That Inferior Feeling

That Inferior Feeling (1940)

*** (out of 4)

Whether you're a fan or not of Robert Benchley you should find yourself having a great time with this one. In the film Benchley plays his alter ego Mr. Doakes. This time out he suffers from an inferior complex, which results in him not being able to cope with certain situations. One example is when he goes to check into a hotel with his wife, he fears that the worker might feel he's being dirty with a non-wife so he asks for separate rooms. Another example comes when he needs directions but is afraid to ask fearing that the worker might think he's dumb. From the three dozen or so Benchley shorts I've seen, there's no question that this one here is the best and it certainly contains some of the biggest laughs. There's one very funny moment after another with one of the biggest laughs coming from when he's being fitted for a new suit and tries as to why he wears such a large size. Another funny sequence is one where Benchley is forced to buy a white suit and is too embarrassed to walk down the streets so he pays a guy to drive him to work. Benchley's humor has always been dry and it's always been hit and miss with me but this short here is one that should appeal to just about anyone. The jokes are very fast and most important they work extremely well.