Three Stooges Collection, the - 1943-1945

The fourth chronological collection shows Moe, Larry and Curly at their best with the twenty-one shorts from 1943 to 1945. In many ways, the shorts are transitional, as ill-health has begun to take its toll on Curly. Problems with high-blood pressure and other medical issues, including a series of mini-strokes that worsened in 1946 are evident in the later shorts in the collection. Even in the classic, "Micro-Phonies," one of their best shorts, shows Curly at just slightly less manic and physically frantic as those of just a year or two earlier. Still, with a few exceptions, these two- reelers show the comedy team at their slapstick best. Before commenting on the films themselves, it is important to note that Sony has done a fine job in restoring the shorts. Gone are the scratches and out-of-focus scenes, as well as the crudely edited offerings previously shown on TV. Picture and sound are excellent; one can imagine the enjoyment experienced in theaters when these classics first appeared onscreen. Many of these shorts are not seen today on television. During the war years, plots revolved around antics against Nazis and "Japs" in ways now considered to be politically incorrect. In particular, "The Yokes on Me" features the Stooges efforts to capture three Japanese "escapees" from a relocation camp. Although the physical comedy is typical stooge slapstick, the idea that US Citizens were imprisoned in WWII remains repugnant. Still, the short reflects the (unfortunate) prevailing attitude of the times. Other shorts, such as "No Dough Boys" are more innocuous, parodying stereotypes in more cartoonish "over-the-top" ways. "They Stooge to Conga" is the first of the 1943 shorts and is considered to be the most violent of the shorts. Even slapstick devotees cringe when Curly impales his telephone pole climbing spike in Moe's eye, ear and skull. I would agree that is over the top, but it is like a car wreck: one feels compelled to watch. Look for Dudley Dickerson, the gifted African-American character actor, whose brilliant comedy antics are sadly seen as too-stereotypical for today's audiences. The Stooges used him in a number of their comedies. Given the nature of the times, his performances are physically inspired pieces of slapstick. "Back from the Front", released later in 1943, features Moe's third impersonation of Hitler. The short takes place on the S.S. Schickelgruber and features non-stop mayhem. The stooges look interesting in their full beards. "Micro-Phonies" is one of my favorite Stooge shorts. Although Curly's physical mannerisms have been slowed by his medical difficulties, facial expressions and precision mimicking of "The Voice of Spring" are priceless. Together with Moe and Larry, he offers musical interpretations of several classics that makes one wish that the Stooges had done more with song and dance in their comedies. Like all of the shorts, viewers have their preferences. Still, most of those in this volume are entertaining, providing laughs some 60-plus years after their original release.

Any kid who grew up in So Cal in the early 70s watched the Stooges. Locally it was shown on a UHF station CH 52. Some us will remember climbing on the roof to twist the antenna to get a better reception. Later on in the early 80s they came on VHF CH 11. It was here I saw many episodes not shown on CH 52. I proceeded to tape these treasures on ... Beta tapes ! When Beta died that horrible death I refused to toss my tapes. Since then the only episodes available on VHS or DVD seemed to be the same. "Sing a Song of six pants" and "Hoi Polli" come to mind. Now I am happy as can be as they FINALLY released these in Chronological order. Some of us 50+ year old kids will for the first time see these UNEDITED. I finally got to see the episodes as intended not chopped up to fit in commercials. There are scenes I have never seen before. This in itself makes it even more enjoyable. If you're a Stooge fan or even a WWII history buff you will enjoy these episodes. Don't think about it don't hesitate just buy it.

We have another fantastic collection of The Three Stooges in this set. There are 21 shorts on two discs & the comedic genius of Curly is fully evident. It was a sad day when Curly Howard's career was cut short by health problems but few episodes in this set reveal the problems. "They Stooge to Conga" has our three boys taking on spies when they arrive to fix a doorbell. "Dizzy Detectives" finds them taking on a gorilla. "Spook Louder" has them hired to guard an inventor's spooky house. This is the short that has the mysterious pie thrower. "Back From the Front" has the boys at sea & the ship they're on is sunk. They're adrift at sea long enough to grow beards. They board an enemy ship & raise havoc with the Axis powers. Moe does another great imitation of the despised German leader. "I Can Hardly Wait" is the famous short where Moe attempts to pull Curly's tooth. "Phony Express" is one of their Western spoofs. In this one the boys are misidentified as three famous lawmen. "A Gem of a Jam" finds the boys working as janitors but thought to be doctors by three hoodlums. "Idle Roomers" has the boys taking on a version of the wolfman. Gents Without Cents" is one of my favorite shorts by the Stooges. This is the one where the boys do the Niagara Falls routine. "Slowly I turned, step by step, inch by inch..."; Moe & Larry then proceed to rip Curly's clothes to shreds. Listen closely to them on the stage & you'll hear Moe & Larry mess up their lines. "No Dough Boys" finds our boys in Japanese uniforms & thought to be escaped prisoners. "Idiots Deluxe" is certainly one of the Stooges most violent episodes. Moe is being sued by Larry & Curly because he tried to kill them."If a Body Meets a Body" finds the Stooges involved in a murder-mystery. "Micro-Phonies" has Curly posing as Senorita Coocaracha, an opera diva who can't sing. Curly is actually miming to a record & then the real female singer. It's a classic episode. It's a great collection for Stoogephiles that love to yuk it up with the boys. The prints are in pristine condition but there aren't any bonus features, not even subtitles. Thank you, Sony, for giving so much of the proper attention to restoring these prints.

