Mummy's Dummies (1948)

Set in ancient Egypt, the stooges run a used chariot lot where they unload defective chariots on unsuspecting customers. When they gyp the head of the palace guard, they're brought to the ... See full summary »

Director:

Edward Bernds

Writers:

Elwood Ullman (story), Elwood Ullman (screenplay)

Stars:

Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Shemp Howard

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Shemp Howard	...	Shemp (as Shemp)
Larry Fine	...	Larry (as Larry)
Moe Howard	...	Moe (as Moe)
Vernon Dent	...	King Rootentooten
Ralph Dunn	...	Rhadames
Philip Van Zandt	...	Futamon - Tax Collector (as Phil Van Zandt)
Dee Green	...	Fatima

Storyline

Set in ancient Egypt, the stooges run a used chariot lot where they unload defective chariots on unsuspecting customers. When they gyp the head of the palace guard, they're brought to the palace to be executed, but instead become royal chamberlains after curing the King's toothache. When they recover some tax money stolen by a corrupt official, the King rewards them with marriage to his daughter. After getting a look at the ugly crone, Moe and Larry select Shemp to be the groom.

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Plot Keywords:

slapstick comedy | chariot | toothache | reward | ancient egypt | 

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Taglines:

The Stooges run riot through ancient Egypt! (One-sheet poster).

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Genres:

Short | Comedy

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 November 1948 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

16 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Every short made by the Three Stooges with Shemp Howard in the 1940s was remade in the 1950s, except for Mummy's Dummies.

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Goofs

The short is set in Egyptian times, yet rubber wheels are visible on the chariot they are trying to sell.

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Quotes

Rhadames: Open up, you swindlers!
Moe: He'll get tired of that quick enough.

User Reviews

Painless Papyrus

Great short. Who would have thought that ancient Egypt was plagued with unscrupulous used chariot salesmen? And here we have the Stooges, three of the best in the business. They even bamboozle the head of the Royal Palace Guards out of a considerable number of "sheckels" with the old "original paint" line! Of course, back then it was probably still a fresh scam. They even have Shemp get into disguise and act as a shill to drive up the price. Hilarious indeed, but alas, they picked the wrong guy to rip off. They end up arrested and are dragged to court before King Rootintootin himself, the rightfully beloved Vernon Dent. As good luck will have it, Rootintootin is suffering from a toothache. Shemp, a.k.a. "Painless Papyrus," always carries around with him his "delicate instruments," which comprise 2 pairs of pliers, a hammer, two chisels, a Phillips Head screwdriver, a bit-and-brace, and some extra bits. Well, what did you expect in ancient Egypt, Novocaine? Of course, Shemp must put on the pair of spectacles he carries around for his delicate work, and we see first-hand that optometry in ancient Egypt was still quite primitive. Couldn't those Egyptians get anything right? No matter: somehow, through sheer serendipity, the Stooges cure Rootintootin, and are rewarded with positions as "royal chambermaids". Then we see that ancient Egypt, despite all its shortcomings, was a highly advanced political state, since the head tax collector, the rightfully revered Phil Van Zandt, has been ripping the royal treasury off blind. Now, that sure makes me feel at home. So what happens? Do the Stooges save the day again for old Rootintootin? And what about Rootintootin's unmarried daughter? Could this be Shemp's chance to marry into royalty? Will Moe be best man? Hey, don't listen to a poor slob like me. Get out there and see this remarkable short for yourself! You won't be disappointed.