User reviews

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.

Responsible for kidnapping his latest client's daughter, the head of a private detective agency hires his least competent employee to work this case, only to be baffled when the man's incompetence helps him make headway in this lively comedy starring John Candy. Donning several different disguises (thanks to some stellar makeup work) as he goes about solving the case, Candy's performance has brought about comparisons to Chevy Chase in 'Fletch', however, with Candy's utter incompetence, this is actually a very different sort of film. Candy is thoroughly likable throughout with his heart (if not his mind) always in the right place and there is a lot to like in how he benevolently takes the victim's neglected teenage sister under his wing without any trite romantic sparks igniting between them. Above all else though, 'Who's Harry Crumb?' is a laugh-out-loud affair with such zaniness as a footsies scene in which three characters at a table each think that someone else is playing with them. A large number of gags are admittedly foreshadowed too heavily in advance for full effect, such as Candy landing in a sitting position in a living room sofa and Candy crashing into a glass cabinet, however, they are still funny thanks to Candy's near nonchalance towards his buffoonery, carrying on in almost all cases as if nothing has even happened. Indeed, while some have dismissed the movie due to the slapstick nature of most of the gags, it is how Candy handles himself in these moments rather than the physical humour itself which generates the most laughs.

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...

They had to take me to the emergency room; I was laughing so hard they thought I'd gone crazy. It turns out my brain was knocked out of joint by the hilarious gags--gags that should never have been funny to a reasonable person, but I wasn't trying to be reasonable at the time.

Harry's asinine comments make him look like a real ass but he isn't. Once you get that, it's easy to get into the humor. That's John Candy's genius; his ability to humanize a variety of unlikely or impossible characters and make us love them even if we don't believe them. this is party because of the expressiveness of his face but also because of his indefinable comic spark.

Harry Crump is a great comic impossibility. Don't watch it if you prefer to keep you dignity.

Who's Harry Crumb? (1989) is a childhood favorite I recently rewatched on my DVD after recording it on the Independent Film Channel (IFC). The storyline follows a private detective who is short on cases and heavy on availability. One day a kidnapped daughters case lands in his lap. As he investigates the case he notices a strange dynamics within the family that causes him to become closer and closer to the family members; sometimes, uncomfortably close...

This movie is directed by Paul Flaherty (Clifford) and stars John Candy (Great Outdoors), Jeffrey Jones (Beetlejuice), Tim Thomerson (Near Dark), Shawnee Smith (Saw), Annie Potts (Ghostbusters), Renée Coleman (A League of Their Own) and Barry Corbin (No Country for Old Men).

The storyline for this picture is fairly straightforward and the comedic content is inconsistent; however, John Candy is amazing as always. His facial expressions, mannerisms and disguises in this were awesome. There are a couple classic scenes like the fishing sequence, dining room scene and mud bath.

This is a more fun movie than good but John Candy is always must watch TV. I would score this a 5/10 and recommend seeing it once.

I'm glad to talk about of John Candy, l have almost all his movies, even those that weren't so funny, but in this case when he was at its peak of his career is quite good, playing the character as he likes, clumsy fat guy, not so smart not so stupid, but often funny and enjoyable, in this movie he has the opportunity to prove his worth in a agency that take his family's name, working in a kidnapped case, all embarrassing situations end up a disaster like always, there's a lot of gags and jokes, anyhow l've enjoy the movie, sad to know that John Candy is no longer with us, we're very sorrow about his death.

Resume:

First watch: 1992 / How many: 6 / Source: TV-Cable TV-DVD / Rating: 6,75

On a scale of 1-10, I would rate this John Candy film minus-zero. It is a terrible movie. I have always been a John Candy fan, but this script sounds like it was written by a high school student who flunked English and drama, not to mention comedy. The plot is ridiculous, the script has no meaning, and I wish Candy had never made it. A comedy should have some logic to it, even if the logic is thin, but this script doesn't come close to making the grade. I have reviewed over 500 movies for magazines and newspapers, and 'Who's Harry Crumb?' ranks near the top of the list with such losers as 'Spies Like Us' and 'Assault on Paradise'. It doesn't come near the comedy that Candy generated in 'Uncle Buck,' 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles' and 'The Big Outdoors.' Don't waste your time watching this dud.

It's a good movie but it seems to be an exact rip off of Fletch and Naked Gun, it's even got the exact same gags...I've checked and this came out after both of them!! So sorry it's getting a 7. I love John Candy and he pulls off the character perfectly and it is funny and nice and all the other qualities you would expect from a John Candy Movie but you have seen it all before. Would have been nice had he have done a few sequels...worth a watch but only to compare.

