get sick. 

Bodies (2016)
A Pair of brothers pose as paramedics so they can steal people’s organs.

Scream Queens: Season 2 (2015-2016)
Several survivors from season 1 go to work at the C.U.R.E. Institute a hospital for incurable diseases, where a new costumed serial killer (or killers) known as the Green Meany stalks the halls.

Patrick: Evil Awakens (2013)
Remake of the 1978 film Patrick; A person in a coma develops psych powers and proceeds to terrorize the hospital staff. 

Burke and Hare (2010)
Based on the true story of William Burke and William Hare as they supply cadavers to the medical schools of Edinburgh, Scotland at the end of the 19th century.  

Room 33 (2009)
A group of friend's car breaks down while on a trip and seek shelter in an old empty Asylum. As they seek help the find a mystery and are tracked by a killer. 

Chicago Massacre: Richard Speck (2007)
Early life of Richard Speck and the night he tortured and killer nursing students in 1966. 

Bloody Mary (2006)
A group of Nurses decide to play a game of Bloody Mary at an asylum that they work at. They are successful in summoning the ghost who proceeds in killing the residents and staff. 

Fragile (2005)  
An American nurse takes a night position at Mercy Falls Children’s Hospital on the Isle of Wright. While working there she learns of a supernatural presence and must protect herself and the children.

Skelton Key (2005)
Caroline Ellis a Hospice Nurse aide quits her job and goes to work for a New Orleans Plantation helping a take care of her husband that suffered from a stroke. At the plantation she investigates a ghost story and other mysterious happenings around the house. 

Death Tunnel (2005)
Five college girls have to spend the night in hospital built in 1910. As the night passes the ghosts that died there and were removed through the death tunnel which was used for removal of bodies from the grounds haunt the girls. 

Dawn of the Dead (2004)
During a Zombie Apocalypse a nurse a cop, and other survivors band together. After learning that most refuges have fallen, they create safe haven in an empty mall.

The Grudge (2004)
Student Nurse Karen Davis living in Tokyo is sent to a haunted house where she is cursed/haunted by ghosts. 

Kingdom Hospital (2004)
Kingdom Hospital in Lewiston Maine is haunted due to being built upon a Civil War Era mill fire and the former hospital that also burned down. The staff deals with the hauntings (and other really strange supernatural events) as best they can while another disaster looms.

Beyond Re-Animator (2003)
Set 13 years after Bride of Re-Animator Herbert is in prison when young Dr. Phillips comes to work at the prison. Dr Phillips having witnessed/been affected by events from the second film; seeks Dr. West and helps him to continue his experiments.  

Speck (2002)
Based on the true story of Richard Speck who killer 8 nursing students one night in 1966 Chicago. With portrayals of his life after that night. 

Cabin Fever (2002) 
Five college students go to a secluded cabin. While at the cabin a patient zero that has contracted a flesh-eating sickness dies and falls in a water reservoir that supplies the cabin. One by one the students get sick. 

House on Haunted Hill (1999)
Remake of House on Haunted Hill (1959). Several strangers are invited to a party by a wealthy amusement park owner to stay overnight in a mansion that was once Vannacutt Psychiatric Institute for the Criminally Insane. If they make it through the night, then they will receive a large cash prize.  

Robin Cook's Invasion (1997)
Based on the novel Invasion by Robin Cook [First Published in 1997] Small black rocks from space infect people with something that mutates them. Scientist’s network and share information to save the world. 

The Dentist (1996)
Dr. Alan Feinstone DDS has a mental break when he discovers his wife is having an affair. So, he goes on a murder spree. Followed by a sequel The Dentist 2 (1998). 

Dr. Giggles (1992)
A lunatic that believes he is a MD escapes from the insane asylum he is in. He goes back to the town his father was killed in years earlier and treats/kills the people of the town.

Arachnophobia (1990)
A Doctor tired of city life moves to the country town of Canaima, California with his family to start a practice. While this is happening an invasive hybrid spider is spreading throughout the area. The Doctor, a spider expert, a local exterminator, and the sheriff must work together to save the town.

Bride of Re-Animator (1990) 
Dr. Herbert West and Dr. Dan Cain have finished medical school and have been continuing their research internationally. Deciding that enough time has passed they return home to conduct the next phase of their experiments to create a perfect woman.  

Deep Sleep (1990)
Nurse Maggie Healey immigrates to Australia and begins working in a psychiatric ward. She observes strange deaths and puts herself in danger as she investigates what is going on. 

A Nightmare On Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987)
The last of the Elm Street children have been attacked and have been placed in a psychiatric hospital. The survivors along with a Doctor devise ways to battle Freddy Kruger. 

Re-Animator (1985) 
Inspired by the short story Herbert West Re-Animator by H.P Lovecraft [First Published in 1922] A medical student and his friend experiment with a serum that reanimates the dead to less than the desired results. Followed by two sequels Bride of Re-Animator (1990) and Beyond Re-Animator (2003) 

The Doctor and the Devils (1985)

Based on a true story. In 1828 Dr. Thomas Rock has his assistant Dr. Murry pay large amounts of money to obtain fresh cadavers from less than legal sources. When a pair of miscreants learn how much can be made with body snatching, they decide that the way to get the freshest product is to create it. After a suspicious Dr. Murry learns what is going on he helps to stop the pair.   

