Who Done It?

1956
5.7| 1h25m| en| More Info
Released: 20 March 1956 Released
Producted By: Ealing Studios
Country: United Kingdom
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Synopsis

This movie debut for saucy British TV comic Benny Hill has Benny leaving his job as a sweeper after winning some money. He becomes a private detective and investigates a plot to assassinate British scientists.

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Reviews

Titreenp SERIOUSLY. This is what the crap Hollywood still puts out?
NekoHomey Purely Joyful Movie!
Brightlyme i know i wasted 90 mins of my life.
Kayden This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama
JohnHowardReid A Michael Balcon Production. An Ealing Studios Film, never theatrically released in the U.S.A. U.K. release through Rank Film Distributors: 19 March 1956. British Board of Film Censors' Certificate: "Suitable for Universal Exhibition". Australian release through British Empire Films: 25 July 1957. 7,659 feet. 85 minutes. Cut by the distributor to 82 minutes (including "General Exhibition" censorship certificate and B.E.F. logo) in Australia. (Available on a very good Optimum DVD).SYNOPSIS: Dill (rhymes with Hill) tries his luck as a private eye.NOTES: Film debut of TV comedian, Benny Hill, and the last comedy produced at Ealing Studios. Ealing, the production company, survived a few more years by transplanting itself to M-G-M's studios at Borehamwood. Ironically, the actual Ealing Studios themselves were taken over by the British Broadcasting Corporation.COMMENT: The script certainly packs in plenty of promising ideas, but, alas, most of them are not developed for their utmost comic effect. After a wonderfully funny opening in which Dill inadvertently wrecks both an ice show and a police station, the script tries desperately for more laughs. But a lack of writing talent, combined with Basil Dearden's heavy-handed direction, all but stifle any further merriment. Fortunately, one plus factor survives all attempts to smother her spark: — Belinda Lee, whose spirited performance more than saves the day. Oddly, in its unfairly negative review, The Motion Picture Guide describes Hill as a "popular but utterly sleazy British comic." Popular certainly — at its peak in Britain alone his show enjoyed over twelve million viewers — but sleazy? Impish is surely the right word. MPG must be confusing Hill with some other British comedian. I have a friend, a dear old lady, who's as strait-laced as they come. Spends most of her time in church. Hill is her favorite comedian. Wouldn't miss one of his shows for quids. Benny can do no wrong as far as she's concerned. She thinks he's an absolute riot!OTHER VIEWS: Plenty of honest, clean fun. — F. Maurice Speed.Clarke's somewhat desperate script is still sufficiently superior in its situations to make Who Done It? considerably more amusing than any other recent vehicle for a new comedian. — D.H. in the Monthly Film Bulletin.Appearing for the first time in a full-length feature film, although they have appeared in a number of documentary films — the Dagenham Girl Pipers are seen in a hilarious sequence. In fact, Belinda Lee, who plays the romantic lead, impersonates one of the pipers. In the twenty-five years of their existence the Dagenham Girl Pipers have played to many millions of people. - Ealing publicity.
Spikeopath Who Done It? is out of Ealing Studios, directed by Basil Dearden and written by T.E.B. Clarke. It stars Benny Hill, Belinda Lee, David Kossof, Gary Marsh, George Margo, Ernest Thesiger and Denis Shaw. Music is by Philip Green and cinematography by Otto Heller.Benny Hill's first foray into film has him playing Hugo Dill, an Ice Rink attendant who dreams of one day becoming a detective like those in the magazines he reads. When he wins a competition that sees him land £100 and a Bloodhound! He promptly sets up his own detective agency, which provides colourful chaos...It came out as Ealing Sudios was entering its last furlong, the great studio's wonderful comedies behind them, this very much feels like a last throw of the dice whilst giving Hill's career a timely push. As it happens, and as we now know, Hill would find his fame and fortune in Television and not on film. This s amiable stuff for those after a bit of slapstick and prat falling. Basically Hill is thrust into a murderous plot involving spies, where he's out of his depth and not aware of what is really going on half the time, which sets it all up for mishaps, misadventures and misunderstandings.Love interest and muscle foil (seriously) comes via the gorgeous Belinda Lee, sadly to lose her life in a road accident five years later, whilst a number of well known British acting faces are in and around the plot so we can play spot the star. The number of chaotic scenes involving chases and destruction of events and property etc are well played out, with the obligatory speed framing technique showing its face as well, and it builds to a frenetic last quarter of film that culminates at the old West Ham Stadium, a location familiar to Stock Car/Speedway/Greyhound enthusiasts before its closure in 1972. It's a finale that saves the film and rewards those who have stayed with the pic throughout its daft formulaic throes. 6/10
azcowboysingr 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?".
mdm-11 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.