You have to be a ROBERT BENCHLEY fan to appreciate his dry humor, especially when he deals with the even drier subject of this supposedly humorous sketch about a scientist talking about his latest find--"the newt." We never actually see what he's talking about. He makes several efforts to reach into a tank full of specimens but each time has to draw back, smile and say he'll take another look later. Meanwhile, his grumpy assistant is working nearby at a work table.
He then uses charts to illustrate his remarks--and naturally, none of them shed any light on the situation at all.
Finally, his assistant who has more experience with the newt, is asked to reach into the tank so Benchley can display the newt to the audience.
The weak payoff has Benchley showing that the little creature is invisible, even though it drops with a plopping sound when he tosses it back into the tank.
Silly stuff no matter how you look at it. Certainly not one of his best skits.
He then uses charts to illustrate his remarks--and naturally, none of them shed any light on the situation at all.
Finally, his assistant who has more experience with the newt, is asked to reach into the tank so Benchley can display the newt to the audience.
The weak payoff has Benchley showing that the little creature is invisible, even though it drops with a plopping sound when he tosses it back into the tank.
Silly stuff no matter how you look at it. Certainly not one of his best skits.