Shipping heiress Jennifer Downing has been kidnapped in L.A. Her parents (Annie Potts, Barry Corbin) hire Crumb & Crumb detective agency run by Eliot Draisen (Jeffrey Jones). He claims to have no one available and assigns young star investigator Harry Crumb (John Candy), the last in the line of Crumb investigators. In reality, Harry is a bumbling doofus working out of the lowly Tulsa office. Eliot is actually the mastermind behind the kidnapping and he deliberately picked the clueless detective. Harry finds an investigative partner in Jennifer's younger sister Nikki (Shawnee Smith).

This is directed by Paul Flaherty, brother of SCTV alumni. John Candy is a wonderfully loveable actor. The obvious comparison for Harry Crumb is Pink Panther's Clouseau. It doesn't have as much physical comedy and the humor is not really directed at Harry unlike Clouseau. The comedy is slightly off and no matter how many fish hooks Harry takes on his face, the laughs aren't there. Somehow, he also exists both as an idiot and as a genius. He needs to be pure idiot for the comedy to take off. This is where Nikki could help. She needs to be the straight man directing our clueless hero to solve the case. Maybe she should be the one finding all the clues and figuring out everything. There are some adjustments that could really set this comedy off.

This movie is hilarious especially if your a John candy fan. Sure it's not uncle buck but it's classic funny man candy. If you dislike it maybe you're taking it way too serious because it's great!

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.

This is an absolute piece of junk. No doubt it was the WORST John Candy flick the late actor made. Even 'Uncle Buck', made the same year, was an improvement on this idiotic waste. This movie just isn't funny at all. Although it wasn't meant to be taken seriously (it is, after all, a comedy) the laughs are few and far between, and most definitely NOT original. Unfortunately this was made on the downhill slope that Candy's career became, after 'Planes, Trains & Automobiles'. It was simply NOT funny and a major disappointment considering Candy's performance in movies like 'Stripes'.

Someone who wants a good John Candy movie should try 'Only the Lonely' or 'Stripes'. Avoid this piece of crap at all costs.

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.

'Who's Harry Crumb' rests on the shoulders of the brilliant John Candy. The late comedy legend rules the show, with a lovable, hilarious performance, that appeals entirely.

'Who's Harry Crumb' Synopsis: Harry Crumb is a bumbling and inept private investigator who is hired to solve the kidnapping of a young heiress which he's not expected to solve because his employer is the mastermind behind the kidnapping.

'Who's Harry Crumb' is funny in parts. Some jokes are silly, some laugh-out-loud funny & some are pretty lame. But, in totality, the humor works for its targeted audience - the kids & the kids at heart. Its a passable one-time watch.

The Screenplay is flawed, but some memorable moments do the trick. Paul Flaherty's Direction is decent. Cinematography is standard. Editing & Art Design are okay.

Performance-Wise: Its John Candy all the way. As Harry Crumb, the late comedy legend doesn't miss a beat & delivers in every sequence. He's the soul of the film. Amongst the supporting cast, Jeffrey Jones is terrific.

On the whole, 'Who's Harry Crumb' is a must for John Candy Fans.

Harry Crumb (John Candy) is a private investigator (albeit an inept one) who is employed by Crumb & Crumb which was founded by his grandfather. When a young heiress Jennifer Downing (Renee Coleman) is kidnapped, Crumb & Crumb Executive Eliot Draisen (Jeffrey Jones) hires Crumb to find out who is responsible for the kidnapping, but it turns out to be a case that he isn't meant to solve...

John Candy made something of a name for himself playing the 'lovable loser' and in effect he is playing another variant of the same character - although you can add incompetence in this case. Therefore those of you who admire his craft will certainly get plenty of enjoyment from this picture. As Executive Producer of the film, Candy has clearly had the opportunity to more or less put his own stamp on his picture and really showcases his acting talent and comedic abilities. It would have been very easy for the filmmakers to make Candy funny because of what he does (meaning that the picture relies entirely on slapstick humour), but Crumb is given some great dialogue which actually shows that he is a bit of an idiot which makes it easier to identify with him as a character. It does have some slapstick elements and visual gags, but because Crumb is given some development it never feels as lazy as it could have been.

