For Crimin’ Out Loud 1956

The Stooges, [Larry Fine], [Moe Howard], and [Shemp Howard], run a small detective outfit known as the Miracle Detective Agency, and they’re hired by John Goodrich [Emil Sitka], a middle‑aged millionaire, to track down the Phantom Gang — a ruthless group suspected of murdering socialites and wealthy individuals, now seemingly determined to make Goodrich their next victim.

When they arrive at the estate, they discover Mr. Goodrich incapacitated and confined, while his loyal butler is exposed as a Phantom Gang insider lurking in the shadows. The danger intensifies as the gang’s reach expands through the mansion, and a cunning trap is laid for Shemp by the Phantom Gang’s own allies among Goodrich’s household.

Goodrich’s Niece, [Christine McIntyre], who is secretly a gang member, schemes to ensnare Shemp and even attempts to poison him, adding a treacherous twist to the night’s events. Meanwhile, the Stooges face relentless pursuit by Nikko, a towering and relentless henchman, whose presence turns the corridors into a deadly maze. Nikko is portrayed by Ralph Dunn (archive footage), a reminder of the gang’s deadly reach.

A tense collision follows, with Shemp managing to incapacitate Nikko, and the unconscious Mr. Goodrich inadvertently revealing the Phantom Gang’s malevolent plans. In the ensuing darkness, a chaotic brawl erupts as the Stooges scramble to thwart the criminals and bring them to justice, edging closer to a hard-won victory.

In the end, Shemp’s quick thinking and a trusty fireplace shovel help neutralize the Phantom Gang, but the celebration is short-lived as the confusion leaves Moe, Larry, Mr. Goodrich, and Shemp themselves unconscious. The trio’s resolve remains intact, and the case closes with the criminals finally in custody, even as the mansion falls back into silence after a night of danger, deception, and slapstick close calls.