John Candy is Harry Crumb, the last in large family of private eyes. Unfortunately, big-hearted Harry's bumbling nature has led to his exile from the family for ten years while the family business was turned over to snakel... more »ike Eliot Draisen (Jeffrey Jones). Draisen plans on capitalizing on portly Harry's ineptitude when he puts Crumb on the case after kidnapping his own best client's daughter so that he can run away with the client's wife (Annie Potts). But this time, Harry, with a bizarre array of disguises, just might crack the case and prove he's one Crumb that won't be swept under the rug!« less
I wanted to like this since I am a big fan of John Candy but it fell short after the first thirty minutes...
JOSEPH E. from WOODHAVEN, MI Reviewed on 2/4/2021...
Funny movie, staring a funny actor.
Worth watching for a few laughs.
0 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Don D. (Donjay) from HAMBURG, NY Reviewed on 4/15/2016...
If you are a John Candy fan you will love this movie. My teenagers even love this movie. If you want to laugh out loud watch it! This move goes in my top 50 greatest comedies of all time.
1 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Rachel R. Reviewed on 4/20/2011...
I John Candy
This movie was classic slap-sticky 1980's dress-up humor.
I'd recommend it if you like any of the following:
The '80's
John Candy
Putting your brain on auto-pilot for the evening
1 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Taryn G. (tkdemon18) from DENTON, TX Reviewed on 10/8/2009...
Great movie. Great to watch if you want a good laugh.
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Movie Reviews
WHO'S HARRY CRUMB? YOU WON'T BE SORRY YOU ASKED!
Heather L. Parisi | St. Augustine, FL USA | 11/27/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"IN A NUTSHELL -- "WHO IS HARRY CRUMB?":
John Candy plays bumbling Harry Crumb, the last survivor of a family of great detectives. This Crumb works in the agency his legendary grandfather founded, but he's been exiled to their "Greater Tulsa" office. Eliot Draisen (Jeffrey Jones) who somehow has become the Director of "Crumb and Crumb" assigns the inept Harry Crumb to find the kidnapped daughter of a multi-millionaire (played by the affable Barry Corbin from TV's "Northern Exposure"). There is a catch, however ... Draisen doesn't want the kidnappers found, for reasons of his own. While Crumb bumbles along through various mishaps (aided by his able assistant, Shawnee Smith) which are articulated via a series of ridiculously funny comedy skits, the kidnappers feel completely secure. In the meantime, Elliot Draisen tries to have his way with the millionaire's wife (Annie Potts), but does that have anything to do with the plot?
OKAY IT SOUNDS KIND OF PAT -- BUT:
In "Who's Harry Crumb?", it's all in the execution. The series of vignettes that make up the heart of the film are John Candy at his best. He plays a series of "under-cover" impersonations that run the gamut from Middle Eastern Vice-President of operations to a blonde transvestite [in the epilogue]. The idea is that somehow, despite his penchant for being a complete idiot, he somehow catches the kidnappers, by accident. But -- not before breaking his boss's prize dinosaur eggs [literally] and everthing else that gets in his way. We can see what's happening, but it is the way that Crumb gets from point A to point B that makes this film entertaining and worth watching.
ABOUT THE DVD:
If being able to add English Subtitles and select scenes are features, then this DVD has features. It is, however, an excellent transfer in "Widescreen Format" and an obvious improvement over the VHS offering.
POST SCRIPT:
This is one of Candy's better efforts and he is largely a one-man band. His impersonations are all quite funny and truly ridiculous, especially the one where he plays Hungarian executive, DuJour Dioche. Here he goes from having excessive chest hair to having a beard in the wink of an eye. The skits alone make this a must-see for all and a must-have for any Candy fans.
This film was released in February of 1989 and grossed $11 million. He managed to make another 18 films before he died of a heart attack in his sleep on location of the film "Wagons East", in Durango, Mexico on March 4, 1994. He was 43."
Great movie for the collection
Heather L. Parisi | 03/06/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I was about seven or eight years old when I first saw This movie, but it was instantly my favorite. The only thing is that it's most physical comedy. Now that I'm older I realize that it's not his best movie, but it's still a great comedy classic."
Better than the critics say
Heather L. Parisi | 04/30/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Most critics gave this movie a bad review, but if you're a fan of John Candy, there's no reason not to like this movie. This is one of his better movies. It's about a kidnapping that John's charactor is hired to solve...or not. He's hired because his boss is actually the kidnapper (don't worry, there's no suprise twist or anything like that) so he hires Harry Crumb because apparently he doesn't expect him to solve the case. All fans of John Candy should get this movie. It has a decent supporting cast as well, such as Jeffrey Jones, Annie Potts, Shawnee Smith, Tim Thomerson, Joe Flahrety and a few no-names."
Not the best Candy, but a fun treat nonetheless...
mykarenina | St. Louis, MO United States | 11/25/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"John Candy turns in an amusing performance as the bumbling detective Harry Crumb who is called in to solve the case of a wealthy socialite's kidnapped daughter. From the very beginning, Crumb's lack of tact, talent, and detective skills is obvious. He photographs the wrong person on a stake-out, gets stuck in an air conditioning duct, has his tie eaten by a paper shredder, and constantly misuses the words on his word-a-day calendar. While this may not be Candy's funniest performance, it does provide several stellar comic moments.The supporting cast of this movie is sensational. Superb performances are turned in from Annie Potts, Barry Corbin, Shawnee Smith, and Wesley Mann as the lethargic butler. The finest performance of the movie is accomplished by Jeffrey Jones, who plays the President of Crumb's detective agency. The interractions he has with the befuddled Harry are outrageous and hilarious. If you are looking for the best of John Candy, I would suggest movies such as "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles" or "Uncle Buck" instead of this film. "Who's Harry Crumb?" does have its share of over-the-top moments and comedy that borders on the edge of campy or cheesy. However, more than a few moments of pure hilarity make this film an excellent addition to any movie collection."
John Candy is hilarious, as always
Yuli Martov | 10/06/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Like many of the movies in this genre(slapstick comdedy), "Who's Harry Crumb" has an absurd story line. But all of this is pretty much inconsequential with a person like John Candy as the star. People who have seen his other performances, know that he can turn the smallest role in to comedic masterpieces(such as "Tom Tuttle from Tacoma Washington" on Volunteers). And naturally, when he has a starring role, he can elevate a movie from mediocre to great, as evidenced by this particular movie. Without John Candy, I would rate this movie as one of the 5 worst ever, but since John Candy is in it, it's in the top 25(which is a pretty exclusive list!).All I can say is, if you still havn't watched this movie, even though it's been out for almost a dozen years, you're missing out on a hilarious movie. The first time I watched it, I couldn't stop laughing, it's that funny."