MALICE IN THE PALACE

Production Information
Title: Malice in the Palace
Studio: Columbia
Short Number: 117
Release Date: September 1, 1949
Running Time: 15:42

“With that kind of money, we could rent a one room apartment in Hollywood… maybe.”

Short Take

The Stooges are running the Cafe Casbah Bah and attempting to prepare a meal for customers Hassan Ben Sober (Vernon Dent) and Ginna Rumma (George J. Lewis). The meal turns out disastrous: their spaghetti dinner is spilled all over the customers’ faces, so The Stooges offer them a replacement meal: rabbit and hot dogs. Because a stray cat and dog make noises at inopportune times while Larry prepares the meal, Larry’s meal appears to be actual dog and cat meat, which brings Moe and Shemp great grief when ordered to eat it by their customers.

These two customers are thieves intent on robbing the tomb of King Rootintootin, which contains a priceless diamond. Because of their fear of a curse on the diamond, they decide they need The Boys to carry out the deed. Before Ben Sober and Rumma can reveal their scheme, they discover that the Emir of Schmow (Johnny Kascier) has already gotten his hands on the diamond. The two plotters start wailing and, when Ben Sober reveals his actual career as a doorman (and not the royalty Moe thinks he is), The Boys throw them out of the restaurant. The Stooges then attempt to steal the diamond back from the Emir, since it is government property and would likely fetch a large reward.

The Stooges arrive at the Emir’s palace dressed as Santa Claus. They then manage to acquire the diamond and make a quick exit, but not before dealing with a burly guard.

Malice in the Palace Cast & Crew

Directed byJules White
Produced byJules White
Written byFelix Adler
StarringMoe Howard
Larry Fine
Shemp Howard
Vernon Dent
George J. Lewis
Frank Lackteen
Everett Brown
Johnny Kascier
Joe Palma
CinematographyVincent J. Farrar
Edited byEdwin H. Bryant

Malice in the Palace Trivia

  • Malice in the Palace was one of five Stooge films included in the TBS 1995 Halloween special The Three Stooges Fright Night
  • There was supposed to be a cameo by Curly, but his illness caused his scenes to be cut

Production Notes

  • Malice in the Palace is one of four Stooge shorts that are currently in public domain (the others being Disorder in the Court, Brideless Groom, and Sing a Song of Six Pants)
  • The film was reworked in 1956 as Rumpus in the Harem, using ample stock footage from the original