Starring: Moe Howard, Shemp Howard Format: DVD
(2)Release Date: June 1, 2010
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Review & Description
The Three Stooges Collection, Vol. 1: 1934-1936
When the Three Stooges first signed with Columbia Pictures, their deal was for one short. 1934's "Woman Haters", done entirely in rhyme, wasn't a huge success, but the Stooges hit their stride with their second short, "Punch Drunks", and began to settle into their definitive roles - Moe as boss, Larry the middleman, and Curly as their foil. Witness the rise of these comedy icons in this high-spirited collection containing the first 10 Columbia shorts, all of which have been remastered for the best quality picture and sound. You'll experience the eye-pokes, face slaps, hollow head knocks and knuckle cracks like you've never heard or seen them before. So go ahead, nyuck yourself out!
The Three Stooges Collection, Vol. 2: 1937-1939
Get ready for more outrageous antics as The Three Stooges return in this second collection of chronological masterpieces. These 24 shorts, filmed from 1937-1939, are digitally remastered for the highest quality - every sight, gag and knuckle-cracking sound can be seen and heard with the utmost clarity for maximum effect. This period is considered to be when Larry, Moe, and Curly hit their stride and perfected their craft, when all the elements came together perfectly: the writing, directing, pacing, and performances. It's no wonder The Stooges made some of their best films during this period, proving laughter really is the best medicine in such classics as "Dizzy Doctors", "Saved By The Belle", and "Calling All Curs". And audiences agreed - at least most of them did. By now The Stooges were wildly popular and their personal appearances were mobbed, but there were some who thought they were too violent and who over analyzed their eye-poking, pie-throwing behavior.
The Three Stooges Collection, Vol. 3: 1940-1942
The Golden Age of the Three Stooges continues in this exceptional third chronological collection. These 23 shorts from 1940-1942 are all digitally remastered for the highest quality in sight and sound, and this collection is even more special as it features an historical first: Moe Howard was the first American to portray Hitler on film, in 1940's "You Nazty Spy", which was Moe's personal favorite. It also contains the outstanding 1941 sequel, "I'll Never Heil Again". Moe as a vicious dictator - who would have thought?! With biting satire and merciless wit, the Three Stooges gave the world a brave new perspective on the absurdity of evil and the world powers of the time. This collection also contains Curly's favorite, "A Plumbing We Will Go", which features the brilliant sight gag of a burst of water flowing from a new television set just as it's broadcasting a live report from Niagara Falls. The Three Stooges Collection Volume Three will soitenly keep you entertained as Larry, Moe, and Curly portray a variety of characters in their own inimitable way.
The Three Stooges Collection, Vol. 4: 1943-1945
In this fourth chronological collection of The Three Stooges, we come to the final years of what has become regarded as the high point in their career - their Golden Age. These 21 digitally remastered shorts from the 1943-1945 era contain some of their best work, including the classic "Micro-Phonies" (1943) which Curly turns in a brilliant performance as opera diva Senorita Cucaracha. Also included in this collection are two favorites that are so outrageous that television programmers are always hesitant about airing them: "They Stooge to Conga" (1943) features what is considered one of the most violent scenes ever filmed by the Three Stooges and "The Yoke's On Me" (1944) is what we today refer to as "politically incorrect" in its portrayal of Japanese soldiers. The Three Stooges Collection Volume 4 is groundbreaking, hilarious and outrageous -- classic entertainment from Larry, Moe, and Curly at the height of their creativity. Don't miss out on the fun!
The Three Stooges Collection, Vol. 5: 1946-1948
This fifth collection of The Three Stooges, which features 25 digitally remastered shorts from 1946-1948, marks the end of Curly's career with the Stooges and the return of original Stooge Shemp. Curly suffered a stroke on the final day of filming " Half-Wits Holiday" and retired at age 43. Moe realized there was only one person who could fill baby brother Curly's shoes: his older brother Shemp (who, ironically, Curly had replaced in 1932). The Three Stooges were born in 1925 when Moe and Shemp met Larry Fine. But the 1930's Shemp left to pursue a film career in Hollywood. By the time Moe called in 1946, he was starring in films with the likes of W.C. Fields, John Wayne, and Abbott and Costello. But he accepted Moe's offer, and the original Three Stooges reunited. Shemp's first short upon his return was "Fright Night". And Curly did recover enough to make an appearance in "Hold That Lion", but his health continued to deteriorate and he unfortunately passed away in 1952 at age 48. The Three Stooges Collection Volume 5 is bittersweet for the change but filled with more fun than ever and the added bonus of not only Larry, Moe, and Curly, but Shemp too!
The Three Stooges Collection, Vol. 6: 1949-1951
The Three Stooges return with the next 24 digitally remastered shorts covering the years 1949-1951 in this sixth collection, which continues with Shemp as the third Stooge, who had stepped in two years earlier to fill the shoes left empty when Curly became ill and retired. This collection contains such classics as "Merry Mavericks" (1951), a reworking of "Phony Express" (1943) featuring Red Morgan and his gang of bandits; "Self Made Maids" (1950), in which the Stooges not only play themselves but assume the roles of their fiances, their fiances father (played by Moe) and their three babies; and "Don't Throw That Knife" (1951), which features Larry, Moe, and Shemp in brilliant improvisation with nothing but household items while confined to a single room. The Three Stooges Collection Volume 6 showcases Larry, Moe, and Shemp at their best - and things just keep getting better!
The Three Stooges Collection, Vol. 7: 1952-1954
These 22 digitally remastered shorts from 1952-1954 were made during a tumultuous time for The Three Stooges. First, in 1952 Curly succumbed to the illness brought on by his stroke six years earlier; he was only forty-eight when he died. Shemp had really hit his stride by this time and he is at the top of his game in the new shorts from this period, but budget cutbacks at Columbia forced director Jules White to recycle some old footage, so although the work in this collection is first-rate, one can't help but wonder what could have been done if they'd had the opportunity to develop more new material. Fortunately, this era did leave us with such classics as the Stooges' first 3-D short, "Spooks!" (1953) and "Pardon My Backfire" (1953); "Shot In The Frontier" (1954) a parody of the classic film High Noon; and Larry's hilarious spook of Brando in "Cuckoo On A Choo Choo" (1952). These shorts are all presented as they were projected in the theaters; some in widescreen for the first time since their original release. The Three Stooges Collection Volume 7 shows how the genius of Moe, Larry, and Shemp rose above all obstacles and enabled them to be the best at their craft.
The Three Stooges Collection, Vol. 8: 1955-1959
This eighth volume of The Three Stooges Collection features the last 32 digitally remastered shorts from 1955-1959. It also marks the end of an era for a comedy team that to this day remains unparalleled in its success and popularity. In November of 1955, Shemp Howard died of a sudden heart attack, forcing Moe and Larry to use a stand-in for Shemp on some of the shorts and previously shot footage in others. Moe originally wanted vaudeville veteran Joe DeRita to fill in for Shemp but he couldn't get out of his contract, so Moe went with Joe Besser, who was also well-known on the vaudeville and burlesque circuits. Columbia Pictures closed its short-subjects unit in 1958, thus ending the Three Stooges' run after 24 years and 190 shorts; half a century later The Three Stooges are entertainment legends. Their unique brand of slapstick humor and physical comedy had influenced legions of performers and lives on in such contemporary icons as Robin Williams and Jim Carrey. Read more
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