Alias The Doctor

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

• drama