A Merry Mix Up

Last updated
A Merry Mix-Up
Merrymixup57.jpg
Columbia Pictures made an error by listing the Stooges as "Shemp (who had died in November 1955), Larry and Joe," omitting Moe entirely
Directed by Jules White
Written by Felix Adler
Produced byJules White
Starring Moe Howard
Larry Fine
Joe Besser
Nanette Bordeaux
Jeanne Carmen
Ruth Godfrey White
Suzanne Ridgeway
Harriette Tarler
Diana Darrin
Frank Sully
Cinematography Irving Lippman
Edited by Harold White
Distributed by Columbia Pictures
Release date
  • March 28, 1957 (1957-03-28)(U.S.)
Running time
15:51
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

A Merry Mix-Up is a 1957 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Joe Besser). It is the 177th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who appeared in 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

Contents

Plot

The Stooges play three sets of identical triplets, each born with a one-year interval between them. Following World War II, these nine brothers lose contact with one another, unaware of their shared proximity within the same city. Distinguishing characteristics set them apart: one set (comprising Moe, Larry, and Joe) remains single, another (Max, Louie, and Jack) is wedded, while the third (Morris, Luke, and Jeff) is engaged. Their attire, specifically their neckwear — striped ties for the single brothers, no ties for the married trio, and bow ties for the engaged siblings — serves as a visual identifier.

The narrative escalates when the engaged brothers opt to revel at a local nightclub. Prior to their arrival, the unmarried set makes an entrance, trailed by their brothers' betrothed partners. Mistaken identities ensue as the ladies mistakenly embrace and bestow affections upon the unsuspecting brothers. Subsequently, the wives of the married trio appear, suspecting infidelity on their husbands' part upon witnessing the scene. Convinced that their intended spouses are already wedded, the engaged brothers receive their engagement rings back from the girls, who then depart. As the engaged siblings enter the scene, they are met with reprimand from their fiancees.

A series of misunderstandings ensue as the wives return to confront their husbands, who have been occupied in the kitchen. Amidst confusion, the group decides to revisit the nightclub in an attempt to debunk the allegations. However, the waiter, who remains unconscious throughout the chaos, mistakenly believes their presence and confronts them upon awakening. Amidst the ensuing chase, the engaged and single brothers enter the scene separately, further complicating the situation. Ultimately, the waiter encounters all nine brothers simultaneously, prompting a reaction as he purposely strikes himself with a cleaver.

Cast

Credited

Uncredited

Production notes

A Merry Mix-Up was filmed on May 14–16, 1956; [1] it is a remake of Laurel and Hardy's Our Relations (1936). Felix Adler provided the screenplay for both films. [2]

The closing matte shot featuring all nine brothers standing side by side took careful planning to expose perfectly, giving the effect of three Moes, Larrys and Joes. To achieve this, each Stooge had to stand behind a specific marker before each shot was taken. For the final exposure, director Jules White suspected that Larry Fine was standing behind the wrong marker when compared to the previous two exposures. Larry knew White was wrong, and went to great lengths to prove it. Luckily, Larry prevailed, and saved the studio from having to refilm thousands of dollars worth of exposures. [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe DeRita</span> American actor and comedian (1909–1993)

Joseph Wardell, known professionally as Joe DeRita, was an American actor and comedian, who is best known for his stint as a member of The Three Stooges in the persona of Curly Joe DeRita.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Besser</span> American actor, comedian and musician (1907–1988)

Joe Besser was an American actor, comedian, and musician, known for his impish humor and wimpy characters. He is best known for his brief stint as a member of The Three Stooges in movie short subjects of 1957–1959. He is also remembered for his television roles: Stinky, the bratty man-child on The Abbott and Costello Show, and Jillson, the maintenance man on The Joey Bishop Show.

<i>No Dough Boys</i> 1944 film by Jules White

No Dough Boys is a 1944 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 82nd entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Muscle Up a Little Closer</i> 1957 film by Jules White

Muscle Up a Little Closer is a 1957 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 176th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Hoofs and Goofs</i> 1957 film by Jules White

Hoofs and Goofs is a 1957 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 175th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Triple Crossed</i> (1959 film) 1959 film by Jules White

Triple Crossed is a 1959 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 189th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Pop Goes the Easel</i> 1935 American short film by Del Lord

Pop Goes the Easel is a 1935 short subject directed by Del Lord starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the seventh entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Oils Well That Ends Well</i> 1958 film by Jules White

Oil's Well That Ends Well is a 1958 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 188th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Sappy Bull Fighters</i> 1959 American short film by Jules White

Sappy Bull Fighters is a 1959 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 190th and final entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Flying Saucer Daffy</i> 1958 film by Jules White

Flying Saucer Daffy is a 1958 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 187th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Commotion on the Ocean</i> 1956 short film by Jules White

Commotion on the Ocean is a 1956 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team the Three Stooges. It is the 174th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Space Ship Sappy</i> 1957 film by Jules White

Space Ship Sappy is a 1957 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 178th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Hot Stuff</i> (1956 film) 1956 short film by Jules White

Hot Stuff is a 1956 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 172nd entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Sweet and Hot</i> 1958 film by Jules White

Sweet and Hot is a 1958 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 186th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Pies and Guys</i> 1958 film by Jules White

Pies and Guys is a 1958 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 185th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Fifi Blows Her Top</i> 1958 film by Jules White

Fifi Blows Her Top is a 1958 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 184th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Outer Space Jitters</i> 1957 film by Jules White

Outer Space Jitters is a 1957 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 182nd entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959. The supporting cast for this short features Dan Blocker as a creature from outer space.

<i>Horsing Around</i> 1957 film by Jules White

Horsing Around is a 1957 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 180th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Three Loan Wolves</i> 1946 film by Jules White

Three Loan Wolves is a 1946 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 93rd entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Corny Casanovas</i> 1952 American short film by Jules White

Corny Casanovas is a 1952 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 139th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

References

  1. ↑ A Merry Mix-Up at threestooges.net
  2. 1 2 Lenburg, Jeff; Howard Maurer, Joan; Lenburg, Greg; (1982). The Three Stooges Scrapbook, p. 264, Citadel Press. ISBN   0-8065-0946-5
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.