Visiting Hours (1982) 
A Mad Man attacks an activist TV journalist sending her to the hospital. The madman unhappy with only injuring his victim tries to attack her in the hospital. In doing this a Nurse catches his eye and he proceeds to stalk and attack both of them.

Halloween 2 (1981)
Laurie Strode having survived the events of the first movie is admitted to the hospital. Michael Myers tracks her down and starts to kill everybody on the grounds.

X-Ray (1981)
During a routine checkup in an LA hospital under renovation Susan Jeremy gets trapped in the hospital with half explanations and staff that is just following orders. While a killer dressed in surgical attire stalks and torments her while killing employees, and visitors of the hospital. 

The Night Nurse (1978)
Prudence Simpson is hired as a private nurse for a former opera singer. Strange and supernatural things happen within the house and to as soon as she is hired.

Nurse Sherri (1978)
A Nurse is possessed by an evil spirit and kills the people around her. A blind ex NFL player with knowledge of Voodoo and some of Nurse Sherri’s coworkers seek to exorcise the evil spirit.  

Patrick (1978) 
A man in a coma has psychic powers and tries to win over a nurse and do away with anybody that gets in his way. 

Kingdom of the Spiders (1977)
Set in Camp Verde, Arizona, Tarantulas that have mutated because of the overuse of pesticides have started attacking livestock. The town’s veterinarian Dr. Robert Hansen is called to investigate. A spider's nest is discovered and destroyed. This sets the spiders on a migration towards the town cutting Camp Verde off from the rest of the world. 

Born For Hell (1976)
Inspired by the Richard Speck killings. A Vietnam Vet goes to Belfast, Ireland and attacks, tortures and kills 8 nursing students one night. 

Horror Hospital (1973)
Musician Jason Jones needing a vacation, heads out to the country. While on his trip he meets another traveler, Judy Peters. The pair soon targeted by a Mad Doctor that is using people for his experiments. 

Burke and Hare (1972) 
Based on the true story. Burke and Hare start to supply medical colleges with cadavers. They get their supply through a variety of ways. 

I Am Legend (1964/2007) The Omega Man (1971) Based on the short story I am Legend by Richard Matheson [First Published in 1954]. Most of humanity has been killed or mutated by a virus the last man that is immune or vaccinated depending on version seeks to find the cure.

The Flesh and the Fiends (1960) 
William Burke and William Hare supply Doctors and medical colleges with cadavers. While various Doctors do not ask questions or look the other way on how they are able to supply fresh cadavers often. 

Circus of Horror (1960)
Set in 1947 Dr. Rossiter a plastic surgeon flees to France after a botched surgery. In France he comes to own a circus and employes women that he has operated on. When his employees try to leave, they die in freak accidents attracting the attention of law enforcement. 

White Witch Doctor (1953)
Widowed Nurse Ellen Burton goes to Belgium, Congo to work for a Missionary Doctor.  To get to the mission she hires an animal hunter, guide, and treasure hunter. Together they have adventures, face dangers from the wildlife, a local Witch Doctor and a native tribe. 

Horror Maniacs (1948)
The first film adaption of the Burke and Hare of Edinburgh, Scotland body snatcher and murder story. 

I Walked With a Zombie (1943)
Nurse Betsy Connell is hired to care for the Jessica the wife of a plantation owner on a Caribbean Island. As she tries to help Jessica as various family secrets are revealed. 

A Look at Rural Healthcare Films - USA

I wrote this with the idea of helping rural and underserved hospitals and healthcare organizations, people, etc... get funding, skilled employees, and to create interest with the public and maybe inspire future healthcare workers. I believed that if rural healthcare is seen and discussed in ways that are accessible to the general population, then I believe things can be improved. 

However, myths, stereotypes, limited settings, plots and stories can work against rural interests. So, while we should support this genre, I believe that we need to improve and update the stories and locations used. Encourage writers, creators, etc… to create new novels, TV, etc… that represent what it is really like today.

Out of 50 States and 14 US Territories there are 22 States that are represented/used as a setting of the 46 Films and TV shows that have been made.

 (This is everything I could find; broken down by state.)

Set within the USA

• Alabama

Hart of Dixie (2011-2015)
Dr. Zoe Hart has her life planned out until she loses her residency and discovers her father is not her biological father. She decides to seek out her biological father only to learn he died and left her his half of a practice in Bluebell, Alabama. So, she starts her medical career as a GP in the town. 

Miss Evers Boys (1997)
Based on the play Miss Evers Boys by David Feldshuh [First Published in 1995]. In 1932 The Tuskegee Study of Untreated Blacks with Syphilis; In which 412 black men were infected with syphilis to see how they were affected by the infection. The events are told from the perspective of Nurse Evers. 

• Alaska

Christmas Under Wraps (2014)
After Doctor Lauren Brunell is not selected for a position, she wanted she moves to the small town of Garland, Alaska. There she works as the town's only Doctor (and is possibly working for Santa Clause), falls for the local (and only town handyman), while struggling with going from a large city to a small town. 

Northern Exposure (1990-1995) 
Recent Graduate New York Doctor Joel Fleischman has to work in Cicely, Alaska a rural town with some interesting residents to pay back the state for funding his way through medical school.

• Arizona

Four Eyes, Six Guns (1992) 
Optometrist Earnest Allbright buys a practice in Tombstone, AZ. When he arrives in Tombstone the business, the town, and the West are not what he expected. Things are challenging until he earns the love of a good woman and helps Marshal Wyatt Earp stop a gang of outlaws with his shooting skills.

