Overview
Shut Up... I'm Crying is a 1970 English language short film directed by Robert Siegler, starring Sal Catena, Kevin Michael and Carolyn Schultz. It is about a genie who grants three wishes to a plumbing store owner and his wife. When unexpected consequences arrive, will the couple really get what they want? The film was nominated for an Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2012.
Reviews
“Murray” (Jack Somack) and long-suffering wife “Tilda” (Ann Thomas) are running their plumbing supplies company when they get a visitor. He (Michael Vale) claims to be a genie and eventually, when he gets a word in, manages to tell them they are the lucky recipients of three wishes. Of course, the couple think he’s a bit deranged and so whilst he diverts their guest thinking of and making his wishes, she sneaks out to fetch a cop. Thing is, by the time “Tilda” returns with the perplexed officer “Murray” has made his hastily arrived at wishes and the pair are soon in receipt of gifts that aren’t quite what they expected. Some of the dialogue from auteur Robert Siegler is quite witty, in a stereotypical Jewish fashion, but the joke starts to wear a bit thin after about five minutes and having set the scene, he doesn’t really seem to know quite what he wants to do next. It’s a good idea and has it’s moments, just not enough of them to sustain twenty minutes.