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3 Dumb Clucks
3 Dumb Clucks
Directed by	Del Lord
Written by	Clyde Bruckman
Produced by	Jules White
Starring	Moe Howard; Larry Fine; Curly Howard; Lucille Lund; Frank Mills; Eddie Laughton; Cy Schindell; Al Thompson; Harry Tenbrook; Lew Davis
Cinematography	André Barlatier
Edited by	Charles Nelson
Distributed by	Columbia Pictures
Release date	April 17, 1937 (U.S.);
Running time	16:49
Country	United States
Language	English

3 Dumb Clucks is a 1937 short subject directed by Del Lord starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly Howard). It is the 22nd entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

Plot

Amidst their incarceration, the Stooges receive correspondence from their maternal figure, detailing the sudden windfall of their paternal counterpart (portrayed by Curly Howard in a dual role encompassing both father and son). The missive unveils the elder Curly's ascent to affluence courtesy of an oil strike, his subsequent abandonment of their mother, and his impromptu nuptials to a covetous, youthful blonde named Daisy. Prompted by filial duty and a desire to thwart the ill-fated union, the Stooges abscond from confinement, embarking on a mission to disrupt the impending matrimonial proceedings.

However, complications ensue as the physical resemblance between Curly and his father confounds the matrimonial landscape, resulting in Daisy inadvertently betrothing herself to the wrong individual. Subsequently, the trio finds themselves ensnared in a perilous web as nefarious individuals, coveting the newfound wealth associated with their father's oil discovery, pursue them with malicious intent. Undeterred by adversity, the Stooges navigate through adversity, successfully extricating their paternal figure from jeopardy and restoring familial equilibrium.

Their odyssey culminates in the retrieval of their unconscious father, whom they conscientiously escort back to the maternal abode, thus concluding their escapade with a reunion marked by filial devotion and paternal reconciliation.

Cast

Credited

Curly Howard as Curly Howard and Pop Howard
Larry Fine as Larry Fine
Moe Howard as Moe Howard

Uncredited

Frank Austin as Prison Guard
Lynton Brent as Hat Salesman
Lew Davis as Wedding Guest
Charles Dorety as Wedding Guest
William J. Irving as Minister
Eddie Laughton as Chopper's Henchman
Frank Mills as Chopper
Lucille Lund as Daisy
Cy Schindell as Wedding Guest
Harry Tenbrook as Henchman guarding stairs
Al Thompson as Pop's Butler
Elaine Waters as Wedding Guest

Production notes

Filming for 3 Dumb Clucks commenced between February 1 and 5, 1937.^[1] It is a send-up of the feature film Three Smart Girls.^[2]

This is the third of sixteen Stooge shorts using the word "three" in the title, however, 3 Dumb Clucks is the only one to use the numeral "3".^[2] It was reworked in 1953 as Up in Daisy's Penthouse, using minimal stock footage from the original.^[2]

During the scene where Curly's father arrives for his wedding, two of the gold digger's henchmen dispose of him by throwing him down an elevator shaft. The prop men had padded the bottom of the shaft to cushion Curly's fall, but neglected to cover a protruding 2 in × 4 in (51 mm × 102 mm) panel. Curly was thrown down the shaft quickly, and landed head-first on the panel, tearing his scalp open. As the Stooges were workhorses at Columbia Pictures, Curly was not taken to the hospital. Instead, the studio physician was rushed to the set to apply several stitches to Curly's scalp. Some fresh hair was glued over the wound, and with a healthy dose of painkillers, the slightly wobbly Stooge was back in action within a few hours.^[3]

References

^ Pauley, Jim (2012). The Three Stooges Hollywood Filming Locations. Solana Beach, California: Santa Monica Press, LLC. p. 258. ISBN 9781595800701.
^ ^a ^b ^c Solomon, Jon (2002). The Complete Three Stooges: The Official Filmography and Three Stooges Companion. Glendale, California: Comedy III Productions, Inc. p. 105. ISBN 0-9711868-0-4.
^ Howard, Moe. (1977, rev. 1979) Moe Howard and the Three Stooges, p. 101; Citadel Press. ISBN 978-0-8065-0723-1