SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 18:06 Min. (Black & White)
Directed by Raymond McCarey off Felix Adler’s script, this 1934 comedy is the Stooges’ sole Oscar-nominated work. At the Los Arms Hospital, the Stooges are among the facility’s new physicians supposedly dedicated to their professional motto: ‘For duty and humanity!’ Yet, the trio’s sheer ineptitude during their first shift causes non-stop chaos.
Dr. (Moe) Howard: Moe Howard
Dr. (Larry) Fine: Larry Fine
Dr. (Curly) Howard: Jerry “Curly” Howard
Dr. Graves: Dell Henderson
Maintenance Worker (Glass Door Repair): Hank Mann
Doctors: Bud Jamison & Charles Doherty
Nurses: Jeanie Roberts, Lucile Watson, Eve Kimberly, Irene Coleman, Kay Hughes, Betty Andre, & Carmen Andre
Mentally Disturbed Patient: Billy Gilbert
Diminutive Female Patient: William H. Rhodes
Anna Conda: Phyllis Crane
Anesthesiologist (Surgery Sequence): Charles King
Nurse (Surgery Sequence): Ruth Hiatt
Western Union Messenger: Bobby Callahan
New Doctors (Opening Sequence): Uncredited (including Arthur Rankin)
Additional Doctors & Nurses: Uncredited
Uncredited Role: Pat West
Note: The episode’s title spoofs 1934’s controversial hospital drama, Men in White, co-starring Clark Gable & Myrna Loy.
REVIEW:
Far more reminiscent of Marx Brothers-style screwball comedy, “Men in Black” cleverly earns its Oscar nomination. Playing off unpredictable wackiness instead of cartoony slapstick, a young Larry, Moe, & Curly are in vintage form parodying Hollywood hospital melodramas.
Even if “Men in Black” isn’t LOL hilarious, this Stooges caper is still a black-and-white gem approaching ninety years old.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
