Movie Maniacs

Some famous footnotes to this campy comedy, all set in a real movie studio. We actually get to see parts of Columbia Pictures in the 30s, which is a treat by itself.

Moe, Larry and Curly land in Hollywood, hoping to become movie stars or whatever?

As Stooge luck would have it, they're mistaken for executives -- who telegrammed they are on their way, but haven't shown up -- take over a film and do it their wacky way. Felix Adler's script is goofy as usual, filled with some surprises.

First off, the director, leading man and lady walk off the set in a huff. That leaves Moe to take over as director, Larry plays the leading man and, yes, it's Curly in drag(!) as the leading lady? Outrageous, a gag that would be repeated many more times to come. Curly was a comedy original. The charade doesn't last long when the real bosses show up, prompting the guys to make a run for it, bumping into some lions, and you can guess the rest. By the way, the movie studio is called Carnation Pictures, as in milk!

The lions were, in fact, famous. They were called Tanner and Jackie, known as the MGM lions. A fun bit of trivia. Silent film actress Mildred Harris, who married Charlie Chaplin at age 17, plays the leading lady. Kenneth Harlan, also a silent screen actor, plays the leading man. Harlan was reportedly married a record nine times. Bud Jamison wins the nutty name contest, this time called Fuller Rath.

Another treat by director Del Lord.

Always on remastered Columbia dvd, separated by years, 30s, 40s and 50s episodes. Thanks always to METV for running these golden oldies Saturday nights.

This Three Stooges short was a particular disappointment given the Hollywood milieu; in fact, the opening scene aboard the train is more inventive than the ensuing studio silliness! The comic trio are mistaken for movie executives and given the run of the studio (the president's name, Fuller Rath, emerges as the film's best gag): unsurprisingly, they drive the director and leading actors to distraction with their antics and end up by replacing them (with Moe as director, Larry the leading man, and Curley – naturally in drag – takes on the part of the leading lady)! The film is okay in itself, but clearly not in the same league as feature films on the subject starring other contemporary comedians – such as Harold Lloyd's similarly-titled MOVIE CRAZY (1932) and W.C. Fields' NEVER GIVE A SUCKER AN EVEN BREAK (1941).

Movie Maniacs (1936)

*** (out of 4)

Three Stooges short has the boys going to Hollywood to become stars. They get thrown out of the studio lot but sneak their way back on and are mistaken for movie execs. Now they try their way to make movies. The most laughs come from the start of the film with Curly trying to cook breakfast and Larry trying to press Moe's pants. The stuff in Hollywood has a few clever lines but no big laughs.

This is now available in Columbia's 2-disc collection, which features over 20 shorts from the boys, all digitally remastered.

I love Laurel and Hardy, Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd, but The Three Stooges do absolutely nothing for me, their childish slapstick routines leaving me stony faced. This short sees the guys (Larry, Moe and Curley) travelling to Hollywood where they hope to become famous; after sneaking into a studio and being mistaken for New York film executives, they cause chaos on the set of a movie.

If you're a fan of the trio, I guess this one will keep you entertained, but all of the face-slapping, eye-poking, head-bopping and cross-dressing failed to make me crack a smile, and even at just 17 minutes, I found myself quite bored with this one. I'm willing to give the trio a couple more goes to try and amuse me: this was an early effort from the Stooges and they might get better, but I have my doubts.

The Three Stooges has always been some of the many actors that I have loved. I love just about every one of the shorts that they have made. I love all six of the Stooges (Curly, Shemp, Moe, Larry, Joe, and Curly Joe)! All of the shorts are hilarious and also star many other great actors and actresses which a lot of them was in many of the shorts! In My opinion The Three Stooges is some of the greatest actors ever and is the all time funniest comedy team!

One of the most unique Three Stooges shorts is Movie Maniacs. In this short are Bud Jamison, Harry Semels, Mildred Harris, Kenneth Harlan, and Heinie Conklin. The acting by these actors are good especially by Jamison and Semels. There are many funny scenes here that I think most Three Stooges fans will love! In My opinion this one of the most different Three Stooges shorts. I strongly recommend this one!