The Strange Case of Doctor Rx (1942): Cast & Plot
The Strange Case of Doctor Rx is a 1942 mystery horror film directed by William Nigh, starring Patric Knowles as Private Detective Jerry Church, Anne Gwynne and Samuel S. Hinds. It runs 1 hour 6 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 6m (66 min)
- Director
- William Nigh
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Universal Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Strange Case of Doctor Rx About?
The premise of The Strange Case of Doctor Rx without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Private detective Jerry Church is hired by a criminal‑defense lawyer when five mobsters he previously freed are mysteriously strangled by a serial killer. The case drags Church into a terrifying hunt, warning that following the murderer risks madness and that finding him may mean no return.
The Strange Case of Doctor Rx Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- serial murder
- slapstick comedy
- psychotronic film
- fiance fiancee relationship
- lawyer
- gorilla
- detective
- murder
- italian gangster
- poison dart
- strangled to death
- engagement
+38 more Show fewer
- apartment
- hooded villain
- poetic justice
- revenge killing
- brother brother relationship
- crooked lawyer
- judge
- newspaper headline
- telegram
- reference to george washington
- funny cop
- murder mystery
- wisecrack humor
- funny alcoholic
- sarcasm
- alcoholic cop
- guard dog
- dice
- estate
- english butler
- mastiff
- italian american
- art deco
- private detective
- blindfold
- gangster's moll
- scottish american
- mob boss
- blowgun
- murder trial
- media frenzy
- brain transplant
- black stereotype
- african american
- valet
- whodunit
- undercover
- police investigation
The Strange Case of Doctor Rx Cast & Characters
Patric Knowles leads the cast as Private Detective Jerry Church, with Anne Gwynne as Kit Logan Church and Samuel S. Hinds as Dudley Crispin. Directed by William Nigh; 16 actors are credited in all.
- Director William Nigh
- Patric Knowles as Private Detective Jerry Church
- Anne Gwynne as Kit Logan Church
- Samuel S. Hinds as Dudley Crispin
- Paul Cavanagh as John Crispin
Also Starring in The Strange Case of Doctor Rx
· 12 more- Mona Barrie Eileen Crispin
- Shemp Howard Det. Sgt. Sweeney
- Edmund MacDonald Det. Capt. Bill Hurd
- Lionel Atwill Dr. Fish
- Selmer Jackson Judge
- Mary Gordon Mrs. Scott
- Leyland Hodgson Thomas, the butler
- William Gould Dist. Atty. Mason
- Mantan Moreland Horatio B.Fitz Washington
- John Gallaudet Ernie Paul
- Matty Fain Tony Zarini
- Jan Wiley Lily
More from William Nigh
More films directed by William Nigh: Stage Struck, Allotment Wives, Divorce and Trocadero.
The Strange Case of Doctor Rx Plot Summary
What happens in The Strange Case of Doctor Rx from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Private investigator Jerry Church Patric Knowles has just married his longtime fiancée Kit Logan Church Anne Gwynne. Defense attorney Dudley Crispin Samuel S. Hinds and Church’s former police partner Det. Capt. Bill Hurd Edmund MacDonald urge him to take one last case, a case wrapped in shadows and signed by a killer who calls himself Dr. Rx. The murders center on five clients Crispin defended in court, with a sixth chilling act looming over the investigation, and a detective who has begun to unravel as the trail grows darker.
Full summary
The whole story of The Strange Case of Doctor Rx, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Strange Case of Doctor Rx?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who plays private investigator Jerry Church in the film?
Cars in The Strange Case of Doctor Rx
8 cars on screen, including the 1941 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible and the 1936 De Soto Airstream.
-
1941 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible Important role -
1936 De Soto Airstream Important role -
1937 Ford V8 Standard Important role -
1941 Packard One-Ten Taxicab Minor role
The Strange Case of Doctor Rx Also Known As
2 alternative titles: “O Fatídico Caso do Doutor Rx” and “白衣复仇者”.
- Also known as
-
- O Fatídico Caso do Doutor Rx
- 白衣复仇者
Seen The Strange Case of Doctor Rx?
Movies Like The Strange Case of Doctor Rx
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Crime Doctor’s Strangest Case, Doctor X and The Crime Doctor’s Warning.
-
The Crime Doctor’s Strangest Case 1943 -
Doctor X 1932 -
The Crime Doctor’s Warning 1945 -
The Crime Doctor’s Diary 1949 -
The Crime of Doctor Crespi 1935 -
The Return of Doctor X 1939 -
I Love a Mystery 1945 -
Strange Behavior 1981 -
A Strange Adventure 1932 -
The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse 1938 -
Phantom of Death 1988 -
Doctors Don’t Tell 1941
The Strange Case of Doctor Rx FAQ: Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Strange Case of Doctor Rx, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Strange Case of Doctor Rx?
The Strange Case of Doctor Rx runs 1 hour 6 minutes (66 minutes).
When was The Strange Case of Doctor Rx released?
The Strange Case of Doctor Rx was released on March 27, 1942.
Who directed The Strange Case of Doctor Rx?
The Strange Case of Doctor Rx was directed by William Nigh.
More films by William Nigh Who is in the cast of The Strange Case of Doctor Rx?
The Strange Case of Doctor Rx stars Patric Knowles as Private Detective Jerry Church, Anne Gwynne as Kit Logan Church and Samuel S. Hinds as Dudley Crispin, among 16 credited actors.
Does The Strange Case of Doctor Rx have a post-credit scene?
No. The Strange Case of Doctor Rx has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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