Columbia didn't do subtle back in the day...

"Calling All Doctors" is a great example why Charley Chase's shorts with Columbia were enjoyable but clearly not up to the standards of his wonderful films with Hal Roach Studio. It takes a great idea and simply overdoes it. In other words, it's about as subtle as a stripper at a Baptist wedding! It tries way too hard to be wacky and in the process sinks the overall level of the short to that of a Three Stooges' short (also from Columbia, by the way). Subtle it ain't!

When the film begins, you see that Charley is a huge hypochondriac. It's a neat idea but the hypochondria angle is WAY overdone as NO ONE is that much of a worry-wart about illnesses. The point is just driven home way too hard and I found myself disliking this very quickly.

Later, Charley imagines he's so sick that he needs to go to the doctor. However, instead of meeting his usual doctor, he is met by a new guy. However, the new doctor is actually a lunatic who THINKS he's a doctor. Hilarity ensues until his family learns about the mix-up. At this point they decide to try to teach Charley a lesson. 

As I first said, the film tries awfully hard. If it had tried to be a bit more subtle and wacky, it would have been more enjoyable and less, at times, stupid--though I did enjoy the very silly sneezing phone gag. And, despite its lack of finesse, it did make me laugh and that's what's important with a comedy.

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)

Charley is a hypochondriac who is driving his family, his friends and his doctor crazy.

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Calling All Doctors

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