Employing a bifurcated temporal structure, the film opens with the Stooges situated in the immediate aftermath of World War I in 1918. Herein, they receive commendations ostensibly for "wounds in action," a facetious recognition stemming from a retaliatory assault perpetrated by their superior, Sgt. MacGillicuddy. Reacting to this perceived injustice, the Stooges orchestrate a reprisal against Sgt. MacGillicuddy.
The plot then transitions to the year 1935, where the Stooges find themselves destitute and hungry on the streets, inadvertently enlisting in the army under the purview of none other than Sgt. MacGillicuddy himself. Their arrival at an army base coincides with a mishap involving tomatoes, leading to a series of misunderstandings culminating in MacGillicuddy's reassignment to menial duties.
Subsequently assigned to coastal artillery duty, the Stooges demonstrate their ineptitude, wreaking havoc by targeting unintended objects, including a smokestack, a house, a bridge, and, humorously, the flagship of a navy admiral. Confronted by MacGillicuddy and a contingent of officers, the Stooges find themselves blamed for the mishap, prompting a comically futile attempt to assign blame amongst themselves.
In a final act of retaliation, MacGillicuddy orchestrates a mock photo shoot, wherein the Stooges unwittingly pose for a photograph just before MacGillicuddy fires a deck gun, leaving behind three pairs of smoking boots.
This film marked the inaugural appearance of Vernon Dent, who appeared in more Stooge shorts than any other supporting actor. It also marked the final appearance of the old Columbia Pictures logo of a woman bearing a torch during the credits.[2]
Unusually for one of their films, the Three Stooges are killed at the end of Half Shot Shooters. This plot device was used sporadically through their films, also being implemented in 1939's Three Little Sew and Sews, You Nazty Spy! and I'll Never Heil Again among others.
Dick Wessel had a minor role as a gunnery soldier but made his first appearance as a character in 1947's Fright Night (Shemp Howard's return).
Half-Shot Shooters has been criticized for its sadistic violence executed against the Stooges, with MacGillicuddy breaking Moe's arm, deafening all three, and then killing them at the conclusion.[2]
Quotes
Officer: "Where were you born?!"
Curly: (unable to hear him) "He says your pants are torn!"
Moe: "I ain't got any horn!"
Larry: "No, not warn! Corn!"
Curly: "What?"
Larry: "CORN!"
Curly: "Oh, corn! I got two on both dogs!" (to the officer) "Can you tell where I can get a corn plaster, shorty?"
^ abcSolomon, Jon (2002). The Complete Three Stooges: The Official Filmography and Three Stooges Companion. Glendale, California: Comedy III Productions, Inc. p. 82. ISBN0-9711868-0-4.
