Crime on Their Hands 1948

Three janitors working within a bustling newspaper office stumble onto a real scoop: the Punjab diamond has vanished from a local museum, a theft pulled off by the crafty Dapper Malone. Eager to swap their janitorial duties for bylines, the trio chase the story, disguising themselves as law enforcement officers in Squid McGuffy’s cafe.

In their pursuit, they cross paths with Bea, Malone’s associate, who slyly conceals the stolen gem inside a bowl of mints. The Stooges linger, hoping for a breakthrough, which culminates in a comic blunder when Shemp accidentally swallows the diamond along with the mints.

Realizing their cover has been blown, Bea calls in Dapper Malone and his enforcer, Muscles, to retrieve the gem from Shemp. The culprit resorts to a crude, improvised surgical attempt, while Moe and Larry are locked in a closet, plotting a way out. The scene blends physical gags with a race against time as the clock ticks toward an inevitable confrontation.

With a toolkit found during their confinement, the trio frees themselves, only to collide with Harold, a gorilla who disrupts the villains’ plans. In an unexpected turn, Harold incapacitates Dapper Malone and Muscles, then befriends Shemp and helps recover the Punjab diamond, bringing the caper to a surprising but satisfying close.