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Recommendations
Senior Film Conservator
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:
Dir: Robert Thornby
Mary Willard takes over her father's railroad after his death. Her major competitor is a ruthless crook named Harvey Judson. She arranges for Judson to be kidnapped and taken to an isolated spot deep in the forest and turned loose to fend for himself. She accompanies the kidnappers to the wild and Judson, not knowing who she is, begins to fall in love with her. Complications ensue.
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Dir: Richard Smith
Two female candidates for Chief of Police live across the hall from each other, and their political rivalry follows them home, leading to plenty of hi-jinks.
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Dir: Mason N. Litson
Edgar and his chum try to amass a fortune in one day by cornering the fan market on a hot afternoon when the circus comes to the small town where they are spending their vacation.
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Dir: Maurice Campbell
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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Dir: Eduardo Notari
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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Dir: Edgar Jones
A mail-order bride arrives at a Maine lumber camp but doesn't like her prospective husband.
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Dir: Henry Edwards
A millionaire bets £25,000 that he can earn his own living for six months.
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Dir: Malcolm St. Clair
A dancing instructor gets involved with a newly rich family.
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Dir: Unknown Director
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.
View DetailsAnalysis relative to Tell 'Em Nothing
| Film Title | Atmosphere | Complexity | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Deadlier Sex | Gothic | Layered | 97% Match |
| Lunatics in Politics | Ethereal | Dense | 97% Match |
| Get-Rich-Quick Edgar | Tense | Abstract | 95% Match |
| An Amateur Devil | Tense | Linear | 98% Match |
| 'A mala nova | Surreal | Layered | 92% Match |
This guide was algorithmically generated using the cinematic metadata of Leo McCarey's archive. Last updated: 8/16/2026.
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