The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse

Plot synopsis:
Dr. Clitterhouse (Edward G. Robinson) is a wealthy society doctor in New York City who decides to research the medical aspects of the behavior of criminals directly by becoming one. He begins a series of daring jewel robberies, measuring his own blood pressure, temperature and pulse before, during and afterwards, but yearns for a larger sample for his study.
From one of his patients, Police Inspector Lewis Lane (Donald Crisp), he learns the name of the biggest fence in the city, Joe Keller. He goes to meet Keller to sell what he has stolen, only to find out that "Joe" is actually "Jo" (Claire Trevor). The doctor impresses Jo and a gang of thieves headed by 'Rocks' Valentine (Humphrey Bogart) with his exploits, so Jo invites him to join them, and he accepts.
Dr. Clitterhouse pretends to take a six-week vacation in Europe. As "The Professor", he proceeds to wrest leadership of the gang (and the admiration of Jo) away from Rocks, making him extremely resentful. When they rob a fur warehouse, Rocks locks his rival in a cold-storage vault, but Clitterhouse is freed by Butch (Maxie Rosenbloom), a gang member that Jo had assigned to keep watch on him. Afterwards, Clitterhouse announces he is quitting; he has enough data from studying the gang during their robberies, and his "vacation" time is up. He returns the gang to Rocks' control.
However, Rocks learns Dr. Clitterhouse's real identity and shows up at his Park Avenue office. Rocks tries to blackmail the doctor into using his office as a safehouse as they rob the doctor's own wealthy friends. Clitterhouse learns that Rocks will not let him publish his incriminating research, and also realizes that he has not studied the ultimate crime – murder – which will be the final chapter to his book. So, he gives a poisoned drink to Rocks, and he studies his symptoms as he dies. Jo helps dispose of the body in the river, but it is recovered and the poison is detected by the police.
The doctor is ultimately caught by his friend Inspector Lane and placed on trial. He insists that he did everything for purely scientific reasons and claims that his book is a "sane book" and that it is "impossible for an insane man to write a sane book". His determination to show that he is sane, and therefore willing to face the death penalty, convinces the jury to find him not guilty by reason of insanity.

Tags: comedy, psychological, murder

Review:
Take a successful broadway play, add Edward G Robinson, Humphery Bogart, Claire Trevor and the Warner Brothers stock company to the mix and you can't go wrong.
And this one doesn't go wrong.Robinson plays Dr Clitterhouse, an extremely successful doctor catering only to High Society patients.In reality Clitterhouse only wants to do a study on criminals with the hope of developing a cure for crime by finding out what makes these men tick.To do this he joins a gang led by Trevor as the brains and Bogie as the Brawn.Clitterhouse participates in their ventures and while on the job measures things like blood pressure, heartbeat and other vital signs, but what he doesn't count on is his near addiction to crime.Robinson makes a great Clitterhouse(Cedric Hardwicke played him on Broadway)Bogart in his gangster milieu, plays Rocks Valentine like it is second nature to him.
The Stock company in this one consists of Ward Bond, Vladimir Sokoloff, Maxie Rosenbloom, Donald Crisp, Gale Page and John Litel.Dr Clitterhouse is a fun film, but don't ask him to make a house call.
Robinson plays a respected doctor who decides that the only way to truly understand criminal behavior for an academic study he is writing is to become a criminal himself.
He joins a thieving ring run by Jo Keller (Claire Trevor, looking hotsy-totsy) and proceeds to both help the thieves with their crimes while at the same time studying them for the biological and psychological effects of their actions.
Trouble arises when Jo's right-hand man, played by Humphrey Bogart, begins to feel like a third wheel, and blackmails Robinson when he discovers his true identity.This film is a real treat.
Robinson begins to enjoy being a criminal, and his detached approach to crime makes him capable of committing murder without a second thought.
That's the question a jury must answer at the film's climax, and one the viewer still won't be able to answer after the movie's over.Robinson, Trevor and Bogart have enough chemistry together to start a fire, and the three of them would team up again 10 years later for another terrific film, John Huston's "Key Largo." Anatole Litvak provides the fluid direction.Grade: A-.
The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse that Warner Brothers presented in 1938 is an adaption of a British play which had been done in London a few years back with Sir Cedric Hardwicke in the title role that Edward G.
All that is except Humphrey Bogart who resents his presence.It's an interesting idea for a story and the film does have some good plot twists that I'm sure the audience won't figure out if they haven't seen it.
