Take the Money and Run

Virgil Starkwell is introduced as a child who is frequently bullied by his peers. The bullies target him specifically for his glasses, which become a source of ridicule and torment, setting the stage for his later misadventures.

While at school, Virgil excels on an IQ test but makes the poor decision to steal a fountain pen. In an effort to teach him honesty, his teacher asks the class to close their eyes while he returns the pen, but Virgil uses this moment to also get close to the girls he admires.

Transitioning to adulthood, Virgil attempts to rob an armored truck but mistakenly brings a cigarette lighter instead of a gun. His awkwardness leads to his arrest, marking the beginning of his tumultuous relationship with the law.

After being imprisoned, Virgil concocts a plan to escape using a soap bar shaped like a gun. However, the rain washes away his makeshift weapon and his plans fall apart, demonstrating his continual misfortune.

Once paroled, Virgil's new plan to rob a local pet shop is hilariously thwarted by a gorilla. The encounter emphasizes his continuous bad luck and clumsy demeanor in criminal endeavors.

During a bank heist, Virgil's illegible handwriting on a demand note creates confusion, as the cashier's bewilderment over the phrase 'gub' leads to the police arriving. This results in him receiving a ten-year sentence, highlighting the absurdity of his criminal life.

While serving time, Virgil whimsically requests that his girlfriend, Louise, bake him a cake that would contain a gun. This darkly comic moment sheds light on his unorthodox approach to surviving a tough prison environment.

After marrying Louise, Virgil's troubles escalate when a colleague, Miss Blair, begins to blackmail him. In a comedic twist, he plots to eliminate her using dynamite disguised as festive candles, but his plan hilariously backfires.

Virgil ends up with a ten-year sentence on a chain gang where he faces harsh conditions. A comedic mishap occurs when he attempts to break his chain, only to injure his foot, showcasing the slapstick nature of his misfortunes.

During a collective escape attempt, Virgil and other prisoners hold an elderly woman hostage to help them evade capture. Their plan quickly descends into chaos, reflecting the absurdity of their circumstances.

Virgil's luck runs out as he is recaptured after attempting to rob a former friend who has turned into a policeman. Faced with 52 robbery charges, he receives an outrageous sentence of 800 years, yet maintains a comically optimistic outlook.

In the film's conclusion, Virgil is seen carving a bar of soap while pondering about the weather. This closing scene encapsulates his absurd journey, leaving the audience with a blend of laughter and disbelief.