http://www.threestooges.net/filmography/episode/69http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036381/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1It's funny, I love old horror movies and I love old comedies, but unless if it's Abbott and Costello or maybe Bob Hope and The Bowery Boys, I don't tend to think of horror comedies being most comedian's best films. This applies to Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, Laurel and Hardy, and even The Three Stooges. Perhaps it's because the horror elements aren't quite as good in the films of the latter while they are in the former. Really, no classic horror here, but SPOOK LOUDER, as far as horror Stooge films go, is not bad. A step down still from the '40 - '41 peak, but worthwhile.
One thing I find hysterical is that the gags with the boys as peddlers have nothing to do with the plot and are comic scenes for the sake of comedy. Not unusual in itself for a Stooge short, but what is funny is the fact when the interviewer asks the professor what these parts have to do with the pie mystery, he flat out admits nothing! Hey, if you have little plot, make a routine out of it! Nice! Oh, and the scene with the boys and Symona Boniface completely rules.
The comic horror stuff, well, is nothing offensive, but nothing great either. Just a lot of serviceable Stooge scare reactions. I have to say though, the scene with Curly and the balloon is now special to me. My six year old nephew I don't think has watched a short yet, but my brother has shown him clips on YouTube. He sights this gag as his favorite bit, and who am I to argue with him?
Also, more WWII stuff as the boys have to defend the house from potential Japanese spies. Kind of chilling hearing Ted Lorch talk about taking his death ray to Washington that would destroy everyone in wake of what was about to happen with the atom bomb in Japan three years after this was filmed.
Oh, major props to whoever threw that pie into Moe's face. The most awesomely perfect pie shot I have ever witnessed.
Overall, a good film, but again, I feel spoiled after the run we just finished from a few years earlier. Still, a good film, and for that, I'm thankful.
7/10