Slaphappy Sleuths

1950 film by Jules White

November 9, 1950 (1950-11-09) (U.S.)

Running time

16:09CountryUnited StatesLanguageEnglish

Slaphappy Sleuths is a 1950 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Shemp Howard). It is the 127th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who appeared in 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

Plot

The Stooges serve as investigators representing the Onion Oil company, tasked with resolving a series of robberies plaguing the company's service stations. Despite their diligent efforts to provide exemplary customer service, offering unconventional amenities such as shaves, manicures, cologne, and popcorn, the Stooges fall victim to theft while momentarily distracted. Following a trail of motor oil, they ultimately locate the hideout of the perpetrators, where they display unexpectedly proficient boxing prowess, surpassing their earlier detective endeavors.

Cast

Credited

Moe Howard as Moe
Larry Fine as Larry
Shemp Howard as Shemp
Stanley Blystone as Ed, the gang leader
Gene Roth as Fuller Grime
Emil Sitka as Customer

Uncredited

Nanette Bordeaux as Louise
Vernon Dent as unknown (cut role)
Joe Palma as Spike, a gang member
Blackie Whiteford as Butch, a gang member

Production notes

Slaphappy Sleuths was filmed on April 11–14, 1949^[1] and released 19 months later in November 1950.

The gag of a third Stooge acting like a bloodhound and tries to sniff out the tracks of enemies was also used in Goofs and Saddles (1937) and Phony Express (1943).^[1] The gas pumps have female gas names: Ethel, Hazel, and Becky.