Frontier Doctor (1956-1959) 
Set in the Arizona Territory in the early 1900's; Dr. Baxter treats a variety of patient's and faces various dangers in following his calling.  

Kingdom of the Spiders (1977)
Set in Camp Verde, Arizona, Tarantulas that have mutated because of the overuse of pesticides have started attacking livestock. The town’s veterinarian Dr. Robert Hansen is called to investigate. A spider's nest is discovered and destroyed. This helps to set the spiders on a migration towards the town cutting it off from the rest of the world.

• California

Arachnophobia (1990)
Dr. Ross Jennings tired of city life moves to the country town of Canaima, California with his family to start a practice. While this is happening an invasive hybrid spider is spreading throughout the area. The Doctor Jennings, a spider expert Dr. James Atherton, the local exterminator Delbert McClintock, and the Sheriff Parsons must work together to save the town. 

Jesse (1988) 
In Meredith, CA. a small rural town the only time they have a Doctor is on Wednesdays when one flies in. The rest of the time is Jesse Malone an LPN takes care of the medical needs of the area. One day she is reported and arrested and has to go to court for practicing beyond her scope of practice.  

Virgin River (2019-?) 
The series is based on the Virgin River Book Series by Robyn Carr [First Published in 2007] A Nurse Practitioner and Midwife Melinda Monroe takes a job in the rural town of Virgin River, California. She goes there for a fresh start after going through personal tragedies.

• Colorado

Doc Elliot (1973)
Doctor Benjamin Elliot a Staff Doctor for Bellevue Hospital in New York resigns and sets up practice in rural Colorado where he makes house calls by plane and a four-wheel drive truck. 

Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman (1993-1998)
Post-Civil War a woman Doctor from Boston is hired to be the town Doctor in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Once there she proves herself as a Doctor, adopts 3 children, has a romance with widowed mountain man, Byron Sully while making a home for herself. 

Everwood (2002-2006)
Widowed Doctor Andrew Brown moves his family New York City to Everwood, Colorado. Where he sets up a free clinic and finds that practicing medicine in a small town and raising a single parent family are more challenging than he expected.

• Connecticut 

Dr. Kildare Goes Home (1940)
After completing his internship Dr. James Kildare temporarily returns home to (fictional) Dartford, Connecticut to help his father Dr. Stephen Kildare (the only GP left in the area) and the town of Parkersville. While facing the challenges of being a young and new to the community James Kildare creates a clinic and practice with three recently graduated/qualified Doctors before returning to a prestige position in New York City. 

• Iowa 

I’ll Be Home For Christmas (1997)
St. Nicholas, Iowa is a small town of 1500 that is about to lose the only hospital within 3 hours of the town if they cannot get a MD to take over. While this is happening former resident and MD Michael Greiser comes to town to visit family over the Christmas holiday. The mayor, city council and the town work to recruit Michael to become the town, Doctor. 

• Kentucky 

Hometown Remedy (2023)

Surgeon Adele Clark's father George Clark has become mayor of Versailles, Kentucky. So, Dr. Clark goes home for an overdue vacation and to celebrate the election win. While in town she hits the towns one and only Doctor Grant Matthews with her car. With Dr. Matthews on bed rest Dr. Clark has to fill in. While doing this she reconnects with her hometown and starts a romance, Grant Matthews. 

• Louisiana

Skelton Key (2005) 
Caroline Ellis a Hospice Nurse in Louisiana quits her job and goes to work at a rural New Orleans Plantation helping a take care a woman of her husband that recently suffered from a stroke. At the plantation she investigates a ghost story and Hoodoo beliefs along with other mysterious happenings around the Plantation

• Maine

Best Medicine (2026)
Hollywood remake of DocMartin (2004-2001). Martin Best MD stops being a cardiac surgeon in Boston to be the only general practitioner in Port Wenn, Maine. 

Kingdom Hospital (2004) 
Kingdom Hospital in Lewiston Maine is haunted due to being built upon a site of multiple disasters.  The first was a Civil War Era Mill that was destroyed by fire killing most of the workers. After that be a hospital that also burned down which killed most residents and staff. Now Kingdom Hospital is a place haunted by ghosts and other supernatural creature. The staff deal with the supernatural as best they can while the factors that will contribute to another disaster build. 

Shut In (2016) 
A horror thriller about a recently widowed child psychologist Mary Portman living and working in rural Maine; Believes that her and her injured child Stephen are in danger from a supernatural presence. 

• Maryland

Better Living Through Chemistry (2014)
Set in fictional Woodbury, Maryland depressed small town pharmacist Doug Varney, who owns and operates the only pharmacy in town in town. He gets involved in an affair with a customer; and begins abusing prescription pharmaceuticals along with making other poor decisions. Resulting in a crisis where he could lose everything. 

• Missouri 

Kings Row (1942) (1955)
Based on the novel Kings Row by Henry Bellamann [First Published in 1940]. Set in an ideal town in 1890 Missouri two childhood friends Parris Mitchell (who wants to become a doctor) and Drake McHugh (who wants to become a businessman) grow up and face darkness within the town. Which include medical malpractice, theft, murder, suicide and scandal. In facing these things, they must make decisions on their moral beliefs and what kind of men they will be. 

• Montana

DOC (2001-2004) 
Doctor Clint Cassidy is from rural Montana and is not needed, so he follows a girl to New York City. Once in New York he goes to work for an HMO and becomes popular with his patients because of his country wisdom/ways and his above and beyond approach to practicing medicine.  

