How to Be a Detective (1952)

Goofy is hired to solve a mystery of a missing "Al." He searches the city for clues, but constantly runs into a city sheriff (who is portrayed by Pete) who tells him to let the police ... See full summary »

Director:

Jack Kinney

Writers:

Dick Kinney, Brice Mack

Stars:

Billy Bletcher, Pinto Colvig, June Foray

Cast

Uncredited cast:
Billy Bletcher	...	Al Muldoon (voice) (uncredited)
Pinto Colvig	...	Goofy (voice) (uncredited)
June Foray	...	The Dame (voice) (uncredited)

Storyline

Goofy is hired to solve a mystery of a missing "Al." He searches the city for clues, but constantly runs into a city sheriff (who is portrayed by Pete) who tells him to let the police handle it. A car chase occurs and the drivers ram into a haystack. It turns out that Al is actually the city sheriff who is supposed to get married to the woman who hires Goofy to find him.

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Plot Keywords:

anthropomorphism | detective | cartoon dog | goofy the character | goofy holler | 

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Genres:

Animation | Short | Comedy | Crime | Family

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 December 1952 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hessu etsivänä

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walt Disney Productions

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Goofy: Looks like I'm gettin' to the bottom of this case!

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Connections

Edited into Goofy About Health (1989)

User Reviews

Goofy as a private eye...

How to be a Detective has to be one of my favourite Goofy and Disney shorts. It is extremely violent at times(for 1952 especially), which is unusual for Goofy and Disney. However seeing as it is a spoof on the detective mystery genre, this gritty noir approach was not inappropriate in any way and only added to the authenticity of the period. Regardless of whether you are deterred by that or not, there is still much to love from other Goofy shorts here. There is fast pacing and very funny gags, and I loved some of the details like Goofy underwater with a weight on his feet and Goofy drinking a Martini. The mystery elements are also done really well, with suspense and a great atmosphere that feels like you had travelled back in time. The animation is beautifully drawn with the colours colourful and really fitting with the mood, and the music is both jaunty and haunting. Goofy is as likable and endearingly clumsy as ever, even in a different persona there is that unique personality shining through, and it was nice to see Pete in a good guy role for once. The voice acting is very good, with the narration as thoughtfully delivered and sardonic as you'd expect. Overall, one of Disney and Goofy's best and great for anybody into animation, detective mystery stories or both(I apply to both). 10/10 Bethany Cox