Three Missing Links
Three Missing Links is a 1938 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly Howard). It is the 33rd entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who appearing in 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.
For the 1927 film see Ton of Fun
| Three Missing Links | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Jules White |
| Produced by | Jules White |
| Written by | Searle Kramer |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Henry Freulich |
| Edited by | Charles Nelson |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 18:04 |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Plot
The boys are janitors at Hollywood studio Super Terrific Productions. They are cleaning the office of B. O. Botswaddle (James C. Morton), who is reviewing a script for a new picture Jilted in the Jungle where the leading man will be a gorilla. After nearly destroying Botswaddle's office, Curly does his classic imitation of a "chicken with its head cut off" followed by other motions that cause Botswaddle to declare Curly to be the "dead image of the missing link" and sends the boys off to Africa to begin shooting.
While setting up camp, Curly buys some "love candy" from a cannibalistic medicine man (John Lester Johnson), in hopes of impressing leading lady Mirabel Mirabel (Jane Hamilton). Problems arise when Curly (dressed as a gorilla) gets entangled with a real gorilla (Ray "Crash" Corrigan), who scares the film crew off the set. The gorilla then turns his attention to Curly, who, in trying to placate the beast, eats some of the love candy and falls in love with it. Repulsed, the gorilla dashes off with a lovestruck Curly in pursuit.
Cast
Credited
- Moe Howard as Moe
- Larry Fine as Larry
- Curly Howard as Curly
- Monte Collins as Herbert Herringbone
- Jane Hamilton as Mirabel Mirabel
- Ray "Crash" Corrigan as Naba the gorilla[1]
Uncredited
- James C. Morton as B. O. Botswaddle
- John Lester Johnson as Dr. Ba Loni Sulami
- Tanner the Lion[1]
Production notes
Three Missing Links was filmed on April 7-12, 1938.[1] It is the fourth of sixteen Stooge shorts to use the word "three" in the title and the first entry directed by Columbia Pictures Short Subject head Jules White.[2]
The clip of the Stooges arguing in B. O. Botswaddle's office was featured prominently in the 1989 film Lethal Weapon 2.[3]
Quotes
- Moe: "We're terrific!"
- Larry: "We're colossal!"
- Curly: "We're even mediocre!"
References
- Three Missing Links at threestooges.net
- Solomon, Jon (2002). The Complete Three Stooges: The Official Filmography and Three Stooges Companion. Comedy III Productions, Inc. p. 135. ISBN 0-9711868-0-4.
- Wilmington, Michael (July 7, 1989). "Movie Review: A Lethal 'Weapon 2'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
