Customer Reviews

Who Done It [VHS]

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If you only like comedy films that are subtle and sophisticated, "Who Done It ? " is not for you. Personally, I found this movie to be consistently amusing, and I laughed out loud a number of times.

Benny Hill was one of Britain's most inventive comics, who achieved international stardom in the 70s and 80s through his zany television shows. In fact, television was Benny's medium--he did not make many movies.

"Who Done It ?"--released in 1956--features a young Benny in his first major starring role, and he makes the most of it. After losing his job at the Ice Capades, Benny decides to become a private detective, with the help of a surprisingly energetic bloodhound. He becomes involved with a pretty girl
( young and gorgeous Belinda Lee ), and a group of up-to-no-good Iron Curtain-type spies, led by stalwart British character actor, David Kossoff. Benny gets into one scrape after another, much to the continual annoyance of the police. There are various opportunities for Benny to "disguise" himself--a Hill trademark. Several setpieces stand out--posing as a "mad professor", Benny demonstrates a machine that "controls" the weather, with disastrous results--Benny and Belinda chasing the spies around a broadcasting convention at Earl's Court ( the whole film takes place in London )--the climactic race around a stock car track, reminiscent of the silent Keystone Cops movies.

Basil Dearden directs at a breakneck pace, and--yes--the plot is outlandish--the acting over the top--but if you like Benny and his antics, as I do, you'll love it.

Benny passed away suddenly about 12 years ago, and Britain lost one of it's brightest talents. In the biography included with this disc, it notes that a dying Charlie Chaplin spent many of his last days watching Benny's shows. Apparently, Milton Berle was a huge fan. If Chaplin and Berle thought Benny was funny, does it really matter what the rest of us think ? No comic could have more respected fans than these two "giants".

Another "bonus" with the DVD is a 30-minute, silent film Benny made in 1969, called "The Waiters"--Benny and a dim-witted sidekick are hired to cater a small party at an elegant country home. Would you want Benny to serve you food and drinks at a party ? If one of your guests is a curvaceous woman in a low-cut dress, would you want Benny within half a mile of her ?
Rhetorical questions both ! For you the viewer, this is a very entertaining half hour.

The picture quality for "Who Done It ?" is excellent--mono sound, of course. If you like goofy comedies--and Benny Hill in particular--Anchor Bay has given us another winner. Well done !

Although I have watched the video 4 - 5 times, the most recent viewing was over a year ago. This is significant because it proves the memorably of the film. The film is well done. I must say there is no "obligatory endless complaining about rampant Socialism" so common to comedies of its era/place.

It has a fun chase at the end. There is a disastrous awards dinner. There are disguises too. It's a fun film. A note of caution: THERE ARE NO "BABES IN BIKINIS." It is a film with an actual plot ! Benny does exhibit many of his famous mannerisms, it's fun to look for them. I heartily recommend the film to fans of B&W Brit Comedies, and the "intellectual" Hill fan. :-D

I liked this movie, you can see glimpses of his brilliance throughout. Especially his costume changes :)
It is kinda silly - sort of "abbot/costello-ish" but it is the typical 50's humor movie. With only a small musical number int he beginning (I think all movies HAD to have a muscail number in them back then!!)

The REAL sleeper in this is the 30 minute "silent" film from 1971 (it is "silent" because there is no talking.. the IS sound to it.)

If you are a collector of Benny Hill, get this!
Jim

I ordered this item for my husbands birthday. I received the item very quickly, and in great shape. I am very impressed with the all around experience.

Hugo Dill (Benny Hill) dreams of being a private detective, and when he wins a bloodhound and 100 pounds in a contest, it seems like his time to become one has finally arrived. Making friends (or so he imagines) with Detective-Inspector Hancock, and making the acquaintance of the beautiful Frankie Mayne, he starts his career. However, when a group of spies decide they can use Dill as a dupe, he quickly finds himself in over his head. Now, Dill must stay clear of the police, and stop the spies' evil machinations. Can he do it? He'll get by with a little help from his friends!

I grew up watching Benny Hill - a British master of burlesque comedy. This 1956 movie was his first starring role on the big screen, and he played it for all he was worth. Admittedly, this is lighter fare than you might be used to with Benny Hill - there's no head slapping, and no semi-naked ladies, though there is a chase scene. But, what there is is a lot of funny situations and a highly entertaining story.

If you are a fan of old movies, especially old British movies, like I am, then I really think that you will like this movie. I highly recommend it!

Oh by the way, there is a great "bonus" on this DVD - a thirty minute "silent movie." This 1969 film features Benny and David Battley (remember the teacher from Willie Wonka?) as incompetent waiters that some poor family hires to run their party. Their hijinks quickly turn the party into a disaster...along with their employer's house! Watch it, and enjoy!

The movie "Who Done It?" is classic slapstick. Notable was that this film was also the first starring role for Benny Hill, the lovable British comic who was best remembered for his show's burlesque-style humor than for his film work.
In the film, Hill played Hugo Dill, a lovable, bumbler who becomes a private detective, who ends up investigating the murder of a foreign diplomat who bears a resemblance to him, much to the chagrin of the Scotland Yard inspector who seems to lose patience with Dill's constant bumbling.
The DVD is especially noteworthy because it also contains a rarely seen 30-minute theatrical short titled "The Waiters", which was produced by Paramount in 1971. The piece contained no dialogue, paying homage to the silent film era.

As a young ice skater I was in this movie. Alas the skating sequence we were in was cut. Is there any chance of getting the UN CUT version?
Benny Hill Who done It filmed in the 50's