How to Sub-Let

How to Sub-let (1939)

** (out of 4)

Fair short has Joseph Doakes (Robert Benchley) being left home alone when a couple people show up to sub-let his apartment. With the wife gone poor Doakes doesn't have anyone to fall back on so he must try and answer all the questions, which of course he can't do. I love Turner Classic Movies and I really love the fact that they are constantly showing various shorts but over time I've come to realize that Benchley is very hit and miss with me. I think some of his films have been downright horrid with others fairly good. This one here isn't a complete success but there are a couple big laughs that make the film worth viewing including the final joke. Another very good sequence has the woman asking Benchley how to work the stove so he goes to show her only he's operating the fridge instead. Benchley's humor is as dry as ever but it works to a certain point here. This film certainly isn't anything ground breaking but it's pleasant enough if you have 9-minutes to kill.

Robert Benchley must contend with Hobart Cavanaugh and Esther Dale, who wish to sub-let his apartment. Actually, he must contend with Miss Dale; Cavanaugh doesn't say much of anything, but is pleased to smoke one of Benchley's cigars.

Long-term subleases are illegal in New York City, like so many things, and are very common. Given the byzantine housing laws, there are plenty of apartments rented for below-the-market rates, and plenty of renters happy to profit from the difference. I can't say that Miss Dale, with her attitude of "we're not going to take this apartment, but I want to know everything about it" is typical, but it is funny.

While Bob's wife is at church, Bob is left to show his apartment to potential new tenants. There really is much here. What should have been a sight gag fest turns out to be boring. Bumbling Bob should have destroyed the apartment while showing it. Unfortunately, the few sight gags there are do not illicit much laughter. Now Benchley really wasn't much of a physical comedian, but his facial expressions could be priceless. He tries, but there just isn't enough good material for him to react to. The comedy clocks in at about 8 minutes, but seems much longer; the pacing is very slow. I guess Benchley just ran out of ideas for this short. He's done better with other films.

Another one of those -- while the wife's away --- the husband has to go it alone? Would you trust this husband?

True, an eight minute film short runs fast, however I give it a 9 for watching Benchley get desperate. His "I think I'm doing this right..." expressions are mini classics. Robert returns as good, ole Mr. Doakes who wants to sub-let his apartment to a friendly couple.

The trick is, Doakes should have just stood in the background, let the folks look it over and decide for themselves. Then again, you wouldn't have much of a wacky story... Soooo poor Robert has a lot of splainin' to do about the place, and Mr. And Mrs. Mustaves(?), played by comedian Hobart Cavanaugh and Esther Dale are something to behold.

PS; They're just lookin' around?

Benchley wrote the script, perhaps from a real experience, due to the fact we all have bumped into customers who love to kill time at your expense.

Note, Mrs. Doakes is played by Marie Blake, later calling herself Blossom Rock, famous as Grandmama on the ADDAMS FAMILY. Also the older sister of singer Jeannette MacDonald.

Director Roy Rowland likely did everything in a single take with this talented cast. Thank you to TCM for bringing Robert Benchley's famous series out of retirement. Remastered on dvd, box sets containing the entire series, also MGM film dvd releases including selected shorts.