Three Stooges, The (An Illustrated History, From Amalgamated Morons to American Icons)
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Transcribed By: Moron4392
Date Added: 2008-09-14
"THE THREE STOOGES FAMILY ALBUM:" NARRATIONS BY: "MR. MICHAEL CORBETT:"
"THE THREE STOOGES FAMILY ALBUM:" STARTS OFF WITH MOE, LARRY, AND CURLY-JOE SINGING:
"WE'RE COMING TO YOUR HOUSE:"
SUNG BY ALL:
"We're coming to your house."
MOE: (Spoken):
"To have a good time."
SUNG BY ALL:
"To have a good time woo-woo!"
MOE: (Spoken):
"We could use some laughter."
LARRY and CURLY-JOE: (Spoken):
"ha-ha-ha-ha!"
MOE: (Spoken):
"And some happiness too."
CURLY-JOE: (Spoken):
"3-4-5-6-7."
MOE: (Spoken to CURLY-JOE):
"We know you can count."
CURLY-JOE: (Spoken):
"Though mommy won't like us."
SUNG BY ALL:
"Though mommy won't like us."
CURLY-JOE: (Spoken):
"And neither will dad."
SUNG BY ALL:
"And neither will dad. We're coming to your house. We're coming to stay!"
WHILE MOE, LARRY, and CURLY-JOE WERE SINGING: "WE'RE COMING TO YOUR HOUSE:" (A marquee flashed by with these different clips from their features, shorts, still photographs, home videos, and lobby cards):
1. SHEMP, LARRY, HARRY, and TED HEALY: ("Soup To Nuts"): ( 09/28/1930): "Firemans Ball."
2. Still photograph of MOE, LARRY, and CURLY-JOE:
3. CURLY, MOE, SHEMP, MR. HORWITZ, and LARRY: ("Home video clip of them leaving for Curly's wedding to Elaine").
4. CURLY, SHEMP, MOE, and LARRY: ("Hold That Lion!"): (07/17/1947): "Train Car Scene."
5. CURLY, MOE, and LARRY: ("Disorder In The Court"): (05/30/1936): "Music scene re-inacting the murder trial of Kirk Robbin."
6. MOE and JOAN: ("Home video clip of Moe dancing with his daughter Joan, (age circa three), in their backyard").
7. Still photograph of JOE BESSER: ("Age circa twenties").
8. CURLY, MOE, and LARRY: ("What's The Matador?"): (04/23/1942): "Dressed in their Mexican costumes."
9. Still photograph of LARRY, MOE, and SHEMP: ("Age circas late twenties").
10. JOAN and MORT: ("Home video of Moe's daughter Joan and Shemp's son Mortimer, (age circas three), playing in the snow in Moe's backyard").
11. SHEMP, MOE, and LARRY: ("Brideless Groom"): (09/11/1947): "Moe chasing Shemp on his knees to hem Shemp's pants."
12. MOE and MRS. HORWITZ: ("Home video clip of Moe and his mother standing in Moe's front yard with Moe hugging her").
13. MR. HORWITZ: ("Home video clip of Mr. Horwitz standing beside Moe's automobile").
14. MOE, LARRY, and CURLY-JOE: ("The Outlaws Is Coming!"): (01/01/1965): "Studio Lobby Card."
15. Still photograph of MRS. JEAN SULLIVAN-De RITA: ("Date of photograph 1965").
16. Still photograph of SHEMP: ("Age circa thirties").
THIS SECTION ENDS WITH:
(A clip from ("MALICE IN THE PALACE"): (09/01/1949): "Where Moe konks Shemp and Larry on their heads and then in their stomachs after breaking the dishes."
CHAPTER ONE-A: "MINIATURE BIOGRAPHIES:" NARRATED BY: "MR. CORBETT:"
MR. CORBETT: "WHETHER IT IS:"
MOE, LARRY, AND CURLY:
(Showed a clip from ("DISORDER IN THE COURT"): (05/30/1936): "Where they are in the court room and Curly is on the witness stand and is playing with a wad of chewing gum and the Judge, (Edward LeSaint), says to Curly: "Will you get rid of that?" Curly balls up the chewing gum and throughs it away and says to the Judge, (Edward LeSaint), "See, I got rid of it!" Curly then realizes that he threw his chewing gum on Moe's nose and Moe approaches Curly in a mad state and he squishes Curly's neck."
MOE, LARRY, and SHEMP:
(Showed a clip from ("MALICE IN THE PALACE"): (09/01/1949): "Where Larry has just completed cooking for Hassan Ben Sober, (Vernon Dent), and Ghinna Rumma, (George Lewis), Larry has chased the dog and cat out of the kitchen from taking some food. Larry is bringing the dog and cat back into the kitchen individually, waving a meat cleaver at them. Larry then puts the dog and cat down and gives them a snack. When Larry delivers Hassan Ben Sober, (Vernon Dent), and Ghinna Rumma, (George Lewis), their food they think that Larry has cooked the cat and dog, (which he has not, they are underneath the table). Shemp and Moe are standing beside Hassan Ben Sober, (Vernon Dent), and Ghinna Rumma, (George Lewis). They insist that Shemp and Moe sit down to eat. Shemp and Moe reluctantly sit down to eat. Shemp is drinking a glass of water. Moe is pinching a rabbit steak that "Meows" back at him. Shemp being startled spits his water on Moe. Moe jumps up from the table startled, turning the table over and revealing the dog and cat."
MOE, LARRY, and JOE BESSER:
(Showed a still photograph of them wearing Military uniforms).
MOE, LARRY, and CURLY-JOE:
(Showed here a studio lobby card from their feature ("The Outlaws Is Coming!"): (01/01/1965):
THIS SECTION ENDS:
(a clip from ("BRIDELESS GROOM"): (Shemp, Moe, and Larry): (09/11/1947): "Where Shemp is all gussied up and knocks on the hotel door of Miss Hopkins, (Christine McIntyre). She thinks tht Shemp is her Cousin Basil and she gives him a huge hug and kiss and says: "I'm so happy to see you." SHEMP TO MISS HOPKINS, (Christine McIntyre): (Stuttering): "I-I-I-I." MISS HOPKINS, (Christine McIntyre), to SHEMP: (As she is shaking him). "I've been dieing to see you."
CHAPTER ONE-B: "BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:" NARRATED BY: "MR. CORBETT:"
"IF YOU WERE TO ADD UP ALL OF THE THINGS THEY GAVE US."
(Used a clip here from: ("SING A SONG OF SIX PANTS"): (Shemp, Moe, and Larry): (10/30/1947): "Where Shemp is using his tie as an adding machine to add up the different totals that were quoted to Flossie, (Virginia Hunter), for her different dry cleaning and clothes dying bills."
"LIKE THE EYEPOKE:"
(Here use a clip from: (DISORDER IN THE COURT"): (Curly, Moe, and Larry): (05/30/1936): "Where Curly, Moe, and Larry are outside of the court room in the main hallway playing jacks and tic-tac-toe. Larry goes to make his move on the tic-tac-toe game. Curly then goes and throws his jacks and messes up the tic-tac-toe game and he gleefully says to Moe: "I got threesies." Moe now mad at Curly for messing up the tic-tac-toe game gives Curly a double eyepoke and says to Curly: "Now, you have twosies."
"THE ROUND THE WORLD BOP:"
(Here used a clip from either: ("SING A SONG OF SIX PANTS"): (Shemp, Moe, and Larry): (10/30/1947): (or): ("RIP, SEW, and STITCH): (Shemp, Moe, and Larry): (09/03/1953): "Where Moe konks one of Terry Hargen's, (Harold Brauer), henchman, (Cy Schindell), on the head with a large board and then Moe kicks him in the backside and sends the staggering henchman, (Cy Schindell), landing his head on an industrial sized ironing board where Moe decides to iron his head."
"AND OF COURSE THOSE FAMOUS N'YUKS, N'YUKS, N'YUKS:"
(Here used another clip from: ("DISORDER IN THE COURT"): (Curly, Moe, and Larry): (05/30.1936): "Where Curly is sitting in the witness chair and Larry has just removed the gum wad from Moe's nose and Larry throws onto the floor and stomps on it and lets out a Tarzan yell loudly, and Mod slaps Larry in the face and says to Larry, "This is a court room, not a pool hall." Curly then replies with 'n'yuk, n'yuk, n'yuk'."
"IT IS EASY TO SEE HOW THE WORLD OF COMEDY WOULD HAVE BEEN A POORER PLACE WITHOUT THEM:"
(Here used another clip from either: ("SING A SONG OF SIX PANTS"), (Shemp, Moe, and Larry): (10/30/1947): (or): ("RIP, SEW, and STITCH"), (Shemp, Moe, and Larry): (09/03/1953): "Where Larry goes over to one of the dummies which happens to be the bank bandit Terry Hargen, (Harold Brauer), to get a pair of slick slacks to offer them to Office Sharp, (Vernon Dent), thinking that is what the officer wants. The "Dummy" accidentally lifts his foot to help Larry. Larry scratches his head and shakes it thinking nothing of it."
"SURE THERE HAVE BEEN ACTS WITH MORE BITING HUMOUR:"
(Here used another clip from either: ("SING A SONG OF SIX PANTS"), (Shemp, Moe, and Larry): (10/30/1947): (or): ("RIP, SEW, and STITCH"), (Shemp, Moe, and Larry): (09/03/1953): "Where Moe is biting Shemp's finger after Shemp has hit Moe in the head with the broom that Shemp used to slam shut the ironing board cupboard that has just hit Shemp in the face. Larry is standing there by Shemp with a deep, hurtful look on his face."
"AND THEY WEREN'T EXACTLY MATINEE IDOLS:"
(Here used two different clips from: ("BRIDELESS GROOM"): (Shemp, Moe, and Larry): (09/11/1947):
ONE: ("Where Shemp is in the telephone stall and is down to his last nickel in calling his old girlfriends to get a wife by 6:00 P.M. to be able to get his inheritance of $500,000 from his Uncle Caleb and Moe is in there with him, and Moe drops the nickel and goes to pick it up. Moe and Shemp both get tied up in the telephone cord and as Moe is picking up the nickel he presses Shemp's face against the window of the telephone stall which is not a pretty picture."
TWO: (Where Miss Dinkelmeyer, (Dee Green), is in the office of the Justice Of The Peace J. M. Benton, (Emil Sitka), wanting to Marry Shemp. But all of a sudden Shemp's old 'girlfriends' come storming in wanting and are fighting for Shemp to be the one to marry him because they have learned through Moe's publication in the morning newspapers of Shemp's $500,000 inheritance. Moe is walking in amongst the fighting "Ladies". Moe is shouting: "What's goin' on here?" The "Ladies" then hit Moe on the head with their pocketbooks fighting over Shemp. Miss Dinkelmeyer, (Dee Gree), then goes over and kicks one of the ladies in the shins to get Shemp back."
"BUT THE ROUTE OF HALF CENTURY HISTORY THAT INCLUDED OVER 200 FILMS THE STOOGES SOITENLY LEFT THEIR MARK ON THE COMEDY WORLD:"
(Here as Mr. Corbett was talking they showed the following three different lobby cards):
1. ("GENTS WITHOUT CENTS"): Curly, Moe, Larry: (09/22/1944):
2. ("THE THREE STOOGES GO AROUND THE WORLD ON 80 CENTS"): Moe, Larry, and Curly-Joe: (10/16/1964):
3. ("THE THREE STOOGES MEETS HERCULES"): Moe, Larry, and Curly-Joe: (01/01/1962):
4. Plus a still photograph of: MOE, LARRY, and CURLY-JOE):
CHAPTER TWO: "EARLY YEARS:" 1900 through 1922: NARRATED BY: "MR. CORBETT:"
SOLOMON GOROVITZ, WAS BORN IN COBKNOLL, LITHUANIA, A LAND FILLED WITH TURMOIL IN THE LATE 1900'S. THE FAMILY KNEW THAT HIS ONLY CHANCE AT THE GOOD LIFE, WAS TO GET OUT OF EASTERN EUROPE AS QUICK AS HE COULD. SO, THEY PACKED UP YOUNG SOL AND HIS SECOND COUSIN JENNIE AND HAD THEM QUICKLY MARRIED AND SENT THEM OFF TO AMERICA.
