Nutty But Nice

Nutty But Nice

Year: 1940

Runtime: 18 mins

Language: English

Director: Jules White

Comedy

The film follows a pair of bumbling stooges who pose as singing waiters after being recruited by two eccentric doctors. Their mission: lift the spirits of a despondent little girl whose banker father has vanished, taking $300,000 in bonds with him. Hijinks and musical numbers ensue as they scramble to locate the missing man and restore cheer.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Nutty But Nice (1940)

Trace every key event in Nutty But Nice (1940) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Stooges as waiters in a restaurant; doctors arrive

The Stooges entertain as singing waiters in a bustling restaurant when two physicians approach with grave concerns for Betty Williams. They explain that Betty's illness is tied to grief and that she needs help from someone who can locate her missing father. The doctors emphasize the urgency of recovery and hint at a dangerous situation behind her sadness.

Evening Restaurant
2

Betty's illness and the missing father revealed

The doctors confess that Betty's health is deteriorating because of her emotional distress. They reveal that Betty's father, a bank cashier, has been abducted while transporting bonds worth $300,000. They also describe the suspect: a middle-aged man with a bald spot, an anchor tattoo, and about five feet ten inches tall.

Afternoon City streets / transport route
3

Motivation to search: compassion drives the Stooges

Moved by Betty's plight, the Stooges vow to find the missing father and restore her hope. They decide to use the doctors' description to scan suspects along their journey, keeping their antics aimed at a serious goal. The plan blends slapstick investigation with a real sense of purpose.

Evening City streets / various locations
4

Curly's yodeling points to a hideout

Curly's spontaneous yodeling leads them to the hideout of one kidnapper, Butch, who is guarding the captive father. The moment highlights how their quirky talent can become a crucial clue. They prepare themselves for a confrontation.

Night Butch's hideout
5

Radio clue and confrontation with Butch

The group mistakes a yodeling cowboy heard on the radio for the missing cashier, which triggers a direct confrontation with Butch. They subdue Butch and free Betty's father, turning a wild hunch into a rescue. The capture marks a turning point in the case.

Night Butch's hideout
6

Reinforcements arrive and a barricade forms

Three additional gang members arrive, escalating the danger. The Stooges and the rescued father barricade themselves in a room and attempt to escape by using a dumbwaiter to reach the basement. Tension climbs as they plan their next move.

Night Butch's hideout
7

Dumbwaiter to the basement and a skirmish

In the basement, a dimly lit skirmish unfolds as the Stooges fight off the reinforcements. They prevail, though Curly remains the most alert among them while the others are knocked around; the rescue victory feels close at hand.

Late night Butch's hideout basement
8

Betty and father reunite; spirits revived

With the danger behind them, the father is joyfully reunited with Betty, and her spirits are revived after the ordeal. The reunion underscores the healing power of love and family.

Evening Betty's home
9

Doctors join the celebration; heartwarming finale

The two doctors join the celebration, praising the Stooges' courage and the father's safe return. The quartet sings together in a heartwarming finale that blends care with comic charm.

Evening Betty's home
10

Final chorus and closing message

The film ends on a triumphant note as the ensemble shares one last chorus, cementing the bond between the Stooges, the doctors, and the grateful family. The criminals have been thwarted, and the community is left with hope, showing that humor, compassion, and teamwork can overcome even dire circumstances.

Ending Betty's home

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 09:29

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Nutty But Nice

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