The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse

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The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse

Released Jul 30, 1938

1h 27m

Comedy

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4 Reviews

62%

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100+ Ratings

While conducting research on the physical impact of crime, Dr. Clitterhouse (Edward G. Robinson) decides to become a criminal himself. After a few jewelry thefts, the doctor meets Jo Keller (Claire Trevor), a major figure in the criminal underworld. He takes a liking to Keller and becomes a member of her gang, supplanting "Rocks" Valentine (Humphrey Bogart). Once he has enough data, Clitterhouse tries to return to his normal life, but Valentine finds out his identity and blackmails him.

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Otis Ferguson

The New Republic

Edward G. Robinson even when chewing the props right off the set has some magnetic kind of film personality; here for once he is allowed (or forced) to break the type, and his study of the Doctor is not only lively but a well founded job.

May 7, 2024

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John Kinloch

California Eagle

The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse is a refreshing shift from the consciously witty, would-be sophisticated crime films that have circulated since the advent of The Thin Man.

Oct 25, 2019

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Ann Ross

Maclean's Magazine

Mr. Robinson, with his volatility and energy, makes Dr. Clitterhouse a credible if unusual investigator. Supporting cast, including Humphrey Bogart and Claire Trevor, excellent.

Jul 22, 2019

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Far-fetched but entertaining comedy/gangster melodrama.

Rated: B-

Jan 7, 2010

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Steve D

I found the whole thing unconvincing.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/13/24

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Audience Member

Silly drama made entirely worthwhile by a brilliant Edward G. Robinson performance.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

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Audience Member

An interesting twist of a late 1930's Gangster Movie. Great cast with Humphrey Bogart and Edward G Robinson.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

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Audience Member

really quite entertaining, preposterous, and funny. RObinson is a delight as a "mad scientist"

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

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Audience Member

I really enjoyed this off-the-wall gangster comedy by Warner Brothers, pitting Edward G. Robinson against Humphrey Bogart, with the former trying to scientifically study the fundamental nature of crime. A real howler I know you'll get a blast out of! Crime might not pay, but it sure can be educational! =)

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

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Audience Member

Apart from a lot of sniggering about the awesome title (in particular, wondering what the alternate porn title is), I knew very little about this film until it crossed my path on the weekend. Perhaps I've read about it before in one or two of countless movie lists, but until the film started, I actually got it confused with another B&W title called Dr. Caligari - a creepy horror film, supposedly. So this weird noirish crime drama came as a surprise, in more ways than one. Edward G. Robinson does a great job as a priggish professor obsessed with psychoanalysing criminals, to the extent that he becomes one and Bogie is fun in a hard-boiled early role as a mob heavy. There a more than a few dashes of both broad and black comedy, some more successful (and less dated) than others. The film is pretty absurd and the most absurd thing about it is the abrupt ending. But it's also pretty original, and often interesting, and I reckon ripe for a modern remake. And not just as a porn title...

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

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Anatole Litvak

Director

Edward G. Robinson

Dr. Clitterhouse

Claire Trevor

Jo Keller

Humphrey Bogart

"Rocks" Valentine

Gale Page

Nurse Randolph

Donald Crisp

Inspector Lane

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Synopsis

While conducting research on the physical impact of crime, Dr. Clitterhouse (Edward G. Robinson) decides to become a criminal himself. After a few jewelry thefts, the doctor meets Jo Keller (Claire Trevor), a major figure in the criminal underworld. He takes a liking to Keller and becomes a member of her gang, supplanting "Rocks" Valentine (Humphrey Bogart). Once he has enough data, Clitterhouse tries to return to his normal life, but Valentine finds out his identity and blackmails him.

Director: Anatole Litvak
Producer: Anatole Litvak, Robert Lord
Screenwriter: John Wexley, John Huston
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 30, 1938, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2009
Runtime: 1h 27m

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