When Chalmers said to the woman in the hospital that he thinks that Dr. Willard is too inexperienced and wants another doctor to take care of his witness, is a senator allowed to do that, especially if they have no medical experties on how good a doctor is at his job, he doesn't know? Do senators have that power over the hospital, if it's their witness?
shareChalmers isn't a senator. It's never stated exactly what he is, but it is explicitly stated what he isn't: a holder of elective or appointed public office.
What we can observe about him is that he's wealthy, well-connected and influential. Since it's also stated that he's involved with a Senate subcommittee, my guess is that he's an attorney serving as Special Council to that committee.
His demand that Dr. Willard be replaced by his personal physician is representative of his local influence and penchant for throwing his weight around, as well as hinting at a measure of racism. You may remember that his demand being acted upon by hospital administration is something we never see actually coming to pass, and when the hitman is known to be in the hospital, Bullitt makes a point of issuing an order to patrolmen that "nobody but Dr. Willard and the nurses" would be allowed in Ross/Renick's room. I take this to mean that even if Chalmers' physician shows up, Bullitt's not letting him near the patient.
Poe! You are...avenged!
Thanks for the info on what position Chalmers holds in the movie. You're probably right. I've always admired Robert Vaughn (I used to watch a lot of 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E. episodes in my youth), even though, like John Wayne, he's obviously not a method actor. But it's still interesting to see him sink his teeth into a villain role like Chalmers. Two points to consider: It's possible that his "order" to have Dr. Willard replaced was 100% racism-motivated. For his type of character, back in the 1960s, that was very likely. Also, even though he told this to the head nurse there's a very real chance that even if she told the hospital administrator, he/she may or may not have done anything about it.
shareWhen TCM ran Bullitt a couple nights ago, the program guide referred to Chalmers as a "senator," and in his wraparound, Ben Mankiewicz called him a "DA." The information that he's neither emerges in only one statement, from Bennett: "He's grooming himself for public office."
It's possible that his "order" to have Dr. Willard replaced was 100% racism-motivated. For his type of character...I love the economy of the writing. We can draw that conclusion, or that he's an arrogant elitist who's accustomed to throwing his weight around, or any combination thereof. However we read it, it gives us another reason to dislike him. And Vaughn "sells" it beautifully with a nuanced combination of smarminess and reptilian coldness.
I always thought Chalmers was a federal prosecutor; I'm thinking he'd have to be federal to move the venue for the trial from one state to another. I don't think a state's attorney, for instance, could do that. Once he got this big mob trial under his belt, he would be well-placed to become something like Attorney General or maybe a Supreme Court justice.
shareI figured he was an Assistant District Attorney, who has money. That would allow him to hire bodyguards like he does. And give him legal authority. But Federal Prosecutor is a good assumption too.
Of course not. And if he wanted another doctor on a case, he certainly wouldn't go to the nursing supervisor. All in all it's a decent movie, but there are a few really funky mistakes, like this, and the cheesy car soundtrack during the chase scene. And you must be really kind of dumb if you don't know this...
shareThis is a financial threat to the hospital with direct consequences to the administrator [like getting replaced] . Chambers is wealthy and connected and probably a donor and on the board of the hospital. I see it as not a legal threat but a case of Chambers using his clout.
shareHe must have legal standing of some sort, to get a writ on a Sunday. Either a special prosecutor, or ADA would have that kind of authority to see a judge to approve a writ on a weekend.
shareYes, I've done it many times before and I never held any elected office
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