(Here used a home video clip of Solomon and Jennie getting out of their car after coming home from synagogue).
(A still photograph of Jennie)
(Plus another home video clip of the boat that they were sailing on to America).
THE NEWLYWEDS 14 DAY VOYAGE TO THE "NEW WORLD" WAS ANYTHING BUT A LUXURY CRUISE. THROUGH IT ALL, THEY PERSEVERED. WHEN THEY FINALLY ARRIVED AT CASTLEGUARD NEW YORK, THE IMMAGRATIONS OFFICER ASKED FOR THEIR NAMES. IN THEIR THICK LITHUANIAN ACCENT GOROVITZ, (Original back name), SOUNDED LIKE 'HORWITZ' AND THAT WOULD BE THE FAMILY NAME.
(Here showed a video clip of Castleguard New York. It looked like a quaint old-fashioned New England city).
(Plus a still photograph of Solomon and Jennie in front of the immagrations bureau).
A COUPLE OF DECADES LATER, THEIR FAMOUS SONS, MOE, SHEMP, AND CURLY WOULD CHANGE THEIR FAMILY NAME TO 'HOWARD.'
(Here used a home video clip of Curly, Moe, Shemp, Mr. Horwitz dressed up and are leaving for Curly's wedding to Elaine).
ALTHOUGH THEIR MARRIAGE WAS ARRANGED, SOL AND JENNIE WOULD GROW TO LOVE ON ANOTHER VERY MUCH. AND THEY QUICKLY SETTLED INTO A BETTER LIFE IN THE BENSONHURST SECTION OF BROOKLYN.
(Here they used a still photograph of Solomon and Jennie at their wedding anniversary).
IT WAS HERE THAT THEY GAVE BIRTH TO A FAMILY THAT WOULD INCLUDE THREE BOYS THAT WOULD CHANGE THE COURSE OF COMEDY HISTORY.
(Here they used still photographs of Shemp, Curly, and Moe: (Age circa twenties).
MOSES WAS THE FOURTH CHILD OF FIVE BROTHERS. HE WAS FIRST CALLED 'HARRY', AND LATER, MOE. HE WAS LIKE ANY OTHER KID IN BROOKLYN, HE LOVED SPORTS, GIRLS, AND HANGING OUT WITH HIS BUDDIES.
(Here used two still photographs of Moe: (Age circa seventeen).
ONE: Dressed in his high baseball uniform on his high school baseball team.
TWO: With two very pretty young ladies.
THE ONE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MOE AND THE OTHER KIDS, WAS HIS INTEREST IN THEATRE, HE WAS FASCINATED WITH ACTING, AND OFTEN PLAYED HOOKEY TO CATCH THE SHOWS AT THE "MELODRAMA THEATRE."
(Here used a couple of still photographs of Moe in his different roles:
ONE: He was dressed as a clown.
TWO: He was dressed as a police officer).
MOE LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT HIS CHILDHOOD, EXCEPT FOR ONE THING, HIS HAIR CUT. HE THOUGHT HE LOOKED LIKE A GIRL. HIS MOTHER LOVED IT, BECAUSE SHE WANTED A GIRL. UNFORTUNATELY, SHE NEVER GOT HER WISH, HAVING FIVE BOYS. ONE DAY, MOE DID SOMETHING THAT WOULD CHANGE HIS LIFE FOREVER, HE GRABBED A PAIR OF SCISSORS AND HACKED OFF HIS CURLS, GIVING HIM THE SPITOON HAIR CUT WHICH WOULD BECOME PART OF THE "THREE STOOGES TRADEMARK."
(Here used a clip from ("HOOFS AND GOOFS"): (Moe, Joe, and Larry): (01/31/1957): "Where Moe is dressed like Joe's dead sister Bertie, to help make Joe feel better in letting him see her one more time and helping Joe re-live his beliefs in re-incarnation".
(TWO): Used a clip from ("MALICE IN THE PALACE"): (Shemp, Moe, and Larry): (09/01/1949): "Where Shemp has just dumped a bowl of spaghetti noodles on the head of Ghinna Rumma, (George Lewis), and is using a large pair of scissors and is cutting the front part of the noodles off to look like bangs."
MUCH TO HIS SURPRISE, HIS MOTHER ACTUALLY LIKED IT. OF COURSE, HIS BROTHERS SHOWED HIM NO MERCY. HIS BIGGEST NEEDLER WAS SAM, (SHEMP). HE SAID, "HEY MOE, IT'S A LITTLE EARLY FOR HALLOWEEN, ISN'T IT?"
(Here the used a still photograph of both Shemp and Moe, (age circa early teens).
SAM'S EUROPEAN BORN MOTHER HAD TROUBLE PRONOUNCING HIS NAME, WHEN SHE SAID HIS NAME IT SOUNDED SOMETHING LIKE 'SHEMP.'
(Here used a family still photograph of Shemp, (age circa early twenties), and his mother).
(A clip from either: ("SING A SONG OF SIX PANTS"), (Shemp, Moe, and Larry): (10/30/1947): (or): ("RIP, SEW, and STITCH"), (Shemp, Moe, and Larry): (09/03/1953): "Where Terry Hargen, (Harold Brauer), has Shemp up on the revolving clothing rack and is smacking Shemp around in circles trying to make Shemp give him the safe combination, that Shemp doesn't have. Plus where Shemp is pulling down the "fake" beard on Terry Hargen, (Harold Brauer), to make sure it was him."
SHEMP WAS DEFINITELY AN ORIGINAL IN NAME AND IN TALENT. IN ALL OF THE YEARS SINCE, HAVE YOU HEARD OF ANYBODY ELSE WITH THE NAME OF SHEMP?
(Here used a still photograph of Shemp: (Age circa, early thirties).
UNDERNEATH ALL OF MOE AND SHEMP'S SIBBLING RIVALRY, WAS A GENUINE LOVE AND RESPECT, THAT LASTED A LIFE TIME.
(Here showed a family still photograph of both Shemp and Moe, (age circa early twenties), on a fishing outting).
THEIR FIRST PARTNERSHIP, WAS THE PURCHASE OF A CAR IN 1913, THEY EACH PUT UP ABOUT $50.00 EACH FOR A "POPE-HARTFORD" CONVERTIBLE.
(Here used a home video clip of Moe dressed in white coveralls covered with grease from working on the car and Shemp has on a ladies apron also greased covered from working on the car).
(A family still photograph of Shemp and Moe all gussied up in suits with Shemp behind the driving wheel).
EARLY ONE MORNING, SHEMP LEFT THE HOUSE, GOT BEHIND THE WHEEL, AND STARTED DOWN THE STREET. EVERYTHING WAS GOING FINE, UNTIL HE SAW A PRETTY GIRL ON ROLLER SKATES. HE HIT THE BRAKES, THEN THE HORN, UNFORTUNATELY, HE LET GO OF THE STEERING WHEEL, AND THE CAR ENDED UP GOING THROUGH THE WINDOW OF A BARBER SHOPPE. FORTUNATELY IT WAS SUNDAY, AND NO ONE WAS THERE. SHEMP WAS SO SHAKEN UP THAT HE NEVER DROVE A CAR AGAIN FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE.
(Here showed a family video clip of Moe, Helen, Shemp, and Babe dressed to go shopping in their car).
(Plus a still photograph of Shemp and Moe standing in front of their car).
THE YOUNGEST OF THE HORWITZ SONS, WAS JEROME, SO HE WAS GIVEN THE NICKNAME OF 'BABE' BY MOE. HE WAS AN ENERGETIC KID WHO LOVED TO SING, DANCE, AND RIDE HORSES AT THE FAMILY FARM. IT WAS THERE THAT JEROME WOULD SUFFER THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF LIFE LONG TRAGEDIES. ONE DAY, HE WAS PLAYING WITH A GUN, AND IT WENT OFF ACCIDENTALLY, THE BULLET PENETRATED HIS ANKLE. INSTEAD OF ALLOWING IT TO HEAL CORRECTLY, HE CHOSE TO LEAVE IT BE. THE RESULT WAS A LIFE LONG LIMP, TO COMPENSATE FOR IT, HE EXAGGERATED HIS GAIT. IRONICALLY, THIS BECAME PART OF HIS COMIC PERSONA THAT WOULD SET THE WORLD ON FIRE, JUST A FEW YEARS LATER.
(Here used two family still photographs of Curly):
ONE: He was in a baseball uniform at the age of 15, he was thin and had a full head of hair).
(TWO: "A picture of himself that he gave to his brother Irving signed: 'To Irving, from your loveing brother Babe, November 16, 1933).
(Clip from: ("DISORDER IN THE COURT"): (Curly, Moe, and Larry): (05/30/1936): "Where Curly had the pistol that shot Kirk Robbin stuck to his finger during the trial and it went off where Curly shot the toupée off the head of the Court Clerk, (James C. Morton)." "Then where Curly was chasing the parrot with a mallet and instead of getting the parrot he was hitting the heads of everyone in the front row of the jury stand and knocking them out. "Then where Defense Attorney, (Bud Jamison), has found them out in the front hall playing jacks and tic-tac-toe. He has reminded them that the fate of Gail Tempest, (Susan Karaan), was at hand. They are rushing back into the court room." "And where they are acting out the crime scene dancing. Larry is playing the fiddle, Curly with a bass fiddle and Moe is happily conducting them."
(Plus a still photograph of Curly from: ("WHAT'S THE MATADOR?"): (04/23/1942): "Dressed in his bullfighters costume."
CHAPTER THREE: "THE TED HEALY YEARS:" 1922 through 1930: NARRATED BY: "MR. CORBETT:"
IT WAS DURING THIS TIME THAT MOE GOT HIS FIRST BREAK IN SHOW BUSINESS. HE LANDED A JOB ON A "SHOW BOAT", HE WOULD GAIN TONS OF EXPERIENCE PLAYING IN ALL KINDS OF ACTS. HE CAME BACK A HERO AND BEGAN PERFORMING WITH SHEMP. THEY BILLED THEIR ACT AS 'HOWARD AND HOWARD.'
(Here showed a still photograph of Moe dressed in a business suit, age circa early thirties).
(Plus a studio still shot of Shemp from: ("FIDDLERS THREE"): (05/06/1948): "Where Shemp is playing 'Jack Sprat' jumping over a candle stick. Plus he is also dressed like Little Lord Fontleroy and is watching himself jumping over the candle stick").
IN 1922, MOE RAN INTO AN OLD CHILDHOOD FRIEND, TED HEALY. HE WAS NOW GIVING IT A GO IN SHOW BUSINESS, WITH HIS WIFE BETTY, A SINGER AND A DANCER. HE ASKED MOE TO JOIN THE ACT.
(Here showed a still photograph of Ted with his wife Betty).
(Plus a studio lobby card with Ted's picture on it and the words. "The Ring Of Stooges." "Ted Healy Presenting A New Edition Of New York Nites. Featuring Ted Healy And Moe Howard").
MOE SAID OKAY, BUT FOR ONLY A COUPLE OF DAYS. THOSE TWO DAYS TURNED INTO NINE YEARS. THAT SAME YEAR, MOE MET A CHARMING, YOUNG LADY, NAMED HELEN SCHONBERGER, (The Niece To The Great Magician Harry Houdini). IT WAS LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT.
(Here they showed a family home video of Helen getting out of their car smiling and dancing around in circles happily).
THEY EXCHANGED LETTERS, AND POEMS AND WOULD ULTIMATELY ENJOY A LOVING MARRIAGE THAT LATED ALMOST FIFTY YEARS.
(Here they showed a family still photograph of Moe and Helen all gussied up and standing underneath a tree in the Spring time in their yard. He has his arm around her shoulder and they are smiling happily).
(Plus a later still photograph of Moe standing behind Helen with his hands on her shoulders. With Larry sitting at Helen's left side and Curly-Joe is sitting at her right side).
THE SAME YEAR, SHEMP CONVINCED HIS GIRLFRIEND GERTRUDE TO MARRY HIM.
(Here used a clip from: ("BRIDELESS GROOM"): (Shemp, Moe, and Larry): (09/11/1947): "Where Shemp is in the telephone stall calling different girlfriends to see if one will marry him before the 6:00 P.M. deadline of getting his inheritance of half million dollars. Moe and Larry are standing outside of the telephone stall and Larry is biting and spitting his finger nails in nervousness. MOE to LARRY: "When Shemp pours on the charm, no dame can resist him." LARRY to MOE: (Worried). "I hope you're right!" We are now on Shemp in the telephone stall calling one of his girlfriends and he is saying to her. "Will you marry me?" Shemp now gets the telephone receiver from the girl on the other end slammed loudly right into his ear."