Lighthearted crime film with a quirky, great Robinson in the lead.
It does have Humphrey Bogart about to become a famous star, and it has Claire Trevor in the role as a moll (which is a bit odd for her, but you should see her in "Born to Kill" for her best at this).
Robinson plays a doctor who is so detached from reality he decides to research the physiology of criminals while they are committing a crime (pupil dilation, blood pressure, etc.).
Robinson and Humphrey Bogart are great as are the rest of the cast.
There's a great scene where Bogart gets slapped for misinterpreting a double entendre.This film has something that I think is significant for the time.
The ending has an irresistible twist as the doctor incorrigibly revels in his bizarre circumstances as the camera closes in on an excited Robinson as chaos ensues all around.I rate this film a strong 8 and recommend that Ivars give this film another chance..
CLITTERHOUSE was a play, originally , starring Sir Cedric Hardwicke as the polished society doctor who is writing a book on the criminal mind, and needs to become a criminal to get his research.
But Hardwicke looked the part of the learned doctor, and had enough restrained threat to look like he could plan and carry out real crimes as well.But Warner Brothers starred him in THE AMAZING DR.
It is really the performances of the supporting cast, particularly Humphrey Bogart as "Rocks Valentine", Claire Trevor, and Maxie Rosenbloom.
They give real color to the story, particularly Bogie as a vicious type who hates seeing how effortlessly the brilliant Clitterhouse takes leadership of his gang away from him.
Bogie's Rocks keeps looking for his opportunities, and even tries to freeze the doctor to death (leading to a powerful moment on the film when a furious Rosenbloom almost pounds him in retaliation).
And his attempts to get the goods on Clitterhouse, inevitably, lead to an unexpected tragedy.Robinson was less than happy with the film - he was right to be.
He decides to team-up with her gang to observe the thieves in action using the alias The Professor and becomes close to Jo. However the gangster "Rocks" Valentine (Humphrey Bogart) decides to get rid of The Professor and double-crosses him up during the heist of a store.
The plot is funny, with hilarious situations of Dr. Clitterhouse, a prominent doctor that uses his relationship with the high-society and the chief of police to rob and understand the criminal mind.
Robinson as the title character, a doctor who becomes so obsessed with understanding the criminal mind he becomes a criminal himself.
In addition to Jenkins and Rosenbloom mentioned before, there's Claire Trevor, Donald Crisp, and Humphrey Bogart as Rocks Valentine (what a name!).
Robinson Rocks; Bogart in hoodlum mode; a fascinating film in many ways..
"Dr. Clitterhouse" is twice as good as the two Fritz Lang pictures Robinson made, ten times better than Howard Hawks's silly, static "BAll of Fire" and 20 times better than CApra's pretentious 'black comedy' "Arsenic and Old Lace." It's fascinating not just because of the intricate, psychological, talk-heavy, crime-caper script written by John Huston and two others, but because Robinson, in his 'up' 'hyperactive' mode is beyond fascinating to watch.
He plays a psychologist writing a thesis on criminality who goes undercover with a bunch of thieves led by Bogart, helping them rob better by planning their heists, while he studies them.
Like Gable, Muni, Garfield, Cagney, and the Bogart of the post-Maltese-Falcon years, Robinson, when he's in 'gangsta' or 'noir' mode, is one of those immortal characters that given half a chance, a decent script and passable direction always transcends and makes a film watchable.
If you like this film also check out "Tampico" and "Unholy Partners," two other forgotten Edward G.Robinson classics..
Robinson, (Dr. T S Clitterhouse) who is a psychiatrist and medical doctor who decides to investigate the world of crime.
Dr. Clitterhouse gets himself involved with criminals and wants to do a study of what makes all these people chose the life of crime and even gives blood tests to all the criminals.
Claire Trevor, ( Joe Keller) and Humphrey Bogart, (Rocks Vallentine) are a few of the people involved with Dr. Clitterhouse's study of the criminal mind.
Great 30's flick, there's nothing quite like it, which is why this film is a true must-see.I think some reviewers tried to take this one a bit TOO seriously - obviously that wasn't the intention.Suspenseful, intriguing, and very wry.There are just SO many top-notch actors in this one, and they each play the part convincingly.
