Woman Haters

This is a fairly good comedy by the Stooges, although they would soon produce much funnier films. For whatever reason, all the dialogue in this one was made to rhyme - it doesn't get in the way all of the time, but it seems unnecessary, and doesn't really help in any noticeable way. The plot is based on the boys joining a "Woman Haters" club that prohibits its members from marrying - on the same day that Larry had planned a wedding. The ensuing situations are relatively funny, but most of the laughs come from the slapstick and eyepokes that the Stooges would soon become famous for. This is a fairly funny film, but probably mostly of interest to those who are already fans of the Stooges.

Here is the very first of nearly two hundred Columbia two-reel Three Stooges short subjects which Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curley Howard made on their own, without their unfunny old straight man, Ted Healy. The results are pretty good but mixed, depending on how you approach it. For those who are not prepared, you may be taken aback by the style here: it is a musical comedy, where occasionally we'll get a Stooge or two break out into song, and every line of dialogue is spoken in rhyme. The plot line is that Moe, Larry and Curley join a misogynistic organization called "The Woman Haters", and vow not to have anything to do with females. Trouble begins to arise, however, when a woman takes after Larry and then starts to set her sights on the other Stooges as well. Not for everyone, and it's not indicative of their latter films, but taken with an open mind it's not a bad piece of work for a debut line of shorts. **1/2 out of ****

We see a woman haters club and three men want to join. The men are of course Moe (who plays Tom), Larry (who plays Jim) and Curly (who plays Jack). Right after they have become members Larry wants to quit because he promised a beautiful girl, Mary (Marjorie White), to marry her. After an argument with Moe and Curly they decide he has to tell that he can't marry her. After Mary's father tells a story about a guy who tried to run away from his other daughter Larry is not so sure anymore. He does marry the girl and the trouble with Moe and Curly can begin. But can they all resist the beauty and charm of Mary?

This is one of the nicest Three Stooges short. Not because it is so funny, there are good moments though, but because the whole short sounds like poetry. The dialogue is put on rhyme and it is really good. Marjorie White also adds something to the whole thing. A great little movie.

Woman Haters is far from the best of the Three Stooges, but it is a nice start to the Columbia shorts and does offer a unique and interesting thing or two. The plot sees the boys joining the Woman Haters Club - a club that prohibits its members from carrying on with women. But no sooner than they become members, Larry (they actually have character names, but they don't really matter) finds himself at the altar. He does his best to keep Moe and Curly from finding out he's secretly gotten married and he does his best to keep his new wife from finding out about the Woman Haters club. As expected, a great deal of eye poking and head knocking ensues.

The two best things Woman Haters has going for it (beyond its curiosity value) is the rhyming scheme of the dialogue and Marjorie White as Larry's wife. While I've seen some complaints about the rhyming dialogue, it worked for me. I thought it was very clever. Now, it might not have worked for a full feature, but for a two-reeler, it's okay. As for Marjorie White, she more than capable of holding her own with Moe, Larry, and Curly - more so than most women I can think of off the top of my head who appeared in other Three Stooges shorts. It's too bad she didn't live long enough to see where her career might have taken her.

The Three Stooges were on their way. They now had a contract at Columbia Pictures and were ready to make their mark on, not only comedy, but entertainment in general. With that Moe Howard, Larry Fine, and Jerome Howard, also known as Curly, set out with director Arthur Gottlieb to make the first of over 190 short films the Stooges would make at Columbia.

This short is unlike any other Stooge short film. There are plenty of hits, slaps, pokes, and bonks. This short is different in that it is a musical novelty starring up and comer Marjorie White who, unfortunately, died in a road accident in 1935, less than a year after filming this short.

Moe, Larry, and Curly play Tom, Jim, and Jackie respectively who vow to swear off women after they join a club known as the Woman Haters. Bud Jamison, who will appear in many of the Stooge films, is the chairman, if you will, of this organization. The Stooges are initiated into the club and are off to fulfil their commitment.

After only one week, Jim tells the other two that he would have to quit that silly club. He met a girl and fell head over heels in love. The other two try and convince him that he is making a big mistake. Jim finally takes their advice and goes to break it off, but ends up marrying the girl after her father gives him so "words of encouragement".

Tom, Jim, and Jackie all meet up at the train station later that day and chaos breaks loose when each man falls for the girl in their own way.

There is a definite pattern and rhyme scheme involved in this short that makes it memorable. I have noticed that there is a lot more violence in this short then the others. But nevertheless this is one of the best from the Stooges.