This is one I’d be interested in learning the production dates for, since Bud’s mustache comes and goes throughout (yes, they do explain it in one scene, but then it disappears when they return to see Field and suddenly reappears at the end). I remember there was a thread discussing how production went a lot further back than expected, so I’m curious as to whether there was a multiple month gap between these scenes.
But anyway, on to the episode itself. It’s good, not quite as good as the previous two, though. I agree that the opening stage act isn’t particularly special and although I do like their disguise for leaving the bank, it doesn’t really pick up comedically until the invisible routine. It’s essentially a variation on a routine from LOST IN A HAREM, and they even got Murray Leonard back to perform it with them, so that’s cool. I do kind of prefer the movie version; I remember it being a bit better paced, but there’s also enough different about this version that it’s still worth seeking out. The lighting’s obviously better, and it is funny seeing all three of them go crazy subsequently with the fake murder (I don’t recall that twist being in the LOST IN A HAREM version, but I may just have forgotten).
They then do wordplay with mining terminology which is decent and then go into a Stoogesque routine where they have to get Bud’s legs out of cement. As is often the case, Sid Field is the highlight here. I love how he keeps bragging about his 4 years of engineering college while simultaneously seeming to show no scientific logic, especially with his whole attempt to leverage Costello out of the hole. Mike the Cop eventually gets in on the action, which I also like. It’s fun seeing these guys just randomly pile on to try to help while continually making the situation more elaborate.
So, like I said before, a good episode; there really haven’t been any bad episodes so far and it sounds like it will probably stay that way.
