Dr. Robert Cromwell removes a brain tumor from wealthy client Turner, but when Turner later dies, Cromwell is tried for murder. Cromwell’s assertion that the dangerous operation was successful since Turner did not die until five hours afterward, persuades the jury to acquit him. The medical board, however, is convinced that Cromwell was experimenting on an incurable invalid, and revokes his license. Having just acquired his pilot’s license, Cromwell sees an opportunity to start over and begins a transpacific flight with his friend, Donald Evans. Caught in thick cloud cover, they are forced to make an emergency landing in the Alaskan Klondike region, during which Evans is killed. Cromwell is rescued and taken to Mark Armstrong’s trading post, where the local residents meet him. They believe he is Evans, since they have heard the sensationalized reports of Cromwell’s trial and do not believe the man with them is capable of murder. Cromwell convalesces under the care of Klondike, who is engaged to Mark’s invalid son Jim Armstrong. Jim, who is an electrical genius, suffers from the same kind of tumor as Turner did, and when Cromwell treats a boy’s broken leg, everyone realizes he is the infamous doctor. Mark entreats Cromwell to cure Jim and accuses him of not wanting to operate because he is in love with Klondike and afraid of losing her to Jim. Cromwell finally gives in and the operation is successful. When Jim awakens, however, he appears unable to speak or walk. After Cromwell hears a radio broadcast that Mrs. Turner, the wife of his former patient, confesses to having conspired to kill her husband with Cromwell, he plans to return stateside to clear his name, but first reveals his everlasting love to Klondike. Before he leaves, however, he is approached by Jim, who speaks and walks perfectly. Jim confesses to having faked his muteness and the radio broadcasts in order to get rid of Cromwell. Jim now plans to kill Cromwell by making it look as if he accidentally electrocuted himself. Cromwell is saved by Klondike and Mark, who are astonished to see Jim up and about. Later, Klondike and Cromwell are married and return to the States. Cromwell confides to a reporter that he found gold in Alaska, in the person of Klondike. More on Wikipedia or Mubi
Watch Klondike/ The Doctor’s Sacrifice (1931)
