Character Relationship Map: Studio Stoops

Characters

• Shemp (played by Shemp Howard) — protagonist

  Shemp is one of the Stooges, who are mistakenly assigned to stage a publicity kidnapping. During the real rescue, he disguises himself as Dolly Devore inside a garment bag and becomes stranded on an o...

• Larry (played by Larry Fine) — supporting

  Larry is one of the Stooges and joins the effort to rescue Dolly Devore after she is genuinely abducted. He tries to get help from the police, but they doubt his account, so he provokes a chase to bri...

• Moe (played by Moe Howard) — supporting

  Moe is one of the Stooges, initially drawn into a publicity scheme involving Dolly Devore and later forced to help rescue her from criminals. During the chaotic attempt, he and Dolly use the makeshift...

• Dolly Devore (played by Christine McIntyre) — supporting

  Dolly Devore is an emerging actress featured in the studio's publicity campaign. After criminals abduct her from her hotel room, she works with the Stooges during their rescue attempt, helping fashion...

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Larry → Dolly Devore (Alliance Rescue Ally) — Larry supports Dolly's rescue through an indirect police strategy.

  Larry attempts to obtain law-enforcement assistance after Dolly Devore is abducted and later lures the police back to the crime scene.

• Moe → Dolly Devore (Alliance Rescue Partner) — Moe and Dolly directly cooperate during the physical rescue.

  Dolly Devore collaborates with Moe to make a makeshift rope, and they incapacitate a criminal after the rope entangles him.

• Shemp → Dolly Devore (Narrative Rescuer And Victim) — Shemp's rescue role becomes entangled with the victim's disguise.

  Shemp becomes involved in rescuing Dolly Devore after criminals abduct her, although he is later stranded on an outdoor ledge while disguised as her.

• Larry → Moe (Alliance Teammate) — They function as coordinated members of the rescue team.

  Larry and Moe are both involved in the Stooges' publicity assignment and the effort to defeat the criminals holding Dolly Devore.

• Shemp → Moe (Alliance Teammate) — Their partnership is central to the rescue attempt.

  Shemp and Moe participate together in the staged kidnapping assignment and later work to rescue Dolly Devore from the criminals.

• Shemp → Larry (Alliance Teammate) — They cooperate throughout the failed publicity operation and rescue.

  Shemp and Larry act together as members of the Stooges while attempting to manage the kidnapping publicity scheme and rescue Dolly Devore.

Story Analysis

A mistaken publicity assignment turns into a genuine abduction rescue filled with improvised teamwork and physical comedy.

Plot Progression

1. A Publicity Trap — The Stooges are mistaken for publicity representatives after being enlisted as exterminators. They are assigned to stage a kidnapping connected to Dolly Devore's publicity campaign.
2. The Real Abduction — Two criminals intercept the contrived operation and genuinely abduct Dolly from her hotel room. The Stooges must abandon the publicity plan and attempt a real rescue.
3. The Ledge Rescue — Shemp becomes stranded on an outdoor ledge while disguised as Dolly inside a garment bag. Dolly and Moe improvise a rope, while an accidental entanglement creates an opening against the criminals.
4. The Police Chase — Larry's attempt to obtain help is met with skepticism. He provokes a chase that brings law enforcement back to the scene and allows the crisis to be resolved.
5. A Watery Aftermath — The criminals are apprehended, but the Stooges continue suffering comic mishaps. They finish relatively unscathed after an unexpected descent into a bathtub.