Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine

Sawbones: Horror Doctors

Oct 20, 2026 · 37m

Summary

In this episode of Sawbones, hosts Justin and Sydney McElroy review horror movie doctors from the 1960s and earlier to determine if they should lose their medical licenses. They analyze characters like Dr. Frankenstein, Dr. Caligari, and Dr. Jekyll, debating whether their actions constitute gross deviations from standard of care or legitimate experimental medicine. The duo also examines figures from films like The Ape, Black Friday, and The Brain That Wouldn't Die, concluding that most fictional doctors commit license-revoking offenses such as murder or unethical experimentation.

Topics discussed

Intro and the concept of the movie medical board Judging Dr. Frankenstein's license Dr. Caligari and the ethics of hypnotism Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde, and substance use Dr. Bernard Adrian in The Ape Dr. Sovak in Black Friday and brain transplants Sponsor reads for Quince and Squarespace Maximum Fun member of the month and promos Bela Lugosi in The Corpse Vanishes Dr. Walters in Captive Wild Woman Dr. Corey in Donovan's Brain Dr. Miles Bennell in Invasion of the Body Snatchers Dr. Bonnet in The Man Who Could Cheat Death The surgeon in The Brain That Wouldn't Die Dr. Xavier in X, the Man with X-ray Eyes Outro and final thoughts on horror doctors
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