SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 15:48 Min. (Black & White)
Produced and directed by Jules White off Felix Adler’s script, this Three Stooges comedy is a series rarity — specifically, Moe, Larry, & Shemp are enemies. Lecherous pet shop owner Larry schemes to pit a married Moe against Shemp, so he can make romantic advances upon both Moe’s less-than-adoring wife, Belle, and Shemp’s patient fiancée, Millie.
To advance his philandering, Larry concocts a ruse where Shemp is hired to sell (and even model) undergarments to Belle, and then tips off a jealous, gun-packing Moe. The same applies to Millie, who shows up to confront Belle for stealing Shemp from her. The question becomes: does Larry’s sleazy conniving succeed?
Moe: Moe Howard
Larry: Larry Fine
Shemp: Shemp Howard
Belle: Mary Ainslee
Millie: Angela Stevens
Miss Lapdale (Larry’s Secretary): Theila Darin
Waiter: Johnny Kascier
Stooge Stand-Ins/Stunt Doubles: Harold Breen, Charlie Cross, & Johnny Kascier
Note: The Joe Besser-era Stooges remade this storyline as 1959’s “Triple Crossed.”
REVIEW:
Aside from the intriguing notion of Larry playing a villain, “He Cooked His Goose” deserves credit for trying something more sophisticated with the Stooges. Somewhat reminiscent of their ‘Niagara Falls’ routine (with Curly), the Stooges come off well, as Larry gleefully manipulates his romantic competition. Seeing Larry finally get the spotlight role while Moe plays a pathetically naïve husband is indeed a treat.
The only detriment is this farce’s shortened running time, as more gags could have been added to screenwriter Felix Adler’s terrific premise.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 5½ Stars
