Did'ja Know?

Did'ja Know? (1950)

*** (out of 4)

Nice Pete Smith short tries to explain various items of interest to those who want to know minor things. For instance, this short tells us how many greeting cards are sold in this country each year. We also learn why animals yawn and why radiators make that annoying 'ping' sound whenever you want quiet. Also on hand is what fathers do when they're expecting a child. Fans of O'Brien and Smith will find this short to be another winner, which both men had many of in their careers. Once again O'Brien not only direct and wrote the film but plays the main fool as well. He plays in each segment but the best is the first one dealing with him playing a father in two forms. One as the overly nervous guy and the other the overly calm one. The nervous bit certainly works the best with one of the highlights coming when he tries to light a match with his cigarette. The greeting cards sequence gives us a couple dumb jokes that might make you laugh because they're so bad. The radiator sequence isn't the best but there are still a few smiles to be had.

"Did ja Know" is one of the movie shorts made by MGM with Pete Smith as the narrator. This one is a mere eight minutes in length and covers a few things with some silliness or goofy antics. The first is a visit to Blair General Hospital with a look at some expectant fathers in the delivery ward waiting area. A brief segment covers greeting cards with some strange examples. Then, it's back in the hospital and a patient who's trying to sleep with noisy radiators banging and hissing. That won't register at all with modern audiences, but some cinephiles will remember (we know who we are). The last segment has various animals yawning and people watching them who then yawn. As Pete Smith concludes, "Yawns can be catching."

Pete Smith ran a unit at MGM that made short films. He produced, narrated and plastered his name on the films. The films were apparently very popular, as they made a ton of them (actually, about 200). Two won Oscars--so, they were good for the day. However, I must admit up front that I just don't like them! I've seen several dozen and a few I liked mildly--most I hated. I think it's because Smith's narration was really campy and full of what he thought were clever jokes and witticisms. I thought they were just dopey!

As for "Did'ja Know?", it's better than most I've seen--though this is hardly a rousing endorsement. Like many of the later 'Pete Smith Specialties', it stars Dave O'Brien and is narrated, once again, by Smith. The film begins with O'Brien being a very cool and relaxed father in the waiting room at the Obstetrics unit. However, when he learns he's had a son, he falls to pieces*. However, the film really isn't about having babies---as in subsequent scenes O'Brien is a patient dealing with loud annoyances. As usual, the commentary by Smith is occasionally annoying and there are a few laughs--small ones.

Perhaps if you see this you'll like it. I noticed that some of the other reviews were pretty favorable. I just felt it was campy and old fashioned at best.

*By the way, don't watch this film with a mother. When the film talks about how tough it is for FATHERS at the birth of a child, this mother is bound to give you an ear full!!!

In the third of the "Have You Ever Wondered" series, a Smith called Pete offers some commentary as Dave Barclay attempts to light his nose on being told he is the father of a boy.

Other conundrums are answered, like how many greeting cards were sold each year about the time this was made, and why do radiators make that clanking sound, and why animals yawn. Pete seems rather restrained here, with many of his usual snarky comments being read off cards. With Barclay's physical slapstick, the question of whether you enjoy this will depend on whether you enjoy Smith's corny sarcasm. I do, and so rate this one highly.