Green Light (1937)
Based on the novel Green Light by Lloyd C. Douglas [First Published in 1934] Dr. Paige young surgeon takes the blame for a blotched surgery for his mentor and resigns from his position. He goes to work at a wilderness research facility in Montana. At the facility he works to find a cure for the deadly Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

• New Mexico

Strange Lady In Town (1955)
Set in the 1880’s Dr. Julia Winslow Garth leaves Boston, Massachusetts to Santa Fe, New Mexico to set up a medical practice. In Santa Fe she has disagreements with Doctor Rourke O’Brian and tries to help her brother get out of trouble with the law. 

• New York

Change of Habit (1969)
Three Nun Sister Michelle, Sister Irene, and Sister Barbara who are also trained Nurses of different backgrounds are sent by the Catholic Action Committee to work at a free clinic run by Dr. John Carpenter that is located in underserved inner-city area of New York City, New York. 

The Doctor and The Girl (1949)
Doctor Michael Corday a Harvard medical school graduate with a prominent future ahead of him (if he does as his Father says) however he falls in love and marries a poor girl resulting in his father cutting him off from the family money connections, etc… so he becomes a general practitioner in Manhattans Lower East Side. Based on Bodies and Souls by Maxence Van der Meersch (Translator Eithne Wilkins) [First Published in 1943].

Royal Pains (2009-2016)
Dr. Hank Lawson loses his job in New York after a wealthy patient dies in his care. Dr. Hank with his Account brother Evan R Lawson and a local Physician’s Assistant Divya Katedare to create a Concierge Doctor Practice in the Hampton's.

The Christmas Doctor (2020)
Traveling Doctor Zoey Garner takes an assignment in Willowbrooke, New York over the Holiday season. She falls in love with the town, reconnects with a former patient from her time as a military Doctor and celebrates Christmas. 

• North Carolina

Country Remedy AKA Simple Things (2007) 
To become head of pediatrics at a Chicago Hospital Dr. Evan Gibbs has to set up a clinic in the North Carolina. In the Mountains of North Carolina, he reconnects with his son and learns about life. Inspired by the book The Window of Childhood by Olson Huff, MD [First Published 1990]. 

Finding Normal (2013) 
Dr. Lisa Leland is driving from Los Angeles to New York gets arrested in Normal, North Carolina for many traffics violations. Her punishment is to perform community service specifically to serve the local community as a General Practitioner. 

• Oregon

Dr. Giggles (1992)
Evan Rendell aka Dr. Giggles is a lunatic that believes he is a MD. After he escapes from the insane asylum he has been committed to. He goes back to Moorehigh, Oregon his town. Dr. Giggles then proceeds to treat/kill/get revenge on the people of his hometown. For the death of his father the local GP that was conducting illegal medical experiments. 

Mumford (1999)
In the town of Mumford, Oregon a Psychologist named Micky Mumford treats people with unusual therapies until Unsolved Mysteries reveals that he is not who he says he is.

• South Carolina

Doc Hollywood (1991)
Based on the novel What? Dead Again? By Neil B Shulman, MD [First Published 1979]. Doctor Ben Stone is driving across the country from The District of Colombia to Las Angles, California for a job. While on this trip he takes a wrong turn into rural Grady, South Carolina. Where he crashes his car into a fence of the local Judge and must perform community service as the town Doctor. 

• Tennessee 

County Rescue (2024-?)
Set in an unidentified part of Tennessee an ambulance station serves a county. At County Rescue Three newly qualified EMT's Dani, Tim, and Griffen learn that due to cutbacks must compete for one open position while learning on the job.  

• Texas 

Cutter to Huston (1983)
Cutter Community Hospital is located 60 miles away from Huston Texas is run by a dedicated medical staff. When medical issues arise that are beyond what the facility can handle, they contact The Texas Medical Center in Huston, Texas. 

• Vermont

Dr. Cook’s Garden (1971)
Based on the Stage Play Dr. Cook’s Garden by Ira Levin [First Published in 1967]. Recent graduate Doctor Jimmy Tennyson returns to his hometown in Vermont to practice family medicine. After joining Dr. Cooks Practice Dr. Tennyson observes that some of Dr. Cook’s patients die within 24 hours after treatment. He discovers the Doctor is performing mercy killings as well as removing unpleasant people from society.

Midwives (2001)
Based on the novel Midwives by Chris Bohjalian [First Published in 1997]. Set in rural Vermont Midwife Sybil Danforth is dealing with a difficult birth during a blizzard. When the patient dies, Sybil performs a C Section saving the baby. Later Sybil is accused of murdering the mother and must defend herself in court.  

• Virginia

The Incredible Journey of Doctor Meg Laurel (1979) 
This TV pilot movie is set in the 1930's with Dr. Meg Laurel leaves her life in Boston to set up a practice in rural Appalachia near her hometown in Virginia. When she gets to the area she clashes with the local healer and midwife Granny Arrowroot along with the community in general as they trust the local healer. Dr. Laurel has to learn and adapt to local customs to builds her hospital and practice. 

• State Not Identified, US Territories, and Other

Doctor Odyssey (2024)
Dr. Max Bankman has become the onboard Physician aboard a Luxury cruise ship; The Odyssey. Onboard He leads his team and treats various medical issues and emergences often miles away from shore or civilization. 

