.com A stylish, often amusing crime drama, this 1938 feature revolves around a central, improbable plot twist that consciously serves its casting against type: as the eponymous doctor, Edward G. Robinson, who had helped define the Warner Bros. style for gritty gangster sagas, jettisons his signature snarl in favor of a plummy, vaguely English accent that underlines his urbane sophistication. Dr. Clitterhouse is a creature of privilege who embarks on a criminal life not out of desperation, but rather through intellectual curiosity; instead of slouch hats and suits, he has marcelled hair and first appears in white tie and tails. He begins pulling off "perfect" jewel thefts as research into the criminal mind, but his gradual immersion in New York's shadowy demimonde of thieves and fences eventually finds the good doctor between those two worlds. Robinson's principal foils stick closer to their studio strong suits. Humphrey Bogart is "Rocks" Valentine, a sturdy if familiar variation on the hoods and have-nots that were his early stock in trade at the studio. Bogart's fence and former paramour is Jo Keller, played by Claire Trevor as glamorous, streetwise, and otherwise decent, apart from her knack for larceny. When the doctor asks her to fence his glittering contraband, she's intrigued, and Clitterhouse, known to the hoods only as "the Professor," becomes their strategist. Jo is clearly falling for him, while "Rocks" is visibly jealous of the fastidious stranger's rising influence and romantic rivalry. In keeping with its ultimately goofy premise, the story navigates some eccentric plot turns with an aplomb that can be credited to the solid cast (including other studio stalwarts such as Allen Jenkins, Ward Bond, and Donald Crisp) and the three principals, who would work off each other to much more riveting effect a decade later in Key Largo. --Sam Sutherland
A**R
Must see this comedy
One of the most unusual plots and funniest movies I have ever watched. The last scene in the courtroom actually had me on my knees I was laughing so hard.
A**A
Brilliant for its time!
Edward G was excellent. And Bogart was his usual nasty self before becoming the leading man every woman loves and every man identified with. Claire Trevor was fantastic as always. I love the film and highly recommend it.
C**Y
What a brilliant movie
Oldie but goodie
A**N
Bad title -Good movie!!
If you watch a lot of classic Hollywood films then you probably will like this one. Edward G. Robinson is really wonderful and plays a different kind of "bad guy" in an intelligently funny movie. Robinson can do no wrong in my book and any movie you choose to watch with him in it is going to be a pretty good if not great. If watching E.G. Robinson isn't enough for you, add in Humphrey Bogart and as they say.. That's Entertainment! Wonderful supporting cast of familiars. I really enjoyed this movie and there are some interesting and funny bits of trivia on IMDb. (Mostly referring to the horrible title!)
S**K
I was expecting a 3-star movie, I got a 5-star movie instead.
I was expecting a 3-star movie, I got a 5-star movie instead.In the beginning he is only studying criminals later he is lured in. Features Humphrey Bogart before he became a big star. The picture and sound quality are excellent. The disc is pressed, not burned.The only negative is the environmentally damaging DVD case that is thin, cheap, and has holes in it. I threw the case away, and replaced it with a more substantial one.
M**R
Amusing Film
I saw this film a few years back when AMC had it's Humprey Bogart month. Bogart himself said that Rocks Valentine was one his least favored roles, yet I thought it was quirky with the fantastic Mr. Robinson as Clitterhouse who questions ethics and in the end asks what is right or wrong or sane. I enoyed this film and I'm happy I was able to purchase it separate and not in the 'gangster pack' it was originally in.
M**T
An Under-publicized Classic!
A classic! This is a great film, with great actors and great characters. Claire Trevor in a much more glamorous role than her later famous faded lounge singer in "Key Largo." Lots of familiar classic character actor faces in this film in addition to the headliners.
P**L
Robinson and Bogey. Not their best, but worth seeing.
Not a great film, but an interesting one. It's mainly an Edward G. Robinson piece, but Bogart also plays an important role. My sense is that this a little seen film, but it's worth watching at least once. A crime drama with some interesting twists.
S**E
dvd
great
P**R
Five Stars
super
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