Who's Harry Crumb?

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Who's Harry Crumb?

PG-13

Released Feb 3, 1989

1h 38m

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

33%

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12 Reviews

46%

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10,000+ Ratings

Harry Crumb (John Candy) descends from a long line of sleuths, but the well-intentioned private detective tends to turn the simplest case into a disaster. That's why Harry's maniacal boss, Eliot Draisen (Jeffrey Jones), selects him to investigate the kidnapping of a rich heiress; Draisen himself is behind the crime and he's hoping that Harry will perform as dismally as he usually does. But, with more than a few tricks up his sleeve, Harry may end up cracking the conspiracy despite himself.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a perpetually silly and over-the-top comedy that does, for the most part, fare better than one might’ve anticipated...

Rated: 2.5/4

Jul 14, 2025

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

It's so lacking in wit, it makes even Abbott and Costello seem so much smarter.

Rated: C

Jun 7, 2017

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Frank Ochieng

TheWorldJournal.com

An outlandishly fluffy whodunnit farce that generates its inspired nuttiness from the likable John Candy.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 20, 2006

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Aug 11, 2005

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Carol Cling

Las Vegas Review-Journal

Rated: 2/5

Aug 22, 2003

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Nicolas Lacroix

Showbizz.net

Rated: 2/5

Mar 24, 2003

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Tmpbabybaby Live L

This was a childhood favorite for me I laughed hard then and still do today as an Adlut, Most of John Candy's movies kept me laughing RIP John thanks for the Great memories

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/11/25

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Stephen C

A failure in 1 hour and 38 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/02/25

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Blu B

Music ain't bad but dated 80's stuff and it isn't used enough. Candy is the best thing in this and is good but everything else at best is just...ehh. The plot itself is kind of a clever setup for some fun but the way it's done is kind of sloppy, hard to follow the particulars, and the laughs only work say half the time at best. Most of the slapstick lands flat honestly and a lot of gags are on the dumb side. I can't tell if it's because it's edited poorly or just dumb. Maybe a bit of both I'm not sure. No one else is that memorable in this but it does it's job enough at giving a laugh every now and than for such a short runtime and none of it is particulary terrible just harmless. It's hard to say this is required viewing even for hardcore John candy fans. Most could skip this.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/31/25

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Bruno S

Absolute classic! I remember laughing my a** off while watching this as a kid. Watched it again last night (I am 41 now) and still laughed me a** off! I love John Candy and his humor and nuttiness are at full display here! Awesome movie! Oh, and about the rotten score.. well, it's really rotten. What kind of movie were they expecting to see!? RIP John Candy, such a legend .. Miss you so much.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/11/25

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IAN c B

my personal favourite John Candy film my late partner and i loved it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/12/24

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Ron T

I can't believe what a low rating this movie gets. Obviously, people don't understand what a farce is. This is hilarious, classic John Candy. farce noun a comic dramatic work using buffoonery and horseplay and typically including crude characterization and ludicrously improbable situations.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/21/23

Full Review

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Paul Flaherty

Director

John Candy

Harry Crumb

Jeffrey Jones

Eliot Draisen

Annie Potts

Helen Downing

Tim Thomerson

Vince Barnes

Barry Corbin

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Synopsis

Harry Crumb (John Candy) descends from a long line of sleuths, but the well-intentioned private detective tends to turn the simplest case into a disaster. That's why Harry's maniacal boss, Eliot Draisen (Jeffrey Jones), selects him to investigate the kidnapping of a rich heiress; Draisen himself is behind the crime and he's hoping that Harry will perform as dismally as he usually does. But, with more than a few tricks up his sleeve, Harry may end up cracking the conspiracy despite himself.

Director: Paul Flaherty
Producer: Arnon Milchan
Screenwriter: Bob Conte, Peter Wortmann, Bob Conte
Production Co: TriStar Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 3, 1989, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $10.4M
Runtime: 1h 38m
Sound Mix: Surround

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