Three Missing Links

Three Missing Links

Year: 1938

Runtime: 18 mins

Language: English

Director: Jules White

Comedy

The stooges are janitors at a studio; after ruining the boss’s office they get hired as extras for an African‑themed picture. Curly plays a gorilla, Moe and Larry primitive natives. On location they clash with a witch doctor, from whom Curly buys “love candy” to win the leading lady. When a female gorilla appears, Curly eats the candy and chases her.

Three Missing Links (1938) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Three Missing Links (1938) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the bustling corridors of Hollywood’s Super Terrific Productions, a trio of unlikely custodians keeps the glittering studios spotless while constantly teetering on the edge of mischief. Larry and his partners, Moe and Curly, turn routine cleaning into a slap‑slap‑slap of chaos, their everyday banter echoing the rhythm of the film lot. When a careless tumble through the boss’s office threatens to end their tenure, the very mess they create becomes the ticket to a new, unexpected role.

The studio’s next big venture is an exotic, jungle‑themed picture titled Jilted in the Jungle, and the three find themselves swapped from mops to costumes. Curly dons a bulky gorilla suit, while Moe and Larry are cast as primitive natives, their antics now part of the on‑screen spectacle. The set is a wild tapestry of artificial foliage, booming sound‑effects, and a cast of colorful crew members, all of which sets the stage for the kind of high‑energy, physical humor that defines their world.

Amid the faux‑savanna, a local witch doctor—an eccentric figure steeped in superstition—offers Curly a mysterious “love candy” promising to win over the film’s leading lady, the enchanting Mirabel. The promise of romance fuels the trio’s already frantic energy, and when a real female gorilla wanders onto the set, the candy’s effect sends Curly into a comic pursuit that blurs the line between performance and pandemonium. The clash of imagination and reality creates a whirlwind of sight gags, pratfalls, and bewildered reactions that keep the audience guessing what will tumble next.

The film balances the glossy allure of Hollywood production with the rustic charm of an imagined African wilderness, all filtered through the Stooges’ signature brand of chaos. Their chemistry—Moe’s bossy scheming, Larry’s dead‑pan bewilderment, and Curly’s uncontainable zeal—drives the comedy forward, promising a riotous ride where every mishap feels both inevitable and delightfully surprising.

Last Updated: December 05, 2025 at 10:08

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about Film Set Chaos like Three Missing Links

Stories where the glamour of movie-making hilariously collides with backstage mishaps.If you enjoyed the studio backlot anarchy of 'Three Missing Links,' you'll love these movies that find comedy in the chaos of filmmaking. This list features comedies where the behind-the-scenes antics are just as entertaining as the movie within the movie.

metaplayfulfranticwittygoofybehind-the-sceneschaotic

Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread often follow well-intentioned but clumsy characters—like janitors, extras, or crew members—who accidentally disrupt a production. The plot revolves around escalating mishaps that blur the lines between the fictional story being filmed and the real-world comedic crisis unfolding on set, leading to a climax of improvisation and laughter.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared setting within the film industry and their focus on the humorous disconnect between artistic intent and chaotic execution. They share a lighthearted, meta-commentary on creation itself, united by playful, frantic energy.

Zany Slapstick Comedies like Three Missing Links

Fast-paced comedies where a simple situation spirals into a runaway train of physical gags.Fans of the fast-paced, physical comedy in 'Three Missing Links' will enjoy this selection of movies powered by slapstick escalation. These films feature chaotic chases, visual gags, and a lighthearted tone perfect for viewers seeking energetic and humorous stories.

slapstickchaoticfranticphysical comedyplayfulmischieffast-paced

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern is straightforward: a minor incident quickly balloons into uncontrollable chaos. The story is a vehicle for a series of interconnected physical gags and chases, often involving mistaken identities and characters zealously pursuing a simple goal, leading to a happy, resolution-free ending of pure spectacle.

Why These Movies?

These movies are united by their core reliance on physical comedy, fast pacing, and low-stakes, high-energy plots. The similarity lies in the specific rhythm of the humor—the build-up and payoff of visual gags—and the overall feeling of playful, harmless anarchy.

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Three Missing Links Summary

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Three Missing Links Summary

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Three Missing Links Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Three Missing Links

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Three Missing Links

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