Dear Dr. Spencer: Abortion in a Small Town

From 1923 until his death in 1969, Dr. Robert Douglas Spencer performed more than 40,000 illegal abortions in the small coal-mining town of Ashland, PA. Because he also provided the town with any other medical services it required--often free of charge--and was so well liked in general, the church-going citizenry ignored the steady stream of young women going to and from his office, and the county police warned him each time he was about to be raided by the state police. Via interviews with Dr. Spencer's wife, local townspeople, and abortion patients, we are presented a poignant picture of a deeply caring man of science who wanted to ease suffering and help humanity. Though no one on the "opposing" side of this issue is interviewed, and the tape itself is short and expensive, Dear Dr. Spencer, which is narrated by indie actress Lili Taylor, has won many awards, and is exceedingly well-done on all other levels. Highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (K. Glaser)