As I have written before, Ed Bernds, who was the director for the THREE STOOGES, pooled his resources and poured lots of stooge antics into the Bowery Boys films. Actually, by this stage in the series, the guys just let it ride, putting insane Huntz Hall out front to lead the charge. The story is also rather clever.
Slip and Sach come to the aid of Princess Ann (Lisa Davis) from a small country called Truania(?) --where Louie happened to be born. There's some nasty business brewing with the introduction of crafty Colonel Baxis (played by popular character actor Leon Askin), who is trying to overthrow the kindly king ( Sig Rumann).
Rumann was a staple in many classic films and plays well off Huntz Hall. The magic to many of these later episodes was the introduction of some popular actors
who you can tell were having fun. In fact, behind the scenes Leo Gorcey and Huntz Hall had a blast and producer Ben Schwalb commented they both became their roles, and knew what would work.
Many years later, Bernds added that he had his fair share of disagreements with Leo over material, and it was tough going. He sat down one day and watched one of the films being rerun on tv, one that he directed, and admitted Gorcey was right the whole time. Had they did it any other way, the film would have been flat. Credit a lot of ad libs too. The masters of this were actually Laurel and Hardy, who came up with ideas as they filmed their scenes.
Also a super running gag here with the introduction of half of a mysterious rare coin, which will identify the rightful couriers to the king. Had to been inspired by many old mysteries.
As always, some laugh out loud fight and busted furniture scenes. Slip and Sach turn up at a greasy spoon run by a guy named Nick, played by Mel Welles. Welles was a staple in Roger Corman's cult films, like LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS.
Nick is connected to the bad guys and Sach retaliates, claiming he's gotten food poisoning from his lousy burgers. He gags, chokes, drops to the floor and manages to wreck the place in about thirty seconds. Nick gets slugged and Princess Ann -- being held captive by him -- is FREE. Huntz Hall is totally BANANAS and if you watch Leo Gorcey closely, he is trying very hard not to burst out laughing.
Also some very good sets in this production, adding a more realistic side to the elite royalty backdrop.
Author Leonard Getz, who wrote the most recent book on the Bowery Boys, called "From Broadway to the Bowery" noted throughout the series the gang's home life was debatable, including Louie. They're basically just sitting around the sweet shop waiting for something to happen. Louie, in earlier episodes, was apparently married, yet generally sleeps in a back room.
Earlier episodes briefly saw Slip's mom (played by Mary Gordon, better known as Sherlock Holmes housekeeper), and he also had sister. Here, Louie has a brother called Felix -- but he's nowhere to be found?
Do not miss this one. Remastered by Warner Brothers, generally allowing 6 to 8 episodes per box set. Thank you TCM for showing this oldies on Saturdays.
