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Stooges sets: An update (A look at Woman Haters)
Hammond Eggar:
Giff and I were recently exchanging posts in a thread here regarding Columbia's recycling of the sets from major features for use in Stooges shorts. In his 1973 interview, Larry Fine made mention of this, stating that sets from the 1934 feature, Twentieth Century were later used for the boys' Columbia debut, Woman Haters. Twentieth Century co-stars John Barrymore and Carole Lombard. I work for Hollywood Video and found a VHS copy this week. I rented it out of curiosity, and to confirm Larry's comments. Here's what I discovered.
The sets used in Woman Haters did, indeed, originate in Twentieth Century. Barrymore plays a Broadway big-wig in the film. Two scenes take place in his office. The office set later became the meeting place for the Women Haters Club. In one scene, Barrymore visits, what appears to be a bar. There's not very many shots of the bar, but it appears to be the same set used in Woman Haters, where the Stooges all offer to put up their bankrolls. The train sets, of course, were later used by the Stooges. Barrymore's room is the same room in which Larry and Marjorie White sang "My Life, My Love, My All." Here's the kicker, though. African-American actor, Fred 'Snowflake' Toones, who plays a baggage handler in Woman Haters, played the exact same role in Twentieth Century. Toones is the man who, when asked, refers to Marjorie White as "hot stuff." The IMDb lists his role in Woman Haters as that of a baggage handler, while he's listed as a porter for Twentieth Century. I find this all so interesting.
This all makes me want to find out the titles of all the other films whose sets were later used in Stooges shorts/films. In Larry's interview he referenced the Frank Sinatra film Pal Joey, mentioning the apartment set(s). Since that film was released in the late-1950s, I assume the set(s) were recycled for one of the Joe Besser shorts, but would need confirmation. I still think a listing of STOOGE SETS would make a great addition to this site's database. If anyone else knows of any other examples, please don't hesitate to post it here. Thanks. [pie]
busybuddy:
That's very interesting! That not only proves that they used sets from other movies, but may suggest that they did in fact write the scripts around the sets available! I think Larry mentioned that when he said "If they had a courtroom set, we did a courtroom scene." or something along those lines. The sets used in Fiddler's Three, The Hot Scots, and Squareheads of the Round Table were all written because Ed Bernds wanted to use the castle sets. What movie was those sets from?
[pie]
Hammond Eggar:
I also find it interesting that, not only did they recycle sets, they also recycled actors, as well. While watching Twentieth Century, I was taken by surprise to see Toones as the porter. We now know that he played the same role in Woman Haters. I wonder if there are other examples of, not only sets being reused, but actors/actresses, too? :-\
locoboymakesgood:
I watched those intriguing videos last night. It was weird hearing Larry say "Damn", as well as his thoughts on Curly and Shemp. I'm assuming this interview was before Soup to Nuts was found, because the interviewer didn't know what it was and Larry mentioned how studios wouldn't keep copies of older films.
Basically what I got from it is that Columbia had sets they could use, so they based the script off that. I'm assuming he was talking about Disorder In the Court for one of them, since he mentioned if they had a courtroom then that's what the story would be about.
He held up really well in old age, even after his strokes. It's crazy to think what'd he'd be like if he were still around today.
Hammond Eggar:
--- Quote from: locoboymakesgood on October 17, 2007, 07:32:15 PM ---I'm assuming this interview was before Soup to Nuts was found, because the interviewer didn't know what it was and Larry mentioned how studios wouldn't keep copies of older films.
--- End quote ---
Actually, it was Gary Lassin (aka GaryStooge) who was responsible for Soup to Nuts resurrfacing. If memory serves me, the film had been collecting dust in a UCLA film vault for quite a long time. Gary's dedication and investigation led to it's initial restoration. I was fortunate enough to attend the 1991 Three Stooges Convention in PA, when the film was screened for the first time in decades. Ted Healy II, son of THE Ted Healy, was present for the screening. It was an incredible night to say the least, if not less. So, I really believe that without Gary, we probably wouldn't have a Soup to Nuts DVD. Not to sing Gary's praise too much, but I really feel Stooges fans owe him a great deal of thanks. Who knows? Without his initial work, Soup to Nuts could have ended up lost, much like Hello Pop and Jailbirds of Paradise. Here's a special 'thank you' pie for you Gary. [pie]
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