The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse (1938)

A well known society doctor (Edward G. Robinson) is fascinated with criminal behavior. In order to do more research, he joins a gang of jewel thieves. But he finds that he has bitten off more than he can chew as blackmail and murder follow. Based on the play by Barre Lyndon and directed by Anatole Litvak (THE SNAKE PIT). This crime film is quite unique and I'm shocked that it got away with what it gets away with. This is not a pre code film yet a murderer is allowed to get away with what would seem to be a perfect crime! The film balances the darkness of the material with humor but the amorality of the central situation is never fully addressed. I'm also surprised that the sexual pun in the movie's title was allowed to slip by the censors. Robinson is very good playing the intellectual doctor and leaves the thug act to Humphrey Bogart as a gang member of the jewel thieves. With Claire Trevor, Donald Crisp, Allen Jenkins, Gale Page, Thurston Hall, Ward Bond and Maxie Rosenbloom.