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The Three Stooges - Curly Years / Re: Hello Pop (1933) - Ted Healy and His Stooges
« Last post by Big Chief Apumtagribonitz on March 30, 2024, 01:57:52 PM »Del Lord might have turned this into something.
Recent Posts
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The Three Stooges - Curly Years / Re: Hello Pop (1933) - Ted Healy and His Stooges
« Last post by Dr. Mabuse on March 30, 2024, 12:38:41 AM »I finally watched "Hello Pop" on YouTube last night. Worth a look for the two-strip Technicolor and a few moments of Stooge magic. However, when Ted Healy becomes more abrasive than Edward Brophy, you know you're in trouble.
4/10
4/10
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General Discussion / Re: Buster Keaton feature films
« Last post by Umbrella Sam on March 29, 2024, 10:07:34 AM »Here’s how I rank them (still have not seen PASSIONATE PLUMBER, BOOM IN THE MOON, or the French film from 1934):
1. STEAMBOAT BILL JR. (10/10)
2. GO WEST (10/10)
3. OUR HOSPITALITY (10/10) (was originally #4, but recently switched spots with THE CAMERAMAN)
4. THE CAMERAMAN (10/10)
5. SHERLOCK JR. (10/10)
6. THE GENERAL (9.5/10)
7. BATTLING BUTLER (8/10)
8. THE NAVIGATOR (8/10)
9. THREE AGES (8/10)
10. THE SAPHEAD (7/10)
11. SIDEWALKS OF NEW YORK (7/10)
12. SEVEN CHANCES (7/10)
13. DOUGHBOYS (7/10)
14. SPEAK EASILY (6/10)
15. WHAT! NO BEER? (5/10)
16. COLLEGE (5/10)
17. SPITE MARRIAGE (4/10)
18. THE INVADER (4/10)
19. PARLOR, BEDROOM AND BATH (4/10)
20. FREE AND EASY (2/10)
I tend to like GO WEST more than most people and hate COLLEGE more than most people (although it looks like HomokHarcos and I have it in a similar spot at least). SEVEN CHANCES is probably the most difficult one for me to rank because I think the first two-thirds are dreadful while the last third is some of the best work Keaton ever did.
1. STEAMBOAT BILL JR. (10/10)
2. GO WEST (10/10)
3. OUR HOSPITALITY (10/10) (was originally #4, but recently switched spots with THE CAMERAMAN)
4. THE CAMERAMAN (10/10)
5. SHERLOCK JR. (10/10)
6. THE GENERAL (9.5/10)
7. BATTLING BUTLER (8/10)
8. THE NAVIGATOR (8/10)
9. THREE AGES (8/10)
10. THE SAPHEAD (7/10)
11. SIDEWALKS OF NEW YORK (7/10)
12. SEVEN CHANCES (7/10)
13. DOUGHBOYS (7/10)
14. SPEAK EASILY (6/10)
15. WHAT! NO BEER? (5/10)
16. COLLEGE (5/10)
17. SPITE MARRIAGE (4/10)
18. THE INVADER (4/10)
19. PARLOR, BEDROOM AND BATH (4/10)
20. FREE AND EASY (2/10)
I tend to like GO WEST more than most people and hate COLLEGE more than most people (although it looks like HomokHarcos and I have it in a similar spot at least). SEVEN CHANCES is probably the most difficult one for me to rank because I think the first two-thirds are dreadful while the last third is some of the best work Keaton ever did.
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The Three Stooges - Curly Years / Re: Introduction to the weekly episode discussions
« Last post by metaldams on March 27, 2024, 04:42:50 PM »I freak my co-workers out because I can name supporting actors.
Good luck Paul!
Keep reviewing away, guys and thanks for them. I just need a break. I haven’t been watching that much comedy as of late, just a little. I’ll pitch in when I’m ready.
Good luck Paul!
Keep reviewing away, guys and thanks for them. I just need a break. I haven’t been watching that much comedy as of late, just a little. I’ll pitch in when I’m ready.
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The Three Stooges - Curly Years / Re: Introduction to the weekly episode discussions
« Last post by HomokHarcos on March 26, 2024, 07:05:00 PM »I overheard three of my coworkers having a talk about Ted Healy yesterday, and the history of The Three Stooges. I was quite shocked that I had three coworkers that knew who Ted Healy was.
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The Three Stooges - Curly Years / Re: Introduction to the weekly episode discussions
« Last post by HomokHarcos on March 26, 2024, 02:59:08 PM »Good luck with your exams! Sounds like you’ve been doing some intense school work.
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The Three Stooges - Curly Years / Re: The Three Stooges Shorts - director, producer, writer, etc.
« Last post by tunersub on March 26, 2024, 06:14:36 AM »Fancy doing a list of editors? Could spark some interesting discussion. I never see their contributions brought up much, then again, I don't know how much influence directors had over the editing themselves. Either way, what separates a lot of the good Stooge shorts to me is tight editing, and it'd be nice to have a clean list of who's responsible.
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The Three Stooges - Curly Years / Re: Introduction to the weekly episode discussions
« Last post by Paul Pain on March 25, 2024, 04:59:24 PM »I have been absent too long without giving y'all a fair explanation. I'm taking my Ph.D. exams this week, and they have had all of my attention for several weeks now. Hopefully I shall return soon with good news 
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General Discussion / Re: Buster Keaton feature films
« Last post by Umbday on March 25, 2024, 01:44:25 PM »The silents feature follow — ranked by a combination of excellence, “importance,” and my own desire to rewatch them. All of the films are elevated if you are fortunate enough to see them on a screen with an attentive audience:
• Sherlock Jr. — Shows off Keaton’s imagination and mindset and sensibilities to the n’th degree. This one is turned up to 11. The concise masterpiece.
