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Recommendations
Archivist John
Senior Editor
Delving into the atmospheric depths of Tell 'Em Nothing reveals a master at work, the visual language established by Leo McCarey is something many try to emulate. From hidden underground hits to established classics, these are our top picks.
The enduring power of Tell 'Em Nothing lies in to synthesize diverse influences into a singular artistic statement.
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.
Critics widely regard Tell 'Em Nothing as a cult-favorite piece of Short cinema. Its artistic bravery is frequently cited as its strongest asset, solidifying its place in United States's film legacy.
Based on the unique artistic bravery of Tell 'Em Nothing, our vault has identified these titles as the most compelling follow-up experiences for fans of Short cinema:
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A crime drama in the Gennariello-series. The police detective in Naples that is confronted with modern gangsters and crime events.
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While walking along the street one day, Arthur P. Hampton, an impoverished young doctor, and his chums, Stub Masters and Johnny Stokes, are persuaded to part with their last remaining funds by tag day solicitor Mary Jane Smith, with whom the doctor promptly falls in love. Doc's friends then hit upon a get-rich-quick scheme. Knowing that his Uncle George has promised a large sum of money upon his nephew's marriage, they persuade Doc to send out fake wedding invitations naming Mary Jane as the blushing bride. Uncle George, elated at the good news, writes to Mary Jane's aunt, Angelica Burns, an old sweetheart, to invite Mary Jane and Angelica to be his guests on an ocean voyage. Meanwhile, Mary Jane pays a visit to the doctor's office and, upon seeing the wedding invitations, becomes so flustered that she trips and sprains her ankle. Doc comes to her rescue and then begs her to pose as his wife. She agrees, but at ship-side, Stub and Johnnie confess all to Uncle George, who flies into a rage until Doc announces that he and Mary Jane have chosen a wedding at sea.
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The Judge needs a present for his wife's birthday, so Harry suggests a new corset. They go to the shop, but he's so embarrassed to ask the saleslady he hides in a phone booth.Harry goes in, but finds a GUY wearing one, and runs out.They both dress as women to get back in, but Mrs. Rummy gets there and chases him out.
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A dancing instructor gets involved with a newly rich family.
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Krazy Kat is held in jail and Ignatz finally bails him out after encountering "guilt".
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Mutt and Jeff go on strike and make their own film.
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Carver Endicott, a young sophisticate, is rejected by his fiancée for being too foppish and dull. When she feigns an interest in his father, Carver attempts to disgrace his family name by working as a farmhand and later as a busboy in a hotel. However, the newspapers only praise him for his self-sacrificing principles; and finding that he cannot bring shame to the family through menial labor, he takes up with a notorious actress. But when this maneuver also fails, he returns to his former fiancée, who has no further complaint about his being an inexperienced dullard.
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Ne'er-do-well Homer Cavender ventures to the city from Mainsville in an effort to find fame and fortune. Both elude him, and after clerking for two years, Homer returns home for a vacation. Impressed by his flashy clothes, the townspeople assume that Homer has achieved success. Attempting to win Rachel Prouty from his rival, Arthur Machim, Homer continues the deception by announcing that his employer, Kort and Bailly, has dispatched him to enroll stockholders for a proposed new plant to be built in Mainsville. Machim discovers the sham and denounces Homer as a crook. Meanwhile, Homer returns to New York, convinces his employers of the merits of his plan and comes home triumphant, with a proposal for both the new plant and for Rachel's hand in marriage.
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An American book salesman (Lloyd) is persuaded to go to the kingdom of Thermosa to impersonate the Prince. He is greeted by a peasants' revolt before the real prince shows up to claim his throne and princess. The revolution succeeds, and the American is elected president of the new republic.
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The village youths are rivals for the hand of the local belle. Their battles lead them to the village store, where chaos soon reigns, terminating in the place being blown up, leaving Bobby a happy victor.
View DetailsAnalysis relative to Tell 'Em Nothing
| Film Title | Atmosphere | Complexity | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 'A mala nova | Surreal | Layered | 92% Match |
| Mary's Ankle | Surreal | High | 86% Match |
| A Fitting Gift | Surreal | Layered | 96% Match |
| Don't Weaken! | Tense | Dense | 89% Match |
| The Great Cheese Robbery | Surreal | Linear | 87% Match |
This guide was algorithmically generated using the cinematic metadata of Leo McCarey's archive. Last updated: 5/6/2026.
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