Although this is far from one of his better films, he turns in a pretty good performance of a doctor "researching" crime by becoming a criminal himself and performing "scientific studies" on his reactions.
maybe it's the way that Trevor so quickly turns Robinson into her Number Two guy; maybe it's the way everyone in the gang (except Bogie; his resentment is about the only believable part in this movie) goes along with this arrangement like it's perfectly OK to have your blood pressure taken and pupils examined and blood drawn after every crime; maybe it's the way the law enforcement officials (police, judge) wipe their sweating brows/faces in such a broad, comic manner; maybe it's the absurd trial and even absurder "verdict" (rendered in the jury box no less) ...
While this might be a negative for some, fans of the genre such as myself will find that this is yet another well-written and well-acted gangster film complete with the usual Warner stars and support cast.
Robinson plays a doctor who infiltrates a mob to test his theories concerning the criminal mind.
On the other hand, the film seems very flat and there are many, many better Bogart and Robinson films.This film is not played as broad comedy, and it's certainly not a gangster flick.
CLITTERHOUSE and whatever fun he was having with the concept of a respected doctor who turns to crime in order to become a method criminologist by joining a hoodlum gang of thieves, it doesn't quite jell.At no time does director Anatole Litvak let us know that this is supposed to be a comedy or spoof of Warner gangster films.
However, audiences must have found the idea more than a little offbeat to be taken seriously.Making things further unbelievable is the way CLAIRE TREVOR plays the gun moll with such intensity, but immediately takes a liking to the amazing doctor after opposing his very presence among them.
But the story takes a grim twist toward the end, dealing with Bogart's fate.Another absurd angle is the gang's willingness to have the doctor performing his blood tests on them as a part of his research project every time they go on a heist.
ROBINSON is fine as the doctor and has one especially good scene where he plays cat-and-mouse with THURSTON HALL to find out whether the man will be willing to represent him at trial.Robinson, Bogart, Trevor and director Huston would all reunite ten years later for a much finer film--KEY LARGO--which utilized Trevor's talent in a much more rewarding way.At best, this is a curiosity that holds the interest but can make you impatient with the absurdity of it all..
Robinson did a very good job, and my girl friend thought that he looked very much like her doctor, who is also very amazing, but not quite as amazing as Dr. Clitterhouse.
Humphrey Bogart was on his way to becoming a star by the time this film was released in 1938.
Once again, this film comes down to a final confrontation between Robinson and Bogart and it is exciting.
Out of all the collaborations between Robinson and Bogart, this film and "Key Largo" are their best.
Dr. Clitterhouse is a professor and medical practitioner who is involved in the study of crime and of the criminal mind.
The film is an adaptation of a successful stage play, where noted theatre actor Cedric Hardwicke took the leading role.
Robinson, Bogart, Trevor, written by Huston - can't beat it.
Robinson in the title role, that of a prominent physician studying the psychology of the criminal mind.
He becomes a jewel thief himself studies his responses for his book, Crime and Research.He learns the name of a fence, Jo Keller, finds out he owns a hotel, and goes to meet what he thinks is a man.
Robinson's Clitterhouse is so sure of himself, and so clinical -- he doesn't see what he's doing as criminal, just important research.
In order to get better tests done he joins a gang being run by Claire Trevor and the dangerous Humphrey Bogart.
This film's suppose to be a comedy but it's a tad bit too strange to work as that but it remains an entertaining movie due to the three stars.
Without a center, the rest cannot hold, and though the rest of the cast,--Claire Trevor, Humphrey Bogart, Ward Bond--is good, this is bottom shelf stuff, and a terrible waste of terrific acting talent at or near the peak of their powers..
It's so unusual to see Edward G Robinson playing ambivalent characters that this movie should be seen by every fan of the actor .it's moreover  the opportunity to see Bogart and Robinson joined in the same film,one more time , about the first we are not very surprised by his composition of cynical gangster certainly because despite his evident sense of humor in the movie,he has done very better performances in the "gangster kind" role , the apotheosis is "high sierra" of  Walsh ;    whatever it's not an usual gangster film to see especially for "big g"..
As the film opens, the good doctor has just committed his fourth robbery, all jewel heists, and is now about to ingratiate himself with a mob, hoping to gain further insight.I found "The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse" to be a blast, owing largely to Robinson's understated, almost casual performance as a master criminal.
His random choice of a gang to work with leads him to Jo Keller (Claire Trevor), and a short list of Warner stock players, including Allen Jenkins, Slapsie Maxie Rosenbloom, and Ward Bond as members of the mob.
The one thorn in Clitterhouse's side is Rocks Valentine (Humphrey Bogart), who doesn't take kindly to the doctor's high society manner and scientific method.