• The General — The big masterpiece. Keaton at his summit. An epic, but watch it for the subtleties. Get to know it.
[The ranking of the next four can change from viewing to viewing]
• Cameraman — In spite of the first signs of MGM’s meddling in story structure, a satisfying movie and story that showcases Buster at his most "relatable." It play great to a big audience. (The involvement of a love interest who actually plays a role in the plot arguably makes this a great date movie.)
• Seven Chances— My controversial choice. In spite of several gags and situations that draw offended gasps from today’s audiences (I’ve heard them), and in spite of Keaton’s own disavowal of the film (he was more or less obligated to make it), this is packed with incident, speed, and gags, and it’s another one that gets huge laughs from an audience.
• The Navigator — Refined and polished.
• Steamboat Bill Jr. — The last time Keaton had freedom to really do things his way.
• Our Hospitality — The first time Keaton really had freedom to stretch out. A slow-ish first act pays off later on.
• College — Reportedly, this less-ambitious film was Keaton’s penance for breaking the bank making The General. I return to College more often than the following films for the gags and to marvel at Keaton’s physical performance throughout. The ending is a jaw-dropper.
• Go West — A more constrained outing. The pace has slowed, so it’s best enjoyed for its subtleties and melancholy. (A finale cattle stampede thought the streets of Los Angeles just can’t move as fast or as threateningly as those hundreds of brides and hundreds of boulders in Seven Chances.)
• Three Ages — Famously (and maybe apocryphally), it’s three two-reelers with the same plot, woven together. His first indy, and so, essential. The closing gag gets a huge response from a modern audience. (It probably did a hundred years ago too.)
• Battling Buster — An unconventional one. Slower — and not only because Keaton plays another of his idle rich, babes in the woods. A darker than expected final reel that doesn’t play things strictly for laughs. See it, but there are many others that are more essential.
• Spite Marriage — To my eye, a drastic shift from the preceding Cameraman. MGM is now calling the shots. Keaton is diminished.
• The Saphead — Young Keaton stars, but it’s not a Buster Keaton movie.
# # #
Thanks for indulging me. Now, more of the Three Stooges . . . .
• Sherlock Jr. — Shows off Keaton’s imagination and mindset and sensibilities to the n’th degree. This one is turned up to 11. The concise masterpiece.
• The General — The big masterpiece. Keaton at his summit. An epic, but watch it for the subtleties. Get to know it.
[The ranking of the next four can change from viewing to viewing]
• Cameraman — In spite of the first signs of MGM’s meddling in story structure, a satisfying movie and story that showcases Buster at his most "relatable." It play great to a big audience. (The involvement of a love interest who actually plays a role in the plot arguably makes this a great date movie.)
• Seven Chances— My controversial choice. In spite of several gags and situations that draw offended gasps from today’s audiences (I’ve heard them), and in spite of Keaton’s own disavowal of the film (he was more or less obligated to make it), this is packed with incident, speed, and gags, and it’s another one that gets huge laughs from an audience.
• The Navigator — Refined and polished.
• Steamboat Bill Jr. — The last time Keaton had freedom to really do things his way.
• Our Hospitality — The first time Keaton really had freedom to stretch out. A slow-ish first act pays off later on.
• College — Reportedly, this less-ambitious film was Keaton’s penance for breaking the bank making The General. I return to College more often than the following films for the gags and to marvel at Keaton’s physical performance throughout. The ending is a jaw-dropper.
• Go West — A more constrained outing. The pace has slowed, so it’s best enjoyed for its subtleties and melancholy. (A finale cattle stampede thought the streets of Los Angeles just can’t move as fast or as threateningly as those hundreds of brides and hundreds of boulders in Seven Chances.)
• Three Ages — Famously (and maybe apocryphally), it’s three two-reelers with the same plot, woven together. His first indy, and so, essential. The closing gag gets a huge response from a modern audience. (It probably did a hundred years ago too.)
• Battling Buster — An unconventional one. Slower — and not only because Keaton plays another of his idle rich, babes in the woods. A darker than expected final reel that doesn’t play things strictly for laughs. See it, but there are many others that are more essential.
• Spite Marriage — To my eye, a drastic shift from the preceding Cameraman. MGM is now calling the shots. Keaton is diminished.
• The Saphead — Young Keaton stars, but it’s not a Buster Keaton movie.
# # #
Thanks for indulging me. Now, more of the Three Stooges . . . .
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General Discussion / Re: NEW! A Tour De Farce: The Complete History of the Three Stooges on the Road
« Last post by garystooge on March 25, 2024, 06:37:50 AM »Thanks Mark, I really appreciate the shout out. Setting the record straight was a major motivation for this book. I always found it bothersome in the other Stooges books that lots of stuff was bandied about as fact without presenting any evidence. They're all filled with Moe said this, or Larry thought that, even though the author wasn't even there and couldn't possibly know what was actually said or thought. It leaves the reader wondering about credibility. I decided to put the evidence for my findings right in the book. So when I write that the Stooges were in Memphis from August 10-12, I present the newspaper ad or contract or poster for the shows containing that info. Anyway, thanks again for your comments and glad you like the book.
Gary
Gary