Written by: Ashtyn at 12:55 pm
Filed under: Classic Films,Comedy,Movie Box Set,Movies
TV Show Info:
Writer: Various
Director: Various
Cast: Larry Fine, Moe Howard, Curly Howard
Rating: Not Rated
Studio: Sony Home Entertainment
Release Info:
Original Air Dates:1940-1942
DVD Box Set Release Date: August 26, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon
When you are a kid there is just something funny about grown men smacking, bumping, kicking, and poking each other in the eyes. Over 20 years later (in my case, for others it could be much longer), it is still pretty hilarious. As a huge Stooges fan I look forward to each of these compilations as they come. Despite the fact that I have already had the chance to see a large number of these classic shorts, it is great to be able to revisit them. It’s even better to see them preserved in such good quality. Now I can watch them whenever I want, which is an extra special treat, considering these are rarely, if ever, shown on television these days.
The heyday for The Three Stooges was between 1934 and 1947. Prior to then, Curly was not a member of the group and Shemp Howard was the third Stooge. Curly replaced Shemp in 1934 and amused audiences until 1947 when he had a stroke. Shemp came back on the show at that time, with Curly’s blessing, until he would be able to return. Unfortunately, he never got back to the point where he was strong enough to handle the demands of filming. However, his contributions to comedy are still celebrated today, in sets such as this. This particular set pays close attention to the years 1940 to 1942.
The The Three Stooges Collection, Vol. 3: 1940-1942 Plot
Rather than talk too much about how great these are to see again after so long, I will just get right down to the episode descriptions so you know if your favorites have been added here.
Episodes from 1940
“You Nazty Spy”: This episode is a fan favorite, because Moe Howard always claimed that this particular short was his favorite of all of the episodes he did. Moe becomes a dictator of the kingdom of Moronica. In order to make the country safe, storm troopers are brought that have a tendency to be amusing, especially when marching. This is not the funniest, but the historical references make it more amusing and knowing its Moe’s favorite makes it worth watching.
“Rockin’ thru the Rockies”: Playing out of work actors, Larry, Moe, and Curly end up taking any job they can find. In this case, it’s escorting Nell and her Belles across the country to their upcoming performance on the west coast. On the way, Curly wrestles a bear and the trio has their share of troubles with a group of Indians.
“A Plumbing we Will Go”: The guys end up running from the cops and pretending to be plumbers this time. Of course, the boys aren’t really plumbers and as you might have guessed, disaster is set to strike.
“Nutty but Nice”: Moe, Larry, and Curly play singing waiters that attempt to rescue the father of a young girl that is bedridden in the hospital. Apparently, his disappearance traumatized the young girl so much she had to be admitted to the hospital and it’s up to the Stooges to save the day!
“How High is Up?”: Times aren’t good for the three tinkers that live under a car. When the boys get in some trouble, it leads to a new job as riveters. The only problem is they aren’t so good at their job and it’s on the 97th floor, so things have a tendency to get kind of dangerous.
“From Nurse to Worse”: It’s time for Curly to play insane in order to make the boys rich via an insurance scam. The only problem is that Curly is so convincing (he acts like a dog) that the doctors want to operate!
“No Census, No Feeling”: As the boys go on the run, it leads them to census taking duties. Big laughs are all over the place here as the Stooges invade high society and a football game.
“Cookoo Cavaliers”: The boys are hairdressers, though they aren’t very good at it. Apparently they thought they would be running a saloon, which is quite different than a salon.
“Boobs in Arms”: The boys try and help a woman make her husband jealous, so that they can have a good relationship again. Unfortunately, for the guys that means they end up finding themselves in trouble outside a recruiting office. Too bad they don’t know who the recruiter is and how much trouble it will be for them.
Episodes for 1941
“So Long, Mr. Chumps”: It’s time to go to prison! The boys get themselves arrested on purpose so they can find someone in the slammer that they have reason to believe is innocent. Too bad the trio didn’t realize that being put in prison is way easier than getting out.
“Dutiful but Dumb”: The boys are three photographers that end up being sent on a spy mission where they need to take pictures of a Vulgarian death ray machine.
“All the World’s a Stooge”: It’s just another day at the office when three janitors are mistaken for dentists. Rather than explain who they really are, they just go for the teeth pulling!
“I’ll Never Heil Again”: This is the sequel to “You Nazty Spy.”A lot goes on in this episode about life in Moronica. This is especially true when the fallen king’s daughter fully convinces him that the leaders of different countries have it out for them.
