Day 237: "A DOG? Really? A dog. Well, could be worse."

Normally, when an actor appears alongside an animal, their career is in a serious downward spin.  Fortunately for Chevy Chase, Oh! Heavenly Dog is a speed bump on his fast track to comedy success in the 80's.  The third of Joe Camps' movies starring his famous pooch, Benji, Oh! Heavenly Dog's story revolves around a private investigator who is hired to solve a mysterious case, is himself murdered, arrives at Heaven's gates, is informed that the has a borderline acceptance to Heaven, and is given the chance to solidify his place in the afterlife by going back to solve his own murder.  The catch is, he's a dog.  Makes perfect sense, right?  Anyway, this sounds like a disaster waiting to happen, but it's actually pretty enjoyable.  It's not high art, but I've definitely had worse times in front of a screen.

Most of Chase's role is a turn in front of the voiceover microphone, but when he is actually on screen, it's classic Chevy.  The sly looks, the wise cracks, the sarcasm, it's all there.  Surprisingly, Camp managed to get some pretty hefty talent in this movie: Omar Sharif, Jane Seymour, and Richard Vernon all appear here.  I would just like to know whose decision it was to make all heavenly denizens British in the 70's and 80's, I don't get it.

A fun, nonsensical time waster, Oh! Heavenly Dog has a little something for just about every audience member.  While I really like Chevy Chase, kids always go nuts for Benji, there's some raunchy humor (not too offensive), and a lot of slapstick.  Nothing serious or highbrow, just a pretty good time.  6.75/10.

See you tomorrow, and GO WATCH A MOVIE!!