I Walked With a Zombie (1943)
Nurse Betsy Connell is hired to care for the Jessica the wife of a plantation owner on a Caribbean Island. As she tries to help Jessica as various family secrets are revealed. 

The More The Merrier (2025)
Hallmark Christmas film Set at Pine Grove Hospital. Cardiologist Brian and ER Physician Alice are trapped in a rural hospital during a blizzard on Christmas Eve. They have a few light injuries, along with Christmas discussions/celebrations, and romance. In addition to that four pregnant woman all start to give birth within a short amount time of each other on Christmas Day. 

One Man's Journey (1933) A Man to Remember (1938)
Based on the short story Failure by Katharine Haviland-Taylor [First Published 1932]. A widowed Doctor and his young son move to a rural town called Westport somewhere within the Midwest of the United States of America. Set after WWI ended. The Doctor adopts an orphaned baby girl serves his community even when his patients cannot pay, he takes IOU’s, produce, and livestock as payment. While serving as the town Physician fights to improve medical care in the town but faces challenges from town leaders as well as his creditors. 

Stigma (1972) 
Doctor Calvin Crosse goes to work in a remote island community and discovers a syphilis outbreak is being hidden by the town.

They Rode West (1954) 
1st Lt. Allen Steward MD is a newly commissioned officer is sent to his first posting at a western fort near an Indian reservation for Kiowa. In his new post he clashes with the fort commander Colonel Waters and the tribes Medicine Man in regard to the treatment and prevention of malaria. 

• Other: Not set in the USA but based on a book or book series. 

The based on a book section only has 8 books so I am adding this extra section which brings the book count up to 20. 

All Creatures Great and Small (1978-1990), (2020-2025) 
Based on All Creatures Great and Small by James Harriot [First Published in 1972] (along with his other books in the series) After Dr. James Herriot finishes Veterinary school and takes his first job treating all kinds of animals in rural Yorkshire, England starting in 1930's.

Bad Medicine (1985)  
Based on the book Calling Dr. Horowitz by Steven Horowitz, MD, and Neil Offen [First Published in 1978] Young Americans that cannot get into a medical college anywhere else go to a rundown Medical College in a fictional third world country. 

Call the Midwife (2012-?)
Based on the Midwife Trilogy by Jennifer Worth [First published 2002] the TV series of the nurses, midwifes, and nuns that live and work in London's East End during the 1950’s and 60's.

China Sky (1945)
Based on the novel China Sky by, Pearl S Buck [First Published in 1941] Dr. Grey Thompson and Dr. Sara Durand run a mission hospital in rural China. When Dr. Thompson brings his new wife to the mission tensions arise between the two women. After the invading Japanese Army comes near the mission hospital they decide to treat and support Chinese Guerilla Fighters.

The Citadel (1938) (2001)
Based on the book The Citadel by A.J. Cronon [First Published in 1937] A young Doctor starts his career in a poor area but is frustrated by his attempts to improve his patients' lives and cure/prevent the chronic conditions caused by the working conditions of the largest employers. After a personal tragedy he heads to London and is tempted by easy money of treating patients of high society.  

Doc Martian (2004-2021) Doc Martin (FR) (2011-2015)
A top surgeon that develops a blood phobia becomes the GP in the Coastal town of Portwenn, Cornwall, England where he had spent his summers as a child.

Doctor Finley (1993-1996) 
After serving in the Royal Army Medical Core during WWII, Dr. John Finley returns to Tannochbrae, Scotland to work as a GP in a time when the practice of medicine was changing. Inspired by Dr. Finlay's Casebook by A.J. Cronin [First Published in 1928]. 

Hills of Home (1948)
Based on the novel A Doctor of the Old School by Ian Maclaren [First Published in 1895]. Set in Drumtochty, Scotland Dr. William Maclure is an old-fashioned country physician that is paid with a dog called Lassie that is not of use as a working dog but becomes a beloved complain animal. As he goes about his life, he wants a local child to take over his practice as he is having trouble keeping up in his later years of life. He finds one in Tammas Milton and sends him to medical school when he passes away after an accident Dr. Milton takes over the practice.

Johnny Belinda (1948, 1958, 1967, 1982)
Based on the stage play Johnny Belinda by Elmer Harris [First Published in 1940]. Dr Robert Richardson is a young Doctor that is setting up a practice in a rural fishing village on Prince Edward Island, Canada. As he is building his practice, he starts treatment on Belinda MacDonald young lady that is deaf and mute to communicate. They make progress however Belinda is raped and becomes pregnant. Dr. Richardson is blamed hurting the innocents involved. Until the truth is revealed. 

Outlander (2014-?) 
Based on the Outlander Novels by, Diana Gabaldon [First Published in 1991] A Post WWII Nurse travels back in time to 18^th Century Scotland while on Vacation with her husband. In the past she works as a healer and gets involved with the people and events of that time. So, she has to decide to stay in the past or go back to the future. 

The Painted Veil (1934) (2006)
Based on the novel The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham [First Published in 1925]. Set in the 1920's Kitty a woman of British high society gets married to a Doctor based out of China. Having married him for the wrong reasons she quickly has an affair. When her husband finds out he gives her a choice of divorce or to go with him to rural China.

Sister Kenny (1946)
Based on And They Shall Walk: The Life Story of Elizabeth Kenny by Elizabeth Kenny and Martha Ostenso [First Published in 1943]. Nurse Elizabeth Kenny developed treatments for infants suffering from polio and fought for her treatments to be accepted by the medical establishment. 

