Back from the Front

Larry, Curly, and Moe say goodbye to their gals and board a ship in WWII. A spy on board gets their ship torpedoed and sunk. The boys sneak onboard a German ship and take it over from the Nazis. Some superheroes fought Nazis in the wartime publications while others did not. It feels a bit odd with The Stooges taking out the idiotic Nazis. I imagine it can feel disrespectful at the time although most servicemen probably loved the guys. I can't really speak to any of that. Mostly, this is The Stooges doing Stooges things. It's good.

This is not only one of the all time Stooge shorts, but it also features one of Moe's best performances as the "Little Bavarian Corporal". Moe Howard probably was the best imitator of Hitler (ironic for a Jew) and he does it to great effect in this film. Just check out "You Natzi Spy", "I'll Never Heil Again" and, my personal favorite, "They Stooge to Conga".

In May 1943, the Stooges released "Back From the Front," their fifth movie dealing with World War Two, this time with the three enlisting with the Merchant Marines. As in the four other Stooges' films, the Nazis take a drubbing from the three when they board a German ship whose crew had torpedoed their boat. The warship has the title the SS Schicklgruber, which was a joke alluding to the birth name of Adolf Hitler's father. His future Fuhrer's dad hated the name so much as an adult he changed it to his stepfather's surname Hiedler, erroneously transcribed by authorities as Hitler. Moe dresses as the Fuhrer for the third time in his career. He accidentally blows off his fake toothbrush mustache in the presence of the Nazi naval officers. Moe abruptly snatches it up, saying he just lost "my personality." In the beginning scene of "Back From the Front" the Stooges bid farewell to their girlfriends before they embark on their sea-faring adventure. The actress playing Moe's girlfriend, Sally Cairns, is spotted wiping her mouth for the longest time behind his back after she kissed him, the only one of the three to do so. This is also the Stooges' first film to have a sound effect when Moe finger pokes Curly in the eyes. Previously, only anguished cries were heard when Moe performed his trademark two-finger eye stab. The short was the 70th entry in the Stooges catalogue of 190 films they made from 1934 until 1959.

Back from the Front (1943)

*** (out of 4)

Moe, Larry and Curly are on an American ship when they are struck by a torpedo. They end up in the waters but spot a ship far ahead. Once on the ship they realize it's a German one so they must try and destroy everyone on it.

As was the case with many of the Stooges shorts during this period, making fun of Hitler and Germany runs throughout. There are some pretty funny moments throughout this short with several highlights including Moe once again playing Hitler who sneezes at the wrong time. Another funny gag deals with a large gun and some beans. With that said, the best moment comes when Moe and Larry are taking turns knocking out bad guys and carrying them away until Larry gets the wrong one. If you're a fan of the boys this here is certainly a good one.

I find most of the Three Stooges shorts very funny and this one is no exception. It starts a little boring but the final parts make up for that. Moe's Hitler imitation is great. The way Moe, Larry and Curly can repeat the same joke and still keep it funny is great. Another funny Three Stooges movie.