MEDICAL CENTER: HEEL OF THE TYRANT (TV)
Summary
One in this series of medical dramas about the cases of Dr. Paul Lochner, chief of staff at a Los Angeles university hospital called Medical Center, and his friend and colleague, Dr. Joe Gannon, a young professor of surgery.
A newly-arrived Jewish research doctor working at the Center and his family, the Weldmans, find themselves in a dire situation when they discover their new home has been vandalized with anti-Semitic graffiti. The Weldmans reveal to Dr. Gannon that a local neo-Nazi group called the "American Supremacy Party" has been sending them threatening letters recently and are the most likely culprits. The Weldmans' son David goes to the American Supremacy Party headquarters to get revenge and Dr. Gannon follows him there. David is nowhere to be seen, but he finds that the "field commander" of the organization is Howard Tully, one of the Center's orderlies. Howard claims David isn't here, and Dr. Gannon leaves with a warning to stay away from the Weldmans. Once Dr. Gannon leaves, the Party brings out a gagged David and Howard viciously beats him.
David is brought to the Center and his injuries are treated. Dr. Gannon discusses the matter with Dr. Lochner, who says that despite their personal opposition to his beliefs, they cannot use it as grounds to fire him. He notes that responding in such a manner would make them no better than him. Dr. Gannon informs the Weldmans that David is recovering but will be kept for observation for a few days. Dr. Weldman insists that he cannot respond to Howard's actions with violence, but Mrs. Weldman believes that it is cowardly not to do so. The next day, Howard is visited by his mother while passing out pamphlets in front of the Center. She seems to support her son's ideology and invites him to visit her that night. Dr. Weldman visits Dr. Gannon at his apartment, telling him that Mrs. Weldman has left him and plans to take David back to Ohio with her. Furthermore, he says that the police can't help him since David won't press charges. He recalls his experiences growing up in a Nazi concentration camp and how the hellish surroundings shaped his outlook on life. Dr. Gannon gets a call that David's condition is worsening and rushes with Dr. Weldman to the hospital to get him in surgery.
Howard visits his mother and is distraught; he heard that David is going into surgery and is worried he'll be charged with murder. Dr. Weldman and Mrs. Weldman meet in the Center's waiting room; Dr. Gannon emerges from surgery to tell them that the operation was successful. Howard discovers this and is relieved, but one of his American Supremacy Party members, Jumbo, arrives to tell him that the police are investigating their headquarters and asking questions. Dr. Weldman arrives home to find his house completely ransacked and Howard and his Party members waiting for him. They provoke him into attacking and in the fight Dr. Weldman inflicts a grievous wound on Howard, necessitating that he be taken to the Center. Once there, the Party members confront Dr. Gannon, describing their "friendly visit" to Dr. Weldman. They note that if Howard dies, Dr. Weldman would be charged with murder.
Dr. Weldman's bail is paid by Mrs. Weldman and he is released from police custody. The police appear to be on his side, as they despise Howard and his friends. Dr. Weldman is horrified to learn that his wife and son approve of his violence against Howard and is disturbed by the knowledge that he nearly killed someone. He chooses to reject bail and remain in police custody. Mrs. Tully refuses to allow Dr. Gannon to operate on her son, believing that his personal opposition to Howard's beliefs makes him unsuitable for the task. Dr. Gannon tries to convince her that his political opinions will not be a factor in treating his patient, but she doesn't believe him. Mrs. Weldman arrives at the Center and tells Dr. Gannon what happened at the police station. They talk about Dr. Weldman's reasoning behind his actions. Howard goes into shock and Dr. Gannon goes back to stabilize him.
Mrs. Weldman speaks with Mrs. Tully about the whole situation. She believes that both of them are responsible for the whole incident; Mrs. Weldman feels responsible for encouraging her son and husband to retaliate against Howard and she points out that Mrs. Tully's refusal to allow Howard to undergo surgery will kill him. Dr. Gannon again pleas with Mrs. Tully to consent to Howard's surgery but she continues to refuse, asking the unconscious Howard for guidance. Dr. Gannon points out that should she continue this line of reasoning her son will have died from "criminal paranoia and hatred." Finally he convinces her to consent and the operation proceeds. Some of the American Supremacy Party arrives to wait for Howard, indicating that if he dies Dr. Weldman and Dr. Gannon will be targeted. Mrs. Tully angrily expels them. The operation is a success and Mrs. Tully drops the charges against Dr. Weldman, allowing him to go free. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: November 18, 1974 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:50:39
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:15165
- GENRE: Drama, medical
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, medical
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1969-1976
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Frank Glicksman … Executive Producer, Created by
- Al C. Ward … Executive Producer, Created by
- Don Brinkley … Producer, Writer
- Earl Bellamy … Director
- George Romanis … Music by
- Lalo Schifrin … Theme Music by
- Chad Everett … Cast, Dr. Joe Gannon
- James Daly … Cast, Dr. Paul Lochner
- John Colicos … Cast, Dr. Weldman
- Katherine Helmond … Cast, Rachel Weldman
- Louise Latham … Cast, Mrs. Tully
- David Macklin … Cast, Howard Tully
- Richard Gilliland … Cast, David Weldman
- Rod Haase … Cast, Jumbo
- James Griffith … Cast, Sgt. Welding
- Harv Selsby … Cast, Dr. Calvert
- Virginia Hawkins … Cast, Nurse Canford
- Chris Hutson … Cast, Nurse
- Sheldon Coburn … Cast, Anesthesiologist
- Scott Williams … Cast, A.S.P. Member
- Barbara Baldavin … Cast, Nurse Holmby