How can a movie starring Gene Wilder, Marty Feldman and Madeline Kahn not be funny? I'm still not sure how this one managed it, but it did. The plot was difficult to follow and seemed to constantly meander... this wasn't helped by the numerous inexplicable bursts into song which broke up the narrative and destroyed any momentum the plot might have managed to gather. The desperately un-amusing "Kangaroo Hop" is repeated several times and is more tedious with each repetition. I think during Dom DeLuise's lengthy career he was funny once for about five minutes... unfortunately, those five minutes are in some other film. Wilder, as writer and director, seems to be trying to channel Mel Brooks, who was pretty much a hit-or-miss kind of a guy himself, so the failure of this movie to impress isn't so surprising. Still, I do wish it had been better. It should have been, with this pedigree.

Gene Wilder gave his first attempt as a director in 1975 with his film The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother. Bringing actors into the film that he had worked with before such as Madeline Kahn and Marty Feldman gave audiences a treat of a slapstick comedy. If you've ever wondered about the rest of Sherlock Holmes' family, like his brother that never gets enough credit, The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother is the film for you! A valiant first directorial effort, Smarter Brother packs some good gags but loses its punch throughout the film.Constantly living in the shadow of his older successful brother Sherlock, Sigerson Holmes (Gene Wilder) becomes determined to solve an important case that spans all the way to the Queen. Queen Victoria (Susan Field) hands a classified document to her Foreign Secretary, Lord Redcliff (John Le Mesurier). When the document is stolen from his safe, Queen Victoria calls upon Sherlock Holmes personally. Since he will be consumed with this case, he passes one of his lesser cases on to his brother, in such a way that he will never know he passed it on to him. Sigerson takes the case in which a woman Jenny Hill, (Madeline Kahn) who is impersonating a music hall performer, is being blackmailed. The only ally to help him solve the case is one that his brother positioned for him. Sherlock attains the services of Scotland Yard records clerk, Sgt. Orville Stanley Sacker (Marty Feldman) who possesses the unusual skill of a photographic memory. Jenny tells lie after lie to Sigerson thwarting the investigation making it all the harder for Sigerson to solve the case. As more of the case comes to light, the intricate web between the players comes out and Sigerson has his hands full solving the case and getting the sensitive document back to its rightful owner. The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother is proof positive for me that Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder were a fantastic team, and should have graced audiences with more collaborations. Watching this film, with the three principles from Young Frankenstein, fell short of its predecessor. Wilder was too wild, too zany, and too scattered directing himself as the lead in his film. Mel Brooks' films after he stopped working with Wilder were likewise, not as good as when Gene was involved. I had high hopes for this film and it fell short of my expectations. The premise was fun, and I had a good time with it through the middle, but then it fell apart by adding too much to it. Wilder put in a great performance and his chemistry with Madeline Kahn was extraordinary. I wish the overall final product had been a better exercise of their efforts, but I am mostly pleased with The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother.

One of the funniest films ever made, this delightfully fast-paced satire will literally have you falling off your chair from go to whoa. And there are plenty of thrills too as our heroes, Wilder and Feldman, fall foul of Leo McKern's full-blooded villain and his crazy henchmen (including Roy Kinnear). The film is also notable for the gorgeous presence of Madeline Kahn whose brilliant sense of comic timing in both gesture and delivery is on full display here. The movie starts on a high comic note – and stays there! In fact, it actually gets funnier and even more comically inventive as it moves along at a truly remarkable pace. You really need to see it twice to catch up on all the crazy quips and luxurious bits of business that you missed whilst you were doubled up with laughter the first time. Gene Wilder's direction is so vigorous, lively and totally assured, that I was amazed to discover that this was his first venture behind the camera. Alas, to date he has directed only five movies all told, but maybe he can be persuaded out of retirement?

Madelaine Khan is at her most brilliant; she is sexy, funny, and beyond campy. Gene Wilder, Marty Feldman, and Dom Deloise star in a classic and everyone is here for a classic Mel Brooks movie except Mel. Gene Wilder directs. I think the first time watcher might find it funnier than any of Mel's movies while being at the same time the perfect Mel Brooks movie - with the possible exception of The Producers. If you liked Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles, and the rest, you will love The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother. The other amazing thing is that the gags in TASHSB have greater legs than the ones in Young F, Blazing Saddles, etal. I have seen TASHSB three times and each time it was funnier. It is Gene Wilder as Director being Mel Brooks' "smarter brother" delivering a more sophisticated and deeper Mel Brooks brand of humor.