Maybe, you can educate me? Here is my IMO segment, For instance, Season 3, Ache in every Stake, they play icemen, they end up posing as chefs, Larry tells Curly to shave some ice, then they pan the camera back to Curly and he has a block of ice with a sheet around it and shaving cream on it, with straight razor in hand he proceeds to make small talk, he says as he is shaving, So Pal.. are you married or happy? Hey Bud.. did you have a pink tie on when u came in here? No? Well, here`s part of your lip back. This is comic genius that is passing you by like a Clemens fastball, why? because its mistakenly labeled as childish, foolish, ridiculous.. obviously it will never be acknowledged, everyone was so anxious to laugh, they sadly, overlooked tremendous comic timing and classic improv. techniques. What they do? Is much harder than it appears on the surface.

This is a review for the two disc box set of the Three Stooges Columbia Pictures Box Set entitled "The Three Stooges Collection, Volume Four (1943-1945). It is a fully remastered 21 short subjects set released by Sony, another in the fine series that just keeps on rolling out of the Sony/Columbia door at very reasonable prices to document one of the most remarkable comedy careers in Hollywood history. But at end, this box set is the last of the, in my opinion, greatest of the Stooges, Curly Howard. Curly had health problems but kept on working although at diminished capacity and finally was forced to retire during 1946 after what is described as a mild stroke. So this 21 episode set pretty much wraps up the Curly years and even though he has slowed down he's as inventive as ever in 'Micro- Phonies," as an out of control opera diva and joins the boys in discovering enemy soldiers, agents and just plain spies in "They Stooge to Conga," and "Back From the Front," as well as being mistaken for Japaneese soldiers themselves in "No Dough Boys." Taking nothing away from the other Stooges but in my book Curly was the heart and soul of this golden era comedy act and his leaving the scene the way he did reminds us that even the best and the brightest cannot burn with genius forever. We are lucky to have his contributions on film and Curly Howard will always be remembered with fondness and joy. So I give ths Three Stooges box set another five star rating because it is chock full of humor and outright belly laughs, the kind that are not that easy to come across these days or probably at any time. Five Stars with pleasure.

The Stooges (and Laurel and Hardy) were the kings of slapstick comedy and this set is another collection of Curly shorts. I proudly let my kids watch this as there is so much on TV you don't want or cannot leave the room and let your children watch. The stooges are classic. The set is packaged consistently throughout the entire collection of sets. It has some of the classic favs: They Stooge to Conga Spook Louder Higher than a Kite Dizzy Pilots No Dough Boys (taking advantage of mocking the Japanese of WWII which was common in many segments of entertainment of the day as well as the Nazis during war time.) As with all Stooges collections this is worth adding to the collection.

Great videos, knuckleheads!

I believe I bought my favorite Shemp short, it’s been so long. I just remember having it on video as an adolescent. Young people: watch these while smoking or edibles. It’s simulated not real violence. Don’t be scared or turned off. Learn about history through this warped lense. I guess women notoriously don’t enjoy it or get it and that’s okay. It’s an interesting time in the world they were filming in.

21 remastered Columbia shorts on 2 DVDs from 1943-45 with Larry, Curly and Moe. This volume 4 is great.

I grew up watching the three stooges and Its no secrect that the three stooges were great in the 1930-1970. it' gives me pleasure to watch the three stogges with my family.it brings back a lot of great memories . I recommend this DVD to watch with your family It's so nice to watch a program without violence. Janette

The 4th volume of the Stooges library classics. Just watch out for the slap to the head and poke to the eyes.

Great childhood memories, I have the whole collection.

the best comedy ever