ONE DAY, WHEN TED, MOE, AND SHEMP WERE IN CHICAGO, THEY SAW A YOUNG FELLOW WORKING ON STAGE WITH A HIGH SILK HAT AND TAILS. HE WAS PLAYING THE VIOLIN AND ALSO ACTING AS THE EMCEÉ, THAT MAN WAS LARRY FINE.
(Here they showed a studio lobby card from: ("A NIGHT IN VENICE"): (Moe, Shemp, Larry, and Ted): (05/21/1933).
(Plus a still photograph of Shemp, Moe, and Larry on stage. Shemp is sitting there dressed in a tuxedo with a dumbfounded look on his face and is scratching his cheek. Moe is also sitting dressed in a tuxedo with a look of wonderment on his face. Larry is standing by Moe dressed in stripe trousers and a tuxedo style jacket with a blank look on his face and is handing Moe a rolled up piece of paper).
THEY THOUGHT HIS LOOK WOULD FIT IN PERFECTLY WITH THEIR ACT, IT WAS A REUNION THAT WOULD LAST FOR FIVE DECADES.
LARRY BIOGRAPHY:
LARRY FINE WAS BORN LOUIS FEINBERG IN 1902. HIS DAD WAS A JEWELER IN PHILADELPHIA AND IT WAS IN HIS SHOPPE THAT LARRY'S FUTURE IN SHOW BUSINESS WAS INADVERTENTLY CEMENTED.
(Here they showed a studio still of Larry: ("PUNCH DRUNKS"): (07/13/1934): "Standing in the restaurant displaying his wonderful fiddle talents."
(Plus a clip from either: (SING A SONG OF SIX PANTS"): (Shemp, Larry, and Moe): (10/30/1947): (or): ("RIP, SEW, and STITCH"): (Shemp, Larry, and Moe): (09/03/1953): "Where Larry is working frantically with dry cleaning fluid to remove a "spot" from a pair of trousers, that he has noticed was the sun shining through a hole in the wall and "spotting" his trousers. Larry is sighing in relief at it being the sun. Larry is now thirsty, from his hard work. Larry thinks that he is taking a swig from his soda bottle, but it ends up being the 'dry cleaning solution'. Moe is now walking passed Larry and Larry spits the solution at Moe. Moe then turns around and gives Larry a mad look and slaps Larry on the face and says: "Oh, a funny man, what's the matter with you?" Larry is now holding his sore cheek and giving Moe a look of hurt."
ONE DAY, WHILE HIS FATHER WAS TESTING SOME METAL, LARRY PICKED UP A CUP OF ACID, JUST AS HE WAS ABOUT TO TAKE A SWIG, HIS FATHER KNOCKED IT OUT OF HIS HAND. THE ACID BURNED LARRY'S HAND BADLY, HIS ARM MUSCLES WERE SEVERLY DAMAGED. HIS DOCTOR'S SUGGESTED THAT HE TAKE VIOLIN LESSONS, THINKING THAT THE ACTION OF DRAWING THE BOW BACK AND FORTH, WOULD STRENGTHEN THE MUSCLES.
(Here used a clip from: ("BRIDELESS GROOM"): (Larry, Moe, and Shemp): (09/11/1947): "Where Professor Shemp Howard is trying to get Miss Dinkelmeyer, (Dee Green), to learn the song "Voices Of Spring." Camera on Larry with a very hurt look on his face and is shouting "OUCH" as Shemp has just slammed the keyboard cover on Larry's hand to wake him up to play the piano."
(Plus a clip from: ("DISORDER IN THE COURT"): (Curly, Larry, and Moe): (05/30/1936): "Where Larry is playing the fiddle as part of the re-inactment of figuring out the murder of Kirk Robbin, and he takes the toupée off of the head of the court reporter, (James C. Morton). Larry when has drawn back his fiddle bow and has noticed the toupée on the end of it has a scared look on his face as he shakes off and onto the floor in front of Moe and Curly with their instruments and Larry shouts: "Ah, a tarantula." Moe and Curly are also shouting in fear: 'AH-AH-AH-AH-AH."
THIS SPARKED A MUSICAL PASSION IN LARRY THAT WOULD BECOME A BIG PART OF HIS BRILLIANT CAREER IN SHOW BUSINESS.
(Here used another clip from: ("BRIDELESS GROOM"): (Larry, Moe, and Shemp): (09/11/1947): "Where Miss Dinkelmeyer, (Dee Green), is standing in the background and Larry is sitting at the piano playing "Voices Of Spring," and Shemp is happily dancing and conducting."
IN 1921, LARRY LANDED A JOB ON THE VAUDEVILLE CIRCUIT, ON THE SAME BILL WAS A YOUNG GIRL NAMED MABEL HANEY, THEY LATER STARTED AN ACT CALLED "THE HANEY SISTERS AND FINE." HE WAS SMITTEN WITH MABEL."
(Here they used two still photographs of Larry and Mabel:
ONE: Of the two of them hugging and in swim wear at Larry's pool, (age circa twenties).
TWO: They are all gussied up, (age circa twenties), and she is resting her head on Larry's shoulder under a tree in the Spring time in their backyard).
(Plus used another clip from: ("BRIDELESS GROOM"): (Larry, Shemp, and Moe): (09/11/1947): "Where Larry ha a look of happiness on his face and glee in his voice as he approaches a gargantuan sized lady and asks her: "Say miss, would you like to get married?" GARGANTUAN LADY to LARRY: (With a look of question on her face). "What?" LARRY to GARGANTUAN LADY: (With glee in his voice and on his face, gestures). "Get married!" GARGANTUAN LADY to LARRY: (With a happy look on her face and gently pinches Larry's cheek). "Well, I don't know, but you are kinda cute at that."
THEY WERE THE PERFECT COUPLE AND ENJOYED A FULFILLING MARRIAGE UNTIL MABEL'S DEATH IN 1967.
(Here they showed a family still photograph of Mabel and Larry at their wedding reception supper).
IN THEIR LIFE TIME TOGETHER, THEY HAD TWO CHILDREN, JOHNNY AND PHYLLIS.
(Here they showed a family still photograph of Mabel and Larry hold their daughter Phyllis).
IN THE EARLY DAYS, THE BOYS DID QUIET WELL IN VAUDEVILLE. THEY SOMETIMES PERFORMED AS "TED HEALY AND HIS THREE SOUTHERN GENTLEMEN."
(Here used a lobby card of Ted, Shemp, Moe, and Larry: ("A NIGHT IN VENICE"): (05/21/1933):
(Plus three quick short clips):
ONE: ("MALICE IN THE PALACE"): (Shemp, Larry, and Moe): (09/01/1949): "Where Larry, Shemp, and Moe are standing in front of Ghinna Rumma, (George Lewis), and Hassan Ben Sober, (Vernon Dent), where Hassan Ben Sober, (Vernon Dent) is shouting: "GENTLEMEN."
TWO: ("DISORDER IN THE COURT"): (Curly, Larry, and Moe): 05/30/1936): "Where Moe, Curly, and Larry are in the front hall of the court building sitting down playing jacks and tic-tac-toe and Defense Attorney, (Bud Jamison), comes out and finds them and is shouting: "GENTLEMEN, GENTLEMEN, GENTLEMEN."
THREE: ("SING A SONG OF SIX PANTS"): (Shemp, Moe, and Larry): (10/30/1947): (or): ("RIP, SEW, and STITCH"): (Shemp, Larry, and Moe): (09/03/1953): "Where Shemp is standing behind his "fake" legs altering a pair of trousers and says to Moe smiling: "We're not gentlemen," MOE to SHEMP: (As he bonks Shemp on the nose madly states). "Speak for yourself."
DURING THIS PERIOD, THE BOYS WERE SPENDING AN AWFUL ALOT OF TIME ON THE ROAD, IT WAS TAKING ITS TOLL ON MOE, HE MISSED HIS FAMILY AND TOOK A BREAK FROM SHOW BUSINESS.
(Here showed a home video clip of Moe and his mother all gussied up and going out to supper together).
LATER THAT SAME YEAR, HIS DAUGHTER JOAN WAS BORN. SHE WAS HIS PRIDE AND JOY, AND WHILE MANY PERFORMERS HAD TO PICK CAREER OVER FAMILY, MOE WAS DEFINITELY NOT ONE OF THEM. HE WOULD ALWAYS FIND THE TIME TO GIVE HER ALL THE ATTENTION SHE NEEDED AND DESERVED.
(Here they used a family still photograph of Moe next to baby Joan in her baby carriage).
(Plus several home video clips of Moe and Joan):
ONE: (Moe is in his backyard and is dancing happily with his daughter Joan).
TWO: (Moe and Joan are in their backyard and are just horsing around in the Summer time).
THREE: (Joan is happily solo dancing in the backyard in the Spring time).
FOUR: (Moe is happily hugging her and the cute little poochie that he is giving her).
FIVE: (Joan is proudly holding up a toy doll while the two of them are sitting on Joan's bicycle).
(Clips one through four: Joan age circa, four: FIVE: age circa, six):
FOLLOWING IN HIS MOTHER'S FOOTSTEPS, MOE DABBLED IN REAL ESTATE FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. BUT HE LONGED FOR THE FOOTLIGHTS AND RE-JOINED THE ACT.
(Here they showed two still photographs of Moe):
ONE: (Where Moe is all gussied up and heading to his real estated position).
TWO: (Just him, age circa thirty).
MOE WAS BACK, AND BEFORE LONG, THE BOYS WERE SIGNED TO THE "FOX MOTION PICTURE STUDIO".
(Here they used a video clip of Shemp and Moe happily presenting their first contract cheques from fox for $150.00).
THEIR FIRST FILM WAS CALLED "SOUP TO NUTS" (09/28/1930): THE STUDIO THOUGHT THAT THE BOYS HAD A BRIGHT FUTURE SO THEY OFFERED THEM AN EXCLUSIVE CONTRACT.
(Here they used a studio lobby card from: ("SOUP TO NUTS"): (Larry, Shemp, Harry, and Ted): (09/28/1930): "Where Moe is bonking Larry's nose during their act as the "Gig and Gag Trio" at the firemans ball".
CHAPTER FOUR: "HOWARD, FINE, AND HOWARD:" 1930 through 1932: NARRATED BY: "MR. CORBETT:"
MOE WASN'T HAPPY WITH THIS ARRANGEMENT, HEALY WAS MAKING LOTS OF MONEY, BUT ONLY PAYING THE BOYS AS EMPLOYEES.
(Here they used a still photograph of Ted Healy sitting in his backyard with his foot propped up against a wall).
MOE DECIDED THAT THEY DESERVED A BIGGER PIECE OF THE ACTION, SO THE BOYS WENT OUT ON THEIR OWN AND FORMED AN ACT CALLED: "HOWARD, FINE, AND HOWARD."
(Here used a studio still clip from: ("OF CASH AND HASH"): (Shemp, Larry, and Moe): (02/03/1955): "Where they are happily snapping a stack of bills in their ears."
(Plus a home video clip of a "Paramount Theatre Marquee" that reads: "Enjoy the comical and looney lunatics of: "Howard, Fine, and Howard." "Ted Leary." and "Nelson and Thatcher."
HERE THEY ARE IN A RARE GLIMPSE BEFORE ONE OF THEIR SHOWS AT "THE PARAMOUNT THEATRE" IN LOS ANGELES."
(Here in this video clip Shemp is dressed up like a joker and has his hands on his waist and is doing deep knee bends. MOE: Is dressed as an Egyptian Ruler performing ballet movements with a comical look on his face).
DURING THIS TIME, MOE AND SHEMP'S FAMILIES BECAME VIRTUALLY INSEPARABLE. THEY EVEN PRACTICED THEIR ACTS USING MOE'S DAUGHTER JOAN AND SHEMP'S SON MORTIMER, AND THEIR WIVES AS FOILS FOR THEIR ACTS. NOTICE MOE'S NON-STOOGE HAIR CUT AS JOAN AND MORT INTERRUPT A MID-DAY NAP. WHO KNOWS, MAYBE THEY WERE PRACTICING TO BE MAKE-UP ARTISTS. MOE'S WIFE HELEN IS NOT AMUSED AND NEITHER IS SHEMP'S WIFE GERTRUDE.
