How to Read (1938) [NR]
Featuring:
Robert Benchley, Barbara Bedford, Marie Blake
Written by:
Robert Benchley
Kin Platt
Directed by:
Roy Rowland
Release Date:
August 27, 1938
Original Title:
How to Read
Genres:
Comedy
Production Companies:
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Countries:
United States of America
Ratings / Certifications:
US: NR
Runtime: 9
Robert Benchley offers a humorous lecture on how to avoid different types of strain during reading.
A man reads that there is a lecture being given on how to read, which he thinks is absurd. He himself proceeds on providing a lecture on more important aspects of reading. One of those topics is eye strain caused by reading. As an example, a man is about to get ready to read while in bed. The problem becomes how to get into a comfortable position while getting close enough to the bedside table lamp to get enough light as not to strain the eyes. Another example is when one can't get the book close enough to the eyes, such as in a crowd where one has no elbow room. Another topic is reading aloud to another person, which can cause an emotional strain between the two if the listener is not listening to the reader. Another topic is the trouble one can get into when reading while preoccupied with other thoughts, such as fear. He then provides what he considers the perfect situation to read, if only the human factor is not involved.
