Who Done It?

when this film was made Benny Hill was a rising TV star and Ealing Stucios was about to close down to turn over to BBC TV.It is difficult to believe that T.E.B.Clarke could turn out such an inane unfunny script as this.Maybe they were looking to Hill as a sort of lowbrow Alce Guiness to try and replicate his success in "Kind Hearts And Coronets".There is a very distinguished cast of supporting actors.however even such an expert comedy actor as Garry Marsh is reduced to hamming it up to try and extract laughs from the feeble script.It is interesting to note that this was Hills one and only starring effort in film.In his other films he was part of a supporting cast.Maybe if he had been allowed to write this film it would have been a lot funnier.It couldn't have been worse.

Benny Hill fans will enjoy this free-for-all nonsense about International espionage and a "secret weapon" developed by stereotypical Eastern-Block scientist. Benny, our likable hero, is a "Inspector Clouseau" type amateur detective, ready to tackle his first assignment: impersonate the famous professor, as part of the secret plan for the bad guys to rule the world. The story is "formula" and thin as a satin thread, but an extra large helping of "Benny Hill" slap stick, complete with lots of pretty girls and the obligatory Benny-in-drag scenes, make this predictable vehicle hobble along. The final car chase on (are you ready for this?) a race track is totally stupid, but what did you expect? Given the 1950s mentality and the limited budgets available to produce a silly comedy, the objective was met. Today something similar would hope to recoupe it's investments in direct-to-video sales.

Benny Hill was a great comic actor later on in his career. In this you can see the potential. With 5 secs of Jess Conrad and much more of Belinda Lee what more can you ask for to while away the time.

WHO DONE IT? is mildly notable as the feature film debut of TV comedian Benny Hill, a long way from his latter saucy persona. Here here's a mild-mannered private detective who becomes embroiled in a lot to assassinate distinguished scientists. It's a film made with a typically '50s feel, with sprawling plotting propped up by regular cameos from familiar faces of the era, such as Charles Hawtrey. The comedy is generally acceptable, with a lot of slapstick and material made from exasperated police, although some of it's a bit too shrill for its own good. Belinda Lee steals all her scenes in against-type role.

Frantic, energetic slapstick comedy with spy and sci-fi elements (despite the title, it is NOT a parody of whodunits). Plenty of destruction and mayhem, and Belinda Lee is wonderful as "Strong Girl" Frankie ("men do not like to be dominated by women", she says at one point - I bet if the woman looks like Belinda Lee most men wouldn't mind at all....) **1/2 out of 4.

Benny Hill as a private detective Hugo Dill is excellent for what it is. Nothing serious lots of gags, enjoyable on all accounts. Good fare for that type of Comedy out during those latter 50. And if you're a Benny Hill fan just sit back and enjoy the show. Naysayers go away.

Benny Hill as a bumbling Private Eye? Oh yes, and his first film really shows us the beginnings of his massive comedic talents. While it is obviously a low budget production, the slapstick gags & rapid-fire quips will keep any Benny Hill fan in stitches. This film is also a great addition to any collection of his many fans as it reveals the "Funniest Man Alive" before he became so famous on TV. I bought a used DVD of this movie because it was all I could find available, but that's the nice thing about DVD's...they don't wear out like VHS tapes do. Not a film for people who prefer sophisticated, under-played humor, but if you like the 3 Stooges, Abbot & Costello, or Martin & Lewis, you're going to love "Who Done It?".