How to Be a Detective

How to be a detective -- in nine minutes?

Robert Benchley deservedly earned the title of Hollywood's first stand-up comedian. And after all these years watching these wacky film shorts, I believe director Felix E. Feist (a professional at his craft), nevertheless just let the camera roll on his star attraction. No other way around it.

This time Robert is a detective(?), explaining in rambling, bumbling detail the pros and cons of the trade. Just out and outrageous. Among the talking points; questioning criminals -- provided they don't tie you up first? Guess what happens, and watch our hero's pitiful expressions.

I agree, the topper here is an appearance by screen tough guy Dewey Robinson, yes playing a tough guy, who Benchley has to grill. Very cleverly, Robinson turns the dopey conversation around and begins shooting questions at Benchley! The THREE STOOGES borrowed this gag and worked it well also.

Co-written by Robert Lees and Frederic I. Rinaldo, who wrote some of Abbott & Costello's best films.

Remastered MGM dvd box set, featuring a collection of Robert Benchley's prize short films. Also been included in MGM's THIN MAN dvd movie series box sets. Thanks always to TCM for faithfully running these legendary comedies.

How to Be a Detective (1936)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Entry in Robert Benchley's "How to..." series this time, as the title says, tells us how to be a good detective. With Benchley playing the role of the detective you just know he's not going to do a good job and that's what we get as he messes up one thing after another. This short from MGM is 100% routine but there are still a couple good laughs to be found. One happens at the end and I won't spoil that one for you. There's one earlier on where Benchley goes to take the bad guy down but ends up getting tied up because of something else. Benchley's impersonation of a hard-hitting police chief is pretty funny. The routine nature of everything means we're not going to get any major laughs but fans of the comedian should find this entertaining.

This is a pretty good entry in Robert Benchley's "How To …" series of short comedies, with Benchley this time playing a detective giving lectures on his work. It includes some good gags, and Benchley himself is fun to watch, with his amiably amusing manner.

The movie is mostly episodic, with each 'lesson' about detection generally focusing on one particular gag that is set up carefully. In most cases, you can pretty much see the punch line coming, but that's part of Benchley's skill; his manner of setting it up and his understated reaction to the payoff are often just as funny as the gag itself.

Benchley's style works well in this format. This comedy doesn't offer any uproarious laughs, but it does feature a few good comedy ideas that are carried off with Benchley's droll style.