It’s time for my Who Done It? blu-ray review. This 1956 film is an early showcase of Benny Hill’s comic talent. It recently came out on blu-ray released by the Network. I’d never seen this film before so it’s time to find out if this is a forgotten gem or merely an amusing romp.
- Who Done It? (1956)
- Genre: Comedy
- Directed by Basil Dearden
- UK Rating 12
- Discs: 1
- Released By Network
- Blu-ray Released: 17 August 2020
Plot
Hugo Dill dreams of becoming a private investigator, in fact he always seems to have his head buried in a crime novel. Things start to fall into place when Hugo wins a sleuthing contest and along with the cash prize comes his very own bloodhound. Having only just opened up his office as a P.I he acquires a beautiful assistant to aid him. Soon after he’s takes on his first case but gets the wrong end of the stick and then becomes involved in a spy hunt for a top ranking scientist from behind the Iron Curtain.
Style / Direction
The film is a black and white British film from 1956 directed by Basil Dearden. Otto Heller was the director of photography. First of all this is a comedy therefore it needs to flow well from each funny scene to the next and it does. It lasts 83 minutes and the film simply flashes by. In short it’s a fun well made Benny Hill comedy not to be missed.
Music / Audio Effects
The music is provided by Philip Green.
Acting / Characters
Benny Hill plays hapless Private Investigator Hugo Dill. He’s a likeable fellow that can’t help becoming involved in some truly bizarre and amusing situations.
Belinda Lee play’s Frankie Mayne, a woman that tries to hide her amazing physical strength all in an effort not to put off those inferior men folk. She really does deliver a fabulous performance.
It’s a fun and silly film with great performances all-round.
Cast
- Benny Hill as Hugo Dill
- Belinda Lee as Frankie Mayne
- David Kossoff as Zacco
- Garry Marsh as Detective Inspector Hancock
- George Margo as Barakov
- Ernest Thesiger as Sir Walter
- Denis Shaw as Otto Stumpf
- Frederick Schiller as Gruber
- Jeremy Hawk as Himself
- Norah Blaney as Actress
- Thorley Walters as Raymond Courtney
- Philip Stainton as Jimmy Maddox
- Warwick Ashton as Police Constable Roberts
- Stratford Johns as Police Constable Coleman
- Nicholas Phipps as Scientist
- Gibb McLaughlin as Scientist
- Ernest Jay as Scientist
- Harold Scott as Scientist
- Charles Hawtrey as Disc Jockey
- Arthur Lowe (uncredited)
Conclusion: Who Done It? (1956) Film Review
I thoroughly enjoyed Who Done It? (1956), Benny Hill plays a funny hapless kind of character that is helped in no small way by the fabulous Belinda Lee. The two bounce off each other well creating a rather silly but highly entertaining romp.
In short it’s the perfect film to lift your spirits during the lockdown period.
If you enjoyed my Who Done It? blu-ray review so far you may want to check out the following films:
- The Goose Steps Out (1942) – Will Hay
- There Was a Crooked Man (1960) – Norman Wisdom
Conclusion: Who Done It? Blu-ray Review
The picture quality is flawless, it’s a nice clean and sharp image. The remastering notes state the film has been scanned to 4K resolution from the original 35mm original negative and then restored. This was carried out by Studiocanal.
Meanwhile Network has included the Benny Hill short film, The Waiters. Furthermore they have also restored it.
“The Waiters was scanned to 4K resolution from the 35mm original negative & restored in its original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.66:1.
I highly recommend giving The Waiters a look I found it to be very funny.
Extras
- The Waiters: Benny Hill Theatrical Short from 1969
- Theatrical Trailer
- Image Gallery
Who Done It? (1956) Blu-ray
Who Done It? (1956) blu-ray & DVD are available now from Amazon.
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POPCORN CINEMA RATING:
Who Done It? (1956)
MOVIE RATING: FABULOUS
BLU-RAY RATING: EXCELLENT
EXTRAS: EXCELLENT
Who Done It? (1956) Film Trailer
For those of you yet to see the film I’ll leave you with a little taster…
Clip may not be representative of the blu-ray version
That concludes my Who Done It? blu-ray review. I’m aiming to review more comedy films soon. What’s next? Check back soon…
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Summary: Who Done It? Blu-ray Review
Movie title: Who Done It? (1956)
Movie description: Early Benny Hill comedy film.
Duration: 83 mins
Director(s): Basil Dearden
Actor(s): Benny Hill, Belinda Lee, David Kossoff, Garry Marsh, George Margo, Ernest Thesiger
Genre: Comedy
- Movie Rating
- Blu-ray Picture Rating
- Extras
Summary
A funny & silly Benny Hill comedy brilliantly brought to blu-ray
Pros
- Funny
- Benny Hill
- Belinda Lee
- David Kossoff
- Fabulous Picture Quality
- Excellent Extras
Cons
- None
