SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 15:51 Min. (Black & White)
Produced and directed by Jules White off Felix Adler’s script, this Stooges comedy has Moe & Larry supervising Shemp’s home rest upon release from a psychiatric ward. Hallucinating that his adoring nurse is an attractive blonde, Shemp becomes engaged. At home, Larry & Moe contend with Shemp’s failed efforts at recuperation. Among the trio’s antics is a close-quarters brawl inside a telephone booth with an irate stranger, whose groceries are ruined.
On an oblivious Shemp’s wedding day, Moe & Larry are mortified to find out who his new father-in-law is. A rematch with the Stooges is the first thing on this guy’s mind.
Moe: Moe Howard
Larry: Larry Fine
Shemp: Shemp Howard
Nora the Nurse: Babe London
Nora’s Dad: Vernon Dent
Dr. Gseundheitt: Emil Sitka
Marybelle: Royce Milne
Fantasy Nora: Pamela Britton
Orderly: Johnny Kascier
Stooge Stunt Doubles: Johnny Kascier, B. Edney, & Joe Murphy
REVIEW:
One might pause at the thought of the Stooges parodying mental illness, but this episode isn’t half-bad. Aside from a crass biting gag, the phone booth melee is a gem, as Larry scores some terrific laughs. Otherwise, the plot for “Scrambled Brains” is somewhat middling, as are most of the gags. Along with the phone booth fistfight, Shemp’s piano playing sequence setting off another round of his hysterics is still worth catching.
The dubious upside to “Scrambled Brains” is that it isn’t another cheapo cut-and-paste job that Columbia Pictures cobbled together during that era. This one features original material start to finish, even if the storytelling treads on mediocrity.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 4½ Stars
