http://www.threestooges.net/filmography/episode/111http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040620/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ubti-dqY9F8Watch MUMMY'S DUMMIES in the link above
A few weeks ago, I compared FIDDLER'S THREE to one of those Ben and Jerry's ice cream combos where they include every flavor of processed carb known to man, women, and beast. Around the corner from my house there is a local Wawa that sells those things. If I go a few doors down, there's a Chinese resturant, which is where this week's short resides. Chinese food is awesome going down, but doesn't leave much of an after effect, which is why I need to invent analogies like this in order to come up with a review!
Moe is great in the opening scene taking turns giving mayhem to Shemp and Larry, but it was done better in those early 50's shorts I can't wait to discuss. The boys again are in a basket with swords going through, but it was done better in, ironically enough, FIDDLER'S THREE. There's another chase scene at the end of this thing which is like a zillion other Stooge chases. Dee Green makes her final appearance, but here it's just for her mere presence, nothing else. No character, just an ugly face with fake teeth. Yeah, there's nothing bad here, it's General Tso chicken all the way, but it don't fill you up. More Stooge comfort food, and I can't find a reason why a Stooge fan wouldn't enjoy this short. It has a lot of stuff I would think most of us like in small doses. I also can't see it making anyone's top ten.
OK, Shemp as the mummy is a highlight I suppose, and that close up is one of the all time great Stooge shots....seriously. But even then, Shemp with a Mummy theme is done better here! Break out that Vitaphone DVD set and see for yourself, a superior short for sure.
http://www.threestooges.net/filmography/episode/247 Vernon Dent rules as the king with the toothache, I gotta say. That said, and perhaps this is just my worldview talking, but I'd much rather the boys be heroic earning money for that kid's operation than say, making sure a king gets his "rightful" tax money (shudders). Oh, and the girl feeding Larry grapes in this short is Suzanne Ridgeway, one of those attractive girls who will be appearing in more of these things as the fifties happen, yet she hardly speaks. No doubt taking over the mantle for Judy Malcolm.
Oh, and one final thing, MUMMY'S DUMMIES is the only Shemp short of the forties not to get the stock footage treatment. A guess would have to be the sets were too lavish, but that's just a guess, I really don't know. The sets do rule in this one, though.
Another good short. Just good, not great. Nothing wrong with that, perfect for a rainy Saturday. Now I'll take a quart of roast pork fried rice and steamed dumplings.
8/10