Who's Harry Crumb?

I stumbled upon "Who's Harry Crumb" in 2019, but now that I've sat through it, I do believe that I have watched it once before, perhaps back in the early 1990s. Regardless, this is definitely a very typical late 1980s comedy, and it is most definitely a very John Candy-like comedy. You know, the special unique sense of comedy that he was known and loved for.

"Who's Harry Crumb" is a fun movie, despite it having a somewhat simplistic storyline. But this simple storyline was actually made quite enjoyable by a rather impressive cast ensemble and some great comedy performances.

The movie boasts the performances of the likes as John Candy in the lead, and he does carry the movie quite well. And he is joined by Jeffrey Jones, whom really was well cast for his particular role, and I must admit that I have always found Jeffrey Jones to be enjoyable to watch on the screen. Furthermore, to cement the late 1980s feel, then the cast also includes Tim Thomerson, Barry Corbin, Shawnee Smith and Valri Bromfield.

There are some good laughs in the movie, and I really enjoyed the different roles and characters that John Candy portrayed on the screen, where he was allowed to unfold his comedy talents.

While "Who's Harry Crumb?" is indeed a typical late 1980s comedy through and through, it is one that is well worth watching, especially if you are a fan of John Candy.

John Candy co-produced this very movie so he must have had more control over his own role. I guess that this is the reason why this movie didnt flop, like many of the other movies John Candy has made.

Candy does, what he is best at: be silly in slapstick situations.

Nobody like John Candy can look like an absolute dork and be this funny!

Not any bad? It's completely silly. Obviously targetted at a teenager audience but however silly the jokes are, the jokes are (after 30 years) still good enough that grown ups can enjoy them as well. Although I would not recommend this John Candy movie in particular, once you start watching it, it is hard not to laugh and keep watching...

This is one of the better John Candy movies out there, if that isn't damning with faint praise. It's not terrific, but it definitely will tickle your funny bone if you're in the right mood. The only real flaw is the soundtrack, which doesn't accentuate the humor enough. If you enjoy comedies about cute moronic characters who are too blind to see their own faults, you will love this.

This underrated if semi-forgotten comedy with the title-character going from place to place to figure out who kidnapped the beautiful daughter of a rich man, learning he's inept at filling the shoes at his family-owned detective agency while always screwing things up, is an enjoyable time-filler...

It's John Candy's FLETCH and, while paling to the Chevy Chase classic (yet far superior to FLETCH LIVES), both have various disguises for each undercover scenario, taking the Film Noir gumshoe/snoop template into the bright and glossy late-1980s (there's even an orange tree on Harry's desk, a subtle nod to CHINATOWN)...

But the funniest moments don't seem like they're necessary meant to be, especially as Crumb flounders for the right words around comparably classy, educated people (like Annie Potts and hidden villain Jeffrey Jones) despite the comedy being hit and miss throughout...

But the characters interact well, especially the unique and flowing chemistry between Candy and "ugly duckling" Shawnee Smith as the younger sister of the kidnapped supermodel. And beware of the totally awesome mock-VHS cover: it's merely a cheap cardboard slip over the actual DVD/Blu Ray with same old artwork of yesteryear.

John Candy was exploring his performing roots in the character of Harry Crumb. I imagine he enjoyed that. The Indian air conditioner repair man, the Hungarian hair stylist, the overweight jockey. Candy did a ton of these types of characters for years on stage and TV. It's a nice return for fans of SCTV like me. Fans of that show would remember Yosh Shmenge, Tommy Shanks, Mr Mambo, Harry: the guy with the snake on his face, Divine, Johnny La Rue and who knows how many others on stage. This film offers a view of Candy's ability to create comic characters like that. Harry Crumb himself is an excellent comic character. A detective who stumbles on his own ego and family legacy but still manages to back into solving the case. It is a good vehicle for his talent in this regard.

Most of Candy's films explored his range as an actor but this movie is comedy. Not many (or any) moments of pathos like in his work for John Hughes. I like this alot more than movies like The Great Outdoors and Delirious. Cable TV played Candy's movies alot in those days and this one usually kept me watching and happy.