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Dizzy Detectives

  • 1943
  • Approved
  • 18m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
685
YOUR RATING
Moe Howard, Larry Fine, and Curly Howard in Dizzy Detectives (1943)
Clip: Dizzy detectives
Play clip1:38
Watch The Three Stooges Collection: Vol. 4 - 1943-1945
1 Video
4 Photos
SlapstickComedyCrimeShort

Three cops are on the trail of a gorilla trained to thieve by his owner.Three cops are on the trail of a gorilla trained to thieve by his owner.Three cops are on the trail of a gorilla trained to thieve by his owner.

  • Director
    • Jules White
  • Writer
    • Felix Adler
  • Stars
    • Moe Howard
    • Larry Fine
    • Curly Howard
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.7/10
    685
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Jules White
    • Writer
      • Felix Adler
    • Stars
      • Moe Howard
      • Larry Fine
      • Curly Howard
    • 12User reviews
    • 5Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    The Three Stooges Collection: Vol. 4 - 1943-1945
    Clip 1:38
    The Three Stooges Collection: Vol. 4 - 1943-1945

    Photos3

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster

    Top cast9

    Edit
    Moe Howard
    Moe Howard
    • Moe
    • (as Moe)
    Larry Fine
    Larry Fine
    • Larry
    • (as Larry)
    Curly Howard
    Curly Howard
    • Curly
    • (as Curly)
    Dick Botiller
    Dick Botiller
    • Police Detective
    • (uncredited)
    Lynton Brent
    Lynton Brent
    • Mike - Crook
    • (uncredited)
    Ray Corrigan
    Ray Corrigan
    • Bonzo the Gorilla
    • (uncredited)
    Bud Jamison
    Bud Jamison
    • I. Doolittle - Police Commissioner
    • (uncredited)
    Dick Jensen
    • Crook
    • (uncredited)
    John Tyrrell
    John Tyrrell
    • Mr. Dill
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Jules White
    • Writer
      • Felix Adler
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews12

    7.7685
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    Featured reviews

    6bkoganbing

    What's law enforcement coming to?

    I think the thing to remember is that Dizzy Detectives came out in 1943 and a lot of cops were in the armed forces. So I imagine that various police agencies had to take what they could get even if it means the 3 Stooges.

    After failing as contractors the boys are excited to learn that they've been admitted to the force. Just in time too because there is a rash of mysterious burglaries perpetrated by someone who by all appearances is a simian. Could this be the beginning of Planet Of The Apes?

    Not that but someone who has trained a circus ape in the fine art of second story work. Battling a criminal somewhat near their own intelligence Moe, Larry, and Curly actually clean up the situation, though the ape commits a bizarre suicide.

    Even dead though, the ape has plenty of fight. Would you believe Curly is the best one cut out for law enforcement?

    If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes............
    Michael_Elliott

    One of the Best Stooges Shorts

    Dizzy Detectives (1943)

    **** (out of 4)

    Moe, Larry and Curly are working as carpenters when they accidentally cut through the floor and fall fourteen feet into a department where a detective tells them the chief wants to see them. The boys are made police officers with their only job to track down a gorilla who has been breaking into businesses stealing stuff.

    DIZZY DETECTIVES is without question one of the greatest shorts that the Stooges ever made. From the opening to the very end there's one giant laugh after another and this is certainly a case where all the great things about the Stooges are done in one short and what a memorable and hilarious one it is. Throughout their careers they played carpenters countless times but never to perfection like they do here. There are some truly hysterical moments including some stuff lifted from their 1935 film PARDON MY SCOTCH.

    The truly funny stuff happens during the second half when they respond to a call saying the gorilla is involved in another robbery. There are so many hilarious moments here including the various violence that breaks out. The Stooges were always known for beating one another and they certainly lay on some good slaps and punches here. The stuff dealing with the gorilla is just priceless including the finale where Curly has finally had enough and decides to go after him. Fans of the Stooges will certainly find this one here winner.
    duaneholley

    Classic comedy !!

    I agree with Jim-500 I thought the episode 'Pardon My Scotch 'looked very similar to Dizzy detective. In fact Moe actually broke his ribs when he feel from table. He was able to get up and complete the scene but quickly passed out soon after. All time great comedy group I only wish AMC would air more episodes..
    Sargebri

    Scooby Doo Had Nothing on the Stooges

    This is a great Stooge short, especially the fight with Pickle and his two henchmen. I always love it when the boys get into a fight as they always get beat up in the beginning but in the end wind up knocking their opponents out in their own way. Also, the ending where Curly rams his head into the gorilla's stomach after it guzzled down a bottle of nitro glycerine is a classic gag. You can see that this was definitely an inspiration for Scooby Doo.
    7SnoopyStyle

    two in one

    Larry, Curly, and Moe are workmen trying to install a door. It goes badly as expected. The boys are excited to be new policemen. There is an ape-man burglar on the loose and the commissioner is under pressure to find him/it. The boys receive a tip and go to find the ape-man.

    This is two stories in one. I really like the door story. It's hilarious in the best Stooges way. Then there is this non-sensical switch in the story. I know the Stooges are the masters of nonsense but the writing still needs to flow better than a random flip of a switch. It completely throws me off. This is really better as two separate stories. The gorilla is an often used Stooges device. It has its fun like Curly shooting at his own foot. I'm guessing it's a robo-ape at the end. It could be more explicit. The big thing here is that this needs to be two separate shorts.

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    Related interests

    Leslie Nielsen in The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)
    Slapstick
    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)
    Crime
    Benedict Cumberbatch in The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023)
    Short

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Moe Howard actually broke some of his ribs during filming the scene in which Curly Howard accidentally saws through the table Moe is standing on, causing it to collapse. This scene was actually taken from the earlier short "Pardon my Scotch".
    • Goofs
      After Curly spins on the floor, Larry can be seen laughing when he is trying to help him up.
    • Quotes

      Curly: I don't wanna be dead. There's no future in it!

    • Connections
      Edited from Pardon My Scotch (1935)

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 5, 1943 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • YouTube - Video
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Idiots Deluxe
    • Production company
      • Columbia Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 18m
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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