(Here they used two home video clips):
ONE: Moe and Shemp's families are all gussied up and going out for the day).
TWO: (Shemp and Moe are sitting on a bench on a hot Summer's day fast asleep in Shemp's yard. Joan is painting a mustache on Moe while Mort is painting Shemp's hand, and is shaking salt and pepper on him. Joan is now tweeking Moe's nose with nail trimmers. Mort is tickling Shemp's nose with a daisy, while Moe is back asleep with painting on his face. Shemp is now painted and back to sleep. Helen and Gertrude have noticed them sleeping instead of completing their chores and they approach them and hit them on their heads with brooms to get them up to finish their chores).
THE FUN DOESN'T STOP JUST BECAUSE SUMMER IS OVER. HERE IS A TYPICAL STOOGE STUNT PLAYED TO PERFECTION BY JOAN AND MORT.
(Here they used two video clips):
ONE: Joan is running out of her house and is shaking hands with Mort. A lady is walking up the sidewalk and Mort has a hat hooked to a pole and is pointing at it asking the lady to help him get it down. Joan is on the other side of the pole and pulls the hat away that is hooked to piece of string from the lady. Joan and Mort are running down the sidewalk with their hat and are being chased by the lady").
TWO: (Joan and Mort are hiding behind a snow bank, they have placed a wallet with a string tied on it in the snow bank. Another lady is now walking down a sidewalk and sees the wallet lying in the snow pile and she goes to pick it up and Mort and Joan pulls the wallet away. After Joan and Mort have tricked the lady with the wallet gag, the lady is mad and walks away quickly, slipping and loosing her balance on some ice and then gets up and walks away quickly. Mort and Joan are jumping up and down in glee holding their trick wallet).
MAYBE, THIS IS WHERE THE STOOGES GOT THEIR INSPIRATION FOR THEIR CLASSIC PIE FIGHTS.
(Here they used a family home video clip of Moe walking up the sidewalk to his house. Mort and Joan are throwing snowballs at him. Moe is dancing around in circles mad. Moe is being greeted by Helen. Moe has a mad look on his face as he is wiping snow off of himself and is pointing a finger at the laughing Joan and Mort as they are running happily down the sidewalk).
AROUND THIS TIME, TED HEALY REALIZED THAT HIS CAREER WAS GOING NOWHERE WITHOUT MOE, LARRY, AND SHEMP.
(Here they showed two still photographs):
ONE: Of Ted Healy in an Army uniform and sitting in a chair haunched over with his hand on his chin and a look of sadness on his face).
TWO: (An autographed studio lobby card of Larry, Harry, Shemp, and Ted from: ("Soup To Nuts"): (09/28/1930).
AFTER SOME BEGGING, MOE AND LARRY AGREED TO GO BACK, BUT SHEMP DECIDED TO STRIKE OUT ON HIS OWN. HE WAS OFFERED A PART IN A "JOE PALOOKA" FILM AND THOUGHT THE TIMING WAS JUST RIGHT TO TAKE IT. HE BEGAN A SOLO CAREER THAT WOULD INCLUDE OVER 70 SHORTS AND FEATURES.
(Here they showed a studio clip from his first ("JOE PALOOKA FILM"): (11/14/1935):
CHAPTER FIVE: "HEALY'S BACK:" 1932 through 1934: NARRATED BY: "MR. CORBETT:"
WITH TED BACK WITH MOE AND LARRY, THEY STILL NEEDED TO FIND A THIRD STOOGE. THEY TURNED TO THE YOUNGEST HOWARD BROTHER, JEROME.
(Here they used a family still photograph of Jerome standing by his fence in front of his home, (age circa late twenties).
THE PROBLEM WAS THAT JEROME HAD LONG, WAVY HAIR AND TED DIDN'T THINK HE WOULD FIT IN. JEROME WAS EAGER TO JOIN THE ACT AND SAID, "WAIT A COUPLE MINUTES, I'LL BE RIGHT BACK!" HE CAM BACK ALMOST COMPLETELY BALD.
(Here they showed four different still photographs of Jerome with his "New Hair Cut", and facial expressions on his face from happy to mad).
(Plus used another clip from: ("DISORDER IN THE COURT"): (Curly, Moe, and Larry): (05/30/1936): "Where Jerome is in the court room holding onto the fire hose and is turning it on to wet down the parrot that has the not in his foot about the decision on who killed Kirk Robbin. While the court balif, (Al Thompson), is running over to Jerome who has now got on and has shot the balif, (Al Thompson), with it as well as the entire jury box. The balif, (Al Thompson), is now frantic and runs to turn off the hose, but the knob has now broken off and the balif, (Al Thompson), is looking at the knob frantically. While Jerome is wetting down the entire court room. The balif, (Al Thompson), is now running over to Jerome and is shouting frantically. BALIF to CURLY: "Give me that hose!" While the court Judge, (Edward LeSaint), is standing in front of the parrots cage and turns around in a total state of frantic as he is trying to shield the water from his face by putting up his hands to his face and is shouting "You still think----what?"
PROBABLY HIS NICKNAME WAS CHANGED FROM "BABE" TO "CURLY". STILL HE WAS SELF-CONSCIENCE ABOUT HIS LOOKS, SO HE WOULD OFTEN APPEAR IN PUBLIC WEARING A HAT.
(Here they used a home family video of Curly all gussied up in a dress suit and hat on his wedding day. He is looking at his watch with his wife lated and he then gets into his car by himself).
TWO: (Another clip from: ("DISORDER IN THE COURT"): (Curly, Moe, and Larry): (05/30/1936): "Where Curly is now in the witness stand with the court clerk, (James C. Morton), in front of him and Curly has his hand on the Bible. He is holding a cane and is wearing a Derby. The Judge, (Edward LeSaint), says to Curly: "Will you please take off your hat!" (Another clip, where Curly is standing in the court room in front of the Defense Attorney, (Bud Jamison). Moe and Larry are standing behind Curly with looks of mischief on their faces and Curly is using his cane as a machine gun while he is wildly beating his hat up and down on his head").
MEANWHILE, SHEMP WAS STILL SPENDING HIS TIME AWAY FROM THE SCREEN AND WITH HIS FAMILY.
(Here used a family home video clip where Shemp is on his way to enter his home. Joan and Mort are standing outside of Shemp's front door as decoys. Shemp bends over to say hello to both of them and then pats them on their heads. As Shemp starts to enter his home he is being chased in fun by his wife, (Gertrude), Moe, and Helen. Babe is hitting his backside with a rolled up newspaper, Helen was chasing and hitting him with a feather duster and Moe was after him wearing a ladies apron and hitting him on the head with household broom and Shemp is running down the stairs).
DURING THE EARLY '30'S, "HEALY AND HIS STOOGES" WERE SIGNED TO MGM. THEY DIDN'T FEEL THEY WERE BEING UTILIZED AS MUCH AS THEY SHOULD BE, SO IN 1934 THEY BROKE WITH HEALY FOR THE LAST TIME.
(Here they showed a still photograph of Ted, with a perplexed look on his face and has his hands on Moe's shoulders. While Moe is standing there wit a dumbfounded look on his face. Curly is beside Moe with a mischievous look on his face. While Larry is standing by Curly with a blank look on his face.
THEY SIGNED WITH "COLUMBIA PICTURES" AND WERE NOW KNOWN AS "THE THREE STOOGES."
THIS SECTION END WITH:
(The Showing of the logo for: "Columbia Pictures." "The Statue Of Liberty" shining her torch brightly in pride").
CHAPTER SIX: "MOE, LARRY, AND CURLY:" 1934 through 1946: NARRATED BY: "MR. CORBETT:"
THEY WOULD GO ON TO MAKE 190 SHORTS AT COLUMBIA.
(Here they showed three lobby cards from the different shorts):
ONE: ("MEN IN BLACK"): (09/28/1934):
TWO: ("MATRI-PHONY): (07/02/1942):
THREE: ("PUNCH DRUNKS"): (07/13/1934):
FROM THE PULTRY SUM OF $150.00 PER WEEK THEY WOULD UP THEIR WAGES TO AS MUCH AS $7,500.00 WEEK. THEY WERE FINALLY BIG HITS.
(Used a clip from: ("DISORDER IN THE COURT"): (05/30/1936): "Where they are lining up to get their picture taken after they had found out that Gail Tempest, (Susan Karaan), was innocent from the murder of Kirk Robbin. Defense Attorney, (Bud Jamison), and Gail Tempest, (Susan Karaan), are in the background. Larry. Moe, and Curly are in the front row. Curly is still holding onto his fire hose which now has been knotted at the middle to turn it off. Moe is 'straightening' his hair and Larry is by Moe's side and they got their picture taken."
TWO: (Quick clip from either: ("SING A SONG OF SIX PANTS"): (Shemp, Larry, and Moe): 10/30/1947): (or): ("RIP, SEW, and STITCH"): (Shemp, Larry, and Moe): (09/03/1953): "Where Moe and Larry are standing there with demented looks on their faces and they are hitting one of Terry Hargen's, (Harold Brauer), henchman, (Cy Schindell), over the head with a board knocking him out coled onto the floor and Moe runs over laughing and is shaking Larrys hand."
THREE: ("MALICE IN THE PALACE"): (Shemp, Moe, and Larry): (09/01/1949): "Where Moe is holding the map to "King Rootin' Tootin's' tomb to find the diamond, Moe has a look of happiness on his face. Larry is standing by Moe, rubbing his hands together in glee and a gleeful look on his face and Larry says to Moe in reference to finding the diamond. "Boy, with that kind of money we could rent a one room apartment in Hollywood, maybe." Moe and Shemp both give Larry looks of dumbfoundedness."
WITH THEIR NEWFOUND POPULARITY, THE BOYS DECIDED TO TAKE A TRIP TO LONDON. HERE IS MOE AND CURLY ON THE DOCK OF THE GREAT OCEANLINER "THE QUEEN MARY." IT SEEMS CURLY WOULD OF RATHER STAYED ON DRY LAND. MOE WAS A WHIZ AT RING TOSS.
(Here they used two home video clips of Moe and Curly on the dock of "The Queen Mary."
ONE: ("Moe is dancing around and is happily enjoying his games of ring toss."):
TWO: (Poor Curly is re-distributing his biscuits overboard).
WHEN THEY GOT TO LONDON, THEY WERE ASTOUNDED AT THE RECEPTION. THEY WERE NOW CERTIFIED WORLD-WIDE HITS.
(Here they used a home video clip of them docking at London and being greeted by a huge flock of British fans and were signing autographs right and left and smiling gleefully).
IT WAS NO SECRET THAT CURLY WAS AN ANIMAL LOVER.
(Here they used a family home still photograph of Curly hugging and kissing a couple of geese and feeding them treats).
SO THE BOYS TOOK A TRIP TO THE LONDON ZOO. HERE IS CURLY AND MOE DOING THEIR BEST DOCTOR DOOLITTLE IMPRESSIONS.
(Here they used a couple of family home videos):
ONE: (Curly is dancing with a monkey and doing monkey imatations).
TWO: (Moe is hugging and kissing a monkey).
THREE: (Curly has a look of dismay on his face as he has a white cockateil perched on his arm).
AFTER A LONG TRIP, CURLY FOUND THE TIME TO RELAX, WHILE THEY WERE COMING HOME. MOE TOOK SOME TERRIFIC MOVIES OF THE BOAT COMING INTO THE NEW YORK HARBOUR. EVEN GETTING A SHOT OF HIMSELF WITH THE STATUE OF LIBERTY.
(Here used a couple of different home video clips).
ONE: ( Curly on the boat dock and relaxing in the sun on a beach chair)..
TWO: (Moe is filming the New York Harbour on a beautiful cloudless sunny Summer day).
THREE: (Moe is clowning around in front of the camera with the Statue Of Liberty in the background)>
HELEN MET THE BOAT WITH JOAN AND YOUNG SON PAUL. THEY ENJOYED A FEW DAYS AT THE "1940 NEW YORK WORLDS FAIR."
(Here used a couple of different home videos of The Horwizt family visiting different sights at the Worlds Fair).
