How to Sleep
Encyclopedia
How to Sleep is a short film by Robert Benchley
. Filmed and released by MGM in 1935
(as part of their "Miniature" series), it features Benchley as a narrator as well as film subject, discussing four parts of sleep - causes, methods, avoiding sleep, and waking up.
The production was inspired by a Mellon Institute study on sleep commissioned by the Simmons Mattress Company
. It was filmed in two days, and featured Benchley as both the narrator and sleeper, the latter a role Benchley claimed was "not much of a strain, as [he] was in bed most of the time." The film was well-received in preview screenings, and promotions took over, with a still from the film being used in Simmons advertisements. The only group not pleased was the Mellon Institute, who did not approve of the studio mocking their study.
The early success of How to Sleep prompted MGM to rush two more short films featuring Benchley, How to Train a Dog
, a spoof of dog-training techniques, and How to Behave
, which lampooned etiquette
norms. How to Sleep was named Best Short Subject
at the 8th Academy Awards
in 1935, while the latter two shorts were not as well received.
The film is included as an extra on the DVD of the feature film, A Night at the Opera
, and is also available on the DVD set The Robert Benchley Miniatures Collection.
Robert Benchley
Robert Charles Benchley was an American humorist best known for his work as a newspaper columnist and film actor...
. Filmed and released by MGM in 1935
1935 in film
-Events:*Judy Garland signs a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer .*Seven year old Shirley Temple wins a special Academy Award.*The Bantu Educational Kinema Experiment started in order to educate the Bantu peoples.-Top grossing films:-Academy Awards:...
(as part of their "Miniature" series), it features Benchley as a narrator as well as film subject, discussing four parts of sleep - causes, methods, avoiding sleep, and waking up.
The production was inspired by a Mellon Institute study on sleep commissioned by the Simmons Mattress Company
Simmons Bedding Company
Simmons Bedding Company is a major manufacturer of mattresses and related bedding products. The company is founded in 1870. Simmons' flagship brand is Beautyrest, and it is one of the oldest companies of this type in the USA. According to a Simmons press release, net sales for 2005 were $855...
. It was filmed in two days, and featured Benchley as both the narrator and sleeper, the latter a role Benchley claimed was "not much of a strain, as [he] was in bed most of the time." The film was well-received in preview screenings, and promotions took over, with a still from the film being used in Simmons advertisements. The only group not pleased was the Mellon Institute, who did not approve of the studio mocking their study.
The early success of How to Sleep prompted MGM to rush two more short films featuring Benchley, How to Train a Dog
How to Train a Dog
How to Train a Dog is a 1936 short film released through MGM Studios starring Robert Benchley. The short film demonstrates how not to train a dog, following Benchley's character getting the dog from a pet shop.-References:...
, a spoof of dog-training techniques, and How to Behave
How to Behave
How to Behave is a short film released through MGM Studios starring Robert Benchley. The short, released in 1936, spoofs the social etiquette films and norms of the time.-References:...
, which lampooned etiquette
Etiquette
Etiquette is a code of behavior that delineates expectations for social behavior according to contemporary conventional norms within a society, social class, or group...
norms. How to Sleep was named Best Short Subject
Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film
This name for the Academy Award for Live Action Short Film was introduced in 1974. For the three preceding years it was known as "Short Subjects, Live Action Films." The term "Short Subjects, Live Action Subjects" was used from 1957 until 1970. From 1936 until 1956 there were two separate...
at the 8th Academy Awards
8th Academy Awards
The 8th Academy Awards were held on March 5, 1936 at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, California. They were hosted by Frank Capra. This was the first year in which the gold statuettes were called "Oscars."...
in 1935, while the latter two shorts were not as well received.
The film is included as an extra on the DVD of the feature film, A Night at the Opera
A Night at the Opera (film)
A Night at the Opera is a 1935 American comedy film starring Groucho Marx, Chico Marx and Harpo Marx, and featuring Kitty Carlisle, Allan Jones, Margaret Dumont, Sig Ruman, and Walter Woolf King. It was the first film the Marx Brothers made for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer after their departure from...
, and is also available on the DVD set The Robert Benchley Miniatures Collection.