OUTER SPACE JITTERS

Average Rating:	[1.05/10] 21 votes
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Professor Jones and the Stooges travel to the planet Sunev, and greet its inhabitants' leader the Grand Zilch, and his military commander the High Mucky Muck. The Stooges' gracious welcome, and dinner celebration with three amazon beauties, hides a Sunevian plot to conquer the Earth with an army of prehistoric zombies. Jones and the Stooges learn of the invasion plot, but find their attempt to foil the aliens' plans complicated when they accidentally release one of the zombies.

The Zombie was portrayed by Dan Blocker, misspelled "Don Blocker" in the opening credits. Mr. Blocker went on to fame as 'Hoss Cartwright' in NBC's long-running western series BONANZA from 1959 - 1972. Blocker also costarred in the Joe Besser solo short HOOK A CROOK (1955).

Costar Diana Darrin was interviewed at the 2006 Fan Club Meeting in Fort Washington PA, and her interview appears in The Three Stooges Journal # 118 (Summer 2006). Ms. Darrin was also a guest of the 1993 Three Stooges Convention in Philadelphia; see Journal # 67 (Fall 1993).

"Sunevian" costars Arline Hunter and Diana Darrin reunited at a Three Stooges costar event in Burbank CA on Feb. 17, 2007; The Three Stooges Journal # 121 (Spring 2007) contains the story and photos.

Arline Hunter was Playboy Playmate of the Month, August 1954.

Featuring

Moe, Larry and Joe

Release Date

December 05, 1957

Studio

Columbia

Production Type

Short Subject

Duration

16.33 min.

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DVD

Cast Members		Production Crew
(Joe) Joe Besser (Larry) Larry Fine (Moe) Moe Howard (Professor Jones) Emil Sitka (Grand Zilch of Zunev) Gene Roth (High Mucky Muck) Phil Van Zandt (Zunevian woman) Arline Hunter (Zunevian woman) Diana Darrin (Zunevian woman) Harriette Tarler (Goon) Dan Blocker (Capt. Tsimmis) Joe Palma (Little Moe) Moe Howard (Little Larry) Larry Fine (Little Joe) Joe Besser (Babysitter) Unidentified		(Producer) Jules White (Director) Jules White (Story and Screenplay) Jack White (Photography) William Bradford (Film Editor) Harold White (Art Director) Walter Holscher (Assistant Director) Max Stein (Set Decoration) Sidney Clifford

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Production Notes (3)

Working Title(s):	Outer Space Daze
Prod. No.:	1909
Shooting Days:	2 days

Stooge Mayhem (Avg. 1.75)

Face Slaps: 7

Eye Pokes: 0

Head Bonks: 0

Pastry Thrown: 0

Stooge Quotes (3)

"So you are an earth man?" "Yes, ma'am!" "What a terrible specimen!"
(Harriet Tarler & Moe)

"I've heard of hot lips, but your's sizzle!"
(Moe)

"You're a fat one. I don't think I can get my arms around you."
(Arline Hunter)

Stooge Goofs (6)

Dubbed-In Line
When Moe says Ã¢â‚¬Å"Hmm, what do you know? How about that?Ã¢â‚¬, his mouth isn't moving.

Headgear
As the boys arrive at Gene Roth's desk & are introduced, the table with the Maoi statue is several feet to their rear & at a noticeably sharp angle away from them. Yet, when they toss their hats, they do so almost directly in back of them. Based on the location of the table, they would've missed it by a long shot, & needed the camera work to make it plausible. Also, when the boys take off their large helmets, they toss them back to the same area where they tossed their hats, but didn't hit the table. The helmets landed somewhere w/o making any noise. Temporary Sunevian zero-gravity, perhaps?

Opening Credits Goof
Dan Blocker's name is spelled Ã¢â‚¬Å"Don BlockerÃ¢â‚¬ in the opening credits.

Redubbed Mumbling
When Larry is mumbling while trying to explain to Moe that the goon is standing behind him, some of his mumbles don't match his actual mouth movements.

Too Early
When Moe ties the wire around Larry's neck and says Ã¢â‚¬Å"Don't go away!Ã¢â‚¬, Larry is then supposed to freeze in position, but he freezes too early before Moe even says the line.

