Rich old aunt Renee de Vaux has fired another maid. Because she's rich and ill, they decide to send their inept housemaid Elsa Lanchester to take care of her -- and let them know if she dies. It turns out that the old lady is perfectly healthy; Miss Lanchester reads that a sudden shock can cure hypochondria, so she sets out to give her that shock.

It's one of three short comedies written by H.G. Wells for Miss Lanchester, with Charles Laughton in a prominent part. Director Ivor Montahu delights in a couple of overhead shots and plucking all the feathers from a parrot.

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)

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Charles Laughton in The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933)

Boris Karloff and Gloria Stuart in The Old Dark House (1932)

Charles Laughton, Elsa Lanchester, and Harold Warrender in Day-Dreams (1928)

Maureen O'Hara and Charles Laughton in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939)

Robert Mitchum and Shelley Winters in The Night of the Hunter (1955)

Elsa Lanchester and Renee De Vaux in The Tonic (1928)

Charles Laughton and Elsa Lanchester in The Tonic (1928)

The Tonic

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