For something so little known now, this is pretty impressive and very entertaining. Charley Bowers had some amazing creativity, if this short comedy is any indication. The story itself is amusing enough - Charley's character gets involved in a tall-tale contest at the Liars Club - but it is the visual effects that set it apart. The nearly seamless effects are well-chosen in illustrating Charley's stories, and show an extraordinary creativity in using so many simple objects in clever and surprising ways.
It's not even necessary to say that the effects are good 'for their time'. If anything, they are more creative and effective than most of the computer-created visual effects you see these days, because Bowers knew how to create something interesting and enjoyable to look at without resorting to explosions or other tired devices. Based on this feature, it's a real shame that more of Bowers's work is not readily available. But "Now You Tell One" is an excellent little feature, and one that is easily worth the trouble it takes to track it down.
It's not even necessary to say that the effects are good 'for their time'. If anything, they are more creative and effective than most of the computer-created visual effects you see these days, because Bowers knew how to create something interesting and enjoyable to look at without resorting to explosions or other tired devices. Based on this feature, it's a real shame that more of Bowers's work is not readily available. But "Now You Tell One" is an excellent little feature, and one that is easily worth the trouble it takes to track it down.