Visible Shadow
At the end, after the Stooges jump out the window and fall several stories, you can see one of their shadows still outside the window as the scene fades to black.

Stooge Routines (4)

Hair standing up on end
When Moe gets scared by something, his hair flies up and stands up on end.
Also used in: SPOOK LOUDER · IF A BODY MEETS A BODY · GHOST TALKS, THE · SCOTCHED IN SCOTLAND · CREEPS · SPACE SHIP SAPPY · QUIZ WHIZZ · HAVE ROCKET -- WILL TRAVEL
Stop breathin' down my neck!
A monster or animal creeps up behind a Stooge and breathes down his back, and the Stooge thinks that it's one of the other Stooges breathing.
Also used in: THREE MISSING LINKS · BIRD IN THE HEAD, A · HOLD THAT LION! · SHIVERING SHERLOCKS · BOOTY AND THE BEAST · OF CASH AND HASH ·
Sunev
Venus spelled backwards.
Also used in: SPACE SHIP SAPPY ·
What'd he say?
When somebody mumbles something hard to understand, Moe asks one of the other Stooges "What'd he say?", and the Stooge responds by imitating the mumble exactly.
Also used in: HOLD THAT LION! · SCRAMBLED BRAINS · LOOSE LOOT · THREE STOOGES IN ORBIT, THE · JERKS OF ALL TRADES

Stooge Trivia (0)

No trivia have been logged for this episode.

Audio Files (0)

No audio files are available for this episode.

Video File (Y)

Transcript (N)

There isn't a transcript available for this episode.

Videography (1)

COLUMBIA : Three Stooges Collection, The Vol. 8: 1955 - 1959
Published by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2010)
Released on:
- DVD

Fan Reviews (18)

Re: OUTER SPACE JITTERS
Posted 2011-01-24 14:07:55 by cpp

In medical terms, this short suffered from PSDS - Post-Shemp Departure Syndrome. If I was to offer a scientific excuse for this near-dreck performance, perhaps it was caused by major interference from Sputnik, launched about two months before this was released. As soon as I saw the stupid helmets with the hats on top, I settled in for the predictable snooze-fest.

It was a good job Arline Hunter, Diana Darrin, & Harriet Tarler were in the mix to add some measure of pizzaz. But even their presence couldn't resurrect a short that was DOA from the opening credits. But, just when you thought a little beauty would help, the camera zooms in on Harriet Tarler's headgear, revealing two Champion spark plugs from a 1954 Buick Highway - & poorly-gapped plugs at that. That's good news for the people of plant Earth, especially UFO doom-&-gloom types, & NORAD. We have no fear of interplanetary invasion with that level of technology.

The wisest actor in this short was lovable Dan Blocker, who wore a silly mask to hide his face. If he hadn't, he might've had a hard time getting his follow-up TV roles in 'Cimarron City' & 'Bonanza'. Unfortunately, the disguise couldn't mask his stiff-legged, & unconvincing, efforts to appear scary.

And, as bad as the short started, the end was even worse, when director Jules White threw in his cutting-edge action sequence of foisting Joe Besser, sans trousers, on unsuspecting viewers. But even Besser in clown underwear, high-jumping over Blocker didn't put Blocker off signing on for a Besser solo effort a few years later.

Re: OUTER SPACE JITTERS
Posted 2009-04-23 22:00:44 by Carrie The Canary

Well, it does not get much worse than this.

Hard to believe that the brilliantly funny crew who gave us "Punch Drunks", etc, have been reduced to this awful piece of crap. Poor Moe and Larry must have know that this was pretty much the end of the line, but valiantly gave it their all. Joe Besser is along for the ride and, as with most of his Stooge shorts, does not jell with the act very well and is distracting and annoying. Funny guy, but not with the Stooges.

This is really, really terrible.

Aye Aye Aye Be Bop, indeed!

Re: OUTER SPACE JITTERS
Posted 2007-07-06 14:30:58 by FourthThird
Edited 2007-07-06 14:31:38 by FourthThird

After seeing this I thought it had to be the worst Besser short (then I saw HORSING AROUND...). When Joe runs around going "Let's get out of here!", it's one of the few moments where I actually find him annoying.

