The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse (1938)

60% of users liked it
(154 ratings)

Edward G. Robinson shines in a fine comic role as Dr. Clitterhouse, a brilliant psychiatrist doing research into the criminal mind. The good doctor wants to gain a clearer understanding of how a thief feels when he's in the midst of a robbery, so strictly for academic purposes he tries to crack a… More Edward G. Robinson shines in a fine comic role as Dr. Clitterhouse, a brilliant psychiatrist doing research into the criminal mind. The good doctor wants to gain a clearer understanding of how a thief feels when he's in the midst of a robbery, so strictly for academic purposes he tries to crack a safe at a high society party to which he's been invited. While trying to get rid of the jewels he swiped in the course of this experiment, Clitterhouse makes the acquaintance of "Rocks" Valentine (Humphrey Bogart), the tough-as-nails leader of a group of professional thieves. Clitterhouse is fascinated by Valentine and discovers that he enjoys committing robberies, so he joins forces with Valentine's gang and uses his superior intellect to mastermind a series of daring and profitable heists. Clitterhouse is also beguiled by Jo Keller (Claire Trevor), a beautiful dame who fences stolen gems. But Valentine doesn't appreciate how Dr. Clitterhouse has worked his way into the gang, and he is soon looking for an opportunity to get him out of the picture. The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse was co-written by John Huston and features several key members of the Warner Brothers stock company in supporting roles, including Allen Jenkins and Donald Crisp. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 27 min.
Directed By: Anatole Litvak
Written By: John Wexley, John Huston
Genres: Drama, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Jul 20, 1938 Wide
On DVD: Oct 21, 2008

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Far-fetched but entertaining comedy/gangster melodrama.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Lanning :

It's interesting to see this described as a comedy. I wonder if the Humphrey Bogart character would see it that way. Although this might qualify as gangster-movie lite, if I were to put it into a comedy category, it would be comedy of the absurd. The ending alone would qualify… More
It's interesting to see this described as a comedy. I wonder if the Humphrey Bogart character would see it that way. Although this might qualify as gangster-movie lite, if I were to put it into a comedy category, it would be comedy of the absurd. The ending alone would qualify this as absurd, when Robinson sits there in his seat, a free man, his only comment on the judicial process is that it is, "Amazing . . . amazing." And it is amazing that he, a murderer who pleads his own sanity, is found innocent by reason of insanity. That is absurd in the truest sense.
Michael G

A fun pseudo-gangster movie about a doctor who submerges himself fully into the gangster world in order to write a book about criminal psychology. Edward G. Robinson is his usual enjoyable self as the doctor and Humphrey Bogart as his sort of nemesis in his standard Murderers Row… More
A fun pseudo-gangster movie about a doctor who submerges himself fully into the gangster world in order to write a book about criminal psychology. Edward G. Robinson is his usual enjoyable self as the doctor and Humphrey Bogart as his sort of nemesis in his standard Murderers Row fare. The cast foots the bill well enough but the story seems to make a weird turn every half hour. It goes from a heist picture to a fun gangster comedy, then to a half-assed courtroom drama. Its decent enough but beyond a little fun, all you're probably going to get out of The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse are a few giggles out of the title. ...Clitterhouse...
AJ V

I highly recommend this movie, it is a crime drama with a bit of humor and suspense. A doctor becomes a criminal when studying criminals. Great cast too.
jay n

Fun crime drama with a light touch. Edward G. and Claire Trevor are terrific and Bogie is fine although stuck in the villian role again. The Warners stock company offers their usual solid support. The film falls apart a bit at the end but until then a good time.
cody f

Fun flick about a brilliant doctor ( Eddie G.) who goes into the criminal underworld for reserch. Bogie is great as the bad guy and a good script from John Huston. The only problem is the sudden ending that catches you off-guard and doesn't resolve anything.

Cast

            Edward G. Robinson as Dr. Clitterhouse

            Claire Trevor as Jo Keller

            Humphrey Bogart as Rocks Valentine

            Allen Jenkins as Okay

            Donald Crisp as Inspector Lane

            Gale Page as Nurse Randolph

            Henry O'Neill as Judge

            John Litel as Prosecutor

            Thurston Hall as Grant

            Max 'Slapsie Maxie' Rosenbloom as Butch

            Bert Hanlon as Pat

            Curt Bois as Rabbit

            Ward Bond as Tug

            Vladimir Sokoloff as Popus

            Billy Wayne as Candy

            Robert E. Homans as Lt. Johnson

            Irving Bacon as Jury Foreman

            Wade Boteler as Captain MacLevy

            Sidney Bracey as Chemist

            Georgia Caine as Mrs. Updike

            Romaine Callender as Butler

            Ray Dawe as Policeman

            Hal K. Dawson as Pedestrian

            Edgar Dearing as Patrolman

            Edward Gargan as Sergeant

            William Haade as Watchman

            Winifred Harris as Mrs. Ganswoort

            Susan Hayward as Bit Part

            Vera Lewis as Woman Juror

            Ed Mortimer as Guest

            Jack Mower as Detective

            Ronald Reagan as Announcer

            Eric Stanley as Dr. Ames

            Larry Steers as Guest

            Libby Taylor as Mrs. Jefferson

            Monte Vandergrift as Detective

            Joyce Williams as Patricia

            William Worthington as Guest

            Mary Field as Maid

            Bruce Mitchell as Bailiff

            Thomas E. Jackson as Connors

            Loia Cheaney as Nurse Donor

            Bob Reeves as Policeman
See full cast