Currently there are only Eight 20 film/TV shows are based on a book, book series or play. 

• A Doctor of the Old School by Ian Maclaren [First Published in 1895] Hills of Home (1948)
• The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham [First Published in 1925] The Painted Veil (1934) (2006)
• Dr. Finlay's Casebook by A.J. Cronin [First Published in 1928] Doctor Finley (1993-1996) 
• Failure by Katharine Haviland-Taylor [First Published 1932] One Man's Journey (1933) A Man to Remember (1938)
• Green Light by Lloyd C. Douglas [First Published in 1934] Green Light (1937)
• The Citadel by A.J. Cronon [First Published in 1937] The Citadel (1938) (2001)
• Kings Row by Henry Bellamann [First Published in 1940] Kings Row (1942/1955) 
•  Johnny Belinda by Elmer Harris [First Published in 1940] Johnny Belinda (1948.1958,1867,1982)
• And They Shall Walk: The Life Story of Elizabeth Kenny by Elizabeth Kenny and Martha Ostenso [First Published in 1943] Sister Kenney (1946)
• China Sky by, Pearl S Buck [First Published in 1941] China Sky (1945)
• All Creatures Great and Small by James Harriot [First Published in 1972] All Creatures Great and Small (1978-1990), (2020-2024)
• Calling Dr. Horowitz by Steven Horowitz, MD, and Neil Offen [First Published in 1978] Bad Medicine (1985)
• What? Dead Again? By Neil B Shulman, MD [First Published 1979] Doc Hollywood (1991)
• Window of Childhood by Olson Huff, MD [First Published 1990] Country Remedy AKA Simple Things (2007) 
• Outlander Novels by, Diana Gabaldon [First Published in 1991] Outlander (2014-?) 
• Miss Evers Boys by David Feldshuh [First Published in 1995] Miss Evers Boys (1997)
• Midwives by Chris Bohjalian [First Published in 1997] Midwives (2001)
• Midwife Trilogy by Jennifer Worth [First published 2002] Call the Midwife (2012-?)
• Virgin River by Robyn Carr [First Published in 2007] Virgin River (2019-?) 
• Doc Martin: Practice Makes Perfect by Sam North [First Published in 2013] Doc Martin: Mistletoe and Whine by Sam North [First Published in 2013] Doc Martian (2004-2021) 

   

The American Dream

A Look at The American Dream 

Recently I was looking for films about the American Dream and I could find almost nothing. So, I created this list based on the films of what I did find, the films that I use or have used to make and measure my version of The American Dream combining them with descriptions friends, family, and other people writings. 

First, I must state that The American Dream is different to different people, but my interpretation is it is usually about having a certain level of success and comfortable lifestyle with the end goal of freedom, having a family, ownership of a house, land, car with success in a career.

I started this list at the end of WWII because I feel like things got really good for America and the American people and the core idea of the modern American Dream came to be. 

What is here is a sampling of storylines of people living or trying to achieve The American Dream in different decades. 

The 1940’s and 1950’s 

This period of time was about the end of WWII, returning to normal life and home ownership. 

The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
Based on the book Glory For Me by MacKinlay Kantor [First Published in 1945] Three men of different social economic backgrounds are returning to their hometown of Boone City from WWII become friends as they face the challenges of returning to post war life and American society.

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
George Bailey has dreamed of traveling the world and doing important things however he has had to choose between doing what he wants and or being responsible and helping family, friends, and community. He gives up what he desires. When he is close to committing suicide, an angel shows him what the world would be like without him.  

Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948)
Based on the novel Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House by Eric Hodgins [First Published in 1946] The Blandings family wanting more room to buy a house and some land out in Connecticut. Upon learning that the house is unlivable the Blandings tear it down and build a custom house. Unforeseen setbacks add expense and delayed move in dates.

My Blue Heaven (1950)
A married song and dance team is unable to have children become determined to adopt a child. While going through the process adopting and raising the child thy try to change their act from stage and radio to Television.

Leave It To Beaver (1957-1963) 
The Cleaver Family is an all-American Family of four living in the suburbs. The parents Ward and June try to raise their boys Wally and Bever to be good productive members of society. When Bever or Wally get into trouble Ward and June help them resolve the problem and teach the boy's a moral lesson. 

The Last Angry Man (1959)
Based on the novel The Last Angry Man by Gerald Green [First Published in 1956]. Woodrow Trashed is a Television producer tasked with making a docuseries about ordinary people. He selects Dr. Samuel Abelman a decided GP that serves a poor area of Brooklyn, New York and dreams of owning his own single-family home.

1960's 

With the help of Television, the 1960's American Dream revolved around the nuclear family, home and car ownership and having a certain lifestyle with material goods. 

A Raisin In The Sun (1961/2008)
Based on the play A Raisin In The Sun by Lorraine Hansberry [First Published in 1959] A Black family struggling to make a living get an unexpected windfall in the shape of an insurance check. The members of the family disagree on how to use the money to better their lives until outside prejudices unite the family in a common dream.

The Jetsons (1962-1963)
Cartoon about an average nuclear family living in the future with lots of modern futuristic convinces and misadventures. 

How To Successes In Business Without Really Trying (1967/1975)
Inspired by the book How To Successes In Business Without Really Trying: The Dastards Guide To Fame and Fortune by Shepherd Mead [First Published in 1952].  J. Pierpont Finch is a window washer that finds a book called How To Successes In Business Without Really Trying and uses it to guide him from the mail room to an executive position in a matter of weeks. 

