CRIME ON THEIR HANDS

Production Information
Studio: ColumbiaShort Number: 112
Release Date: December 9, 1948
Running Time: 17:33

“You know Porcupine, for a guy without brains you’re a genius.”
(Moe, to Larry)

Short Take

In Crime On Their Hands, The Stooges are janitors at the Daily Gazette who get a hot tip about the stolen Punjab diamond. Hoping to become real reporters, the boys hurry to where Dapper and his gang are hiding. While questioning Dapper’s beautiful moll, Shemp accidentally swallows the diamond thinking it was a mint. Unfortunately, a caged gorilla in the next room gets into the act as well.

Cast & Crew

Directed byEdward Bernds
Produced byHugh McCollum
Written byElwood Ullman
StarringMoe Howard
Larry Fine
Shemp Howard
Kenneth MacDonald
Christine McIntyre
Charles C. Wilson
Cy Schindell
CinematographyHenry Freulich
Edited byHenry DeMond

Trivia 

  • Crime on Their Hands marked the final appearance of longtime Stooge supporting actor Cy Schindell. Drafted into the Marines during World War II, Schindell developed a severe case of jungle rot while on Guadalcanal, which eventually developed into terminal cancer. Knowing he was dying, Schindell worked constantly during his illness to assure his family would be financially secure after his death. Excessive makeup was used during the filming of Crime on Their Hands to mask Schindell’s cancer-ridden face.

Production Notes

The title Crime on Their Hands is a parody of the expression “time on their hands.” The press room scene was recycled in 1956’s Commotion on the Ocean, while the remaining portion of Crime on Their Hands was utilized in 1955’s Hot Ice. It is a partial remake of the 1942 Andy Clyde short All Work and No Pay.