The fact that Jo might be falling for the doc is also a factor, though there is no chemistry to speak of between Jo and Rocks, their relationship primarily focused on the next big heist.What might have begun as scientific research begins to look a lot like enjoyment for the doctor, so after robbing a fur vault Clitterhouse decides it's time to take a break.
There are enough elements of each for this movie to be considered both a comedy and a crime film, with about equal parts of both taking center stage.
Robinson was fantastic in his role, and the film being based on a play ensured top-notch dialogs.
Humphrey Bogart did alright as well, I certainly liked him better in this movie than in The Petrified Forest (1936) where his character felt rather one-dimensional.To top it all, the ending was just genius, the jury's decision bit predictable, but still hilarious.
He plays a doctor (Clitterhouse) who wants to research why some people pursue crime as a living...so he becomes a jewel thief himself.
Robinson), interested in the criminal personality, joins a gang of thieves anonymously.
(He gives his part of the proceeds to charity.) Then, his work accomplished, he bids the gang adieu.Alas, one of the more obnoxious of the gangsters, Rocks (Humphrey Bogart), unravels Robinson's professional identity, tracks him down in his office, and tries to blackmail him into coming up with more master plans.
Robinson coolly poisons Bogart and dumps his body in the river, believing that the police will attribute the death to accidental drowning.Some doctor!
"Remarkable," comments Robinson.Humphrey Bogart was making a slew of movies around this time, usually in the same roles -- secondary and villainous.
Robinson, Claire Trevor and Humphrey Bogart mark this comedic crime drama.
Robinson, also stars Claire Trevor and Humphrey Bogart, among several other Warner Bros.
stock players.The titled Doctor (Robinson) is a respected Park Avenue physician, a frequent guest at high society parties, who personally engages in thievery as research for a book that he hopes will provide insight into the physiology of the criminal, and "his" mind.
During this quest for knowledge, Dr. Clitterhouse associates with the city's highest stakes fence Jo Keller (Trevor) and "her" gang, led by "Rocks" Valentine (Bogart), while trying to avoid capture by his acquaintance, Police Inspector Lewis Lane (Donald Crisp).
The performances by its three leads (Robinson, Trevor, & Bogart) are particularly good.Clitterhouse has just beaten a member of Rocks's gang to a safe full of jewels at a Park Avenue party he's attended.
A cheap plot device involving the phone is used that enables Rocks to track the Doctor, heretofore known to the gang only as "the Professor", back to his Park Avenue office.Jo soon follows but is too late to warn Clitterhouse before Rocks has him at the point of his gun.
Grant pleads his case as insanity to the Judge (Henry O'Neill), the jury and its exasperated foreman (Irving Bacon), against the prosecutor (John Litel).A little hackneyed perhaps, but a perfectly logical (and amazing!) verdict is eventually rendered, which somehow got by the censors at the time (who insisted that no criminal should go free and, after all, Clitterhouse was a murderer even if it was a criminal like Rocks!) - not guilty, though the Judge does recommend that the state doctor's examine him..
She was connected to a gang of thieves, lead by 'Rocky' Valentine(Humphrey Bogart)(Any relation to film criminal Jimmy Valentine: "Alias Jimmy Valentine"?).
A real hoodlum named Rocks Valentine (Humphrey Bogart) would like to see Clitterhouse out of the way.The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse is one amazing movie!
The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse has finally brought me all the way around on Robinson.
It's just as interesting to watch Robinson's Clitterhouse totally unaware of Keller's feelings as he's blinded by science.
A complex script for it's time, there are a number of reasons this film works but the real glue is a great performance by Robinson.
A man of Medical Science studying criminal behavior, he becomes the leader of a strong gang headed by Bogart.
He keeps his true identity from the gang until Bogart finally sorts it out.Meanwhile, his research and crimes pile up to the point where he needs one more study, the mentality of a murderer.
Some folks even consider this a bit of Criminal Sci-Fi. Still, this movie is ahead of it's time in some ways, but that is because Warner's had some pretty good script writers in the studio in this era..
Suspicious Bogart immediately discovers what he's up to and prepares to blackmail him into continuing (with moll Claire Trevor present) and this leads to a shocking act on Robinson's end.Gripping crime drama with psychological undercurrents gives the former Little Caesar an incredible rile and he chews it up like a lion with raw steak.
This title character, a Park Avenue nut-job quack, gets off "Scot Free" for assassinating a far more valuable member of Society, Rocks Valentine (Humphrey Bogart).