History Main / SoMuchForStealth

* In the climax of the ''Disney/LiloAndStitch''[=/=]''Franchise/StarTrek'' fanfic ''[[FanFic/StarlightSeries Starlight]]'', Jumba attempts to [[HoldingTheFloor Hold The Floor]] with one of the Queen's [[TheDragon allies]], while Pleakley enters [[HandSignals the code he signals behind his back]] into Jumba's communicator. However, he gets the code Jumba is signing to him incorrect, causing a loud beeping noise and alerting the bad guy to what Pleakley was doing.

* Almost a RunningGag in ''Film/TheHobbitTheDesolationOfSmaug'' -- it's clear no-one quite gets the whole "burglar" business.

** In ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory3'', during the GreatEscape from Sunnyside Daycare, Woody and the three aliens try to sneak behind Big Baby in the yard. They almost passed it but then one of the aliens falls and make and squeaky noise, which catches Big Baby's attention.

'''Benedict''': Someone had better say "excuse me."\\
''(The air vent gives way and TJ and his friends fall to the floor)''\\
'''Benedict''': Fenwick, who let children into the school?\\

* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Shrek 2}}'', Shrek and Donkey (turned into a human and stallion, respectively) look in on a secret meeting between King Harold and Fairy Godmother, where the latter details her plan to make Fiona fall in love with her son Prince Charming. Of course, it's Donkey's big mouth that blows their cover.

* Played wonderfully straight in the opening scene of ''Film/SleepyHollow'' (1999), where we see the Hessian who later becomes the Headless Horseman escaping through the woods from Revolutionary War soldiers. He encounters two children gathering firewood and cautions them to silence with a finger to his lips. Without changing expression one of the girls deliberately snaps the stick she's holding, drawing the soldiers in their direction.

* ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsRebels'': In [[Recap/StarWarsRebelsStepsIntoShadow "Steps Into Shadow"]], once the rebels (who intended to sneakily steal Y-Wings scheduled for destruction from Reklam Station) are discovered, their plan immediately morphs into shooting everything in sight and destroying Reklam Station in order to steal the ships.

[[folder:Web Comics]]

In a situation where a character not unlike the TechnicolorNinja is trying to sneak around unnoticed, their attempt at stealth will suddenly be threatened by them stepping on a dry twig, [[SneezeOfDoom sneezing]], knocking something over, setting off an alarm, blowing their cover, or otherwise alerting others to their presence. If no one notices, they might be okay -- in the worst case, they might be captured, or have to face the enemy in a full-blown battle. Either way, heads will turn suddenly.

As a result, savvy sneaker-uppers will toss a stone[[note]]or a dry twig, if one can be readily obtained[[/note]] so that it lands with a "plunk" in the direction opposite their position to make the guards go investigate -- see ThrowingTheDistraction. The guards, even seasoned BorderPatrol, will ''always'' go for this [[UndeadHorseTrope old chestnut]]. If nobody notices when they ''really'' should have, see ItsProbablyNothing and TheGuardsMustBeCrazy.

** Later in the movie, Han invokes this trope when the Rebels' plan to sneak into the shield generator bunker is apparently ruined by an Ewok who has decided to jump the gun. Subverted seconds later, however, when said Ewok [[WeNeedADistraction steals a speeder-bike, leading all but one of the Scout trooper guards on a merry chase away from the bunker]], and allowing the Rebels to enter with ease.

* ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars''[[Recap/StarWarsTheCloneWarsS1E12TheGunganGeneral "The Gungan General"]]: During the second escape attempt the trio is seen carefully sneaking through the halls avoiding being seen or making too much noise then, after a cut away to Jar Jar's group, they're next seen sprinting down the hall knocking everything they can over behind them and kicking doors open so something evidently blew their stealthy approach.
* ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsRebels''[[Recap/StarWarsRebelsStepsIntoShadow , "Steps Into Shadow"]]: Once the rebels, who intended to sneakily steal Y-Wings scheduled for destruction from Reklam Station, are discovered their plan immediately morphs into shooting everything in sight and destroying Reklam Station in order to steal the ships.

* In the film version of ''Film/TheLordOfTheRings'', when the group stops at Balin's tomb, Pippin goes to investigate a dessicated, cobweb-covered corpse that happens to be perched on the rim of a well. This causes the corpse's head to break of, and go clattering and banging down the well. This is followed shortly thereafter by the entire rest of the body, making much more noise. Just to [[DisasterDominoes put the icing on the cake]], the body gets hung in the chain for the well's bucket on the way down, dragging both chain and bucket down with it to add to the ruckus. Gandalf's reaction is lifted directly from [[Literature/TheLordOfTheRings the book]] (see below).

[[folder:Anime & Manga]]

If the attempt at stealth is laughably inept, see WithCatlikeTread. If their attempt is good but they're still caught, they're dealing with TheAnticipator. For moments where the infiltration itself goes unnoticed but the escaping part is when you're discovered, see StartsSteathilyEndsLoudly.

If the attempt at stealth is laughably inept, see WithCatlikeTread. If their attempt is good but they're still caught, they're dealing with TheAnticipator. For moments where the infiltration went off easy but the escape was the tricky part, see StartsSteathlyEndsLoudly.

If the attempt at stealth is laughably inept, see WithCatlikeTread. If their attempt is good but they're still caught, they're dealing with TheAnticipator.

* In the ''Series/StarTrek'' episode "Balance of Terror" the ''Enterprise'' and the Romulan warbird are both attempting StealthInSpace[[note]]the warbird is the only one with a cloaking device, but the version of the cloaking device used in "Balance of Terror" limits the sensors of the cloaked ship[[/note]] until Mr. Spock accidentally activates a control, giving their position away. It doesn't help his case that Romulans turn out to be an off-shoot of the Vulcan race, so a bridge officer is instantly suspicious of his motives.

* ''Film/MrsDoubtfire'': Daniel tries to sneak through the hall behind the social worker inspector when he loses his face mask for his Mrs Doubtfire persona. One step made a floorboard noise and he immediately enters the kitchen and makes tea for her.

* ''Film/Predator2''. The government special forces team seeking to capture the Predator wear thermal {{Hazmat Suit}}s to shield their bodies from its infra-red vision. Unfortunately there's nothing wrong with the Predator's hearing, and a creaky step gives the game away. The Predator then cycles through several vision modes until he sees the ultraviolet searchlights used by the team.

* ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'': [=SpongeBob=] is sneaking through Patrick's house, but every step he makes a very loud (and unrelated) noise. Fortunately even after he causes a ruckus Patrick is still asleep... until [=SpongeBob=] [[TemptingFate comments on what a heavy sleeper he must be.]]