How to Train a Dog

Another MGM "How To" comedy short starring Robert Benchley. In this one Benchley amusingly discusses buying and training dogs. Cute stuff but not one of Benchley's best. There really weren't any laugh-out-loud funny moments. Still, these old shorts are fun and have a lot of "window into the past" moments that I enjoy.

Bob Benchley's short films are some of the funniest ever made. Turner Classic Movies has played a few of them including How to Train a Dog, which I have on tape. The kids all love it, and I'm sure that if someone put a complete video together of all these wonderful shorts before they are lost, it would provide many hours of fun and an appreciation of one of America's true funny men.

Robert Benchley is in a pet store. He comes home with an arm load of puppies and one giant dog. He tries to train them, but he only shows what not to do.

Maybe Benchley is not able. He is an older guy. This is set up for him chasing after those doggies or get run over by them. I was very concerned when he brought out the giant whip with the tiny puppy. I know that it's meant to be visually hilarious. I'm not sure that dog lovers would find it funny. The easiest joke is for Benchley to be overwhelmed by the puppy chaos. He has a giant dog laying on him. Imagine if he had a dozen dogs laying on him. That's funny.

The witty writer and commentator is just so funny. Listen to the dialogue, as so dutifully spoken by Mr. Benchley, authoritarian?

Today's Lesson (or warning?); How to train a dog. Robert is shopping for puppies and happens upon some perky Scottish terriers.

Why not take one home and train it? Yes, it's true. This fabulous short film shows how a dog, rather, trains you before you train it. Benchley works as best as he can(?) -- with some tried and true gimmicks.

HIGHLIGHT; He cautions NOT to drink when training any dog because you may think you did a commendable job -- but you're just feeling good.

You have to admit, the cute Scotties steal the show.

Lots of writers were credited for this one, although Robert Lee probably wrote most, behind Abbott and Costello, notably ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN. Directed by veteran gagster Arthur Ripley, who made quite a team with Benchley. After retiring, Arthur was a founder of the UCLA Film School.

Always on MGM dvd with many other of Robert Benchley's winning shorts. Thanks to TCM for bringing these oldies back.

How to Train Your Dog (1936)

** (out of 4)

Another entry in Robert Benchley's "How to..." series with this one, as the title says, teaching you how to train a dog. We see Benchley go into a pet shop where we're told what not to do when picking out a new pet. We then see him take several home where we learn how to make sure they know who makes the rules as well as them knowing what not to eat. These Benchley shorts are always very hit and miss but this one here is somewhere in the middle. I'd call the film a miss because it simply doesn't contain any laughs but at the same time it's rather cute and somewhat charming so on this level you could call it a hit. I think the biggest problem is that Benchley's style of humor is going to be lost on many people and I'm one of them. I think this film has several cute scenes including Benchley coming home drunk, finding his room destroyed but one of his dogs decides to keep him company. This scene works as does another where Benchley leaves his breakfast out and his dog decides to take a bite.