Stephan Brenner may be young, but – after his work with a severely injured child and his subsequent efforts with earthquake victimsin Italy – he's made a name for himself as a skilled, compassionate surgeon. But it's actually Karl (Richard Barthelmess), Stephan'sfoster brother, who is the surgeon. And behind Karl's use of his brother's identity lies a sentimental tale of secrets, love andsacrifice. Director Michael Curtiz and art director Anton Grot elevated their status at Warner Bros. with Alias the Doctor. Usingtilted walls, shadows and other expressionist techniques, Curtiz and Grot made the film a triumph of style and paved the way fortheir teaming few months later in the eerily atmospheric Doctor X.
