Movie spotlight
Behind the Eight Ball
The story takes place at a summer theater in the Berkshire Mountains, where heroine Joan Barry (Carol Bruce) is staging a Broadway-bound musical comedy. Only one problem: two guest stars are shot and killed on two successive evenings, right in front of the audience. Hoping to solve the mystery, detective William Demarest demands that everyone -- actors and theatergoers alike -- return the following weekend to restage the show. But with no major performer willing to assume the fatal guest-star slot, Joan is forced to hire the Three Jolly Jesters (Al, Harry and Jimmy Ritz), Manhattan washroom attendants with showbiz aspirations.
Insights
Plot Summary
Two pilots on a tropical island get involved with a group of gangsters and beautiful women. Their attempts to deal with the criminals lead to a series of comical misunderstandings and musical numbers.
Critical Reception
The film was a modest B-movie production that received mixed reviews, often noted for its musical interludes and the comedic efforts of the Three Stooges, but criticized for its predictable plot.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for the musical performances and the Three Stooges' slapstick.
Criticized for a weak and formulaic storyline.
Seen as a lighthearted, escapist film of its time.
Google audience: Audience reception is largely unavailable, but historical reviews indicate it was considered a passable B-movie entertainment for its era, with the musical numbers and Stooges' antics being highlights.
Fun Fact
This film marked one of the few times the Three Stooges appeared in a feature film where they were not the primary stars, sharing billing with Carole Landis and William Elliott.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources