Tricky Dicks

Perhaps if Columbia and Jules White had used this form of cost-cutting instead of using old footage all the time (though this short does have a small amount of reused footage) the Stooges might have aged gracefully instead of doing embarrassing remakes of previous shorts.

The whole short takes place on one set, a police station. While the slapping and physical gags remain, there's a new emphasis on verbal humor that makes it funnier. Moe's conversation with the mayor, Larry's complaint that a female co-worker "forgot something," and the questioning of Phil Arnold add to a steady stream of gags. On top of it is a running gag about the phone sounding inexplicably like a fire alarm and driving Moe into further stages of madness. It's never remarked upon but it escalates the humor value of the short.

There are some slow spots. Shemp's battle with a monkey is sluggish and adds nothing. And the short ends in a ridiculous shootout with Murray Alper shooting a gun with approximately 90 rounds, making the finale rote and repetitive. But the rest of the short is a clever way to exploit Columbia's shrinking budgets. When you can't get production values, up the writing game.

From the start, this looks like something that was maybe intended for a guest shot on the Frank Sinatra Show or something else of the time. Why? The whole short has only one scene, the police station. The gags are all there but disjointed because of a lack of any story or plot. Granted, the Stooges didn't use much plot or story to begin with but when it gets this "thin", it's very noticeable. This looks like one that was just "rushed through" in order to meet contractual obligations. This is nothing new for the boys at Columbia during the 1950's. Skimpy script, poor sets, poor direction and writing. In other words, little or no budget. It's OK but certainly far from being one of their better shorts.

No pun intended - I even made a mistake and thought the ape from this episode/short was in the Rip and Sew short. Of course he wasn't - he is in this one. And what mayhem he causes. But it's not like the three Stooges need anyone else - they are more than "capable" to make their own mess ... and quite the fun one that is.

Another short, more wordplays and jokes ... and poking and hitting. I sometimes wonder how that did not affect me in real life. But I reckon it goes to show you, that "violence" in movies is not necessarily copied by those watching. There is nothing funny about poking someones eyes in real life - maybe you don't find it funny in a movie either ... like in this one. Your suspension of disbelief is really needed here.

The Stooges as law and order people ... well what could go wrong? Exactly ...

(*Slick Chick quote*) - "How dare you look like someone I hate!"

And, while the whole town is in an absolute uproar - Detectives Shemp, Larry, and Moe are casually hanging out at Police Precinct #13 playing cards.

Meanwhile - The notorious "Thrill Killer", Slug McGurk still hasn't been apprehended and it looks like it's up to the 3 Stooges (through their signature interrogation procedures) to zero-in on his whereabouts before their frazzled and frustrated boss flips his lid and has a total spaz-attack.

All-in-all - I'd say that 1951's "Tricky Dicks" was definitely one of the more entertaining, post-Curly comedy-shorts from the incomparable Three Stooges.

The Three Stooges has always been some of the many actors that I have loved. I love just about every one of the shorts that they have made. I love all six of the Stooges (Curly, Shemp, Moe, Larry, Joe, and Curly Joe)! All of the shorts are hilarious and also star many other great actors and actresses which a lot of them was in many of the shorts! In My opinion The Three Stooges is some of the greatest actors ever and is the all time funniest comedy team!

This is one of My favorite Three Stooges shorts and its with Shemp! The beautiful Connie Cezan appears in this and she is great in this short! Also appearing is good performances are Benny Rubin, Ferris Taylor, Phil Arnold, Murray Alper, and Suzanne Ridgeway. The story is very good and The Stooges are very funny. I recommend this short!