http://www.threestooges.net/filmography/episode/42http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0031746/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1Definitely one of the all time great Stooge shorts. I've been pitching my version of the golden era for weeks now, and it's here where I think we've arrived. We're now at the point where everything comes together - strong Stooge performances, classic sight gags, great character actors, and good storytelling, better than at any other point.
Curly is a ball of energy in this one, clucking like a chicken and throwing child like temper tantrums at will. Moe has plenty of good insults to deliver as well, my favorite being "Plymouth Rock," just because it's so bizarre.
The plot of Curly being a wishing wizard is a lot of fun and is put to good use throughout the story. There's also the intertwining of the down and out hungry Stooges and the deed swindlers going back and forth. I like the way in the beginning the swindlers are driving their car and almost run into the Stooges while later in the film the boys are driving in the same car and almost run into the swindlers on the same road.
Oh, then there's Ma Jenkins, one of my all time favorite Stooge characters. Beautifully innocent, she gives away her home without realizing there's oil on it, allows three weird looking strangers into her home for a meal, and just casually introduces them to her gorgeous daughters. If only the world really was the way it is through her eyes. Again, a beautiful character.
Speaking of the daughters, June did go on to play Susan Alexander Kane in some little film called CITIZEN KANE, and May is the Stooge debut of Ms. Lorna Gray, who will grace us with her presence in the next few films with both her looks and talent and is fortunately still with us. Don't have much else to say about April except she was a nurse in CALLING ALL CURS and was quite attractive.
Oh, and of course I'd be remiss not to mention the oil geezer gag, one of the all time great sight gags in Stoogedom. Yes, this short rules, a definite keeper.
10/10