http://www.threestooges.net/filmography/episode/41http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0031131/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1The Charley Chase era is over, and now the Jules White era has begun. The Jules White era pretty much goes until now until the end of our story, as he directs more Stooge shorts than any other man, women, or beast in the history of the known universe. Yes, true, he had a one off about a year back with THREE MISSING LINKS, but now we consistently gets Jules telling other actors how to act, God bless him. Also, for the next few years, we now have nothing but Jules and Del directing the boys, which to me is the greatest run of Stooge shorts ever.
Funny enough, CALLING ALL CURS, the short that starts this run, is not one of the better ones of this era. It almost feels like a Jules White test run. Oh, don't get me wrong, it's a fine short, I like it, but compared to what follows? Not quite up there. I've never been a fan of sped up fight scenes, as this short has one, it just feels like a cheat. Dummies falling down don't bother me in Stooge shorts, but sped up scenes do. Don't ask me why I find one cheat humorous and the other stupid, I have no clue. Just the way I feel.
Most of the shorts of this era also have iconic scenes, like Curly with the maze of pipes, or Curly being launched up an oil spray, but nothing of the kind here. Still, this short does have a lot of energy, and it's appropriate the Stooge short that uses animals the best is an early Jules short, considering his history with the Dogville shorts. The close up of the kitten and the dog sitting at the table are easily the two cutest shots in all of Stoogedom. You know what they say about working with children and animals.
Also, last week Big Chief made a good observation about the different ways Charley Chase and Jules White handled the boys interacting with women. It's something I never noticed before, but he's correct. The relationship Curly had with Seniorita Rita, while I don't wanna say adult (this is the Stooges, after all, not IT HAPPENNED ONE NIGHT), is sophomore in high school level vs. the sixth grade flirtations Curly has with the nurses throughout this short. Hey, I don't mind Curly acting like a sixth grader, but it is a good observation. There are a lot of pretty nurses in this short, and just about any scene they're in, Curly's either tickling their chin, finger waving, or giggling like an overgrown schoolboy.
A good short, but a warm up act for what begins next week. Man, I can't wait.
7/10