Dutiful But Dumb

The Stooges' attempt to photograph Percival De Puyster and his new wife ends in failure, embarrassing both the trio and Whack Magazine. Mr. Wilson fires them for the bungled assignment, signaling the end of their tenure at the publication. The trio leaves their posts with an uneasy sense of setback, not realizing a new opportunity awaits abroad.

Wilson dispatches the Stooges to Vulgaria, fully aware that photography is treated as espionage in that regime. The assignment places them in a land governed by a totalitarian state where photographers face severe punishment. The trio accepts the perilous mission, hoping for a chance to prove themselves.

Upon arriving in Vulgaria, the Stooges inadvertently facilitate the escape of another photographer who is meant to be executed. Their bumbling presence draws immediate attention from Vulgarian authorities. This inadvertent save pulls them deeper into the regime's dangerous web.

The trio is seized by Vulgarian guards and imprisoned in a Vulgarian jail. Foreigners and their clumsy antics make them prime targets for harsh punishment under the regime. The impending threat of death intensifies their predicament.

With firing squad looming, Curly requests a final smoke and reveals an improbably long cigar. The Stooges try to stay calm as the guards prepare to shoot. In a frantic improvisation, they hide their heads inside their shirts to dodge the bullets.

The Stooges witness a demonstration of Vulgaria's new ray gun, which they comically mistake for a camera. The misinterpretation heightens the tension as authorities scrutinize their every move. The scene blends gadgetry with slapstick misdirection.

In a series of mishaps, they accidentally activate the device and sow chaos while trying to blend in with the crowd. Their efforts to evade detection only draw more suspicion from Vulgarian officers. The trio uses quick wits and clumsy luck to press on.

Curly darts into a malfunctioning radio and conducts a noisy, nonsensical performance with strange makeshift instruments. The loud racket disrupts the authorities' pursuit and buys the others precious moments. The radio becomes an unlikely ally in their escape plan.

The Stooges adopt the identities of Vulgarian officers and stage a farcical showdown inside a nearby cafe. The absurd act elicits confusion and laughter from patrons while raising the risk of exposure. Their disguise relies on quick thinking and ridiculous bravado.

During the cafe ruse, Curly engages in an offbeat duel of wits with a live oyster in his stew bowl. The odd confrontation underscores the film's penchant for surreal comedy. The moment heightens the stakes as guards close in on the trio.

Despite their best efforts to maintain the charade, the Stooges are finally spotted and apprehended by vigilant guards. The ruse unravels under pressure, leaving them at the mercy of the Vulgarian authorities. Their predicament grows direr as they face punishment for their deception.

The trio is carried away in an inverted fashion, suspended from the bayonets of their captors. The image captures the film's darkly comic tone, ending the sequence with the Stooges still under threat. Their fate remains uncertain as they are hauled away.