'Fraidy Cat

In 1949 until 1956, Joe Besser was signed on by Columbia to star in 10 comedy two-reelers for the studio. In this one, Besser is unofficially teamed with local radio comedian Jim Hawthorne as Besser's straight-man. The short itself is a scene-by-scene remake of the 1943 Stooges short Dizzy Detectives as Besser and Hawthorne play detectives who go after a gorilla trained to rob an antique store after hours.

It was remade, yet again, in 1955 as Hook a Crook.

In 1949 until 1956, Joe Besser was signed on by Columbia to star in 10 comedy two-reelers for the studio. In this one, Besser is unofficially teamed with radio comedian Jim Hawthorne as Besser's straight-man. The short itself is a scene-by-scene remake of the 1943 Stooges short Dizzy Detectives as Besser and Hawthorne play detectives who go after a gorilla trained to rob an antique store after hours. It was remade again in 1955 as Hook a Crook.

"'Fraidy Cat" is a Columia Pictures remake of a previous comedy, the Three Stooges film, "Dizzy Detectives". The studio very often remade prior films the studio made...and having some other act remake a Three Stooges picture isn't unusual. What would have been unusual is if the remake had been better...which, unfortunately, it isn't.

Joe and Jim Hawthorne both play dippy detectives who are working a case involving a gorilla...or, rather, some guy dressed in a cheesy gorilla costume. Already the film loses a point or two for the gorilla! During the course of the two idiots' investigation, Joe appears to have his head cut off and Jim sees it and the pair later find that crooks are using the poor gorilla to steal!

The film frankly isn't any improvement on the Stooges movie. It even replicates a LOT of scenes...though having Curly, Moe and Larry instead of Besser and Hawthorne is a major plus. Watchable.