OH, HEAVENLY DOG

US, 1980, 98 minutes, Colour.
Chevy Chase, Jane Seymour, Omar Sharif, Robert Morley.
Directed by Joe Camp.

Oh Heavenly Dog is an updated remake of a 1951 small comedy called You Never Can Tell. In it, Dick Powell played a detective who was murdered and came back to solve his own murder as a dog. This time it is Chevy Chase - and the dog that he comes back as is Benjy. This is a film co-written and directed by the man behind the Benjy films, Joe Camp. While children might enjoy the film (although there are some adult themes and some language), it is a film designed more for the adult audience. The setting is London, the heroine is Jane Seymour. Omar Sharif is a suave villain and there is a guest appearance by Robert Morley. The enjoyment is in Chevy Chase's comic style, his voice over and the acting of Benjy combining to create the impression that Benjy really is a detective Browning. Nothing startling - but entertaining.

1. Popular comedy? You Never Can tell and an 80s update?

2. London settings, private eyes, writers, hotels, parliamentary offices? The jaunty musical score and songs?

3. The title Benjy and his popularity - and his first adult role!

4. Chevy Chase as Browning, the private eye, investigations? The comic routines in the rain? The encounter with Jacki? The lift with his friend? The visit of Malcolm, the false information, going to the apartment, his being killed? Going to heaven, Mr Higgins and the discussion about going back to earth to solve his murder? The encounter with the attendant and her anger, his coming back as a dog? Coping with being a dog, dog's eye view? The intelligent dog? The encounter with Jacki, riding back to England with her? Following her about, turning up at every location? In his office, his relationship with his secretary, her giving information to Jacki? At the hotel, the home, restaurant? The infatuation with Jacki even having the bath? Discovering Malcolm, suspicions? The dog and the filing cabinets, discovering the truth? The scenes where Mr Higgins came to earth - and we could see Chevy Chase? The deadline? His discovery of the truth, the politician, Malcolm as his assistant? Working out the details of the murder? Protecting Jacki? The happy ending? The combination of Benjy and Chevy Chase?

5. Jacki, the writer, the encounter with Browning? in Paris, the publisher and her friendship with him. meals, chats? The art gallery, the dog arriving there? At her hotel, and Browning's office? Setting him tests? Communicating with him? The investigations and discussions with the politician? With the necklace? the truth, the politician’s reaction' The danger? The happy ending?

6. Omar Sharif as the suave villain, employing Browning, the murder? At the art gallery? Discomfort with the dog, trying to attack him (and the lady attacking him in the street? His serving Beckett? Becket and his political career, the affair, the murder? Malcolm and his menace?

7. Heaven - Mr Higgins and the organization? The attendant and her anger? Browning coming back as a dog - discussions with the other dogs? with the Cat? The heavenly deal?

8. Politicians, the media, exposes? Murder?

9. Private detectives, their work, the police?

10. Robert Morley as the publisher - and the comic touches?

11. A Pleasant combination of drama and comedy - murder mystery and investigation with the heavenly twist?