Dopey Dicks (1950) User Reviews

a little ragged

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 16 August 2022]

The Stooges are movers who get mistaken for private detectives. A beautiful dame is desperate for help. She gets kidnapped and the boys have to rescue her. A mad scientist is building killer robots but he needs some human heads.

Normally, Stooges stories don't have to make complete sense but this one is a little more ragged than usual. It is still fun but the plot has some sharp turns. I watched the color version. It's a little different to be out of the black and white world. It's also more horror than comedy when crazy people are coming at the Stooges with knives.

One Of The Most Entertaining Stooges Films Ever

[ccthemovieman-1 · 10/10 · 24 February 2008]

For pure entertainment, this is one of the best Three Stooges short films EVER, one that features a nonstop suspenseful (and hilarious) chase scene for one minute less than the entire 15 minutes. I've always found these ones which mix suspense, a little horror, a lot of slapstick and a good chase to be among the most fun to watch in this long series.

What you usually get - as in this film - are insane chases around different rooms connected by a main corridor. The Stooges are then chased by either crooks, insane people, monsters or gorillas. In "Dopey Dicks," it's two guys who recently escaped from a mental institute and want to play "Dr. Frankenstein." These need a head to cut off and put on their "robot." Stanley Price, as "Ralph," the assistant/butler, is hilarious, as is Philip Van Zandt as the "Professor."

In the opening minute, which sets the stage, we see a corny sign on a door which says, "Sam Shovel, Private Investigator." (Sam Spade was a famous "dick.")

Series regular Christine McIntrye then bursts in with: "You've got to help. Strange men are following me!"

SHEMP: "They'd be strange if they WEREN'T following you."

McIntyre's pleading leads to boys to the spooky house, where they pretend to be detectives. The rest of the film (with a constant thunderstorm in the background) has the boys running away from room to room, literally trying to save their heads as the two weird men with swords, daggers or meat cleavers chase them. In other words: a lot of fun!

Good one!

[Movie Nuttball · 10/10 · 10 March 2003]

This Stooge short is very spooky with the storms,wind,and everything!Christine McIntyre is very good in this and as always she is very beautiful and she is My favorite actress in the Stooges episodes.Stanley Price and Philip Van Zandt put on good performances.This is a great one to watch during Halloween time!

Scary moments mixed with funny slapstick

[slymusic · 5 February 2008]

"Dopey Dicks" is a SPLENDID Three Stooges short directed by the very capable Edward Bernds. Larry, Shemp, and Moe are janitors mistaken for private-eye detectives. Since an innocent young lady's life is at stake, the Stooges willingly go along with their unexpected vocations. (DON'T read the rest of this commentary if you haven't yet seen this short.)

Stooge author Jeffrey Forrester accurately pointed out that "Dopey Dicks" contains some distinctly scary moments. Some examples are: Larry and Shemp watch the kooky butler Ralph (Stanley Price) leading Moe into an adjoining room to introduce him to the equally kooky professor (Philip Van Zandt), then Ralph gives a very sinister laugh after telling Larry & Shemp not to go away; Ralph's shadow can be seen holding a cleaver as he approaches Moe in hiding; Larry hides under a table with his head protruding upward from between the table's two halves, then Shemp becomes horrified to see Larry's head and thinks he's been decapitated; and finally, the Stooges & the girl (Christine McIntyre) hitch a ride and soon discover that the driver is the professor's headless mechanical man. Other highlights: As Moe and Shemp crawl on their hands & knees to search for the girl in the detective's office, they unexpectedly collide with a loud thud. In order to hide from the the two mad fiends, Larry disguises himself as a lamp.

"Dopey Dicks" is one of the best Three Stooges shorts featuring Shemp as the third Stooge. The supporting cast is excellent as well: Christine McIntyre, arguably the most beloved Stooges supporting actress, is terrific as the scared, helpless young lady who mistakes the boys for detectives. Philip Van Zandt, a prominent Stooges villain, is superb as the mad scientist. And Stanley Price was PERFECT for the role of Ralph, a frighteningly sinister butler.

The Stooges are at it again! (Caution: Some Spoilers)

[wishkah7 · 5 September 2000]

This time they pass themselves off as detectives to help a woman who's been chased by a mad scientist and his thugs, and she later on gets kidnapped and Moe, Larry, and Shemp come to her rescue and get lead to a haunted house. Inside the mad scientist invents a headless robot that needs a head and the Stooges become eligible candidates!

I loved Shemp's impersonation of 'Desmond of the Inner Sactum"! That cracks me up everytime I hear it! IMHO, Shemp was a very chrismatic, energetic, and very colorful member of the Stooges as well as other comedians from the past, too. That's why he's always been my favorite of the Stooges. Heck, Shemp makes Stan Laurel look like a null, dull, and void, and a whiny crybaby.

I also laugh at the grand finale of this episode when we see Moe, Larry, Shemp, and the girl in a car being driven by the headless robot! Another episode of the Stooges that is a definate must-see!