Going through old posts at stoogeworld.com, I noticed a post of mine (under "MoeHailstone") from late last year. Around that time, I wrote a letter to Moe's son Paul, who is publically listed. I always had a few lingering questions and hoped he could provide some insight into them. I didn't know if I would get a response back or not, but I did, a typed response in about three weeks. For some reason, I never posted this here, but figured I should. A different crowd here and a more larger one to boot.
Moe's son Paul I've had a few unanswered Stooge questions, and after coincidentally stumbling upon a possible address for Moe's son Paul, I decided to write him and a ask a few questions. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Today, three weeks later, I got a typed response.
In part, it reads:
"I'm always pleased to answer questions from Three Stooges fans. Problem was, I spent a lot of my life rebelling against my dad that I didn't learn much about his career. In recent years, however, I've given a multimedia presentation at a Philadelphia suburb fan's reunion..... during this time, I did learn more about their careers, thanks to the fans. If I can't answer your questions, I recommend you attend the Reunion in Fort Washington.
Q. Who was Moe's favorite director?
I don't know who was my dad's favorite director. Perhaps Eddie Bernds.
Q. What were your dad's thoughts about using Joe Palma as a stand-in for Shemp after Shemp passed?
I've never heard of Joe Palma. I think Curly's stand-in was Charlie Cross and I believe my dad's was Johnny Cassear. As a tiny kid, I remember both of them ... but not Joe Palma.
Q. What were your dad's thoughts about the increasing amount of old footage in the shorts? (this one I was especially curious about)
I'm sure my dad was distressed about those comedies that were pieced together partly from old footage. Dad not only thought like an actor but also as a director and producer. Unlike the other Stooges, he felt responsible in some way about a quality end result. He saw the big picture. He knew that if, for example, they got behind schedule during production, that could affect the budget which, in turn, could determine wheather their (yearly) contract would be renewed.
Q. Were their ideas often incorporated into the shorts?
The Stooges often made suggestions at pre-production meetings, some of which were incorporated into the shooting script. My dad wrote a story treatment entitled "A Symphony of Punches" which ultimately was scriped (by a screen writer) into one of their first films, "Punch Drunks." In fact, my mom wrote a story treatment based upon (a book?) "Pygmalion." A screenwriter transformed it into their "Hoi Poloi," one of my favorites! Twenty years later, the same theme became a super Broadway hit, "My Fair Lady."
Q. Did your dad accomplish all he wanted?
I feel my dad accomplished some of what he wanted to do, during the latter part of his career. After Larry had a stroke, and the Stooges retired, he performed in two or three serious roles. Had he not become ill, I really think he would have done a lot more dramatic work.
