Now, I was wondering what all of you thought of this: Why when someone tries to remake Stooge shorts or attempt to make another Stooge team it always fails?
First, I think that since we all associate those roles with the original actors, no one can replace them. And when they try their efforts seem contrived and forced.
I agree. I would like to add that I personally believe what makes the teams of Moe, Larry, Curly & Moe, Larry, Shemp work is their intangible chemistry. That'll be nigh impossible to replicate.
I also feel that despite The Stooges superficial "mean-spirited" physical humor towards one another and at the world in general; they come across as being genuinely lovable beings. I feel that even though they're a misguided bunch, I still find myself wanting to root for them in their endeavors. I doubt there are many comedians (and especially comedic teams) who are capable of walking that fine line of despicability and delightfulness without the routine becoming a sickening artifice.
Second, I think that most people wrongly assume that all their comedy is physical. I think they show some pretty witty humor.
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I think that their verbal humor is very funny and greatly overlooked by most people.
What do you all think?
I have to agree again with your assessment. I was a major Stooge-phile as a child but I haven't watched The Boys in awhile. I got back into watching them recently and erroneously thought that I wouldn't find them as funny because I'm now an adult. Ay, was I wrong! I think The Stooges are as funny as ever. I still enjoy the
politically incorrect™ slapstick but I have begun to appreciate their witty verbal humor too.
Another thing I've recently noticed is that I now realize they had a lot of adult humor laced into their work also. For instance, in
Whoops, I’m an Indian that stuff about keeping wigwams warm and honeymoon surprises went completely over my head as a little kid. I also now understand why The Stooges were in such a hurry to kick-off the honeymoon phase of their marriages in
The Sitter-Downers. When I recently viewed,
Heavenly Daze, Shemp's angel wings uncontrollably elevating as he hyperventilated over Uncle Mortimer's beautiful angelic assistant had me blushing and in stitches. I definitely didn't get the innuendo of Shemp's saluting wings as a kid, that’s for sure.
It's bizarre to watch the shorts now and realize that The Stooges were sexual beings.
IMHO, maybe that's why it seems that most Stooge fans don't outgrow their fondness of the team because their humor is multilayered and is meant to be enjoyed at any stage in life.