When Mary Korman and Gertrude Messinger imagine there's a burglar in the house, they call their friends to come over -- and I guess get shot -- to catch the bad guy. Instead, they create havoc.

This episode of Hal Roach's THE BOY FRIENDS series has a bunch of good gags, but it seems to go on forever: startlingly so for a 20-minute short. However, the final gag is a fine, classic one.

The farce subgenre features exaggerated situations, slapstick humor, mistaken identities, and chaotic, rapid-fire events. Farces are known for their absurd and over-the-top comedic elements, often involving misunderstandings, physical comedy, and improbable scenarios.

Leslie Nielsen, Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty, and Lorna Patterson in Airplane! (1980)

The slapstick comedy subgenre, a term that originates from a type of wooden paddle with a hinged flap that was used in early comedic performances to create slapping noises during comedic actions, is a form of physical comedy characterized by exaggerated, boisterous, and often absurd actions, situations, and physical interactions. Slapstick humor relies on visual gags, physical stunts, and exaggerated movements to create laughs.

Leslie Nielsen in The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)

The comedy genre refers to a category of entertainment that aims to amuse and entertain audiences by using humor, wit, and comedic situations. Comedies are created with the primary intention of eliciting laughter and providing lighthearted enjoyment. They encompass a wide range of styles, tones, and themes, appealing to various tastes and audiences.

Will Ferrell, Angela Grillo, and Lap-Gei Cheung in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

The short form refers to creative works characterized by their brevity and concise storytelling. Unlike full-length feature films, short films have a running time of less than 45 minutes, while TV shorts have a running time of less than 22 minutes.

Benedict Cumberbatch in The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023)

The boyfriends rush into action when the girlfriends think there's a burglar in the house.

Mickey Daniels and Grady Sutton in Call a Cop! (1931)

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Hal Roach Studios - 8822 Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Mickey Daniels and Mary Kornman in Blood and Thunder (1931)

Mickey Daniels and David Sharpe in Call a Cop! (1931)

Call a Cop!

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