You are here:

Count Me Out

Name: Count Me Out
Director: Cal Dalton, Ben Hardaway
Released: 1938
Duration: 7 min

Representation Score

0.6/10

Minimal

1938

Approved

Director

Cal Dalton, Ben Hardaway

Runtime

7 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Count Me Out is a standard 1938 slapstick short that prioritizes physical gags over social depth. The narrative centers on a singular male protagonist's pursuit of athletic success through a correspondence course. The film lacks intentionality regarding the intersection of various identities or the disruption of social hierarchies. It functions as a closed loop of traditional comedic clichés typical of the early American animation studio system. Because the story relies on masculine competition and meritocratic themes, it offers very little in the way of diverse perspectives or identity-driven storytelling.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Count Me Out have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film follows a traditional, straight-centered framework without any representation of LGBTQ+ identities or same-sex relationships.

How does Count Me Out portray gender?

Limited

The story focuses on a male protagonist and antagonist, reinforcing a gender-exclusive comedic space by excluding female characters.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Count Me Out?

Limited

The narrative follows a standard underdog cliché without any indication of racial complexity or diversity.

How does Count Me Out represent religion and culture?

Limited

The film adheres to traditional Western meritocratic themes without any critique or deconstruction of religious or cultural institutions.

Does Count Me Out include disability representation?

Minimal

Egghead's physical and intellectual struggles are used for slapstick humor without providing any real ability to act or depth to his character.

Present on Screen

The film effectively uses the classic underdog cliché to drive its comedic narrative.

Limited or Absent

The narrative excludes female characters, creating a gender-exclusive environment.
Character traits are used for slapstick humor rather than nuanced representation of disability.
The story lacks any meaningful cultural or religious complexity.

Official Synopsis

Egghead decides his road to riches is through a boxing correspondence course. When he graduates, he takes on champion Biff Stew. Biff pummels him mercilessly (the correspondence course record continues to coach him during the match), but by accident, he knocks Biff out until we see it was all in Egghead's head, after being knocked out by the practice equipment.

How are these scores produced? →