Name: Tell 'Em Nothing
Genre: Comedy, Short
Released: 1926-10-17
Duration: 2 min
Rating: 7.2
Cast: Charley Chase, Vivien Oakland, Gertrude Astor

Another example for why Charley Chase is underrated.

Most folks today have very little knowledge of the the silent comedians, though if they do recall any of them, it might be Laurel & Hardy or Chaplin. As for Charley Chase, he is all but forgotten but by devoted fans of these great old comedies...and it's a shame, as he could be terrifically entertaining. If you don't believe this, try watching "Tell 'em Nothing" (available for free download from archive.org).

In this story, Charley is a divorce lawyer who has married a very jealous woman. His wife constantly thinks Charley is making time with his female clients...and in this rare instance, Charley accidentally gives her ammunition. Then, throughout the film, he is trying desperately to keep the wife happy and avoid trouble...though a female client of his and her jealous husband do NOT make it easy!

This film is pretty typical for Chase...and is quite enjoyable and clever. While not the man's best, it's close and is well worth your time.

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.

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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.

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Charlie is the great divorce attorney, in demand by all women wishing to shed their husbands. While explaining to one woman how to obtain a divorce by getting photos in a compromising situation, his wife inadvertently sees him and thinks the worst. With the connivance of a doctor pal who lives across the hall, Charlie manages to bundle his wife off to the country for a rest cure. Somewhat implausibly, he's randomly chosen by the husband of the other woman to serve as the lover in the compromising photos they need for their divorce. Further complications lead to the other woman showing up at Charlie's apartment. He thinks his wife has been sent off to the country and he'll have a quiet evening by himself at home, but neither of those assumptions proves correct. Typical farce ensues as the woman hides under the bed, Charlie contends with the jealous husband, and Charlie's wife unexpectedly turns up.

Gertrude Astor, Charley Chase, Vivien Oakland, and Hal Roach in Tell 'Em Nothing (1926)

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Gertrude Astor, Charley Chase, and Vivien Oakland in Tell 'Em Nothing (1926)

Charley Chase and Hal Roach in Tell 'Em Nothing (1926)

Tell 'Em Nothing

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