Three Pests in a Mess Poster

Three Pests in a Mess 1945

★ 6.36 votes15 min📅 1945-01-19

In the zany 1945 short comedy classic Three Pests in a Mess, legendary slapstick trio The Three Stooges—Moe, Larry, and Curly—trade wrench-swinging for patent-peddling as a trio of bumbling inventors.

Director: Del Lord

Cast

Curly Howard
Curly Howard
Curly
Larry Fine
Larry Fine
Larry
Moe Howard
Moe Howard
Moe
Christine McIntyre
Christine McIntyre
Cheatham's Secretary
Brian O'Hara
I. Cheatham
Vernon Dent
Vernon Dent
Philip Black
Heinie Conklin
Heinie Conklin
Devil (uncredited)
Harry 'Snub' Pollard
Harry 'Snub' Pollard
Cemetery Guard (uncredited)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Three Pests in a Mess (1945) about?

Three bumbling inventors stumble into big trouble when their silly fly-catching gadget is mistaken for a ticket to a $100,000 sweepstakes. As crooks give chase, the Stooges hide in a sporting goods store, accidentally shoot a mannequin, and end up in a pet cemetery trying to cover their tracks—only to dig themselves deeper into a surreal mess.

Who directed Three Pests in a Mess?

Del Lord directed this fast-paced short film, bringing his experience in slapstick and physical comedy to the Stooges' signature chaos.

Who stars in Three Pests in a Mess?

The film stars comedy icons Curly Howard, Larry Fine, and Moe Howard as The Three Stooges, supported by Christine McIntyre, Brian O'Hara, and Vernon Dent.

Is Three Pests in a Mess (1945) worth watching?

Absolutely—if you're a fan of vintage slapstick or simply love The Three Stooges' brand of madcap humor, this 15-minute short delivers non-stop laughs. The zany plot, creative gags, and energetic pacing make it a standout entry in their filmography, even if it's light on deep themes.

How long is Three Pests in a Mess?

The short film runs for 15 minutes.

About Three Pests in a Mess (1945) — A Classic Stooge Comedy Full of Madcap Invention

In the zany 1945 short comedy classic Three Pests in a Mess, legendary slapstick trio The Three Stooges—Moe, Larry, and Curly—trade wrench-swinging for patent-peddling as a trio of bumbling inventors. Their latest contraption, a gloriously ridiculous fly-catching machine, becomes the inadvertent target of both a hefty prize and a pair of eager crooks. When the crooks misinterpret the boys' excited chatter as a sweepstakes win, a madcap chase erupts through a bustling sporting-goods shop and into a quirky pet cemetery, where Curly's errant shot at a mannequin sparks a hilarious case of mistaken identity.

Directed with relentless energy by Del Lord, this 15-minute romp is pure Stooge chaos—full of rapid-fire gags, slapstick pratfalls, and the trio's signature brand of anarchy. The film captures the carefree spirit of mid-century comedy, blending absurd inventions with the timeless thrill of being one step ahead of the law. With its mix of inventive humor and frantic pacing, Three Pests in a Mess (1945) is a delightful showcase of The Three Stooges' comic genius and a time capsule of vintage comedy at its most inventive.