How to Take a Vacation

How to Take a Vaction (1941)

*** (out of 4)

Robert Benchley made several "How to..." movies while at MGM but this one here comes from Paramount, although it follows the same path as those made by him previous studio. This time out Benchley is invited to a cabin in the mountains by a couple friends so he must try to get his wife to left him go. Once in the cabin it does nothing but rain while Benchley explains why vacations are so good even if everything on the screen is going against what he says. This short actually turned out to be one of the best in the series because of how well written the situation and dialogue was. I thought the narration hit all the right marks and I really found most of it funny especially one sequence when Benchley tells us about the wonderful food man can eat while in the mountains yet he doesn't realize that his cook is just making beans out of a can. Another funny sequence happens when the three friends decide to play cards with their Indian guide who knows a few more things than they do. There's no question that some of the jokes fall flat on their face but for the most part the film moves at a very good pace with nice laughs never too far apart. Benchley once again is in fine form as long as you can put up with his style of humor and Ruth Lee is back again as his wife and does a fine job as well.