Dutiful But Dumb

Dutiful But Dumb is a 1941 short subject directed by Del Lord starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly Howard). It is the 54th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

Plot
The Stooges are Click, Clack and Cluck, paparazzi-like photographers employed by Whack Magazine, a publication renowned for its sensationalist approach to imagery. Following their unsuccessful endeavor to capture a photograph of the esteemed movie star Percival De Puyster and his newlywed spouse, their employer, Mr. Wilson, dismisses them from their positions. However, Wilson subsequently dispatches the trio to Vulgaria (a fictionalized representation of a totalitarian regime reminiscent of fascist Bulgaria), for their next assignment, fully aware that photography in Vulgaria is deemed an act of espionage punishable by death.

Upon their arrival in Vulgaria, the bumbling trio inadvertently facilitate the escape of another photographer who was slated for execution. Subsequently, they find themselves ensnared in the clutches of the Vulgarian authorities, culminating in their incarceration within a Vulgarian prison. As the Stooges face imminent execution by firing squad, a comedic interlude ensues when Curly requests a final smoke, humorously unveiling an improbably lengthy cigar. The trio narrowly evade the firing squad's bullets by concealing their heads within their shirts.

Subsequent scenes depict the Stooges encountering a demonstration of Vulgaria's new ray gun, mistakenly identified by the trio as a camera. In a series of slapstick mishaps, they inadvertently activate the device, resulting in chaos as they attempt to evade detection by the returning Vulgarian officers. Employing sheer ingenuity, Curly takes refuge inside a malfunctioning radio, engaging in a cacophonous performance using unconventional musical instruments.

Following the tumultuous events, the Stooges assume the identities of Vulgarian officers, immersing themselves in an absurd confrontation within a nearby cafe. Within this setting, Curly engages in an intense battle of intellect against a live oyster ensconced within his bowl of stew. Despite their efforts to sustain their masquerade, the Stooges are ultimately apprehended by the vigilant guards. They are physically transported away in an inverted fashion, suspended by the bayonets of their captors' rifles.

Credited

 * Moe Howard as Moe Click
 * Larry Fine as Larry Clack
 * Curly Howard as Curly Cluck

Uncredited

 * Vernon Dent as Mr. Wilson
 * Edmund Cobb as Wilson's Assistant
 * Neal Burns as Photographer in Hallway
 * Stanley Brown as Percival DePuyster
 * Marjorie Deanne as Mrs. DePuyster
 * George Gray as Frightened man in Hallway
 * Blanca Vischer as Wilson's Secretary
 * Harry Semels as Villager
 * Bud Jamison as Vulgarian Sergeant
 * George Ovey as Civilian Photographer
 * Fred Aldrich as Firing Squad Soldier
 * Fred Kelsey as Vulgarian Colonel
 * Eddie Laughton as Ray Machine Operator
 * Bruce Bennett as Vulgarian Soldier in Colonel's Office
 * Bert Young as Vulgarian Sentry
 * Kit Guard as Vulgarian Sentry
 * Chester Conklin as Counterman
 * Al Thompson as Vulgarian soldier in Restaurant
 * Charlie Phillips as Vulgarian soldier in Restaurant
 * Joe Palma as Vulgarian soldier in Restaurant

Production notes
Dutiful But Dumb was filmed on August 1–5, 1940; the film title is a play on "beautiful but dumb."

An adaptation of the oyster soup battle is featured in The Three Stooges video game, where players control Curly, who attempts to pick up and eat as many crackers from the oyster soup as possible before the oysters do. Oysters occasionally fire soup at Curly. The gag was later performed by Moe in 1948's Shivering Sherlocks, and Larry, who fights the Lobster Gumbo in 1954's Income Tax Sappy. The gag also appears in the 1945 Abbott and Costello film, Here Come the Co-Eds.