Shemp unexpectedly wins a substantial sum of $50,000 by correctly identifying a car make in a radio contest. The trio subsequently lodges at the opulent Hotel Costa Plente, where they promptly deplete their winnings. Despite their lavish surroundings, they inadvertently damage numerous expensive furnishings within their suite. Their misfortune is compounded when the hotel manager, upon delivering a telegram, reveals that a significant portion of Shemp's prize money has been withheld for taxes, leaving them with a mere $4.85.
Their predicament takes a further downturn when three opportunistic gold diggers, also guests at the hotel, manage to gain access to the Stooges' room through deceptive means. Following two accidental dousings with ice water initiated by the trio, the women retaliate by striking the Stooges over the head with champagne bottles.
Production notes
Filmed over two days in 1951 (January 22–23), A Missed Fortune is a remake of 1938's Healthy, Wealthy and Dumb, using minimal stock footage.[1] When Shemp falls onto the top of the bed, the footage is actually Curly borrowed from Healthy, Wealthy and Dumb (Curly can be heard yelling during the fall). Additionally, Larry taking a bath as well as the close-up of Moe yelling "Get this Henry the VIII off my neck!" is also stock. A slight inconsistency can be noted, as the pattern on the wood changes from shot to shot. The glue Moe accidentally pours onto his hotcakes, "Stik Fast Glue", is the same product Curly writes a slogan for in Healthy, Wealthy and Dumb.
This is the last Three Stooges film to be released during Curly Howard's lifetime. He died on January 18, 1952.
References
^Solomon, Jon. (2002) The Complete Three Stooges: The Official Filmography and Three Stooges Companion, p. 398-399; Comedy III Productions, Inc., ISBN0-9711868-0-4
