Three Missing Links

In Hollywood’s Super Terrific Productions, the trio of slapstick icons Larry, Moe, and Curly take on custodial duties, keeping the studio clean and orderly. What starts as a routine cleanup quickly spirals into chaos when they stumble into the inner sanctum of B.O. Botswaddle, the sharp-eyed script curator overseeing the next big project, Jilted in the Jungle. The mischief they spark rattles the room, yet Curly’s wild physical comedy—an uncanny impersonation of a chicken with its head cut off—grabs Botswaddle’s attention. Botswaddle, recognizing Curly as a living, primeval archetype, the so‑called “missing link,” vaults the trio from backstage pewter to the bright lights of cinematic prominence.

Accompanied by Moe and Larry, Curly embarks on a journey to the lush expanses of Africa, where the jungle becomes the canvas for their evolving adventure. On the set, Curly negotiates with a purveyor of unconventional remedies to procure “love candy”, hoping it will win the affections of Mirabel Mirabel, the leading lady portrayed by Jane Hamilton. The night brings a tense interruption as a curious lion slips into their encampment, forcing a swift retreat as the crew scrambles to safety and the scene shifts into high gear.

The following day erupts into further mayhem when Curly, dressed in a gorilla costume for a scene, finds himself face to face with a real jungle gorilla. The encounter sends the film crew into a frenzy, and the makeshift peace of the set is shattered as everyone scrambles to regain control. In a comic twist, Curly accidentally swallows the love candy while attempting to soothe the agitated ape, and he becomes utterly smitten with the creature. This unlikely affection sends him on a zealous chase through the wilderness, turning the safari into a spectacle of pursuit, laughter, and improvisation.

Behind the camera, the production is steered by the director Herbert Herringbone, brought to life by Monte Collins. His on-set presence anchors the chaos with a blend of authority and good-humored resilience. Layered into the farcical chaos is Dr. Sa Lami Baloni, a character whose eccentric medical banter punctuates the logistics of jungle filmmaking, played by John Lester Johnson. The film’s combination of rapid-fire physical humor, mistaken identities, and jungle escapades offers a playful, if chaotic, window into the world where old-school slapstick meets the glamour and grind of movie-making.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:01