The Sweet Ride (1968)
Based on the novel The Sweet Ride by William Murray [First Published in 1968]. An older tennis Pro, a surfer, and a musician have a bohemian lifestyle in a house in Malibu, California.  When they become involved with a mysterious woman their lives become complained with by a biker gang, and a movie producer.

Mad Men (2007-2015)
Starting in 1960 the series is about the professional and personal lives of the people working at a smaller ad agency on Madison Avenue New York City. The show mainly focuses on Don Draper a genius with a troubled past and a need to have The American Dream. 

1970's  

In the 1970's I believe The American Dream shifted to living the life, you want even if it does not fit an ideal image, saving the small-town America and upward mobility. 

The Brady Bunch (1969-1974)
Two widowers each with three children and one live-in housekeeper marry creating a large family. The family lives in a suburban area and they have various adventures.

The Boatniks (1970)
Ensign Tom Garland of the US Coast Guard has been assigned to station in southern California that constantly rescues wealthy civilian pleasure sailors. There is also a side story about three jewel thieves trying to recover some stolen jewels that were lose near the naval station.    

The Landlord (1970)
Based on the novel The Landlord by Kristin Hunter [First Published in 1966] Elgar Enders is from a wealthy family. He plans to participate in the fad of buying a rundown building and remaking it into an upscale luxury home. The building he buys is in Park Slope, Brooklyn, New York. First, he has to evict the people living there, however once he gets involved with the tenets his plans change. 

Cold Turkey (1971)
A cigarette company has come up with a publicity stunt $25 million to any town that can give up smoking and tobacco for 30 days. Reverend Clayton Brooks and the 4,000 residents of the dying town of Eagle Rock, Iowa take on that challenge to save their dying town. 

The Adventures of the Wilderness Family (1975)
The Robinson are family living in Los Angles but decide to leave their urban life for the rural outdoors hundreds of miles from another living person. The family faces many dangers from the wildlife, the elements, but by pulling together if they survive it all. 

The Jeffersons (1975-1985)
The newly wealthy Jeffersons move on up to a luxury apartment on the upper east side enjoy the good life and sometimes clash with their neighbors. 

That 70’s Show (1998-2006)
Set in Point Place, Wisconsin during the 1970’s Eric Forman and his friends grow up and have life experiences as the decade progresses. 

1980's

In the 1980's to me it seems like an updated ideal image based on the 1950's and 1960's version of The American Dream along with career success and building wealth quickly came to define The American Dream.  

Family Ties (1982-1989)
Steve and Elyse Keaton are liberal ex-hippies in Regan Era America in a traditional suburban family situation with children that do not share their values. This is especially true of their oldest son Alex P. Keaton a passionate conservative republican. 

The Cosby Show (1984-1992)
The home life of the successful Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable, lawyer Clair Huxtable and their four children.  

Risky Business (1983)
Joel Goodson is a rich kid living in the Chicago North Shore area following his parents plans to do well in school and attend Princeton University. One weekend his parents need to go out of town and Joel starts a series of misadventures that result in his parent's belongings being damaged or stolen including his father's Porsche 928. To fix his problems he needs money fast so with the help of his friends and Lana a prostitute he has fallen in love with. He makes his house into a pop-up brothel. This is also the night the Princeton recruiter shows up for an interview. 

Quicksilver (1986)
Jack Casey is a stockbroker that makes a costly mistake and becomes a bike messenger for Quicksilver Speed Delivery. When his friend Hector needs money to open his own food cart business but cannot obtain a loan Jack is convinced to go back to trading where he is more successful than they imagined. Jack also takes on a dangerous drug dealer and finds love with a coworker. 

Baby Boom (1987)
A successful businesswoman inherits a baby from a distant relative. To give her new family a better life she buys a house sight unseen Vermont. It is of course a fixer upper. Once there she fixes up the house, starts a successful business, and finds love. 

The Secret of My Success (1987)
Brantly Foster is an ambitious new grad that is excited about business and is looking for a big break. He gets a job in the mail room of a big company in New York. Seeing how poorly the company is run and finding an opportunity to make himself an executive at the company, he creates an alter ego, Carlton Whitfield. He is very successful and improves the company’s operations. This gets him noticed by the CEO, how long until he is discovered?

Wall Street (1987)
Bud Fox is a stockbroker that wants to be a top trader and work with his hero Gordon Gekko. After a lot of work Bud gets a meeting with Gordon where he performs a small act of insider trading. Impressed with this Gordon mentors Bud and teaches him how to manipulate the stock market and insider trading. Getting everything, he wants until his family and community are at risk of being hurt and must choose between his mentor or his family. 

Working Girl (1988)
Tess Mcgill is a secretary going to business school at night and is trying to advance her career. When her boss is injured during a ski trip she poses as her boss and teams up with an investment banker to prove she has what it takes. It goes well until her boss returns. 

The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
Based on the memoir The Pursuit of Happyness by Chris Gardner [First Published in 2006]. Set in San Francisco in the early 1980’s Chris Gardner invested heavily in bone density scanners however they did not pan out as well as he hoped putting a strain on his marriage. When he loses his car, house and wife he takes a chance on an internship with a stockbroker firm. He works hard and in time he changes his life and becomes successful.   

1990's 

In the 90's The American Dream became less conservative but still influenced by past decades while adding leaving the suburbs and living in spacious apartments in large metro areas.   

