U.M.C. (aka Operation Heartbeat) (1969)

A widow (Kim Stanley) files a lawsuit against a gifted surgeon (Richard Bradford) claiming he allowed her husband (William Windom) to die so his heart could be transplanted into the doctor's ailing mentor and friend (Edward G. Robinson). Directed by Boris Sagal (THE OMEGA MAN). At one time, it wasn't unusual for networks to make a movie pilot for a potential television series to see how it played out and these pilots often played as feature films overseas. U.M.C. (retitled OPERATION HEARTBEAT for its theatrical showings) is one such example. Shown in April, the pilot was picked up and under the title MEDICAL CENTER, it premiered in September of the same year although Richard Bradford was replaced by Chad Everett. As to the film itself, it's a standard medical drama, neatly done with the courtroom segment standing out. It also provided a rare opportunity to see the great Kim Stanley on film (her film and TV work are rare) although the role isn't especially interesting. With Maurice Evans, Kevin McCarthy, James Daly, Shelley Fabares, James Shigeta, J.D. Cannon and Audrey Totter whose role seems to have been severely cut.