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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