THESE YEARS WERE THE BEST TIME FOR THE STOOGES AND THEIR FAMILIES, AND JENNIE AND SOLOMON HORWITZ COULDN'T BE PROUDER PARENTS.
(Here used several different home video clips).
ONE: (Curly and his first wife, Moe and Helen, Shemp and Babe, Mr. and Mrs. Horwitz coming home all gussied up from a day on the town).
TWO: (Still photograph of Curly with his hands stretched outwards and a perplexed look on his face).
THREE: (Moe and Larry are smiling happily and hugging their wives).
FOUR: (Moe and Curly dressed in their swim wear standing next to Moe's pool getting ready to have a cook-out).
FIVE: (Curly and Moe are standing by their father bent over smiling with mischievous looks on their faces while their father was smiling and sitting in a lounger chair with a canopy over it).
THEY HAS A RAPIDLY GROWING FAMILY, EVERYBODY'S HEALTH WAS GREAT, THEIR GRAND-KIDS WERE GROWING UP BEFORE THEIR EYES AND THEIR BOYS WERE AT THE PEAK OF THEIR COMEDIC POWERS.
(Here they used a video clip first of Mr. Horwitz hugging his grand-daughter Joan).
TWO: (They used a still photograph of Moe, Helen, Shemp, Babe, Larry, and Mabel from: ("Soup To Nuts"): (09/28/1930): "During the Firemans ball dressed in their costumes during their act as "The Gig and Gag Trio", the dancing part.).
THREE: (Home video clip of Moe holding onto Joan and Paul's hands and are walking down a street on a beautiful Autum Day).
(CLIP FROM ("DISORDER IN THE COURT"): (Moe, Larry, and Curly): (05/30/1936): "Where Curly goes to try and jump over the gate to get into the witness area of the court room and falls over the gate right on his face into the witness area of the court room. The court room audience is laughing at Curly while Moe and Larry get up hurridly with mad looks on their faces and go over to help Curly up")
(QUICK B LIP FROM: ("BRIDELESS GROOM"): (Shemp, Larry, and Moe): (09/11/1947): "Where Moe is helping Shemp get all gussied up to go over and meet Miss Hopkins, (Christine McIntyre), and as Moe was standing up after he has gotten some clothing items from the third dresser drawer and has put his head through the firs dresser drawer and decides to wear it like a collar).
CURLY LOVED DOGS, LEGION HAS IT, HE BOUGHT ONE EVERYTIME HE WENT TO A PET SHOPPE, UNFORTUNATELY MANY OF THESE SHOPPES WERE ON THE OPPOSITE COAST. OFTEN, THERE WERE TEARY GOODBYE'S AS HE HAD TO SEND THEM HOME.
(Here they showed two still photographs of Curly with adorable poochies).
ONE: (Where Curly is hugging and kissing a sweet, adorable and hugable poochie part Collie).
TWO: (With Moe and Curly where Curly is kissing and hugging Joan's poochie).
CURLY ALSO LOVED GETTING MARRIED. HE WAS MARRIED FOUR TIMES. THE ONLY FILM THAT REMAINS IS OF HIS WEDDING TO HIS SECOND WIFE ELAINE.
(Here they are using a home video clip of Curly and Elaine's wedding, with Moe and Larry as the groomsmen, and Helen and Mabel as the Bride's Attendants outside of Moe's house).
EVEN A SACRED DAY LIKE THIS, THE BOYS STILL FOUND TIME TO FOOL AROUND.
(Here they use a home video clip of Larry running up to Moe, Curly, and Mr. Horwitz teasing Curly and just horsing around).
WHERE IS SHE? MAYBE SHE GOT COLD FEET, OF COURSE SHE CAME.
(Here they used a couple of different home video clips).
ONE: (Curly is pacing to and fro looking at his watch getting a bit nervous about if Elaine is going to show up).
TWO: (Moe is hugging and giving Elaine a gentle kiss while he goes over to Curly and gives Curly a giant bear hug and a huge kiss on his cheek).
WHO COULD RESIST CURLY?
CHAPTER SEVEN: "MOE, LARRY, AND SHEMP:" 1947 through 1955: NARRATED BY: "MR. CORBETT:"
IN 1946 ,DURING THE FILMING OF: ("HALF-WITS HOLIDAY"): (Moe, Curly, and Larry): (01/09/1947): CURLY SUFFERED THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF STROKES. HE TRIED VALIANTLY TO MAKE A COME BACK BUT HE JUST COULDN'T PERFORM THE RIGOROUS TASK OF BEING A STOOGE. HE INSISTED THEY GO ON WITHOUT HIM.
(Here they used a couple of studio still shots).
ONE: (Curly and the cast and crew of "HALF-WITS HOLIDAY): (01/09/1947):
TWO: ("3 DUMB CLUCKS"): (Curly, Moe, and Larry): (04/17/1937): "Where Curly is playing a rich oil millionaire and is being hugged and kissed by "his so-called wife, Miss Daisy Flowers, (Lucille Lund), who was going to marry him just for his buckaroonies").
SO AGAIN, THEY TURNED TO A FAMILY MEMBER, SHEMP.
(Here they used a studio still shot of Shemp, Moe, and Larry): From:
ONE: (Either): ("CREEPS!"): (Shemp, Larry, and Moe): (02/02/1956): (or): ("THE GHOST TALKS"): (Shemp, Larry, and Moe): (02/03/1949): "Where Shemp, Moe, and Larry are working for the "A to Z Express Moving Company," they are hiding behind a davenport at "Smorgasboard Castle" where they were hired to move a few items including an iron steppon, that happens to be the "Home" of the "Spirit Of Sir Tom." The steppon talks to them and they get scared and go back and hide behind the davenport. Here in this still shot, you see Shemp, Moe, and Larry with their heads hanging over the davenport and they are wearing their moving caps and have scared looks on their faces").
IN ADDITION TO HIS FEAR OF DRIVING, SHEMP HAD A FEAR OF FLYING SO HE BOARDED THE FIRST TRAIN TO LOS ANGELES. HE COULD NEVER SEEM TO OUT GROW HIS PHOBIAS. BUT HE SURE WAS FUNNY.
(Here they used two family home videos).
ONE: (Where Moe and Shemp's families are playing in the train yard in front of the train station before boarding the train named "LOS ANGELES LIMITED").
TWO: (They are on the train and are waving goodbye to friends and other family members).
QUICK BLIP: ("BRIDELESS GROOM"): (Shemp, Moe, and Larry): (09/11/1947): "Where Shemp is the process of getting all gussied up to go and propose to Miss Hopkins, (Christine McIntyre), across the hall of his hotel and he is standing in front of a mirror that is hanging from the ceiling on a pull wire and he is looking into the wrong side of the mirror and gets all worried thinking that he has just cut his head off. Moe then turns around the mirror and shows Shemp the right side and when Shemp sees himself in the mirror he gets all excited and says to Moe. "And, pretty as a picture." MOE to SHEMP: (As he slaps Shemp on his face and Moe has a mad look on his face): "Yeah, of an ape!"
SHEMP IS OFTEN CONSIDERED THE FUNNIEST OF THE STOOGES. (Personal opinion "HE SURE WAS").
THE YEARS THAT SHEMP SPENT AS A STOOGE WERE SOME OF THE MOST PROLIFIC FOR THE GROUP.
(Here they used another quick blip from): ("BRIDELESS GROOM"): (Shemp, Moe, and Larry): (09/11/1947): "Where Shemp is now staggering out in the hallway just after Miss Hopkins, (Christine McIntyre), has slapped the daylights out of him when she has discovered that Shemp was not her Cousin Basil that she was expecting. Moe and Larry are helping him up as Miss Dinkelmeyer, (Dee Green), who likes Shemp is running up from behind him in the hallway and runs up to Shemp and grabs hold of him and gives him a big hug as she is rubbing his head").
WELL, HE NEVER TRIED TO REPLACE CURLY, HE CERTAINLY BROUGHT HIS BRAND OF COMEDY TO THE STOOGES.
(Here they used another quick blip from) ("SING A SONG OF SIX PANTS"): (Shemp, Moe, and Larry): (10/30/1947): (or): ("RIP, SEW, and STITCH): (Shemp, Moe, and Larry): (09/03/1953): "Where Shemp is once again behind his "fake" legs altering a pair of trousers with Moe standing in front of Shemp holding onto the letter that states if they don't pay the bill on their dry cleaning equipment that their equipment is going to be repossessed and they are going to loose their business, ("Pip Boys Lary, Moe, and Shemp"). Larry is standing there with a worried look on his face and Shemp says in remarks to loosing "Pip Boys Lary, Moe, and Shemp" to Moe: "I'm too young to worry and get wrinkles on my pretty little face. What we need is a little musice to cheer us up." Shemp then pushes back his trousers on his "fake" legs and walks over to turn on the "boogie woogie box" to get some music".
HE WAS A COMEDIC ACTOR OF THE HIGHEST ORDER. IN "BRIDELESS GROOM" (09/11/1947): HIS CO-STAR CHRISTINE McINTYRE JUST COULDN'T GET UP THE NERVE TO POP HIM LIKE THE SCRIPT INSTRUCTED. SHEMP SAID, "LET ME HAVE IT. I'D RATHER GET KNOCKED AROUND BY ONE GOOD ONE THAN A BUNCH OF LITTLE ONES. AFTER THE TAKE, SHEMP COULD HARDLY STAND, BUT HE WAS SMILING FROM EAR TO EAR. MAYBE BECAUSE HE ACTUALLY LIKED TO BE HIT."
(Here they used the following clip from): (BRIDELESS GROOM"): (Shemp, Larry, and Moe): (09/11/1947): "Where Miss Hopkins, (Christine McIntyre), is really going at it hitting the living stuffings out of Shemp who is in her hotel room, after she has found out Shemp was not her Cousin Basil. She is really madly smacking Shemp, on a real rampage, smacking Shemp witless, all the way out of her hotel room. For her final blow, she gives him a good hard fist right in his face and knocks him right through her hotel room door where Shemp falls into the hallway of the hotel corridor flat on his back on top of her hotel door."
LIKE HIS PARTNER LARRY, SHEMP ALSO LIKED THE SWEET SCIENCE OF BOXING. IN FACE, HIS FIRST STOOGE SHORT ("FRIGHT NIGHT"): (03/06/1947): INCLUDED A HILARIOUS BOXING SEQUENCE. IT WAS NO SURPRISE THAT THIS WAS ALSO SHEMP'S FAVOURITE STOOGE SHORT.
(Here they used two studio still shots: ("FRIGHT NIGHT"): (Shemp, Moe, and Larry): (03/06/1947):ONE: "Where Shemp and Moe, with Shemp in the boxing ring and is being coached by Moe."
TWO: "Where Moe is helping Shemp back into the ring after he was knocked out of the ring by fighter "Chopper Kane."
CURLY TOOK ONE LAST SHOT AT PERFORMING WITH A BIT PART IN "HOLD THAT LION!" IN 1947. THIS FILM WAS THE ONLY TIME THAT THE THREE HOWARD BROTHERS APPEARED ON FILM TOGETHER.
(Here they used the studio clip from: ("HOLD THAT LION!"): (Curly, Shemp, Moe, and Larry): (07/17/1947): "Where Curly is a snoring train car passanger and Moe, Shemp, and Larry are standing in front of Curly looking at Curly with looks of wonderment on their faces and Moe is removing a clothespin from Curly's nose. After Moe has removed the clothespin, Curly is snoring like a roaring lion."
ALTHOUGH CURLY WAS NOT WELL ENOUGH TO PERFORM, HE STILL ENJOYED LIFE TO ITS FULLEST. HE ALREADY HAD HIS FIRST DAUGHTER MARILYN, FROM A PREVIOUS MARRIAGE.
(Here they used a home still photograph of Curly sitting on a chair next to his daughter Marilyn in their backyard on a beautiful Summers day).
THEN IN 1947 HE MARRIED FOR THE LAST TIME, TO A CARING WOMAN NAMED VALARIE. THEY GAVE BIRTH TO A DAUGHTER NAMED JANNIE. IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT THESE WERE SOME OF CURLY'S HAPPIEST YEARS.
(Here they used the following three home still photographs of Curly and his fourth wife Valarie).
