SUMMARY: Running Time: 17:00 Min. (Black & White)
Directed by Del Lord, this early Three Stooges sitcom stars Moe, Larry, & Curly as self-involved vagabonds expecting to hit Hollywood as instant movie star sensations, utterly oblivious to their lack of experience and/or talent. While Curly compares himself to a Barrymore, Moe fancies himself a studio mogul figuring they will fit right in an idiotic place like Hollywood.
After arriving in town as freight train stowaways, the Stooges sneak into a posh studio lot. Soon enough, the besieged Carnation Pictures boss mistakenly assumes the Stooges are the new company executives sent from back East to take command.
Taking advantage of their unexpected luck, the Stooges impose their obnoxious will on a romantic melodrama being filmed. With the director and the two lead actors storming off the soundstage, Moe directs Larry and Curly as their makeshift replacements. Once the Stooges’ ruse is discovered, a wild studio lot chase ensues.
Moe: Moe Howard
Larry: Larry Fine
Curly: Curly Howard
Cecil Z. Swinehardt (film director): Harry Semels
Fuller Rath (studio boss): Bud Jamison
Lead Actress: Mildred Harris
Lead Actor: Kenneth Harlan
Script Girl (director’s assistant): Hilda Title
Studio Guards: Heinie Conklin & Blackie Whiteford
Rath’s Assistant: Jack Kinney
Soundstage Actresses/Showgirls (Kissing Rehearsal): Lois Lindsay, Althea Henley, & Eve Reynolds
Studio Lions: Jackie The Lion & Tanner The Lion.
REVIEW:
On paper, Movie Maniacs suggests a can’t-miss premise spoofing pretentious Hollywood filmmaking. The middling outcome, however, isn’t really the Stooges’ fault; rather, it’s a so-so script riddled with mostly lukewarm gags.
Moe, Larry, and Curly at least perform their usual freeloading antics well – in spite of the dull plot. Curiously enough, the wacky finish (i.e. how might the Stooges get their comeuppance) is the most welcome twist. Yet, the action is abruptly sped up, not necessarily allowing the story’s inspired MGM homage enough time to work.
The Stooges hit some comedic home runs in 1936 (i.e. Disorder in the Court – frankly, that one is a grand slam and the cartoony Ants in the Pantry) at Columbia Pictures. Per this baseball analogy, Movie Maniacs, by comparison, is more like the equivalent of scoring a modest double.
If anything, the best moment in Movie Maniacs is actually a throwaway line right before the Stooges invade the movie studio lot. Let’s just say Curly delivers one hilarious quip that really holds up as a timeless perspective on achieving success.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 5½ Stars