Re: OUTER SPACE JITTERS
Posted 2006-03-24 21:03:07 by shemps#1
Edited 2006-03-24 21:03:52 by shemps#1

In previous reviews here and other places I was quite kind to this short, calling it one of the better Besser outings. I wish I knew where I got the pot that I must have been smoking when I wrote those. I watched this snooze fest yesterday after being intrigued while editing these fan comments and I was bored to tears. There is absolutely nothing funny about this train wreck of a short; no reason whatsoever to laugh, chuckle, or smile. Outer Space Jitters is truely near the bottom of the dung heap and I would advise everyone to avoid this stinker at all costs.

My Rating: A well deserved bomb

Reviewer's Rating:

(0)

Re: OUTER SPACE JITTERS
Posted 2005-07-24 12:02:36 by [Deleted Member]
Edited 2006-03-23 20:31:43 by shemps#1

Maybe it's just me, but I love Joe. He is very funny and much better than "Curly" Joe DeRita. I like seeing the Stooges this late in their careers. Larry looks different, but is still as funny as ever. I like the scene where the scientist is tied up and the Stooges find him and hear him mumble with his mouth gagged. I like this episode, corny but some funny stuff!

Re: OUTER SPACE JITTERS
Posted 2003-02-21 05:24:00 by Bruckman
Edited 2006-03-23 20:29:46 by shemps#1

Starts off pretty well with some verbal humor (Gen. Tsimmis, Larry's plug for "Pal Joey") and some pleasing sight gags (the hats landing precisely atop 3 statues) but bogs down and never really goes anyplace. The dinner sequence is full of missed opportunities (how the Stooges could fail at such a routine, given their track record of hilariously disrupting such occasions, provides real evidence of the poor scripting of this short) and the final confrontation with the Goon is only standard. Despite the supposedly high-tech civilization of the Zunevians, their Earth-destroying ray machine seems made out of cardboard and a couple 40-watt bulbs and gets one of the few, albeit unintentional, laughs from me. Besser in shorts is a little tough to take (another unintentional laugh is that these "space travelers" are given helmets, yet Besser's parading around in safari shorts--so much for the harmfulness of cosmic rays, or are those shorts equipped with an infrared shield?) Besser's greediness is an unusual touch but again, little is made of it, though he does take one well-deserved pratfall. The ending is superior to what we normally get in the Besser era, even though it hearkens back to THE GHOST TALKS.

Reviewer's Rating:

(4)

Re: OUTER SPACE JITTERS
Posted 2002-04-12 17:25:00 by [Deleted Member]
Edited 2006-03-23 20:27:15 by shemps#1

I agree with you here, b.b.; since I do like 50's sci-fi silliness, these "space operas" are my favorite Besser shorts. The fact that the Goon later became famous as Hoss Cartwright is one of those things that's unintentionally funny. I mean, at the time, who knew? He was just one of many bit actors who appeared with the Stooges. I think of these shorts as being sort of the Stooges equivalent of "Plan Nine From Outer Space" or "Amazon Women of Mars" (I think that's the title... it was a really cheesy sci-fi flick with Zsa Zsa Gabor in it). And you're totally right about the horse shorts: they're awful, and I put more a lot blame on the studio and the scriptwriters for that than I do on Joe Besser.

Reviewer's Rating:

(1)

Re: OUTER SPACE JITTERS
Posted 2002-02-04 21:32:00 by BeatleMoe
Edited 2006-03-23 20:25:30 by shemps#1

This outer space flick is just slow paced at times, and my least favorite of the Bessers shown on AMC. I call it a half Stooge/ half Besser film in which Moe keeps his traditional Stooges look, and Larry combs his back. The ending was a tad cheap. Memorable Scene: The Stooges running from the alien (or fast walking) Rating: 2 stars BeatleMoe

Re: OUTER SPACE JITTERS
Posted 2001-11-05 08:01:00 by Shemp_Diesel
Edited 2006-03-23 20:24:27 by shemps#1

Dr. Curly, what you have stated about Joe's comedic style not fitting in w/ the stooges & the obvious give-a-crap attitude by everyone involved in making these shorts has been repeated many times over. The more intelligent imbeciles at this board don't hate Joe Besser, we just really loathe some of these shorts which just happen to have the big baby in them, simply because they are anything but entertaining. Edited by - Shemp_Diesel on 11/5/2001 8:03:16 AM