“An Ache in Every Stake”: When the Stooges force a Chef to quit, they have no other choice but to replace him. It’s just too bad that the real chef had to quit before a big, swanky birthday party had to be catered.
“In the Sweet Pie and Pie”: It’s time to watch the boys play death row convicts that end up being spared by a lawyer that needs them to marry three, rich heiresses. While the girls are all really engaged to Navy men, they have a deadline to be married otherwise they will not receive their inheritances, so they will take whatever they can get.
“Some More of Samoa”: Three tree surgeons are on the way to Rhum Boogie in order to find an acceptable mate for the Puckerless Persimmon. However, they are in cannibal country and the flesh-eaters get mighty mad when Curly refuses to get hitched to the head cannibal’s sister.
Episodes for 1942
“Loco Boy Makes Good”: The boys enter a hotel with plans to slip and fall in order to make loads of money. However, the hotel owner is a woman on the verge of losing her hotel. So, the boys band together and work on the place instead.
“Cactus Makes Perfect”: Curly makes an invention that is sure to help the Stooges hit it big by finding lots of gold! The only problem is there are prospectors around every corner, a mine that was lost…somewhere, and oh yeah, there’s a ghost town to content with, too.
“What’s the Matador?”: The boys end up as bullfighters. They go to Mexico, get in trouble with a jealous husband, and all the usual antics are represented here in classic Stooges form.
“Matri-Phony”: The boys end up in Ancient Erysipelas. The emperor wants to marry a redhead, although he might end up with Curly in drag! The boys end up working, or hiding out, in a pottery shop in this historical jaunt.
“Three Smart Saps”: The boys have to get arrested again. This time, their soon to be father-in-law is set up and put in jail. While the boys end up trying to save the day, they end up checking out a gangster dinner party at the clink.
“Even as I.O.U”: The Stooges are homeless, but when they meet a hungry woman and child in need, the boys spring to action by trying to play the horses to make some money for the mother and child.
“Sock-A-Bye Baby”: The boys find a baby on their doorstep. Unfortunately, the cops think that the guys stole the baby. Chasing is sure to occur, along with a lot of funny scenes concerning misinformed men and babies!
Storyline/Plot: 
Replayability:
Acting:
Directing:
Audio/Visual:
Now over sixty years old, I wasn’t completely sure of what to expect when I popped in The Three Stooges Collection, Vol. 3: 1940-1942. However, I was pleasantly surprised to see something of fairly good quality. The Stooges have been remastered in high definition and are presented at a 1.33:1 aspect ratio. The black levels are good and the clarity is beautiful. I did not notice much dirt or any compression errors. Considering the age, I couldn’t expect anything better than this.
The audio is standard in English Dolby Digital Mono still it could have been a lot worse. It sounds much better than I have heard it sound on other releases in the past (prior to these collections coming out). There is the occasional bit of background fuzz, but that’s about as bad as it gets.
Visual: 
Audio:
Bonus Features:
There are absolutely no bonus features available here. However, given the fact that most (if not all) of the people involved in these projects have passed on (including each of the actors listed here) I feel it would be unfair to rate this section. Even if they had added features they would have been standard trailers or studio promos of some sort. They would not have been able to add interviews or modern features. Regardless, Stooges fans will adore these shorts so much that it is likely they won’t even notice the lack of bonus features.
Bottom Line:
If you are a Three Stooges fan this is a must have collection. There are some excellent episodes here and though they don’t all hit the mark, there are far more good skits than there are bad ones. This is an excellent collection that will work for fans and people new to the Stooges as a whole. If you haven’t seen these episodes in a while or the Stooges ever, you should definitely pick this up.
Overall Rating:
Technorati Tags: Larry, Moe, Curly, The Three Stooges, 1940-1942, Collection, Classic, Black and White, Larry Fine, Howard Brothers, Slapstick Comedy, Hilarious, DVD Review, Sony Home Entertainment
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Written by Ashtyn - Visit Website
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Ashtyn Evans is a writer, advocate, free thinker, and all around cynical person. Always quick to find the negative in anything pop culture, she loves being a part of that which she despises. Ashtyn and Dominick own numerous blogs together, as well as a full-time writing business. In her spare time she is a full-time college student studying History and Psychology. She plans to one day give up her freelance career and be a full-time blogger, novelist, and domestic goddess. She can be contacted for writing projects, fan mail, or just to say hi. She really is friendlier than we make her look.
