Termites of 1938

Termites of 1938 is a 1938 short subject directed by Del Lord starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly Howard). It is the 28th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

Plot
A high-society woman named Muriel harbors aspirations of attending an esteemed dinner gathering hosted by an acquaintance. However, her spouse, Arthur, elects to embark on a fishing expedition, leaving her to contend with the prospect of attending the event unaccompanied. Faced with this predicament, Muriel instructs her maid to enlist the services of the Acme Escort Service to procure suitable companions, purportedly of collegiate demeanor. Regrettably, an inadvertent miscue transpires, resulting in a communication with the Acme Exterminator Co., overseen by the Stooges.

The Stooges, engrossed in the pursuit of innovative methods for rodent eradication, inadvertently accept the commission, ignorant of its true nature. Clad in formal attire, they arrive at the opulent abode amidst a gathering of distinguished guests, laboring under the misconception that their role is to cleanse the premises of vermin. However, upon being apprised of the commencement of the repast, the Stooges, accustomed to the hospitality afforded at such affairs, hasten to partake in the banquet, much to the consternation of the assembled company, who are aghast at their disregard for decorum.

Following the meal, as musical accompaniment ensues, the Stooges, seizing an opportunity for performance, unwittingly disrupt the proceedings with their antics, culminating in a calamitous altercation involving a saw, leading to the release of rodents and ensuing chaos. Recognizing the exigency of their task, the Stooges undertake earnest efforts to fulfill their perceived duty, albeit with calamitous consequences, inadvertently causing structural damage to the domicile and inadvertently injuring Muriel.

Upon Arthur's return, wielding a gopher bomb, he confronts the chaos unfolding before him. As the Stooges hastily attempt to flee in their automobile, Arthur's decisive action leads to the gopher bomb finding its way into their vehicle just as they step inside, precipitating a chaotic and disordered dispersal of the Stooges.

Credited

 * Moe Howard as Moe
 * Larry Fine as Larry
 * Curly Howard as Curly

Uncredited

 * Bess Flowers as Muriel Van Twitchell
 * Richard Fiske as Arthur Van Twitchell
 * Etta McDaniel as Maid
 * Bud Jamison as Lord Wafflebottom
 * John Ince as Clayhammer
 * Edward Peil Sr. as 2nd Butler
 * Jules Cowles as 3rd Butler
 * Dorothy Granger as Mabel Sturgeon
 * Symona Boniface as Party Guest
 * Carlton Griffin as Party Guest
 * Delos Jewkes as Party Guest
 * Kay Valon as Tall Blonde Guest
 * Lew Davis as Arthur's Fishing Buddy
 * Helen Davis as Party Guest
 * Beatrice Blinn as Party Guest
 * Helen Godwin as Party Guest

Production notes
Termites of 1938 was filmed on October 19–23, 1937. The film's title is a parody of the film title Gold Diggers of 1937. The film has two musical quirks unusual for Stooge shorts. First, the Three Stooges' opening theme, "Listen to the Mockingbird," is played again when the Stooges first appear onscreen. Second, music derived from Victor Schertzinger's score for the 1933 Columbia feature Cocktail Hour is featured during the dinner scene. This is the result of producer Charley Chase, who liked incidental music from his time at the Hal Roach studio.

Termites of 1938 was remade in 1946 as Society Mugs, starring future Stooge Shemp Howard and Tom Kennedy.