The Tonic

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.