Mr. Destiny (1990)
Larry Burrows blew a game winning hit in a baseball game in his teens resulting in living in a middle-class life. He is obsessed with what could have been. On his 35^th birthday he offered the life he would have had if he had not missed the ball to the live the life that could have been. While he has the things, he wanted out of life the person he became and the price he paid for that life is not what he thought it would be. 

Home Improvement (1991 – 1999)
A sitcom about a home improvement host, his family, friends and neighbors living in a nice suburb of Detroit, Michigan. The show's humor often revolves around tools, cars, home projects, family issues and a rivalry with Bob Vila of This Old House.

For Love or Money (1993)
Doug Ireland is a Concierge at a luxury hotel in Matthan that has a goal, a plan and a dream of building his own luxury hotel on Roosevelt Island in New York. Putting all of his money to this project when he finds investor Christian Hanover shows interest in the project Doug is willing to take on the unofficial job of managing Christian's mistress Andy Hart. In doing this Doug falls in love with her and may lose his project to save the girl from a businessman that uses everybody. 

Friends (1994-2004)
The personal and professional lives of six friends in their 20's while they live in New York City and try to achieve their dreams. 

King of the Hill (1997-2010)
Hank Hill assistant manager and propane salesman in Arlan, Texas lives his American Dream as best he can while dealing with a society that is changing and the wild antics of his friends and family. 

Sex and the City (1998-2004)
Inspired by the book Sex and The City by Candace Bushnell [First Published in 1996]. Four close female friends in their 30's living in New York City gather and talk about their professional, personal, sex lives as they navigate womanhood in the 90's.  

2000's 

Tech start-ups, social networks internet fame became The American Dream for a lot while economic factors made not losing what you built and having steady employment were factors in this decade. 

Pirates of Silicon Valley (1999)
Based on the book Fire In The Valley by Paul Freiburg and Michael Swaine [First Published in 1984]. This is the history of Steve Jobs and Bill Gates and how they made the computers, programs and technology that changed modern society. 

Fun With Dick and Jane (2005)
Remake of Fun with Dick and Jane (1977) Dick and Jane Harper are a well-off family living in an affluent suburb. After Dick gets a promotion to VP of his company Jane quits her job to be a housewife. Suddenly Dick's company goes out of business and the family becomes bankrupt. The couple become criminals to regain their lifestyle. When they see their former friends and coworkers struggling, they go after the CEO of Dick's company to restore the pensions and benefits that had been embezzled by the top executives.   

iCarley (2007-2012)
Carley Shaw along with her friends Sam Puckett, and Freddie Benson create their own web show earning them fame and fortune. 

The Social Network (2010)
Based on The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook, A Tale of Sex, Money, Genius, and Betrayal by Ben Mezrick [First Published in 2009]. In 2003 Mark Zuckerberg creates the site Facemash during a bought of anger after the site is taken down. Mark is sought after by people wanting to create social networks. However, Mark Zuckerberg creates his own network with his friend Eduardo Saverin thefacebook.com.  As it grows in popularity Mark Zuckerberg becomes a billionaire while changing and expanding the network into Facebook.com. 

2010 - 2023

2010 to today (2023 when I wrote this) I feel like having Freedom, being debt free (student loans being a big part of this), being able to provide for one’s family, achieving life events/growing up, understanding how and why America and society changed so suddenly is The American Dream. 

Last Man Standing (2011-2021)
Mike Baxter is co-owner of an outdoor sporting and fishing stores bases out of Colardo. He travels the world, owns classic cars and lives with his wife and three daughters and a grandson in a large house in the suburbs. The less-than-ideal parts of his life come from his daughter's romantic choices, parenting, that society is less conservative and his neighbors.  

The House (2017)
When the Johansen's daughter is about to go to college when they learn that the full scholarship, they were counting on has been canceled they team up with a neighbor to run an illegal casino to pay for their daughter to go to college. 

Santa Clarita Diet (2017-2019)
Sheila and Joel Hammond are a married couple that work as real estate agents while raising their daughter in Santa Clarita, California. When Sheila becomes a zombie, the family pulls together to find a cure and keep their life they built for themselves. 

At Home In Mitford (2019) 
Based on the novel At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon [First Published in 1994]. Writer and artist Cynthia Coppersmith goes to Mitford to find inspiration and to do something with a house she inherited. While nest door neighbor Reverend Tim Kavanaugh has a large puppy that has decided to live with him taking in a boy whose family is deployed. The two of them find friendship and romance in this perfect small town. 

Picture A Perfect Christmas (2019)
Based on A Family Under The Christmas Tree by Terri Reed [First Published in 2016]. Professional Photographer Sophie Griffith goes to see her grandmother over Christmas. Not having much to do she helps as the nanny to the next-door neighbor Davis who is the guardian of his nephew. They celebrate Christmas, fall in love, and create a family in a beautiful town. 

Emily The Criminal (2022)
Emily has a lot of student loan debt and difficulties with obtaining gainful employment. She gets involved in credit card scams making good money getting out of debt. She gets deeper in the Los Angles criminal underworld. 

Vengeance (2022)
Ben Manalowitz is a New York writer that wants to expand his career to include podcasting. His pitches are about explaining what America is today. When he gets a call about the death of an ex-hookup he goes to West Texas and sells a podcast idea on the mystery of her death and explaining the current red, blue divide. As he investigates, he loses his preconceived ideas about culture, life and Texas.