There's a bit of scientific history to this episode, all about Dagwood inventing fire-proof paint! About a year earlier, fire-proof paint was, in fact, patented, though it would be many years later before it was commercially available. The paint was probably developed during WW II for the war effort, a time when many new inventions were born.
Mr. Radcliffe and Dagwood have a new client called Mr. Forsythe (played by popular character actor Stanley Andrews), who is building a new school. To impress him when it comes to safety, Dagwood offers to demonstrate his new invention by painting Radcliffe's vacation cabin --then set the place on fire! In the meanwhile, two of Radcliffe's devious competitors (Wilton Graff and Ray Walker), pull a switch, stealing the paint and replacing it with a phony baloney.
You have to admit, painting a house with gasoline(!) is INSANE, the place burns up and Dagwood is fired in two seconds. Laugh out loud stuff, and watching Arthur Lake's absolutely stunned expressions is always a highlight.
In an amazing twist, Dagwood's good luck charm this time around is a kid called Rollo (played by Alan Dinehart III), Alvin's cousin, a young genius who saves the day. Dinehart, the son of the famous actor, later appeared in the tv series WYATT EARP, playing Batt Masterson.
Of COURSE, the BIG inside joke is Dagwood's invention could have made him an instant millionaire! But that's the way it goes. Well written fluff by Lucile Watson Henry, and the only episode she wrote for the series.
Character actress Collette Lyons plays the secretary to one of the bad guys. Lyons became famous a few years later due to her marriage to newspaper publisher George Randolph Hearst.
Very good direction by Edward Bernds, writer and director for the Three Stooges, Dagwood --without fail -- the biggest Stooge of 'em all. Why we love Arthur Lake.
Nearing the end of the series. Always available on dvd, separate episodes or the entire series, remastered. Thanks so much to MOVIES Net for running this goofy series on Saturday mornings.
