Robert Benchley's guide to etiquette is weirdly relatable even now

You should watch this if you have ten minutes to kill and you like humor that feels like a dry martini. It’s perfect for people who feel slightly out of place in social situations. You’ll probaly hate it if you need a story that actually goes somewhere or if you can't stand old guys talking at a desk.

The movie starts in a manhole. Two workers are just hanging out down there and they decide to call up Robert Benchley for advice. Why do they have a phone in a sewer? Who knows.

Benchly (the guy is a legend for a reason) looks like he just rolled out of a very expensive nap. He has this way of looking at the camera that makes you feel like he's sharing a secret he doesn't even care about that much. It’s great.

The first big lesson is about what to do when a lady enters the room. In 1936, apparently, this involved a lot of jumping up and down like a bunch of nervous birds. The actors in the demonstration look so stiff it’s almost uncomfortable to watch.

There is this one guy in the background of the party scene who just stares. He doesn't say anything. He just stands there holding a glass and looking like he’s dissociating. I couldn't stop looking at him.

The Guest From Hell

The second half is about being an overnight guest. This part actually felt real. We’ve all been that person trying to figure out which towel is ours or how to leave the house without waking everyone up. 🛋️

• The bit with the toothbrush is honestly funny.
• Benchley’s narration is so deadpan it takes a second for the jokes to land.
• The sets look like they were built in about twenty minutes.

I noticed the sound quality gets a bit fuzzy whenever they cut to the manhole guys. It adds to the weirdness. It's not a polished masterpiece like some other shorts from that era, but it feels more honest because of it.

If you've seen Love Fever, you know how these small comedies can be hit or miss. This one is a hit becuase it doesn't try too hard to be a big 'movie.' It’s just a guy being sarcastic about napkins.

One scene lingers on a guy’s face while he’s trying to decide if he should sit down or not. It goes on for a few seconds too long. It becomes funny, then awkward, then funny again. That’s the Benchley magic, I guess.

The advice about the host’s bathroom is surprisingly practical. Don't use the fancy towels. Some things never change, even if we don't wear suits to breakfast anymore. 🍳

It’s not as chaotic as Fish Hooky, which is a different kind of fun. This is more intellectual but in a way that feels like your funny uncle telling stories at a wedding.

I wish the manhole guys came back at the end. They just kind of disappear. The movie just stops. It doesn't really 'end' so much as it just runs out of things to say. Which is fine. I’d rather a movie stop early than overstay its welcome.

Is it a classic? Probably not. But it’s a fun way to see how people used to worry about the same dumb stuff we do now. It’s a nice little time capsule with a sense of humor.