Shorts and films with designated pages:
In general
- Pictured above: The Three Stooges may have been a lowbrow act, but they still managed to create the first Anti-Nazi American comedy film, You Nazty Spy! and get it released months before Charlie Chaplin's controversial The Great Dictator.
- One should bear in mind the guts it took at the time, because there was a lot of isolationist pressure still at that point from prominent individuals and politicians, and on top of that, getting it by the notorious Hays Code, which forbade most types of political satire from making it to theaters. On top of that, the Stooges were not the type of act that would normally be making a political statement and it could very well have damaged them irreparably. This is a personal CMOA for all involved.
- Another thing that makes this awesome is that the Stooges were Jewish and were openly mocking the man who hated their people more than anything else in the world. If Hitler saw it, you know he must've been fuming - and there's evidence to suggest he did see it.
- In Real Life, when the boys heard about a dying child who loved watching them, and who was hospitalized in the city they'd just performed in. They took the time to go and visit him, giving a very ill child some laughs, and learned later that he died the very next morning. Doubles as a Heartwarming Moment as well.
- Some people may dislike Shemp and see him as a Replacement Scrappy, but Shemp had a very successful solo career (He was the star of his own shorts series and was a popular character player in movies featuring anyone from Abbott and Costello to John Wayne). After Curly's stroke, Shemp essentially gave up his own career to step in and make sure his brother and close friend weren't dropped by Columbia Studios after Harry Cohn (a notorious miser) told Moe "I ain't paying for Two Stooges". Shemp stepping in essentially saved the act and Moe and Larry's careers.
- Anytime the other Stooges manage to get some payback against Moe:
- A rare example when a minor character returns in another short: Lew Davis and Nick Copeland portrayed a con-men duo who appeared in "Cash and Carry", appeared again in "Playing the Ponies".
1934
Punch Drunks- Curly's ability to become a boxer all thanks to the tune "Pop Goes the Weasel".
- Near the climax, Larry, who had his violin broken before the match started, hijacks a campaign truck which plays "Pop Goes the Weasel". Driving back to the stadium, he crashes into the building and as the tune plays, Curly brings out a can of whoop-ass to his opponent Killer Kilduff! Never has Pop Goes The Weasel sounded so triumphant.
1935
Horses Collars- Curly's reaction when he sees a mouse helps him out of situations.
- Once when the Stooges were about to be lynched: Curly gets out of his necktie and uncontrollably brawls with the hang men.
- Twice at the end: When Double Deal Decker has Curly cornered, Curly tries to hide in the safe where he found the I.O.U., then finds a mouse in his hands, and takes down Decker and his crony.
Restless Knights- The wrestle match between Moe and Curly. As funny as it is, it's pretty interesting.
- When the Stooges enter the wine cellar to save the queen, Curly leads the guards out and Moe and Larry knock 'em out when led out.
Pop Goes The Easel- The Ur-Example of what culminates the iconic "Pie Fights", but this is done with clay since this short revolves around the Stooges hiding in an art school.
1936
Half Shot Shooters- The Stooges give their former sargent MacGillicuddy his comeuppance: by pulling up his shirt to pulling out his armpit hair, followed by Curly hitting his buttocks with nails sticking out of a wooden board, and lastly having a mule kick him down!
Slippery Silks- Following, "Pop Goes the Easel", this short kickstarts the first ever pastry fight, which began after Moe misses hitting Larry.
1937
Back To The Woods- The Stooges are pilgrims trying to hunt on native land. When a group of braves attack them, Curly takes out several with a truly astonishing eye poke/kangaroo kick/body splash combo. Acrofatic doesn't do it justice. Later on, Larry is kidnapped and about to be scalped, and Moe and Curly disguise themselves and join the native dance - with wooden clubs hidden behind their backs. In a matter of seconds they've knocked the whole group unconscious.*Curly accidentally clobbers Moe as well, but that's to be expected.
Goofs and Saddles- When the Stooges are defenseless by Longhorn Pete and his gang, they hide in a shack and scourer for guns, while Curly finds a meat grinder and uses it to grind some meat. When Moe obliviously drops a box of bullets in the meat grinder, it becomes a makeshift gattling gun. Curly proceeds to fire, resulting in Pete and his men ducking and covering.
Longhorn Pete: They must have reinforcements!
- The cavalry arrives in time and has Pete and group covered. The general congratulates the Stooges for their success.
General Muster: Noble work, my men!
Stooges: Yes?
Muster: The president shall hear of this!
Stooges: No!
Muster: Yes.
1939
Oily To Bed Oily To Rise- Curly's "wishes" seem to have some convenience for the Stooges. One mention would be when they confront the swindlers that take Mrs. Jenkins' deed to her land. When the swindlers have the upper hand, the Stooges trick them into a truce, then grab their arms and kick 'em out. Curly even got the deed back prior.
- The oil geyser scene. It just speaks for itself.
Three Sappy People- Like Slippery Silks, this year of shorts ends with a pastry fight.
- After said pastry fight, it endswith Sherry getting her birthday cake dumped on her face when her husband Rumsford as a response to his frustration with his wife's Womanchild antics.
1940
Boobs in Arms- While still effected by the laughing gas and still laughing, the Stooges take down the enemy army.
1942
Whats The Matador- Curly head-butting a bull....and knocking it down! Quite possibly one of the few times his Hard Head wasn't just played for humor.
1944
No Dough Boys- When the real Japanese spies arrive, the Stooges are exposed and fight the Jap spies. They turn off the lights for more advantage.
- After Curly takes down the last spy, he gets throttled by Hugo, the head Nazi. Moe comes diving onto Hugo's back. Doubles as Heartwarming on Moe's part.
1947
Half Wits Holiday- Even if Curly was left out of the final scene, the pie fight really gives this era a good send-off.
