Created by author Frederick Faust (1892-1944) under the pen name Max Brand, the popular movie and TV series was loosely based on Faust’s friend Dr. George Fish. The first film Interns Can’t Take Money in 1937 starred Joel McRea as James Kildare and co-starred Barbara Stanwyck as Janet Haley. Lew Ayres took over the title role in 1938. 

Co-starring Lionel Barrymore as Dr. Gillespie, Young Dr. Kildare was released October 14, 1938 with Paramount releasing nine more titles up to 1942 with the popular acting team.

MGM ran a radio series starring Ayres and Barrymore The Story Of Dr. Kildare in 1949-1950 followed by syndication.

The NBC network broadcast five seasons of the TV series; 190 episodes between September 28, 1961 and April 5, 1966. Richard Chamberlain starred as Kildare with Raymond Massey as Dr. Gillespie. 

The basic plot had Kildare with his charming bedside manner working toward residency under Gillespie. Writers included Theodore Apstein and William Bast.  Directors included Jack Arnold and Earl Bellamy. The 1962 theme song written by Hal Winn and Jerry Goldsmith and sung by Richard Chamberlain reached #10 on the pop charts.

Dell Comics released nine comic books between 1962 and 1966 with color photo covers and Ken Bald drew the Dr. Kildare comic strip from 1962 to 1983.