A Michael Balcon Production. An Ealing Studios Film, never theatrically released in the U.S.A. U.K. release through Rank Film Distributors: 19 March 1956. British Board of Film Censors' Certificate: "Suitable for Universal Exhibition". Australian release through British Empire Films: 25 July 1957. 7,659 feet. 85 minutes. Cut by the distributor to 82 minutes (including "General Exhibition" censorship certificate and B.E.F. logo) in Australia. (Available on a very good Optimum DVD).
SYNOPSIS: Dill (rhymes with Hill) tries his luck as a private eye.
NOTES: Film debut of TV comedian, Benny Hill, and the last comedy produced at Ealing Studios. Ealing, the production company, survived a few more years by transplanting itself to M-G-M's studios at Borehamwood. Ironically, the actual Ealing Studios themselves were taken over by the British Broadcasting Corporation.
COMMENT: The script certainly packs in plenty of promising ideas, but, alas, most of them are not developed for their utmost comic effect. After a wonderfully funny opening in which Dill inadvertently wrecks both an ice show and a police station, the script tries desperately for more laughs. But a lack of writing talent, combined with Basil Dearden's heavy-handed direction, all but stifle any further merriment. Fortunately, one plus factor survives all attempts to smother her spark: — Belinda Lee, whose spirited performance more than saves the day.
Oddly, in its unfairly negative review, The Motion Picture Guide describes Hill as a "popular but utterly sleazy British comic." Popular certainly — at its peak in Britain alone his show enjoyed over twelve million viewers — but sleazy? Impish is surely the right word. MPG must be confusing Hill with some other British comedian. I have a friend, a dear old lady, who's as strait-laced as they come. Spends most of her time in church. Hill is her favorite comedian. Wouldn't miss one of his shows for quids. Benny can do no wrong as far as she's concerned. She thinks he's an absolute riot!
OTHER VIEWS: Plenty of honest, clean fun. — F. Maurice Speed.
Clarke's somewhat desperate script is still sufficiently superior in its situations to make Who Done It? considerably more amusing than any other recent vehicle for a new comedian. — D.H. in the Monthly Film Bulletin.
Appearing for the first time in a full-length feature film, although they have appeared in a number of documentary films — the Dagenham Girl Pipers are seen in a hilarious sequence. In fact, Belinda Lee, who plays the romantic lead, impersonates one of the pipers. In the twenty-five years of their existence the Dagenham Girl Pipers have played to many millions of people. - Ealing publicity.
SYNOPSIS: Dill (rhymes with Hill) tries his luck as a private eye.
NOTES: Film debut of TV comedian, Benny Hill, and the last comedy produced at Ealing Studios. Ealing, the production company, survived a few more years by transplanting itself to M-G-M's studios at Borehamwood. Ironically, the actual Ealing Studios themselves were taken over by the British Broadcasting Corporation.
COMMENT: The script certainly packs in plenty of promising ideas, but, alas, most of them are not developed for their utmost comic effect. After a wonderfully funny opening in which Dill inadvertently wrecks both an ice show and a police station, the script tries desperately for more laughs. But a lack of writing talent, combined with Basil Dearden's heavy-handed direction, all but stifle any further merriment. Fortunately, one plus factor survives all attempts to smother her spark: — Belinda Lee, whose spirited performance more than saves the day.
Oddly, in its unfairly negative review, The Motion Picture Guide describes Hill as a "popular but utterly sleazy British comic." Popular certainly — at its peak in Britain alone his show enjoyed over twelve million viewers — but sleazy? Impish is surely the right word. MPG must be confusing Hill with some other British comedian. I have a friend, a dear old lady, who's as strait-laced as they come. Spends most of her time in church. Hill is her favorite comedian. Wouldn't miss one of his shows for quids. Benny can do no wrong as far as she's concerned. She thinks he's an absolute riot!
OTHER VIEWS: Plenty of honest, clean fun. — F. Maurice Speed.
Clarke's somewhat desperate script is still sufficiently superior in its situations to make Who Done It? considerably more amusing than any other recent vehicle for a new comedian. — D.H. in the Monthly Film Bulletin.
Appearing for the first time in a full-length feature film, although they have appeared in a number of documentary films — the Dagenham Girl Pipers are seen in a hilarious sequence. In fact, Belinda Lee, who plays the romantic lead, impersonates one of the pipers. In the twenty-five years of their existence the Dagenham Girl Pipers have played to many millions of people. - Ealing publicity.