Who’s Harry Crumb? Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A detective so incompetent he’s hired to fail accidentally solves a kidnapping, proving that sometimes, the best way to succeed is to be utterly clueless.

🍿 Who’s Harry Crumb?: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Kidnapping and a Clumsy Detective

Jennifer Downing is kidnapped during a spa treatment. Her wealthy father, P.J., and his wife, Helen, hire Crumb & Crumb Investigations. The agency’s president, Eliot Draisen, assigns the inept Harry Crumb to the case, hoping he’ll fail and cover up Eliot’s involvement as the mastermind.

Harry’s Hilarious Misadventures

Harry, oblivious to the setup, embarks on a series of comical investigations. Disguises, pratfalls, and mistaken identities mark his every move, much to the dismay of those around him. He partners with Nikki, Jennifer’s younger sister, who proves to be surprisingly helpful.

Unraveling the Conspiracy

Despite his incompetence, Harry stumbles upon clues that point to Helen and her tennis coach, Vince. He discovers their affair and suspects their involvement in the kidnapping. However, Eliot is also in pursuit of Helen, complicating the situation.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Harry Crumb (John Candy): Harry Crumb is a bumbling and inept private investigator who, despite his incompetence, manages to make headway in a kidnapping case.
• Eliot Draisen (Jeffrey Jones): Eliot Draisen is the Crumb executive and mastermind behind the kidnapping, hiring Harry in hopes of a guaranteed failure.
• Nikki Downing (Shawnee Smith): Nikki Downing is Jennifer’s younger sister who becomes Harry’s assistant and provides crucial help in solving the case.
• Helen Downing (Annie Potts): Helen Downing is the money-grubbing stepmother of Jennifer who is involved in a plot to get P.J.’s money.
• P.J. Downing (Barry Corbin): P.J. Downing is the wealthy shipping owner and father of Jennifer, who hires Harry to find his kidnapped daughter.
• Vince Barnes (Tim Thomerson): Vince Barnes is Helen’s tennis coach and accomplice in the plot against P.J., initially believed to be the kidnapper.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Harry Crumb: “I’m sorry sahib, for my face hitting your fist.” – Said by Harry while disguised as an Indian air conditioning repairman after accidentally getting punched.
• Harry Crumb: “Being inconspicuous is the key to undercover work.” – Harry’s advice to Nikki, ironically delivered while driving an attention-grabbing antique roadster in full disguise.
• Harry Crumb: “Try it with a ‘D’.” – When asked to spell out Djour Djilios during his impersonation of a Hungarian hairdresser.
• Helen Downing: “He suspects he has a dick, but you’d need a road map to find it!” – Helen’s cutting remark about Harry when asked if he suspects anything about her involvement.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $12,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $10,982,364
• Worldwide Gross: $10,982,364

💥 Who’s Harry Crumb? Reviews

Personal Review

I’ve always had a soft spot for ‘Who’s Harry Crumb?’. John Candy is just so lovable as this bumbling detective! The scene where he’s crawling through the air vents, and the air conditioning blasts him into the manager’s office, still makes me laugh out loud. It’s not high art, but it’s a fun, silly movie that always puts a smile on my face. Plus, Annie Potts is great as the scheming stepmom!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of John Candy’s slapstick comedy”
  • “Viewers who enjoy 80s comedy films”
  • “Those looking for lighthearted, silly entertainment”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Some instances of suggestive humor”
  • “Mild violence and cartoonish action”
  • “Outdated cultural depictions in certain disguises (e.g., the Indian air-conditioner repairman and the blackface makeup), which may be offensive to some viewers”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “While ‘Who’s Harry Crumb?’ isn’t a comedic masterpiece, John Candy’s physical comedy and endearing persona make it a worthwhile watch. The plot is predictable, but Candy’s charm keeps you engaged.
• Chicago Tribune: “Candy’s talents are undeniable, but the script lets him down. Some gags land, but many fall flat, resulting in an uneven comedic experience. Worth a watch for hardcore Candy fans, but not for casual viewers.

Audience Reactions

John Candy’s disguises were absolutely hilarious!: Viewers loved John Candy’s performance and found the slapstick humor entertaining.

The movie is a silly good time that’s perfect for a lighthearted movie night.: Many people enjoyed the nostalgic feel and simple, easy-to-watch comedy.

Overall Consensus: A generally well-liked comedy, primarily due to John Candy’s performance, but some find the humor inconsistent and the plot predictable.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “John Candy served as an executive producer on ‘Who’s Harry Crumb?’, allowing him more creative control over the project.”
• “The film features several elaborate disguises for John Candy, reminiscent of characters he played during his SCTV days.”
• “Vancouver International Airport was used for the climactic airport scenes.”
• “John Laroquette was John Candy’s first choice for the role of Elliott Draisen, but due to scheduling conflicts with ‘Night Court,’ Jeffrey Jones was cast instead.”

🖥️ How to Watch Who’s Harry Crumb??

As of October 2024, ‘Who’s Harry Crumb?’ is available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability, as it may vary by region. You can also search for DVD and Blu-ray copies on Amazon or eBay.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Who’s Harry Crumb?, you might like these similar films:

• Fletch (1985): Shares the theme of a wisecracking, disguise-loving reporter/detective uncovering a complex scheme.
• The Pink Panther (1963): Features a bumbling detective, Inspector Clouseau, who stumbles his way through solving crimes, despite his incompetence.
• Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988): Features over-the-top slapstick and absurd situations as a clueless detective accidentally solves crimes.
• Clue (1985): Combines comedy and mystery, with a cast of eccentric characters and a convoluted plot.
• The Master of Disguise (2002): A more modern attempt at a similar ‘master of disguise’ comedic premise, though less successful.

🛒 Who’s Harry Crumb? Related Products

• Who’s Harry Crumb? – DVD: Own the classic comedy on DVD and relive the laughs with John Candy’s hilarious performance.
• John Candy: Comedian – Biography: Dive into the life and career of the comedic genius, John Candy. A great addition for fans looking to learn more about the actor.
• Detective Costume Kit: Dress up as your favorite detective with this fun costume kit, perfect for themed parties or Halloween.
• Pink Panther: The Ultimate Collection: If you enjoyed Who’s Harry Crumb? be sure to watch The Pink Panther as Harry Crumb is loosely based on Peter Sellers character Inspector Clouseau

🎧 Soundtrack

Who’s Harry Crumb? features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “On Your Side Tonight” – performed by Richard Martin-Ross
• “Holding Out for a Hero” – performed by Bonnie Tyler

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Who’s Harry Crumb? (1989) | (Almost) Cult Classics

Ever wondered about the story behind ‘Who’s Harry Crumb?’ This video dives deep with behind-the-scenes footage and insights. I always thought this movie was underrated, so this analysis is a must-watch!

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