James Lileks (author of some ESSENTIAL books) is always entertaining and sometimes downright percipient in fingering the squirmiest aspects of American culture. In a recent posting he unreels Peter Lorre’s Mr. Moto’s Last Warning (1939 –and available via Amazon) and includes some wonderful stills:

of which he notes

Augh! It’s like a blow-up love toy for a planet of mimes

You might also enjoy his Coffee and Chrome: restaurants from the days before the chains among other things on the Menu at his site, like Fargo 1950 and The Institute of Official Cheer.