As one does, I was studying conventions for quotation mark placement around titles in old WPA-era posters ... You see the issue. Obviously the right answer would be to NOT include them on the grounds that the title IS the title. Duh. But that is regarded as unworkable. Hence: 1/
There is strong, evolutionary pressure on quotation marks to evolve into superior umlauts, or devolve into vestigial ligatures, to avoid wasting space. But, pondering this truth, I got distracted. 2/
Take the case of "The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse", by Barré Lyndon. Did it occur to no one that the title is a bit ... well ... But, no. Everyone was too busy wrangling quotation marks to know about sex. (Here we see further tactics for growth, diminution, placement.) 3/
Wikipedia says: Yep, they just missed it clean. 4/
To be a fly on the wall:
"Has anyone noticed we made them write 'Clitoris' on the posters?"
"Nope. And the play's a hit! we're going on Broadway!"
"Great! Who's Clitterhouse?" 5/
"Hardwicke. Cedric Hardwicke." 6/
I think 'Clitterhouse' - a doctor whose fascination with crime makes him crime: like a male version of the female clitoris - may be the inspiration for The Crime Doctor, first appearing in "Detective Comics" #77. You're welcome. 7/
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