Fans of the 1938 Edward G Robinson film might be particularly interested in listening to this, since it’s a (I assume faithful) version of the original play starring Cedric Hardwicke, which was popular on the West End and Broadway. Hardwicke is a respected doctor who takes to committing crimes in order to do research on his own reaction, which is quite a bright idea for a black comedy. When trying to meet a fence he falls in with a real life criminal gang who he soon takes over due to his intelligence – much to the annoyance of the gang’s former leader.
The Robinson film version was flashy and jazzy; this is more sedate and laid back - Hardwicke is almost dull, the crooks are (naturally) lower class. It's enjoyable - I bought the premise, including the third act when Hardwicke kills the former gang leader to examine feelings of murder. The story does feel it should wind up then or soon after but goes on for a bit.
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