The Strange Case of Doctor Rx (1942)

 I LOVE Mantan Moreland and believe as a comedian he had a fantastic face and slapstick. However, the characters he was often saddled with treated him like a buffoon, with very problematic treatment of him, often scared silly while others never waver or lose their cool. As a butler tending to work under the detective played by Knowles (his roles in the Wolf Man films seen him as a lesser character, often second or third fiddle, so this was at the very least a starring role), Moreland too often is treated like a goof, talked down to and belittled by the film's perceived hero. It is cringe, that's all there is to it. Moreland, to his credit, takes this embarrassing role and makes the most of it, but he deserved better. I really think Moreland could have been an equal to Jerry Lewis in his prime, without the disregard that often sees him as seemingly less than. As much as I loved Moreland's odd exchange with Shemp Howard over booze in Knowles' kitchen, the bit where Knowles pushes Moreland to crawl into a chute where a line from a bug in his apartment leads to a second apartment, facing potential danger without concern, particularly stuck in my craw. But I digress. What was even more frustrating was the utter lack of value in the use of Lionel Atwill whose star had dimmed quite a bit by the time we got into the 1940s. During this period, Atwill's career took a major downturn due to scandal (which I will leave alone), and roles of insignificance followed. At any rate, in The Strange Case of Doctor Rx, he is given very little to do but look suspicious and check on the well being of victims or potential victims. He follows behind Knowles, seemingly interested in where he goes...so that is what the screenplay does to cast suspicion on him. That and the thick-lens glasses he wears. Knowles is a celebrated private dick returning from success in Central America, asked by the police (and an attorney) to take on serial murder cases involving a Dr. Rx, who leaves behind notes on victims dying what appear to be strangulations by rope. Anne Gwynne (who was featured in some of Universal B-movies, such as "House of Frankenstein" and "The Black Cat") is the romantic love interest of Knowles, a detective novelist who used him as her inspiration for successful stories. They fuss and fight, always flirty and innocuous, but ultimately marry. She worries about Knowles, who is told by a note to leave well enough alone or else wind up like a Barnaby, a detective who also worked on the Dr. Rx cases and later is found in total breakdown shock with white hair. The big get for this film was Sam Hinds, known for his Dr. Kildare films and "It's a Wonderful Life", an attorney responsible for the acquittals of unscrupulous mob types later killed by Dr. Rx. Paul Cavanagh, of "House of Wax" and "Tarzan and His Mate" is another solid casting pickup for this rather ho-hum mystery thriller from Universal that feels very thrown-together and messy (especially the ending, involving a poison pen and a capital R), where a gorilla in a cage seems on the verge of pulling Knowles to his doom. I wish Atwill had more to do and I didn't like Knowles for his treatment of Moreland, so the fun I'm supposed to be having wasn't all that substantial. Gwynne is full of energy and spunk, so I enjoyed her presence in the film. Hinds as the attorney worried about his firm as the killings continue towards his clients is undermined by that wonky twist. Universal loves their guy in a gorilla costume shtick...even if it comes at the end of a film that really had no reason for a gorilla in a cage. 2/5

Not a horror film. This is more of a detective mystery. There are murders, yes. But the comedic tone and lack of thrills made sure this was anything but creepy, scary, spooky, disturbing, etc. Just a disappointment. Maybe I'm just a fuddy-duddy. I'll say this, Knowles reaching down to choke Moreland while he sleeps simply doesn't go over well in 2021. I guess if I chose my favorite Moreland moments they concern his attempts to remember things important to him that often come to him too little too late.