I know this is like 60+ years too late, but why in the world did Columbia nix Moe's wish of having DeRita for 3rd Stooge? Now, if it was a case of not wanting to re-hire him after letting him go, okay, I can understand that. But look at the shorts he did when he WAS at Columbia. Stevie Wonder could see that even then he was a hell of a good fit. Sure, he had that "don't hit ME!" personality and even mentioned that he himself didn't think that they were very good, but I beg to differ. I just wish I could've seen the burlesque-era DeRita that Larry convinced Moe with. Ah, well....
I can't remember who was left (besides Besser) in the shorts department in late 1955, Frank Mitchell? Some guy who's name escapes me who attended Shemp's funeral just to put in a good word for himself to be a Stooge (could've been Mitchell, I can't remember).
Now, if Columbia (and, to a lesser extent, Moe) hadn't been so intent on getting the Curly factor back, Besser could've turned out better than he did. I mean, you can't argue with his talent, and with the right writers, they could've used Besser's totally opposite persona in contrast with Moe and Larry's--a sort of red-headed-bald-headed stepchild. It worked quite well in "Flying Saucer Daffy," which was also interesting because it looked like that contract with Cohn about being hit was over.
I don't know--all this talk about new movies, if you're not going to go the REAL drama route (such as using material from "One Fine Stooge", or even the bit that Gibson movie got right--that Moe ended up as an errand boy, and how that must have affected him--then don't do it.) Hell, given enough diet Coke and Bacardi, I could come up with a decently dramatic script--or at least some ideas. If Chaplin can get such wonderful treatment, why did the Stooges have to get such shitty treatment (or will get shitty treatment if this stupid movie comes along). Besides, I'm looking at the 75th anniversary video right now in my bookcase, and I seem to remember that it was at least 4-5 years ago. If it ain't happened by now, it ain't happening...thank goodness.
Sorry for the rant, but the thought of ANOTHER crappy bio-pic that this time is stamped with the Farrelly Bros. name is too much to bear.