Opened by Mistake: A chaotic hospital stay

Is it worth your time?

If you like old-fashioned, high-speed physical comedy, you’ll probably get a kick out of this. It’s short, it’s loud, and it doesn’t waste a single second of your day. But if you get annoyed by people shouting or characters making obviously terrible decisions, you should probably skip this one. It's essentially a pure engine of chaos that just keeps revving.

Watching Patsy Kelly is always a trip. She has this way of steamrolling through a scene that makes everything else feel a bit slow by comparison. The premise is thin—they’re basically hiding in a hospital—but the movie isn’t really about the plot, is it?

It’s all about the frantic energy of being where you aren't supposed to be. There’s a specific bit where Thelma has to pretend she’s actually sick, and the way her face drops is actually pretty funny. It reminded me a little of the frantic energy found in Heave Two, though this one feels a bit more claustrophobic.

The hospital setting here is so sterile and bright that it makes the characters look even more ridiculous. They’re running around like chickens with their heads cut off. At one point, a doctor walks in and the timing is just… perfect. It’s the kind of timing that makes you realize why these actors were so good at their jobs.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Opened by Mistake (1934) through its definitive frames.

Sometimes the background extras look like they have no idea what’s happening. There’s a nurse in the hallway who just stares into space while Patsy is having a full-blown meltdown. It’s those little accidents that make these old shorts feel so human.

I don't think it’s a masterpiece or anything. But it’s got a pulse. It’s got that weird, grainy texture of 1930s film that makes everything look a little bit like a dream. Or a nightmare, depending on how you look at the slapstick.

It definitely didn't have the grit of something like The Devil's Cargo, but that’s fine. It’s not trying to be a drama. It’s just trying to get a laugh. And honestly? It mostly works.

• The hospital gown wardrobe malfunction is predictable but still works.
• The pacing is frantic, maybe too much so by the end.
• Patsy Kelly’s voice is practically a special effect on its own.
• Some of the doors don't even look like they latch properly.

It’s a breezy watch. Keep your expectations low and you’ll leave with a smile. Sometimes you just need a short, messy movie to clear your head. 🏥