Bedlam in Paradise

I'm not usually big on Shempisodes. This one however was a better Shemp than others. For probably the first and only time Shemp plays it smart and for once outfits the other two. So now bad for a Shemp.

One of the few instances where the remake with stock footage is better than t he original---in this case HEAVENLY DAYS(1948)

Wisely,the original scene with "scared colored butler" Sam McDaniel(Hattie's Brother) is cut from BEDLAM. Replacing it are scenes with Philip Van Zandt as "The Devil Himself"(and the goatee makes h im look it),enticing Moe and Larry into confidence schemes. Shemp,sent down from Heaven to foil things;goes t hrough the stock footage paces.

Also,the comedy PACING seems faster in BEDLAM than in t he original film.

"Helen Blazes" MAY have ben inspired by the success of the Broadway musical DAMN Y ANKEES,which also deals with Devil temptation. Somebody tell me how they filmed the "bed on fire scene">Looks dangerous.

Shemp is deathly ill. His cousins Larry and Moe's incompetence finally kills him. He floats up to heaven but is refused entry. He is bound for Hell unless he can reform Larry and Moe.

Shemp is a secondary Stooge in my eyes but here, he has an amazing section in heaven. I actually like his solo work there. The rest is fine Stooges.

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 My favorite Stooges shorts with Shemp is none other than Bedlam in Paradise! All appearing in this short are Philip Van Zandt, Vernon Dent, Sylvia Lewis, Symona Boniface, Judy Malcolm, Sam McDaniel, Marti Shelton, and Victor Travers. Van Zandt has a great performance and so does lewis. There are so many funny parts here. This is a very hilarious short. There is another similar Three Stooges short like this one called Heavenly Daze and I recommend both!

I've seen a lot of stooge fans rave about this short & proclaim it to be better than the original "Heavenly Daze." Personally, I didn't see it, but that's not to say this short is bad, but you get the feeling it could have been so much better. Or to put it another way, I couldn't help but feel cheated when I saw so much stock footage from the original; a feeling I get from watching most of the Shemp recycles.

I think my biggest problem with this particular remake was the decision to entirely delete Sam McDaniel, who played the frightened butler in the original. That guy was so funny & definitely should have been used in more stooge shorts.

Phil Van Zandt does a pretty good job playing the devil & Shemp's dance with Helen Blazes is definitely a highlight of the film. Overall, one of the better Shemp remakes, but "Daze" is still light years ahead of it.