ONE: (Of Curly and Valarie in front of the synagogue just after they had taken their marriage vows).
TWO: (Of Valarie holding her baby daughter Jannie, (age circa two months), as Jennie is sitting in an outside chair. Valarie is standing behind her holding onto her).
THREE: (Of Jannie and Curly where Jannie, (age circa two months), is sitting in the chair and Curly is playing with her standing by her side with a toy airplane that spins around on a stick).
HERE THEY ARE WITH JANNIE'S DOG SALTY.
(Here they used a home still photohgraph of Curly who is holding Jannie, (age circa half a year), and both Jannie and Curly are petting and hugging this really beautiful, loveable, huggable, and adorable Collie dog).
IN JANUARY OF 1952, AFTER A BRAVE BATTLE, "CURLY, JEROME, BABE HOWARD DIED, HE WAS 48.
THE STOOGES MADE ALMOST 100 SHORTS WITH SHEMP. BUT THE STRING WOULD END WITH ANOTHER FAMILY HEARTBREAK.
(Here they used a clip from): ("MALICE IN THE PALACE"): (Shemp, Moe, and Larry): (09/01/1949): "Where Ghinna Rumma, (George Lewis), and Hassan Ben Sober, (Vernon Dent), are pounding the table for service and Shemp, Moe, and Larry are running to serve them with smiles on their faces and supporting giant trays of food and Shemp is crouched down underneath Moe and Larry with their trays of food, (which is hot dogs and rabbit steaks). Shemp has forgotten he was standing underneath Moe and Larry and says with a look of glee on his face as he is standing up quickly and knocking the trays from Moe and Larry's hands. "Boy, if I hadn't ducked, we'd collided sure, what a narrow escape." Moe and Larry are standing with horrified looks on their faces as the food is dumped all over Ghinna Rumma, (George Lewis), and Hassan Ben Sober, (Vernon Dent)."
AFTER A NIGHT AT THE FIGHTS, SHEMP JUMPED INTO A CAB AND ASKED THE DRIVER TO TAKE HIM TO HIS HOME. HE WAS SITTING IN THE BACK SEAT WITH HIS FRIEND AL WINSTON. AL THOUGHT HE SMELLED SMOKE, HE LOOKED AT SHEMP AND NOTICED THAT HE HAD SLUMPED OVER HOLDING HIS BURNING CIGAR. SHEMP HAD SUFFERED A HEART ATTACK, HE WAS DEAD AT THE AGE OF 60.
(Here they used a few quick blips from):
ONE: ("MALICE IN THE PALACE"): (Shemp, Moe, and Larry): (09/01/1949): "Where Shemp, Larry, and Moe are looking horrified as they show Ghinna Rumma, (George Lewis), covered with food."
TWO: ("SING A SONG OF SIX PANTS"): (Shemp, Larry, and Moe): (10/301947): (or): ("RIP, SEW, and STITCH"): (Shemp, Larry, and Moe): (09/03/1953): "Where Shemp had his fight with the hand ironing board and has hit it hard with a broom and did not notice Moe has just walked in and he has hit Moe hard with the broom and Moe has a look of mischief on his face as he takes the broom from Shemp and pat's Shemp gently on the shoulder after Shemp has apologized to Moe. Moe then hits Shemp hard on the head with the broom."
THREE: (STUDIO STILL SHOT FROM): ("STUDIO STOOPS"): (Shemp, Larry, and Moe): (10/05/1950): "Where Shemp, Moe, and Larry are all tangled up in telephone cords as they are trying to meet the requests of the kidnappers who had just kidnapped Dolly DeVore, (Christine McIntyre).
HE WAS LAID TO REST AT THE "HOME PEACE CEMETERY." NEAR WHERE CURLY WAS BURIED FIVE YEARS EARLIER.
OF COURSE THE STOOGES CONTRACT AT COLUMBIA CALLED FOR THEM TO PERFORM IN THE FACE OF ANY SITUATION.
(Here they used a still photograph of Curly and Shemp, age circa twenties).
(Plus another still studio photograph): ("STUDIO STOOPS"): (Shemp, Larry, and Moe): (10/05/1950): "Where Moe. Larry, and Shemp are standing there with looks of awe on their faces as they have found Dolly DeVore, (Christine McIntyre), stuffed into a suit carrying bag."
MOE AND LARRY TOYED WITH THE IDEA OF CONTINUING AS "THE TWO STOOGES", BRINGING IN A DIFFERENT COMEDIAN TO FILL IN THE PROMANENT ROLES.
(Here they used the studio still from): ("HOI-POLLIO"): (Curly, Larry, and Moe): (08/29/1935): "Where Moe, and Larry are dressed in tuxedos and the third persons face, (Curlys), has been blackened out and they flashed in a giant sized question mark to represent the face of the comedian of the time."
AFTER THEY REALIZED THAT WOULDN'T WORK, THEY DECIDED TO FIND A REPLACEMENT, STOOGES DIRECTOR, JULES WHITE SUGGESTED COMIC JOE BESSER. THEY AGREED.
(Here they used a studio still shot from): ("FIFI BLOWS HER TOP"): (04/10/1958): ( Moe, Larry, and Joe): They have perplexed looks on their faces as Moe is holding a telephone receiver in his hand as they are sitting at a table, all are listening into the telephone at the restaurant "Café La-Mer-Essen."
CHAPTER EIGHT: "LARRY, MOE, AND JOE: 1956 through 1958: NARRATED BY: "MR. CORBETT:"
JOE WAS BORN IN 1907 IN SAINT LOUIS MISSOURI.
(Here they used a home still photograph of Joe, (age circa six), with his parents.
HE WAS ENTHRALLED WITH SHOW BUSINESS AND AT AN EARLY AGE BECAME A GOOD, YOUNG MAGICIAN.
(Here they used a beautifully done oil painting of Joe, (age circa early forties).
HIS PARENTS WERE NOT THRILLED WITH HIS DECISION TO GO INTO THEATRE, THEY ALL READY HAD ONE SON IN SHOW BUSINESS, MANNIE.
(Here they used a studio still photograph of Joe dressed in a tuxedo and is walking down the stairs to enter the stage).
IN THE EARLY 1930'S HE EARNED A PART IN THE BROADWAY SHOW "SONS OF FUN." HE PLAYED THE PART OF A WHINING CHILD, A CHARACTER THAT WOULD BECOME HIS SIGNATURE THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER.
(Here they used these two different studio still photographs):
ONE: (Of Joe dressed in a childs costume for his role in "SONS OF FUN").
TWO: (From the short): ("HORSING AROUND"): (Moe, Joe, and Larry): (09/12/1957): "Where Joe is getting hit in the head by Moe and Larry with a giant sixed mixing dish and Joe has a look of hurt on his face. Moe and Larry have very mad looks on their faces."
WHEN THE STOOGES CALLED JOE HE WASN'T USED TO THE KIND OF SLAPSTICK COMEDY THE STOOGES WERE FAMOUS FOR, IN FACT, HE HATED TO BE HIT.
(Here they used a studio still photograph of Joe Besser dressed as Santa Claus, (age circa early thirties), and is being kissed by two very beautiful ladies and Moe is standing there with a look of madness and his fingers posed in eyepoke position).
A STOOGE THAT DIDN'T LIKE TO BE HIT? THE "RED FLAG" SHOULD OF GONE UP RIGHT AWAY! HE EVEN PUT IN HIS CONTRACT A PROVISION THAT PROHIBITED MOE AND LARRY FROM SLAPPING OR CAUSING HIM BODILY HARM.
(Here they used a studio still photograph from): ("GUNS A POPPIN'"): (Moe, Joe, and Larry): (06/13/1957): (Remake of): ("IDIOT'S DELUXE!): (Curly, Larry, and Moe): (07/20/1945): "Where Moe is toting a 10 gauge shot gun over his shoulder with a perplexed look on his face)>
THIS LED TO SOME PRETTY FUNNY MOMENTS, MOST OF THEM INVOLVED JOE TRYING TO HIT MOE BACK. HE WAS THE ONLY REPLACEMENT WHO EVER ATTEMPTED. SURE MOE DIDN'T LIKE IT, BUT IT WAS FUNNY, SO HE LEFT IT IN. PROVING, HE WOULD DO ANYTHING FOR A LAUGH.
(Here a studio still shot from their short): ("MUSCLE UP A LITTLE CLOSER"): (Moe, Joe, and Larry): (02/28/1957); "Where Moe, Joe, and Larry are taking a break from work and Moe is pretending that he is a doctor and is looking down Joe's throat with a mechanics light bulb and is telling Joe that he needs to get involved in an exercise regiment if he wants to tar and feather Elmo Drake, (Matt Murphy). When they found out he was the thief that stole his girlfriend Tiny Ray, (Maxine Gates), grandmothers ring that she wanted to use as her engagement ring).
JOE ENJOYED A PRIVATE FAMILY LIFE. OFTEN TREATING HIS JOB AS A NINE TO FIVER, WOULD COME IN ON TIME, AND DO HIS LINES AND HIS BLOCKING.
(Here they used a family still photograph of Joe dressed in his night shirt and he is smiling as he is having himself a midnight snack holding a jar of jelly in his hand).
ALTHOUGH JOE AND HIS WIFE DIDN'T HAVE ANY CHILDREN, THEY TREATED THE NEIGHBOURHOOD KIDS AS THEIR OWN.
(Here they used a family still photograph of Joe standing, smiling with two different neighbour kids by his side with his arms around their shoulders on an Autumn day in Joe's front yard).
HERE'S JOE AND ERNIE, HIS WIFE OF MORE THAN FIFTY YEARS.
(Here they used a family still photograph of JOE and ERNIE, (Age circa, seventies).
JOE'S TENURE WITH THE THREE STOOGES MAY HAVE BEEN SHORT, BUT HE WILL ALWAYS BE PART OF THE FAMILY.
(Here they used a studio still photograph from): ("MUSCLE UP A LITTLE CLOSER"): (Moe, Joe, and Larry): (02/28/1957): "Where Moe, Larry, and Joe are starring adorningly at a beautiful lady).
IN 1958, COLUMBIA DECIDED NOT TO PICK UP THEIR OPTION ON THE THREE STOOGES. SO, AFTER 24 YEARS OF THE STUDIO, THEY DIDN'T HAVE A CONTRACT.
(Here they used a studio still photograph from): ("FIFI BLOWS HER TOP"): (Moe, Joe, and Larry): (04/10/1958): "Where Moe, Joe, and Larry are standing in front of a costume case that read: "Howard, Fine, and Besser, Stage Screen And Radar." They are holding straw hats and have looks of mischief on their faces).
OF COURSE, COLUMBIA STILL OWNED NEARLY 200 STOOGE SHORTS, AND THEY NATURALLY SOLD THEM TO T.V.
(Here they used the "Columbia Logo" which is that of the "Statue Of Liberty," holding her brightly burning torch in pride).
(Plus a couple of quick blips from): ("SING A SONG OF SIX PANTS"): (Shemp, Moe, and Larry): (10/30/1947): (or): ("RIP, SEW, and STITCH"): (Shemp, Moe, and Larry): (09/031953): "Where Moe is glancing at the repossession letter of their dry cleaning equipment).
JOE BESSER'S WIFE WAS ILL, SINCE THE STOOGES WOULD NOW HAVE TO MAKE MORE APPEARANCES THAN EVER BEFORE, HE DECIDED NOT TO CONTINUE AS THE THIRD STOOGE.
(Here they used a studio still photograph from): ("GUNS A POPPIN'): (Moe, Joe, and Larry): (06/13/1957): (Remake of): ("IDIOT'S DELUXE"): (Curly, Moe, and Larry): (07/20/1945): "Where Moe is the band conductor, and Joe is sitting in front of a drum set that reads: "The Original Two-Man Quartet." Joe is "playing" both the drums and the 'Licorice Stick'. Larry is standing by Joe playing the slide trombone).
AFTER ALMOST 30 YEARS OF CONTINUED SUCCESS, THE GROUP NOW FELT ITSELF AT A CROSS ROADS. WHILE MOE AND LARRY WERE DECIDING WHAT TO DO, A REMARKABLE THING HAPPENED.
(Here they used a studio still photograph from): ("SAPPY BULLFIGHTERS"): (Moe, Joe, and Larry): (06/04/1959): "Here they are in the backroom of Columbia Studios, Moe and Larry are dressed in street wear and Joe was dressed in his "Bullfighters Costume."
