Who's Harry Crumb?

Harry Crumb is the latest in a long line of private detectives, but he has inherited none of the family talent. Clumsy and easily distracted, he works for the Crumb agency founded by his ancestors, and clients are not exactly lining up. When the daughter of a wealthy man is kidnapped, his father turns to the agency for help. The head of the bureau, Eliot Draisen, hands the case to Harry, fully expecting him to fail, because Draisen himself is behind the kidnapping and wants the investigation to go nowhere. Harry, however, proves more resourceful than anyone anticipated.

The film is a comedy built on John Candy's performance in the title role, with Jeffrey Jones as his scheming boss, Annie Potts, Tim Thomerson, Barry Corbin and Shawnee Smith in supporting parts. Paul Flaherty directed from a screenplay by Robert Conte and Peter Wortmann, with Arnon Milchan producing. It was Flaherty's second feature, following 18 Again! and preceding Clifford.

Released in February 1989, the film grossed about 11 million dollars worldwide against a 94-minute running time. On IMDb it holds 5.9 out of 10 from more than 17,000 votes, and on TMDB 6 out of 10 from 370 votes. A critics' rating of 4 out of 10 from 11 reviews places it below the audience scores.