The Three Stooges were an American comedy group consisting of Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly Howard (later replaced by Shemp Howard and later by Joe Besser and finally by Curly Joe DeRita). The group became famous for their comedy short films that were mainly produced in the 1930s and 1940s.
The Three Stooges were characterized by their physical humor and slapstick, in which the characters hit and fell in an exaggerated way. They were also noted for their characteristic hairstyle and their worn and disheveled suits. In addition, the group created a series of recurring phrases and gestures that became part of their comic style.
The Three Stooges were very popular in their time and are still remembered for their influence on American comedy and popular culture. They have inspired many other comedians and have been the subject of tributes and parodies in film and television.
Series of phrases and gestures of The Three Stooges
The Three Stooges were known for their signature phrases and mannerisms, which became part of their comic style. Some examples include:
“Nyuk nyuk nyuk”: A characteristic laugh of the Three Stooges, which was often used after one of the characters made a joke or a funny comment.
“Please give me another chance”: A phrase that Curly said after making a mistake or screwing up, which became one of his best-known slogans.
“Why, why, why?”: Another phrase from Curly, which he used to say when he was puzzled or confused.
“Shut up, you fool!”: A phrase Moe often said to Larry or Curly when they were doing something silly or annoying.
“Woo woo woo woo!”: A high-pitched, exaggerated scream that the characters uttered when they were surprised or scared.
In addition to these phrases, the Three Stooges also had characteristic gestures and movements, such as Curly’s “pinch nose”, in which he squeezed his nose with his fingers and made a high-pitched nasaly sound, or Moe’s “eye bump”, in which he gave a quick blow to Larry’s head or Curly with his knuckles. These gestures and movements became key elements of his comic style.
Physical humor and slapstick
Physical humor and slapstick is a type of comedy that is based on exaggerated physical actions, such as falls, blows, trips, crashes and other similar situations that produce comic effects. This type of comedy is especially effective in film and television, as it allows viewers to watch and enjoy the comic actions on the screen.
The Three Stooges were adept at using physical humor and slapstick in their comic shorts. Often, his characters would hit each other with blunt objects, fall down stairs, become entangled in electrical wires, and get into absurd and dangerous situations. The humor of the Three Stooges was largely based on the exaggeration of these situations, as well as their ability to react quickly and effectively to them.
The physical humor and slapstick of the Three Stooges continues to be very influential in comedy and popular culture, and has inspired many other comedians and artists. Even though his short films were produced decades ago, they are still very popular and continue to be seen and enjoyed by people of all ages around the world.
How many short films did The Three Stooges?
In total, the Three Stooges made 190 comedy short films, which were produced by the Columbia Pictures film company between 1934 and 1959. These short films were divided into several eras, each with a slightly different cast and style:
- Era of Ted Healy and his Stooges (1930-1934): Before forming their own group, Moe, Larry and Curly worked as part of Ted Healy’s comedy group, in which they played the original “Stooges”.
- Original Three Stooges Era (1934-1946): The best-known era of the Three Stooges, in which Moe, Larry, and Curly starred in most of the comedy shorts.
- Shemp era (1947-1956): After Curly’s death, his brother Shemp replaced him in the group and starred in several short films.
- Joe Besser era (1956-1958): After Shemp died suddenly, Joe Besser joined the group as the third Stoogge.
- Curly Joe era (1958-1959): After Joe Besser left the group, Curly Joe DeRita joined as the third Crackpot for the final series of short films.
In total, the Three Stooges starred in 97 short films, while the other members of the group appeared in the rest. The Three Stooges short films are still very popular and have been released in various video and DVD formats, which has allowed them to reach new generations of viewers.
Death of Curly Howard
Curly Howard, one of the original members of the Three Stooges, died on January 18, 1952 at the age of 48. During the last years of his life, Curly had suffered several episodes of stroke that caused him health problems and forced him to temporarily retire from cinema.
The last short film in which Curly acted was “Half-Wits Holiday”, which was released in 1947. After that, his health deteriorated and he was hospitalized several times. In 1949, he officially retired from film and was replaced by his older brother, Shemp Howard, in the group.
Curly spent the last years of his life at the home of his brother Moe and his family, where he received care and medical attention. He died of a massive stroke at his home in San Gabriel, California.
Curly’s death was a blow to his teammates, as well as Three Stooge fans. Although the group continued to produce short films for several years after his death, many believe they were never able to fully regain the magic and charm they had when Curly was in the group.
Death of Shemp Howard
Shemp Howard, Curly Howard’s older brother and member of the Three Stooges, died on November 22, 1955 at the age of 60. The cause of his death was a myocardial infarction.
Shemp had retired from the group in 1932 to work solo in film, but then returned in 1946 to replace his brother Curly after he suffered a stroke. Shemp appeared in more than 70 Three Stooges short films before retiring again in 1955 due to health problems.
After his death, the group reorganized and Joe Besser joined as the third Crackpot. Besser appeared in a total of 16 short films before being replaced by Curly Joe DeRita in 1958.
Shemp’s death was a blow to Three Stooges fans and teammates, who fondly remembered him for his great sense of humor and ability to improvise on screen. Although Shemp was not as well known as his brothers Curly and Moe, his legacy in comedy is still recognized and appreciated by Three Stooges fans to this day.
Future of Moe and Larry
After Shemp’s death in 1955, Moe and Larry continued to work together as the Three Stooges, now alongside Joe Besser as the third member of the group. In total, Moe, Larry and Besser appeared together in 16 short films before Besser left the group in 1958.
That same year, Moe and Larry teamed up with Curly Joe DeRita to form a new version of the Three Stooges. Curly Joe, a vaudeville comedian who had previously worked with Abbott and Costello’s group, became the third member of the group and appeared alongside Moe and Larry in a total of 16 short films between 1958 and 1959.
However, after those 16 shorts were produced, Columbia Pictures decided not to renew the Three Stoods’ contract and the group disbanded. Moe and Larry continued to work together on comedy for several years after the group’s disbandment, but never worked together again as the Three Stooges.
Larry Fine died in 1975 at the age of 72, while Moe Howard died in 1975 at age 77. Even though the Three Stooges were no longer together at the time of their deaths, their legacy in comedy and their influence on popular culture are still recognized and appreciated today.
