Witness, The (1941) 

** (out of 4)

Joe Doakes (Robert Benchley) is reading in the newspaper about a group of investigator who use their toughness to get people to talk and Joe explains that if he was ever in that position he'd fight back and teach them who's boss. Joe has a couple fantasies about fighting back against these people but soon enough he's really on the spot. In this Paramount short Benchley is pretty much playing a Walter Mitty type role and he's pretty good in it but it's just a shame that his screenplay wasn't a tad bit better. The film runs under 9-minutes so there's not too much story to speak of but what we do get are a couple fantasy sequences where Joe acts tough as nails but of course you know he's going to crack under pressure once the real thing comes. The problem is that the first portion of the film is pretty bland as his wife screams at him for carrying on conversations on his own. This here isn't funny. It's also not any funnier once we get to the fantasy scenes because the one-liners and come backs simply aren't that strong. Benchley's performance helps keep the film moving but there's just so much he can do and when the material isn't up to par then the jokes just don't work.

The satire subgenre uses humor, irony, exaggeration, and parody to critique and comment on various aspects of society, culture, politics, institutions, and human behavior. Satires aim to provoke thought, highlight absurdities, and expose hypocrisy by presenting familiar situations in a distorted or exaggerated manner. They entertain while also providing social commentary and encouraging viewers to reflect on the subjects being criticized.

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The comedy genre refers to a category of entertainment that aims to amuse and entertain audiences by using humor, wit, and comedic situations. Comedies are created with the primary intention of eliciting laughter and providing lighthearted enjoyment. They encompass a wide range of styles, tones, and themes, appealing to various tastes and audiences.

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The short form refers to creative works characterized by their brevity and concise storytelling. Unlike full-length feature films, short films have a running time of less than 45 minutes, while TV shorts have a running time of less than 22 minutes.

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With committees arising like weeds to investigate anyone for anything, Mr. Doakes fantasizes how he would handle his inquisitors if ever summoned as the subject of a hearing.

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The Witness

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