A comedic aviation tale where three inventors face bureaucratic and mechanical obstacles while trying to build an aircraft and avoid military service.
Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
Draft & Deferment
The Stooges are introduced as aviators in Cannabeer P.U. whose work is interrupted by an army draft notice. They secure a temporary deferment to continue developing their Buzzard aircraft.
Key Events
Aviator Introduction — The Stooges are introduced as aviators working on their new aircraft. Characters: Moe Wrong, Curly Wrong, Larry WrongLocation: Cannabeer P.U.
Draft Notice Arrival — An army draft notice interrupts their aviation work. Characters: Moe Wrong, Curly Wrong, Larry WrongLocation: Cannabeer P.U.
Buzzard Deferment — They are deferred from service due to their aircraft development plans. Characters: Moe Wrong, Curly Wrong, Larry WrongLocation: Hangar
Cannabeer P.U. — The fictional republic where the Stooges operate their aviation business. Characters: Moe Wrong, Curly Wrong, Larry WrongLocation: Cannabeer P.U.
Buzzard Aircraft — The central project driving the plot and attracting official attention. Characters: Moe Wrong, Curly Wrong, Larry WrongLocation: Hangar
Rubber & Rockets
Development is stymied by mishaps, primarily Moe being trapped in quick-drying rubber. Curly and Larry attempt a dangerous hydrogen and shotgun experiment that sends Moe flying into a well.
Key Events
Buzzard Deferment — They are deferred from service due to their aircraft development plans. Characters: Moe Wrong, Curly Wrong, Larry WrongLocation: Hangar
Rubber Mishap Begins — Moe is repeatedly immersed in quick-drying melted rubber. Characters: Moe Wrong, Curly Wrong, Larry WrongLocation: Hangar
Hydrogen Experiment — Curly and Larry attempt to correct the rubber situation using hydrogen and a shotgun. Characters: Moe Wrong, Curly Wrong, Larry WrongLocation: Hangar
Moe's Ascent — The experiment causes Moe to ascend into the air and descend into a well. Characters: Moe Wrong, Curly Wrong, Larry WrongLocation: Well
Hangar — The primary workspace for aircraft development and mishaps. Characters: Moe Wrong, Curly Wrong, Larry WrongLocation: Hangar
Well — A recurring pit where Moe lands after aerial mishaps. Characters: Moe Wrong, Curly Wrong, Larry WrongLocation: Well
Quick-drying Rubber — A hazardous substance that causes repeated comedic mishaps for Moe. Characters: Moe WrongLocation: Hangar
Hydrogen & Shotgun — Tools used in a misguided attempt to fix Moe's rubber predicament. Characters: Curly Wrong, Larry WrongLocation: Hangar
Buzzard Aircraft — The central project driving the plot and attracting official attention. Characters: Moe Wrong, Curly Wrong, Larry WrongLocation: Hangar
The Fateful Demo
After another rubber mishap during a hangar maneuver, the Stooges attempt to demonstrate the Buzzard to Sky Aircraft Co. representatives. Mechanical failures cause them to lose control and crash into a well, drenching the officials.
Key Events
Moe's Ascent — The experiment causes Moe to ascend into the air and descend into a well. Characters: Moe Wrong, Curly Wrong, Larry WrongLocation: Well
Hangar Maneuver — They attempt to maneuver the unwieldy aircraft out of the hangar. Characters: Moe Wrong, Curly Wrong, Larry WrongLocation: Hangar
Second Rubber Immersion — Moe is sent skyward again and lands back in the liquid rubber. Characters: Moe Wrong, Curly Wrong, Larry WrongLocation: Hangar
Sky Aircraft Demo Setup — The Stooges prepare to demonstrate the Buzzard to company representatives. Characters: Moe Wrong, Curly Wrong, Larry Wrong, Sky Aircraft Co. Representative (uncredited)Location: Airfield
Mechanical Failures — The demonstration is foiled by mechanical failures and errors. Characters: Moe Wrong, Curly Wrong, Larry Wrong, Sky Aircraft Co. Representative (uncredited)Location: Airfield
Well — A recurring pit where Moe lands after aerial mishaps. Characters: Moe Wrong, Curly Wrong, Larry WrongLocation: Well
Army & Escape
The demonstration disaster lands the trio directly in the army. They tangle with a tough drill sergeant and ultimately flee military service to avoid further obligations.
Key Events
Mechanical Failures — The demonstration is foiled by mechanical failures and errors. Characters: Moe Wrong, Curly Wrong, Larry Wrong, Sky Aircraft Co. Representative (uncredited)Location: Airfield
Loss of Control — The plane goes out of control during the demonstration. Characters: Moe Wrong, Curly Wrong, Larry Wrong, Sky Aircraft Co. Representative (uncredited)Location: Airfield
Well Fall & Drenching — They fall into a well, drenching themselves and the officials. Characters: Moe Wrong, Curly Wrong, Larry Wrong, Sky Aircraft Co. Representative (uncredited)Location: Well
Army Conscription — The mishaps land the Stooges directly into the army. Characters: Moe Wrong, Curly Wrong, Larry WrongLocation: Military Base
Sergeant Confrontation — The trio tangles with a tough drill sergeant during training. Characters: Moe Wrong, Curly Wrong, Larry Wrong, Sergeant (archive footage) (uncredited)Location: Military Base
Military Escape — Unable to endure service, they flee from military duty. Characters: Moe Wrong, Curly Wrong, Larry Wrong, Sergeant (archive footage) (uncredited)Location: Military Base
Service Evasion — The trio successfully avoids military service through flight. Characters: Moe Wrong, Curly Wrong, Larry WrongLocation: Military Base
Story Breakdown
Aviation Ambitions — Introduction of the Stooges as inventors working on the Buzzard aircraft in a fictional republic.
Cannabeer Setting — Establishes the fictional location and aviation business.
Buzzard Development — Core project driving the narrative forward.
Draft & Deferment — Military bureaucracy interrupts their work, leading to a temporary exemption.
Draft Notice — Army draft interrupts aviation progress.
Strategic Deferment — Aircraft plans secure temporary freedom from service.
Quick-drying Rubber — Moe becomes trapped in hazardous material.
Hangar Struggles — Unwieldy aircraft and rubber cause repeated chaos.
Hydrogen Experiment — Desperate measures lead to dangerous aerial mishaps.
Hydrogen & Shotgun — Improvised tools used to fix the rubber problem.
Aerial Ascent — Experiment backfires, sending Moe into a well.
Aircraft Demonstration — The trio attempts to prove their invention to corporate officials.
Sky Aircraft Demo — Preparation to showcase the Buzzard to representatives.
Mechanical Failures — Technical errors ruin the presentation.
Military Conscription — The demonstration disaster forces immediate army enrollment.
Well Fall — Crash drenches officials and triggers conscription.
Base Induction — Stooges arrive at military training facility.
Army Escape — Final confrontation with military authority leads to evasion.
Sergeant Tangle — Clash with tough drill sergeant during training.
Service Flight — Trio successfully flees to avoid military duty.
The Three Stooges, as the Wrong Brothers, aid the war effort by inventing a new plane in this below-average two-reel comedy. Actually, they are attempting to avoid the draft but when their plane, the Buzzard, fails miserably, they march off to war. Richard Fiske, formerly a busy supporting player in Stooges comedies, appears courtesy of stock footage from the earlier Boobs in Arms (1940). Ironically, Fiske had himself been drafted and would be killed in action in France in August of 1944.