The cast are another reason that this film works; Candy is the heart and soul of this picture and is definitely the best thing about it. He had a natural ability to make audiences fall in love with his characters and this is still the case in Who's Harry Crumb. He's an idiot, he's incompetent and his methods are ever so slightly questionable, but he's tenacious and likable and that's what effectively helps to win the audience over. A young Shawnee Smith is also excellent as his 'sidekick' and the likes of Jones, Corbin, Potts and Thomerson all offer terrific support.

The only minor weaknesses with this film lie with the story which is weak and predictable (as is typically the case with films of this nature). It is a funny film, but it isn't consistently funny and never really has any 'hilarious' moments.

However, minor moaning aside this is still something of an underrated forgotten gem with plenty of humour which also boasts a terrific central performance from the 'late great' John Candy.

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.

Throughout most of his career, John Candy starred in innocuously silly movies like "Who's Harry Crumb?". The whole thing seems like an excuse to just be goofy, with Candy as a bumbling detective hired to solve the kidnapping of an heiress. The shenanigans in which the family and its associates are engaging seem like they could be the plot on their own. But anyway, this is nice, brainless humor at its finest, especially the scene in the vent. Too bad that John Candy died so young. Pretty funny movie.

Also starring Jeffrey Jones, Annie Potts (Janine in "Ghostbusters"), Tim Thomerson (of "Trancers"), Barry Corbin and Shawnee Smith (of the "Saw" movies).

One of my favorite comedies, Who's Harry Crumb is the story of a bumbling private detective played by John Candy, who uses a number of disguises throughout the film. Jeffrey Jones is excellent as Elliot Dreisen. A relatively clean movie, the comedy revolves around Harry and his earnestness and naivete you could say. A lot of viewers will laugh at Harry, but I laugh with him as he tracks down the kidnappers - and find them he will! A number of good lines, interesting dialogue, funny disguises, and cool cameos. Plus this movie actually makes Annie Potts a believable sex object. A very easy 10 for me!

The stage curtains open ...

"Not so fast! I've had my eye on you for a while, lady. I knew you were up to something, now here's my proof. It was YOU who were having an affair with your husband all along!"

"Who's Harry Crumb?" (1989) starring John Candy, Annie Potts, Jeffrey Jones, and Shawnee Smith is just one in a long line of inept detective comedy films, and it certainly wouldn't be the last. This movie I did see when it first hit the silver screen, and I really enjoyed it. It isn't the best of its kind I've ever seen, but it isn't the worst either. There are some real duds out there, but "Who's Harry Crumb?" is good entertainment.

Harry Crumb (Candy) is a down-on-his-luck private investigator who thinks more of his skills than he ought to. He is lucky if he can get a job tailing an unfaithful spouse and take racy pictures for a small fee. But when a high class socialite is kidnapped for a hefty ransom, her father demands action. Harry Crumb is brought in to investigate and he solicits the help of the kidnapped girl's younger sister, Nikki (Smith), as he stumbles and bumbles from one clue to the next. In his unorthodox way, Crumb works hard to identify the culprit of the kidnapping, and the results are a surprise, even to him. Everyone seems to have an agenda and everyone is suspect. In a way, Harry Crumb, despite his incompetence, might be the only person who can solve the crime.

In the tradition of the Peter Sellers' character of Chief Inspector Clouseau from the Pink Panther movies, comes John Candy's version, Harry Crumb. And, like Clouseau, Crumb fancies himself as a master of disguise. Despite being idiotic, Crumb has a heart of gold and there is no doubting his devotion to his profession.

This film wasn't as humorous as any of the Pink Panther movies, but I still had a fun time watching it. There were some great gags and I was laughing and smiling through the whole movie. John Candy brings his own unique comedic style to the role, and I felt it works here. I've always been a fan of Shawnee Smith, and I liked her in this movie as well.

I think the critics might've been a little too harsh in their reviews for this film - but, despite these, I remember quite a few people hoping for a sequel, but one never developed. I would certainly recommend it at a solid 7 stars out of 10. It is one of my personal favorite John Candy comedies, one I have seen several times over the years, and I like it just as much with each viewing.

John Candy is hilarious with the right script and director, sadly this film has neither. Avoid it if you enjoy John Candy, as it taints his memory.

This film is obvious, broad, stupid and assumes its audience has the humour and intelligence of an 8 year old. If that's you, you may enjoy this movie, although really your hour and a half would be more productively spent learning the definition of the word 'turgid.'

Avoid this at all costs. I've already spent too many words on this, but IMDb has a minimum word limit.

Offal.

Dross.

Garbage.