SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 16:00 Min. (Black & White)
Produced and directed by Jules White, this 1956 Stooges comedy presents the last episode Shemp had filmed new footage for (i.e. the detective agency’s office) prior to his passing in late 1955. Lifting this film’s bulk from 1949’s Who Done It?, the Stooges comprise the Miracle Detective Agency. As the trio ineptly conducts forensic/ballistic tests, a former client calls desperately needing their help.
Suspecting that Councilman Goodrich has been deep-sixed by nefarious relatives, the Stooges descend upon the spooky family manor to investigate. Waiting for them is Goodrich’s sinister heirs (along with a monstrous henchman), who have no intention of letting his would-be rescuers escape alive.
Moe: Moe Howard
Larry: Larry Fine
Shemp: Shemp Howard
Newsgirl: Barbara Bartay
Councilman Goodrich: Emil Sitka (archived footage)
Delores – Goodrich’s Niece: Christine McIntyre (archived footage)
Delores’ Husband: Ralph Dunn (archived footage)
Nikko the Henchman: Duke York (archived footage)
Butler: Charles Knight (archived)
Note: McIntyre’s last official film credit of her career occurs with this episode.
REVIEW:
Aside from its historic significance as Shemp Howard’s last Stooges caper, “From Crimin’ Out Loud” is merely another lazy retread riding the back end of Stooges’ Columbia Pictures contract. The trio’s dubious new footage has them trading off sadistic slapstick gags that are neither provoked or even remotely funny. Considering it was Shemp’s last filmed segment, the quality of the Stooges’ acting in this office scene is disappointingly sub-par.
Reusing “Who Done It?,” most of this murder-mystery parody depicts standard-issue Stooges hijinks being chased in a haunted house by a ghoulish henchman (evidently, it’s actor Duke York’s go-to role in Stooge films). Suffice to say, it’s a barely watchable cliché-fest.
Still, two re-runs are near-gems. One is Shemp’s cartoony routine with McIntyre’s sultry femme fatale trading off on the old poisoned-drink switcheroo game. The other applies to the amusing lights-out battle royale at the finish. Yet, if one has already seen (or has access to) “Who Done It?”, then there’s no practical reason to watch this inferior rehash.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 3 Stars
