Unlike "Uncivil War Birds" of 1946, "Uncivil Warriors" is a hysterical, historical short. The boys play Pinkertons, members of the Union's secret service, and are ordered by the Yankee general (James C. Morton) to "stealthily" gather intelligence behind Confederate lines while donning Confederate uniforms. The boys come scampering aimlessly out of the woods to receive their orders. Of course, the other Yanks receive bumps and bruises as our boys act out their faux Confederate names. I especially enjoyed the salutes. Each Stooge, except Curly as the "low-man", gives an elbow to next, knocking off his cap. I love how they have a soldier behind them to nonchalantly place the hats back on their heads.
Aboard the horseboat, as opposed to a houseboat, the boys are fording the length of a river. Larry drops anchor in six inches or so of water. I love the "I reckon" routine. Curly, searching out deeper water, falls in and has to be thrown a life preserver. He doesn't use it and "struggles" to get back to shallower water. Curly is so funny with that fake swimming routine.
The "Charlie" routines are awesome. I laugh heartily every time, especially when the real Charlie actually shows up. This routine and gets them past the sentries and into the presence of General Buttz (Bud Jamison). The nip and tuck joke is great. Moe and Larry get the information and the mission appears to be going swimmingly until Curly makes a cigarette out of the piece of paper. The information is lost. I love the way Curly rolls the tobacco in the paper, but it all falls out. Then, he lights the empty cigarette. Curly's "Hot" answer to Moe's "Do you know what that was?" is another great joke. Curly burns another piece of paper to redeem himself shortly when he intercepts a dispatch warning Buttz of the spies before he can read it.
The kitchen scene with the "oven pad in the cake" routine is my favorite, featuring the adorable Phyllis Crane as Judith Buttz. She is making a cake and want some help from the boys. Of course, with witty verse and and zany antics, the cake doesn't come out as planned. This routine is full of great lines - "light as a feather", "Southern Comforter". I love the shot of Moe tearing through the cake and feathers sticking out from between his lips. The scene ends magnificently with the "stuffed" Stooges lying on the floor coughing up a blizzard of feathers.
Now enters the Confederate bloodhound, Major Filbert. Ted Lorch is excellent in the role of the suspicious officer. Suspecting, that Duck, Dodge, and Hyde are Union spies, he tries to trap them in lies which leads Larry and Curly to excuse themselves to dress up as Dodge's (Moe) father and wife. Larry is very funny as Dodge's father, but Major Filbert seems to know what's going on here, unlike the clueless General Buttz. Curly is sufficiently funny as Dodge's wife, and Filbert ups the bet in mentioning their child. Him, her, it doesn't matter. Moe comes back with an infant who is obviously a child of a plantation slave. With their disguises compromised, the boys run for their lives and hide in the hollow of a fallen tree. Only, its not a tree but a cannon. The cannon airmails the boys back to the Union lines.
I have to admit that I love this short. The kitchen scene is my favorite, and the final scene is a close second. Great comedic lines from Curly and his earlier employment in a bakery, and the clever yet controversial way the boys were exposed as spies put the icing on this deliciously funny cake. I like how a few facts from the Civil War are present in this short. For example, Union General McClellan was always under the impression that he was outnumbered by a superior Confederate force, when he was not. This fact comes through in the opening scene as the Yankee general is also concerned about being outnumbered. Also if you look closely at the dispatch intended for Buttz but intercepted by Curly you will notice that it comes from Richmond, VA, which was the Confederate capitol. Its a nice little detail. From reading other comments and reviews, I seem to be in the minority in my lofty opinion of this short. Morton, Jamison, Crane, and Lorch are very good in their supporting roles.
Verdict: 10 pokes