Reviewer's Rating:

(0)

Re: OUTER SPACE JITTERS
Posted 2001-11-04 23:17:00 by DrCurly woo woo woo
Edited 2006-03-23 20:14:18 by shemps#1

I saw this once before and I agree it was pretty lame. But what is with the hatred towards Joe? I'm not a Joe Besser fan by any means but he's not that bad. It's just that he had a diffrent comic style that just didn't click with the Stooges or that Stooge fans are used to. I think by this time Columbia just didn't care anymore and just threw together scripts and scenes. Joe just happened to be in at the wrong time. I enjoy these shorts and don't really judge the quality and scripts of any Stooge shorts because they were made just for entertainment. That's just my opinion please don't blast me for this :)

Re: OUTER SPACE JITTERS
Posted 2001-07-06 14:19:00 by 4thStooge
Edited 2006-03-23 20:06:37 by shemps#1

If it were possible...I would give this lame excuse for a Stooge short a negative 2 pokes. No self respecting Stooge fan could ever admit that they actually find ANY redeeming qualities in this film.

Re: OUTER SPACE JITTERS
Posted 2005-10-04 04:39:49 by [Deleted Member]

I just finished screening this film a moment ago on 16mm. It is great to see the boys in a Sci Fi setting. Highlights for me, the interplay between the ultra amorous Moe and the Space babes with his impromtu Curly impersonation with his arms waveing and woo woo woo is a howl! Dan Blocker must have enjoyed being able to bring this film up on his resume where he could proudly write that "Yes, I did at one time play a Goon"! It is a joy to see so many great character actors in one short. Overall a great way to fill 16 min. And remember to pack a gallon of water if you ever want to leave Zunev alive.

Re: OUTER SPACE JITTERS
Posted 2002-09-21 20:44:00 by Uncle Buzz

Dan Blocker as the Goo-Goon! is the best thing going for this one. Joe's aversion to being slapped is more apparent in this episode than ever. Moe running the sander across Larry's head is a rather startling bit of violence at this stage of their career. Too bad it wasn't Besser's noggin'.

Re: OUTER SPACE JITTERS
Posted 2002-04-12 09:31:00 by black banana
Edited 2002-04-12 09:37:00 by black banana

OK short (2 1/4 POKES) that is helped much by having a good cast (Emil Sitka, Gene Roth and Phil Van Zandt). The Hoss CartwrightZombie business is corny, though. One of three in the Joe Besser Space Trilogy along with FLYING SAUCER DAFFY (3 pokes) and SPACE SHIPSAPPY (2 pokes). I would guess Stoogeheads who don't care for 50's science fiction silliness would dislike all three of these. To me though,they are funnier than the reincarnated horse shorts HOOFS AND GOOFSand especially HORSING AROUND.

Re: OUTER SPACE JITTERS
Posted 2001-11-17 10:22:00 by jaronson

Out of the Besser shorts I've seen (the 6 shown on AMC), this would be the third best, but that might change because I've never seen all of HOOFS AND GOOFS, and I haven't seen FIFI BLOWS HER TOP in awhile. The only ones better are MUSCLE UP A LITTLE CLOSER, and OIL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL.Grade: D

Reviewer's Rating:

(4)

Re: OUTER SPACE JITTERS
Posted 2001-04-29 18:07:00 by Nicole

I couldn't watch this short a minute without feeling I had to throw up. I probably would have to if I didn't stop watching it like I did. I usually don't bomb Stooge episodes, but this is an exception. Blah!!!

Reviewer's Rating:

(0)

Re: OUTER SPACE JITTERS
Posted 2001-02-07 18:10:00 by sickdrjoe

As the Comic Book Guy might say, "Worst...short...ever." No pokes.Makes you nostalgic for the team of Howard, Fine, and the back of Joe Palma's head. There are probably one or two Bessers even worse than this that I haven't seen and I plan to keep it that way.

Re: OUTER SPACE JITTERS
Posted 2001-01-06 15:24:00 by Mike Holme

A regular Besser short with the normal rating of 2 pokes. At least Besser doesn't act as annoying as he is in some of his other episodes.

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