How to Be a Detective

Starring: Robert Benchley, Dewey Robinson
Directed by: Felix E. Feist
Rating: Approved
Genre: Comedy, Short
Length: 9 minutes
1936

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: A man (Robert Benchley) gives a lecture on how to be a detective.

Review:

Tim: I enjoyed this 1936 short comedy film. It stars Robert Benchley as a man giving a lecture about how to be a detective. He doesn't seem all that intelligent or reliable as a lecturer, and this is where a great deal of the comedy comes in. The humor presented us is pretty simple, but it's decently funny slapstick. I wasn't laughing out loud at anything on screen, but I was smiling to myself. It's fairly entertaining, even though the humor never rises above decent.

The other thing I really appreciated about this film is that it got me to learn more about the lead actor, Robert Benchley. I didn't know anything about him before. It's interesting to read about this humorist who accomplished quite a bit in his career. From this short film, it was obvious his comedic timing was impeccable. It's really Benchley's timing and acting that elevated this film and made it enjoyable to watch. That's the biggest attraction of this short film. Also, if like me, you're unfamiliar with Benchley's work, it's worth doing some research on him.

How to Be a Detective is a decently humorous short film. While some of the gags are predictable, it doesn't take away from the entertainment value of watching it. It's slapstick humor, but it's harmless and fun. I enjoyed this short film and am eager to see more of Benchley's short film work.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating- N/A


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