MartinHafer
Gene Wilder was a wonderful actor. Unfortunately, here with "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother" he bit off way more than he could chew, as he not only starred in the film but directed, wrote it and sang throughout the film. As an actor, he is wonderful...and he should have stuck with acting alone. The project is tedious, horribly unfunny and a waste of great talent.The film stars Sherlock Holmes' younger brother, Sigerson (Wilder). As far as his being smarter, he's certainly not....and again and again he makes a mess of things when Sherlock passes a case off to him. The film features many horribly unfunny things--most of which go on and on and on. Why does Wilder frequently break into song with Madeline Kahn? It's not funny and just seems weird. Why does Kahn constantly lie, it's not funny and just seems weird. And, why is Marty Feldman in the film when he's given nothing funny to do...and this seems REALLY weird. The bottom line is that this film was a misfire from the onset and I kept waiting, in vain, for it to start getting funny.
foxwood9
i had never seen user reviews for "Smarter Brother" previously and i was amazed at the number of viewers who seemed to have so much to criticize in the very funny film. some people, when reviewing a film seem to treat it like an artichoke, pulling it apart until there is nothing left. if i enjoy a film and can watch it over and over is my only criteria. DID I ENJOY IT? you bet! i have seem this movie many times and i always find it enjoyable and funny. without out going into the plot and cast members, this happens to be a very funny Sherlock Holmes parody. there is a Dudley Moore/Peter Cook send-up of a classic Holmes tale also available. while that film has some funny moments, Gene Wilder's Smarter Brother is funny all the way through. to really enjoy the film, i suggest you see it and then decide just how enjoyable and funny it is. if all else fails, you can always dance the Kangaroo Hop.by the way, be on the look out for the cameo by Albert Finney. you must be fast, as he just pops in and out with no prolonged closeup.
rokcomx
Just watched Sherlock Holmes Smarter Brother (Encore Channel) for the first time since it was new in theaters in 1975 - very funny flick! I'm not sure why it isn't ranked up there with Young Frankenstein and Blazing Saddles - much of the same cast is in place. Tho Mel Brooks didn't direct Sherlock, I heard his voice doing two cameos, so he was at least hanging around the set - Gene Wilder wrote and directed.It's a little bittersweet to be laughing and then realize that Dom Deluise, Madeline Khan, Leo McKern, and Marty Feldman have all passed away --- but there are a lot of great scenes, from the Bunny Hop musical number(s) to the GREAT battle scene atop three rolling horse carriages, with Holmes and his nemesis grabbing giant sign props as they pass the shops, to use as weapons, like a giant hand and a giant foot...And Marty Feldman as the Watson-like sidekick with "photographic hearing" - what a treat! Now if only the Encore Channel would show Wilder's other forgotten vanity gem, World's Greatest Lover -----
ppuhak
Definitely an underrated film. One of my favorite scenes is where Professor Moriarty is having everyone bid for the letter and his assistant is eating from the bowl of potato chips and finally makes his assistant spit out the potato chips because they are for company. The scene with Gene Wilder and the ambassador where he is attempting to hide the fact that we eating the box of chocolates was hilarious. I would like to know if any of the songs from the movie are original to the movie or are they just old songs. They sound as if they could have been written years ago. I have seen this movie on cable and sometimes they edit some of the funny lines.
AD
