Malice in the Palace (1949)

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This Shemp Howard-era Three Stooges short has quite a few good gags. It opens up at the Cafe Casbah Bah, where two forbidding-looking Middle Easterners, Hassan Ben Sober and Ghinna Rumma, are plotting to break into the tomb of Rootentooten, which contains a priceless diamond. But first they want to… More This Shemp Howard-era Three Stooges short has quite a few good gags. It opens up at the Cafe Casbah Bah, where two forbidding-looking Middle Easterners, Hassan Ben Sober and Ghinna Rumma, are plotting to break into the tomb of Rootentooten, which contains a priceless diamond. But first they want to eat, and unfortunately for them, their waiters are Larry, Moe, and Shemp. After watching Larry chase after a cat and dog while brandishing a meat cleaver, the men are convinced they're being fed the pets -- especially since the animals are fighting under the table and their yells seem to be coming from the plates of food. It turns out that the plotters are too late -- the Emir of Schmow has already gotten the diamond. The fierce looking pair break into tears -- "With that diamond I could have quit my job as the doorman at the Oasis hotel!" wails Hassan. Because there is a fifty thousand dollar reward for the return of the diamond, the Stooges decide to go to Schmow (with the help! of an hilarious map) and try their luck. They show up disguised as Santa Clauses and manage to gain entrance to the palace. To approach the Emir -- who is laughing over the funny papers -- they pile on top of each other, giving the appearance of a towering, but rather slapdash monster. However, the Emir believes Shemp, who insists that they are the evil spirit who guards the diamond and readily hands over the jewel. They can't navigate a doorway, however, and tumble to the ground. A guard tries to stop them from leaving but winds up with a face full of fruit, courtesy of Shemp, and the boys escape. ~ Janiss Garza, Rovi

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