''Society Mugs'' is a 1946

Columbia Pictures Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production studio that is a member of the Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group, a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment, which is one of the Big Five studios and a subsidiary of the mu ...

short film A short film is any motion picture that is short enough in running time not to be considered a feature film. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences defines a short film as "an original motion picture that has a running time of 40 minutes ...

directed by

Edward Bernds Edward Bernds (July 12, 1905May 20, 2000) was an American screenwriter and director, born in Chicago, Illinois. Career While in his junior year in Lake View High School, he and several friends formed a small radio clique and obtained amateur li ...

starring

Shemp Howard Samuel Horwitz (March 11, 1895 – November 22, 1955), known professionally as Shemp Howard, was an American actor and comedian. He was called "Shemp" because "Sam" came out that way in his mother's thick Litvak accent. He is best known as the ...

and

Tom Kennedy Thomas or Tom Kennedy may refer to: Politics *Thomas Kennedy (Scottish judge) (1673–1754), joint Solicitor General for Scotland 1709–14, Lord Advocate 1714, Member of Parliament for Ayr Burghs 1720–21 * Thomas Kennedy, 9th Earl of Cassilis ...

Plot

High society woman Muriel Allen ( Christine McIntyre) wants to attend a swanky dinner party thrown by friend Alice Preston (

Rebel Randall Rebel Randall (born Alaine Charlotte Dorothy Brandes, January 22, 1922 – July 22, 2010), was an American film actress and radio personality. She appeared in approximately 50 films between 1940 and 1956. Career She was a popular G.I. pin-up ...

) but husband Arthur ( Charles Williams) decides instead to go on a fishing trip. Rather than showing up stag to the party, Muriel tells housekeeper Petunia (

Etta McDaniel Etta McDaniel (December 1, 1890January 13, 1946) was an American actress who appeared in over 60 films between 1933 and 1946. She was the sister of actor Sam McDaniel and actress and Academy Award winner Hattie McDaniel. Early life McDaniel ...

) to call the Acme Escort Service to bring a few "college boy" escorts. However, Petunia accidentally calls the Acme Exterminator Co., operated by Shemp and Tom. At the mansion, the duo are assumed to be cultured old college seniors. Guest of honor Lord Wafflebottom (

Vernon Dent Vernon Bruce Dent (February 16, 1895 – November 5, 1963) was an American comic actor, who appeared in over 400 films. He co-starred in many short films for Columbia Pictures, frequently as the foil and the main antagonist and ally to The Thr ...

) follows the pest exterminators' lead in proper American party manners, turning the dinner party into an uncouth display. When mice are conveniently spotted, the boys go to work, disrupting the party and the entire mansion.

Production notes

''Society Mugs'' is a remake of ''

Termites of 1938 ''Termites of 1938'' is a 1938 short subject directed by Del Lord starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly Howard). It is the 28th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the ...

'' starring

The Three Stooges The Three Stooges were an American vaudeville and comedy team active from 1922 until 1970, best remembered for their 190 short subject films by Columbia Pictures. Their hallmark styles were physical farce and slapstick. Six Stooges appeared ...

.Okuda, Ted; Watz, Edward; (1986). ''The Columbia Comedy Shorts'', p. 211 McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers.

Bess Flowers Bess Flowers (November 23, 1898 – July 28, 1984) was an American actress best known for her work as an extra in hundreds of films. She was known as "The Queen of the Hollywood Extras," appearing in more than 350 feature films and numerou ...

, who appears as a dinner guest in this film, appeared as "Muriel Allen" in ''Termites of 1938'', while

played the maid in both films.

References

External links

*
''Society Mugs'' at threestooges.net
1946 films 1946 comedy films American black-and-white films Short film remakes Films directed by Edward Bernds Columbia Pictures short films American comedy short films 1940s English-language films 1940s American films {{short-comedy-film-stub