THE TELEVISION RATINGS FOR STOOGES SHORTS WERE DOING SOLID NUMBERS.
(Here once again another clip from): ("DISORDER IN THE COURT"): (Moe, Curly, and Larry): (05/30/1936): "Where they are posing to have their picture taken after they found Gail Tempest, (Susan Karaan), not guilty of killing Kirk Robbin. The Defense Attorney, (Bud Jamison), and Gail Tempest, (Susan Karaan), are standing behind Moe, Larry, and Curly smiling gleefully while Moe is standing proudly and Moe has just now "straightened" his hair. While Larry is also standing there proudly and smiling gleefully. Curly is also standing there with a proud look on his face holding the knotted fire up knotted fire hose that is really building up water pressure since they were unable to turn off the main water source, now at the brink of explosion. The fire hose has now finally exploded and has now wet down the entire court room."
MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE, THIS TOLD LARRY AND MOE THAT THE JUST HAD TO CONTINUE.
CHAPTER NINE: "MOE, LARRY, AND CURLY-JOE:" 1958 through 1974: NARRATED BY: "MR. CORBETT:"
FOR THE SIXTH AND FINAL STOOGE, THEY DECIDED ON JOE De RITA. JOE WOULD OF KNOWN THEM FROM THEIR EARLIER DAYS AT COLUMBIA AND ADMIRED THEIR HUMOUR GREATLY.
(Here they used a still photograph of CURLY-JOE, (Age circa late thirties).
WHILE JOE WAS IN MEXICO SHOOTING "THE BRAVADOS," (07/01/1958): THE STOOGES CALLED AND HE JOINED UP SOON AFTER.
(Here they used a studio still photograph of Curly-Joe from): ("THE BRAVADOS"): (Curly-Joe Solo): (07/01/1958): "Where Curly-Joe is dressed in his role as the hangman, Mr. Simms).
JOE CAME UP WITH A GREAT IDEA, LIKE JEROME TWENTY-FIVE YEARS EARLIER, JOE CUT OFF MOST OF HIS HAIR AND CALLED HIMSELF CURLY-JOE.
(Here they used a still photograph of Moe, Larry, and Curly-Joe at childrens fund raiser, (year circa 1967).
HE TOOK TO THE CHANGE IMMEDIATELY.
(Here they used a studio still photograph from): ("HAVE ROCKET-WILL TRAVEL"): (Moe, Larry, and Curly-Joe): (08/01/1959): "Where Moe, Larry, and Joe are hanging on frantically to the outside of a rocket).
BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY THE AUDIENCES EMBRASSED HIM AS A STOOGE.
(Here they used a still photograph of Moe, Larry, and Curly-Joe with looks of glee on their faces, (age circa late sixties).
CURLY-JOE GOT AN EARLY START IN SHOW BIZ, HIS MOM RAN A DANCING SCHOOL IN PHILADELPHIA AND AT THE AGE OF SEVEN HE WAS GRACING THE STAGES OF VAUDEVILLE.
(Here they used two different still photographs of Curly-Joe):
ONE: (Curly-Joe and his mother and a dancing student at his mothers dancing studio, (guessing, Curly-Joe age 19, mother, age 30, and student, age 22).
HE STARRED IN A FAMILY ACT CALLED "THE De RITA SISTERS AND JUNIOR."
(Here they used a still photograph of Curly-Joe on stage with Jean, his future wife, (age circa twenties).
IN ADDITION TO HIS ACTING CHORES, CURLY-JOE HELPED BUILD THE SETS, SELL THE TICKETS, AND CLEAN-UP AFTER THE SHOWS. HE LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT.
(Here they used a family still photograph of Curly-Joe at the age of eight on stage hunched over with three big rings around his neck and he was dressed as a clown).
CURLY-JOE AND JEAN SULLIVAN, HAD KNOWN EACH OTHER PROFESSIONALLY IN THE FORTIES AND MET UP AGAIN IN THE EARLY SIXTIES.
(Here they used Jean Sullivan from the sixties sitting down with Moe, Larry and Curly-Joe standing behind her giving her looks of happiness and Curly-Joe is giving her 'goo-goo' eyes).
THEY TOOK AN INSTANT LIKING TO EACH OTHER. IN 1965 THEY FINALLY MARRIED, IT WAS THE LOVE OF HIS LIFE.
(Here they used a family video clip of Curly-Joe, Jean, Moe, and Larry at Curly-Joe and Jeans wedding).
CHAPTER TEN: "THE STOOGES GIVE BACK!:" NARRATED BY: "MR. CORBETT:"
THE STOOGES ALWAYS HAD TIME FOR THE KIDS. MOE IN PARTICULAR ALWAYS FELT IT WAS HIS DUTY TO HELP AS MUCH AS HE COULD.
(Here they used three different clips from one of Moe's home videos).
ONE: (Moe, his wife Helen and their two children, Joan and Paul in their backyard just playing around on a beautiful Summers day).
TWO: (Moe with his daughter Joan, Moe was kneeling and Joan at the age of four was standing and they were playing with Joans lovable and cute little and hugable Collie poochie).
THREE: (Joan, (age circa six), standing on her front porch steps getting a hug and kiss from her grand-mother, (Moes mother).
HE KNEW HOW FORTUNATE HE WAS TO HAVE SUCH A LOVING FAMILY, GROWING UP AND WHEN HE WAS RAISING HIS OWN CHILDREN JOAN AND PAUL.
(Here they used a couple of different clips from a family home videos):
ONE: (Of little Joan, (age circa three), with Uncle Shemp, doing Stooges impressions, making her laugh in Shemp's backyard).
TWO: (Of little Paul, (age circa two), riding a push and pull toy oceanliner).
SO, HE NEVER TURNED DOWN A REQUEST TO APPEAR AT AN ORPHANAGE OR A CHILDRENS HOSPITAL.
(Here they used two different still photographs of Moe, Larry, and Curly-Joe and other cast members performing at two different Childrens Hospitals in Philadelphia, (year guess 1966).
THE STOOGES COULDN'T STAND THE SIGHT OF KIDS ON CHRISTMAS MORNING WITH NO PRESENTS TO OPEN. SO THEY WOULD HOST A HUGE PARTY, ARRIVING WITH A CAR FULL OF GIFTS. THEY LOVED WATCHING THE KIDS RIP THREW THE WRAPPING PAPER TO SEE WHAT SANTA BROUGHT THEM.
(Here they used several different still photographs of Moe, Larry, and Curly-Joe at a Childrens Hospital in Philadelphia hosting a Christmas party for the kids with Curly-Joe playing Santa Claus and passing out the gifts to the smiling and very happy children).
CHAPTER ELEVEN: "THE LATER YEARS:" NARRATED BY: "MR. CORBETT:"
IN THEIR LATER YEARS, THE STOOGES MADE LESS AND LESS PUBLIC APPEARANCES. THEY INSTEAD FILLED THEIR TIME WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
(Here they used a still photograph of Moe, Larry, and Curly-Joe and other crew members standing in front of their personalized touring bus that read: "The 3 Stooges Comedy Team").
LARRY OFTEN HELP PORT IN HIS SUITE AT THE "KNICKERBOCKER HOTEL", HE LOVED TO COOK.
(Here they used a clip from): ("MALICE IN THE PALACE"): (Shemp, Moe, and Larry): (09/01/1949): "Where Larry has just chased the cat and dog out into the main dining room from helping themselves to some food. Larry has taken them back into the kitchen. First he ran after the cat and picked it up and was waving a meat clever at the cat. He then puts the cat on the floor and gives it a treat. As Larry is chopping up some veggies he is stomping his foot and the cat is meowing at every stomp, then unbenounced to Larry the cat gets its tail under Larrys foot and he steps on it hardly causing the cat to scream out loud. Then the dog has now helped himself to some sausages and Larry is chasing the dog into the main dining area and Larry picks up the dog waving the meat clever at him and Larry takes him back into the kitchen where Larry places the poochie on a stool in front of a window that is propped open with a stick. Larry gives the poochie a bite of sausages. As Larry is chopping up some meat the poochie is sitting on the stool with his tail on the window ledge and is wagging it happily and barking happily as Larry is attending his chopping chores. The poochie then wags his tail to close to the window prop stick and knocks the stick out of position sending the window crashing down on his little tail causing the poor little poochie to bark out loudly in pain. Larry then marches out into the main dining room and proudly as he serves Ghinna Rumma, (George Lewis), and Hassan Ben Sober, (Vernon Dent), their food, Larry says to them: "When it comes to cooking I'm the cats meow." Both Shemp, Moe, Ghinna Rumma, (George Lewis), and Hassan Ben Sober, (Vernon Dent), have horrified looks on ther faces as they "think" that Larry has just now served them the dog and cat."
IN 1970, LARRY SUFFERED A STROKE, ALTHOUGH MOE WAS BROKEN UP OVER HIS PARTNERS ILLNESS, HE STILL CONTINUED HIS CAREER.
(Here they showed a still photograph of Moe, and Larry at the age of seventy sitting in Moe's living room).
HE WOULD OFTEN APPEAR ON TALK SHOWS OF HE WOULD PERFORM OLD STOOGES SKETCHES.
(Here they used a studio still photograph from): ("THE THREE STOOGES MEET HERCULES"): (Moe, Larry, and Curly-Joe): (01/01/1962): "Where Moe is tweeking Emil Sitka, (Shepherd, Refreshment Man), nose with a giant-sized clothespin).
MOE KNEW, IF HE WANTED TO CONTINUE "THE THREE STOOGES", HE WOULD HAVE TO FIND SOMEONE TO REPLACE LARRY. THEY SETTLED ON ONE OF THEIR OLD COMIC FOILS EMIL SITKA.
(Here they used a coloured still photograph of Moe, Helen, and Larry sitting in Moe's living room).
AROUND THIS TIME, LARRY MOVED INTO "THE MOTION PICTURE HOME". HIS LAST YEARS WERE BITTERSWEET. HE LOVED BEING THE FOCUS OF THE ATTENTION, OFTEN COMING IN LAST AT THE DINNER.
(Here they showed the same family still photograph of Mabel and Larry at their wedding reception supper).
A STAR FINALLY, THERE WAS ALWAYS A BIG CROWD AT HIS TABLE WHERE HE TALKED SPORTS AND THREW IN A FEW OLD JOKES.
IN MID JANUARY 1975, HE SUFFERED ANOTHER STROKE, AND TWO WEEKS LATER, LARRY WAS GONE.
(Here they used a family still photograph of Larry at the age circa of fifty).
MOE WAS HEART BROKEN AND FIVE MONTHS LATER HE TOO WAS GONE, MOE WAS SEVENTY-SEVEN.
(Here they are using a video clip of Larry and Moe in their later years riding in a car down a public street in a parade and being greeted by some of their fans).
BEFORE MOE DIED, CURLY-JOE CONSIDERED CONTINUING THE ACT, BUT THAT NEVER HAPPENED. AND CURLY-JOE SETTLED INTO A HAPPY RETIREMENT IN HIS NORTH HOLLYWOOD HOME.
(Here they used a studio still photograph from): ("THE OUTLAWS IS COMING!"): (Moe, Curly-Joe, and Larry): (01/01/1965): "Where Moe, Larry, and Curly-Joe are peaking around the bend of a doorway).
THIS WAS HIS LAST BIRTHDAY PARTY IN 1993, IRONICALLY HE WOULD PASS AWAY IN THE SAME INTENSIVE CARE UNIT AS HIS PARTNER LARRY FINE.
(Here they use a family home video clip of Jean bringing Curly-Joe, (age 84), his birthday cake and wishing him a happy birthday and giving him a giant hug and kiss. Then they turn to the camera smiling sweetly and wave goodbye).
SO, AFTER MORE THAN SEVENTY YEARS, THE WORLD WOULD HAVE TO GET ALONG WITH OUT THE STOOGES.
