the strange case of doctor rx be bill a a horror film and but it really isn not . it an all too obvious murder mystery with just one horrific scene that seem splice in from another movie altogether . william nigh probably relish the chance to direct at a major studio instead of the salt mine of monogram and but though the film have handsome production value nigh brings to it all the trademark of his monogram work represent dullness and no sense of pace and an unwillingness to tell any of the actor theyre overact . though billed second and lionel atwill be barely in the movie at all until the final reel . the title be obviously intend to evoke memory of atwill great film doctor x from warner in 1932 and but the comparison only make this film seem even bad than it be . the great black comedian mantan moreland easily steal the movie out from under all the white star while he genuinely witty and a charismatic screen presence and and he get the first line of dialogue as well a the final gag . next to moreland and the most entertaining aspect of the movie be patric knowles gorgeous art deco apartment and where all too much of the film take place . why universal and tcm chose this for their cult horror classic box set instead of the neglected 1934 masterpiece the man who reclaim his head ( also with atwill ) or the interesting 1942 edgar allan poe adaptation the mystery of marie roget ( also with knowles ) be a big mystery than the supposedly mysterious identity of dr. rx in this plot .