(Here they used another clip from): ("BRIDELESS GROOM"): (Shemp, Moe, and Larry): (09/11/1947): "Where Moe, Larry, and Shemp, Judge J. M. Benton, (Emil Sitka), Miss Dinkelmeyer, (Dee Green), are now in the Justice Of The Peace Office where Judge Benton, (Emil Sitka), is getting ready to marry her, and Shemp has now dropped the ring down inside of the piano and Shemp is going to fetch the ring and Shemp gets his head tied up in one of the piano wires. Moe is helping Shemp up and mad at Shemp for loosing the ring down inside of the piano. Moe lets go of Shemp with the piano wire around Shemp's neck and Shemp goes crashing into the side of piano).
THERE WOULD BE NO MORE EYEPOKES.
(Here used a couple of quick blips from): ("DISORDER IN THE COURT"): (Curly, Moe, and Larry): (05/30/1936):
ONE: ( "Where Moe is disgusted with Curly at the way Curly is approaching himself in the court room, playing with his chewing gum, using his hat and cane as a machine gun. Moe gives Curly and eyepoke and Moe tells Curly "To get going!" Curly is now approaching the witness stand").
TWO: ("Where Moe, Larry, and Curly are in the main hallway of the court room and are playing jacks and tic-tac-toe and Moe reaches over and gives Larry a smack on the face and an eyepoke for winning the tic-tac-toe game").
AND NO MORE CHRISTMAS PARTIES.
(Here they used a clip from): ("MALICE IN THE PALACE"): (Shemp, Moe, and Larry): (09/01/1949): "Where Moe, Shemp, and Larry are dressed as Santa Clauses to sneak in to the palace of "King Rootin' Tootin' to get the diamond from the Emir Of Shmow, (Johnny Kascier). The Nubian Guard, (Everett Brown), approached The Three Santa Clauses and says "Ah, there ain't no Santa Claus." SANTAS to GUARD, (Everett Brown): (As they are getting out of their horse drawn sleigh and opens up a large pillow case and says to him). "Oh, yes there is, and we have a present for you." GUARD, (Everett Brown), to SANTA CLAUSES: (As he is looking into the pillow case says): "You have, where?" SHEMP SANTA to GUARD, (Everett Brown), (As he is hitting the guard, (Everett Brown), over the head with a large mallet and is sending the dazed out guard, (Everett Brown), into the pillow case says). "Yes, right here!"
BUT EVEN TODAY, STOOGE FILMS ARE AS POPULAR AS EVER. AND THEY FINALLY RECEIVED A STAR ON THE FAMOUS "WALK OF FAME ON HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD."
(Here they are using a still photograph of Joe Besser and a bunch of Hollywood stars and fans as Joe is happily accepting the well deserved star for himself and all of his other Stooge family members).
HERE'S JOE, MOE'S DAUGHTER JOAN ON THE RIGHT AND LARRY'S DAUGHTER PHYLLIS ON THE LEFT.
(Here they used a still coloured photograph of Joe, Joan, and Phyllis at their star).
THE THREE STOOGES TIMELESS HUMOUR CONTINUES TO INFLUENCE MANY OF TODAY'S COMEDIANS.
(Here they used a clip from either): ("SING A SONG OF SIX PANTS"): (Shemp, Larry and Moe): (10/30/1947): (or): ("RIP, SEW, and STITCH"): (Shemp, Larry and Moe): (09/03/1953): "Where Larry is standing at his ironing table with his back to Shemp. Shemp is there hemming a pair of trousers and is extending his needle too far and is poking Larry a couple of times in the backside. Larry is turning around and giving Shemp a hurtful look and yelling in pain): "Owh, owh, owh, owh!"
(PLUS USED A CLIP FROM): ("MALICE IN THE PALACE"): (Shemp, Moe, and Larry): (09/01/1949): "Where Moe, Larry, and Shemp are three tier Santa Claus and are marching into the room of the Emir Of Shmow, (Johnny Kascier), and are telling them that they are the spirit of King Rootin' Tootin' and telling him that they demand to have the diamond).
IT'S HARD TO WATCH A COMEDY WITHOUT SEEING SOME REMINISCES OF A STOOGE BIT. YES, THE PASSAGE OF TIME CAN TAKE MOE, LARRY, CURLY, SHEMP, JOE AND CURLY-JOE FROM US.
(Here used a clip from): ("DISORDER IN THE COURT"): (Curly, Larry and Moe): (05/30/1936): "Where Moe and Larry are bored in the court room and are playing a game of tic-tac-toe on the chair in front of them and the Co-Counsel, (Eddie Laughton), sits down for a moment and gets their tic-tac-toe game on the back of his suit and Moe and Larry finish the game on the back of his suit with Moe wining the game. And the Co-counselor, (Eddie Laughton), turns around and looks at Moe and Larry in madness. Moe and Larry are sitting there acting nonchalant acting as if they did nothing wrong and Moe says to Larry. "What comes after sevent-five?" LARRY to MOE: (With a mischief look on his face as he is chewing his nails says). "Seventy-Six." MOE to LARRY: (In a mischief state says to Larry). "That's the spirit!"
BUT THERE IS ONE THING THAT COULD NEVER BE TAKEN AWAY, AND THAT'S THE LAUGHTER.
(Here they used another clip from): ("DISORDER IN THE COURT"): (Larry, Curly, and Moe): (05/30/1936): "Where Moe, Larry, and Curly have now finished their musical song and dance routine with Gail Tempest, (Susan Karaan), re-inacting out their murder case of Kirk Robbin, proving Gail Tempest, (Susan Karaan), is innocent. Moe has just now swallowed his mouth organ, (harmonica), that he was playing and Curly is pumping Moe's arm like an old-fashioned water pump, and the harmonica is still playing and Larry is pounding Moe on the back and Moe finally spits it out and Moe says to Curly, as Moe is coughing up the mouth organ and Curly is giving Moe a swift kick on the backside. "You got it!" JUDGE, (Edward LeSaint), to MOE, LARRY, AND CURLY: (With madness in his voice and is shouting), "Please omit the rest of the entertainment and continue."
CHAPTER TWELVE: "THE CLOSING:"
THIS VERY BEAUTIFUL AND VERY WELL PUT TOGETHER DOCUMENTARY ENDS WITH:
MOE, LARRY, AND CURLY-JOE SINGING: "I WANT A HIPPOPOTAMUS FOR CHRISTMAS:" (CONDUCTED BY: SHEMP):
"I want a hippopotamus for Christmas, a hippopotamus is all I want. Don't want a doll, no dinky-dinky toys."
"I want a hippopotamus to play with and enjoy. I want a hippopotamus for Christmas, I don't think Santa Claus will mind, do you"
"He won't have to use a dirty chimney flue, just bring him through the front door, that's the easy thing to do."
"I can see me now on Christmas Morning creeping down the stairs, Oh, what joy I am surprise when I open my up my eyes to see my hippo hero standing there."
"I want a hippopotamus for Christmas, only a hippopotamus will do, no crocidiles or rhinocerosruses."
"I only like hippopotamuses, and hippopotamuses like me too,"
"I want a hippopotamus for Christmas, a hippopotamus is all I want."
"Pop says a hippo would eat me up a vance, teacher says a hippo is an imaginetary end."
"I want a hippopotamus for Christmas, and hippopotamuses, like me too!"
AS MOE, LARRY, AND CURLY-JOE WERE SINGING: "I WANT A HIPPOPOTAMUS FOR CHRISTMAS:" (The following short clips and home videos were playing):
1. Studio clip from: ("BRIDELESS GROOM"): (Shemp, Larry, and Moe): (09/11/1947) "Where Larry is taking a bow after his wonderful piano performance, (of playing scales), and Shemp hits Larry on the head."
2. Studio clip from: ("BRIDELESS GROOM"): (Shemp, Larry, and Moe): (09/11/1947): "Where Moe is down on his knees chasing Shemp around in circles trying to Shemp's pants hemmed."
3. Home video clip of Moe and Curly at the London Zoo with two zoo keepers. Curly and Moe are walking with a monkey laughing, and Moe is feeding the monkey treats.
4. Home video clip of a close-up on Curly at the London Zoo where Curly is hugging a monkey and making monkey imitations himself.
5. Home video clip of Shemp, wearing a ladies apron and he is sweeping out the garage and is sticking out his tongue at his wife Babe, (Gertrude). Babe then approaches Shemp and hits him madly over the head with her fist and demands him to stop that and finish his sweeping chores. As Babe is walking away, Shemp gives her the thumb on the nose gag.
6. Home video clip of Joan and Mort, (age circa three), sitting in Moe's car laughing while both Moe and Shemp are wearing ladies aprons and are dancing as they are sweeping Moe's driveway.
7. Studio clip from: ("MALICE IN THE PALACE"): (Shemp, Larry, and Moe): (09/01/1949): "Where Moe, Shemp, and Larry are the three tiered Santa Claus and they are running away from the Palace Guard, (Everett Brown), and go crashing into the doorway and go crashing to the floor."
8. Studio clip from either: ("SING A SONG OF SIX PANTS"): (Shemp, Larry, and Moe): (10/30/1947): (or): ("RIP, SEW, and STITCH"): (Shemp, Larry, and Moe): (09/03/1953): "Where Shemp is on top of the hand ironing board and is trying to get his trousers pressed and he crawls to far to the end and gets closed in the cupboard and then the ironing board springs back and sends Shemp crashing to the floor."
9. Studio clip from either: ("SING A SONG OF SIX PANTS"): (Shemp, Larry, and Moe): (10/30/1947): (or): ("RIP, SEW, and STITCH"): (Shemp, Larry, and Moe): (09/03/1953): "Where Shemp puts on Terry Hargens, (Harold Brauer), "fake" beard to disguise himself from Terry Hargen, (Harold Brauer), and Shemp says to him in a low, monotone voice after Terry Hargen, (Harold Brauer), "Have you seen the guy who was standing here?" Shemp replies as he is pointing his thumb over his shoulder says: "He went that a way." Then Terry Hargen, (Harold Brauer), realizes it was Shemp and turns around and gives Shemp a swift kick in the backside and then quickly pulls down the beard to reveal Shemp."
10. Plus they used a home video clip of Mr. Horwitz. Curly, Curly's wife Elaine along with Mrs. Horwitz and little Joan, (age circa five), standing in front of the New York Harbour laughing and joking around.
11. A home video clip Of Moe's family and Shemp's family in Moe's yard during a Summer cook-out just horsing around and two year old Joan runs over to little Mortimer, (age circa two), and she gives him a giant hug and kiss.
12. Studio clip from: ("MALICE IN THE PALACE"): (Shemp, Larry, and Moe): (09/01/1949): "Where Hassan Ben Sober, (Vernon Dent), and Ghinna Rumma, (George Lewis), are sitting down at a table and Hassan Ben Sober, (Vernon Dent), is pounding his fist on the table and is demanding service and Shemp, Larry, and Moe all run over to help them. They salute Ghinna Rumma, (George Lewis), and Hassan Ben Sober, (Vernon Dent), and they hit each other and Moe gives Larry a mad look and Larry quickly starts asking Hassan Ben Sober, (Vernon Dent), what he wants to eat."
13. Studio clip from: ("MALICE IN THE PALACE"): (Shemp, Larry, and Moe): (09/01/1949): "Where the Three Stooges Santa Clauses are peaking through the doorway looking to see where the Emir Of Shmow, (Johnny Kascier), is hiding at."
14. Home video clip of Curly with a look of wonder on his face at the London Zoo where he has that white cockateil perched on his arm.
15. Home video clip of Curly bent over and starring at a piece of a tire that he cut off of his car making a bad entrance into his driveway.
16. That home video clip where sweet little Joan and Mort are standing out in front of Shemp's doorway and Shemp pats them on the head, and they are decoys as Shemp goes to go into his house and he is greeted in fun by his wife Babe, who is chasing him with a rolled us newspaper and is smacking him on the backside, and Helen is chasing him and hitting him on the head with a feather duster. Moe, dressed in a ladies apron chasing after Shemp with a household broom and smacking Shemp on the head.
17. Final home video clip of Shemp's family sitting in Moe's car and looking at the camera smiling and waving goodbye!"
Then they did the final closing by showing "The Three Stooges Logo and Moe says in closing from the short: ("SING A SONG OF PANTS"): (Shemp, Larry, and Moe): (10/30/1947): (or): ("RIP, SEW, and STITCH"): (09/03/1953): "Shemp is poking Larry with his hand sewing needle and Larry is spiting dry cleaning fluid on Moe and Moe says: "Oh, a funny man, whats a matter with you?" Then Moe smacks Larry on the face.
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