Hoi Polloi (film)

Last updated

Hoi Polloi
Hoipolloi35.jpg
Original lobby card
Directed by Del Lord
Written by Felix Adler
Helen Howard (uncredited)
Produced by Jules White
Starring Moe Howard
Larry Fine
Curly Howard
Harry Holman
Robert Graves
Phyllis Crane
Geneva Mitchell
William Irving
Bud Jamison
James C. Morton
Cinematography Henry Freulich
Edited by James Sweeney
Distributed by Columbia Pictures
Release date
  • August 29, 1935 (1935-08-29)(U.S.)
Running time
17:52
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Hoi Polloi is a 1935 short subject directed by Del Lord starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly Howard). It is the tenth entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

Contents

Plot

In a cinematic adaptation of George Bernard Shaw's 1913 play, Pygmalion , Professor Richmond champions the belief that social behavior is predominantly shaped by environmental factors rather than inherent traits. Engaging in a high-stakes wager with his colleague, Professor Nichols, Richmond asserts his ability to refine a common individual into a gentleman through meticulous training and exposure to refined surroundings. Nichols, however, counters with the proposition to refine three common individuals, thereby testing the limits of Richmond's theory. The unwitting subjects of this experiment happen to be the Stooges, initially employed as garbage men.

Despite earnest efforts to instill proper etiquette and refinement, the Stooges continually falter in their assimilation to high society. At a lavish society party hosted by Richmond, the Stooges' comportment descends into chaos, marked by a series of comical mishaps and social blunders. These include sartorial hijinks, inelegant dancing, and a cascade of faux pas involving grooming, culinary decorum, and surreptitious theft. The culmination of their antics leads to a chaotic fracas, wherein the assembled guests unwittingly mimic the Stooges' behavior, sparking a cascade of slapstick mayhem.

Acknowledging defeat, Professor Richmond concedes the wager and presents a check to Professor Nichols. However, the attempt to smooth over the disruption with an apology to Mrs. Richmond backfires, leading to a slapstick exchange of physical retribution among the guests. Disillusioned by the superficiality and absurdity of high society, the Stooges opt to depart, only to be subjected to one final comedic blow from Richmond and Nichols.

Production notes

The idea for Hoi Polloi came from Moe Howard's wife, Helen, who was offered either screen credit or money (she took the latter). Moe later stated that the plot of Hoi Polloi was so good that it bore repeating. The Stooges reworked the film twice more, as Half-Wits Holiday in 1947 (Curly's final starring role) and Pies and Guys in 1958. [1] Filming for Hoi Polloi was completed May 2–6, 1935. [2]

In the first street scene where the Stooges are rubbish sanitation workers, the original "Hollywoodland" sign is visible in the distance. [2] On the street is a marquee advertising the film Mississippi featuring Bing Crosby. Coincidentally, this film also co-stars Fred Kohler who portrayed Double Deal Decker in the short Horses' Collars released the same year. [3]

In the Three Stooges 75th Anniversary Special, hosted by Woody Harrelson, the dancing scene with Geneva Mitchell was voted by the fans as their favorite Stooge moment of all time. The dancing sequence footage would be reused in 1941's In the Sweet Pie and Pie . [3]

This is the first of three shorts in which Curly gets a sofa spring attached to his back. The spring gag would be used again in Three Little Sew and Sews , An Ache in Every Stake , with Shemp Howard in Hugs and Mugs and Curly-Joe DeRita in Have Rocket, Will Travel . [3]

During the dance sequence, Larry loses his shoe. At one point actress Phyllis Crane, dancing with Moe, trips on the shoe and falls down, visibly striking her head on the floor; this was not scripted. [3]

A colorized version of this film was released in 2006. It was not released on a Stooge DVD, but rather as a hastily added DVD bonus feature for the Jamie Foxx movie Breakin' All the Rules . [4]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Three Stooges</span> American slapstick comedy trio

The Three Stooges were an American vaudeville and comedy team active from 1922 until 1970, best remembered for their 190 short-subject films by Columbia Pictures. Their hallmark styles were physical, farce, and slapstick. Six total Stooges appeared over the act's run ; Moe Howard and Larry Fine were mainstays throughout the ensemble's nearly 50-year run, while the "third stooge" was played in turn by Shemp Howard, Curly Howard, Shemp Howard again, Joe Besser, and "Curly Joe" DeRita.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moe Howard</span> American comedian and actor (1897–1975)

Moses Harry Horwitz, better known by his stage name Moe Howard, was an American comedian and actor. He is best known as the leader of the Three Stooges, the farce comedy team who starred in motion pictures and television for four decades. That group initially started out as Ted Healy and His Stooges, an act that toured the vaudeville circuit. Moe's distinctive hairstyle came about when he was a boy and cut off his curls with a pair of scissors, producing an irregular shape approximating a bowl cut.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Curly Howard</span> American comedian and actor (1903–1952)

Jerome Lester Horwitz, better known by his stage name Curly Howard, was an American comedian and actor. He was as a member of the comedy team The Three Stooges, which also featured his elder brothers Moe and Shemp Howard, as well as actor Larry Fine. In early shorts, he was billed as Curley. Curly Howard was generally considered the most popular and recognizable of the Stooges.

<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.

<i>Have Rocket, Will Travel</i> 1959 American film

Have Rocket, Will Travel is a 1959 American science-fiction comedy film released by Columbia Pictures and starring the Three Stooges, consisting of Moe Howard, Larry Fine and new addition Joe DeRita. The film was produced to capitalize on the Three Stooges' late-1950s resurgence in popularity. The supporting cast features Anna-Lisa and Robert Colbert.

<i>Half-Wits Holiday</i> 1947 film by Jules White

Half-Wits Holiday is a 1947 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team the Three Stooges. It is the 97th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Woman Haters</i> 1934 musical film by Archie Gottler

Woman Haters is a 1934 musical short subject directed by Archie Gottler starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the inaugural entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who would ultimately star in 190 short subjects for the studio between 1934 and 1959. This short is known to be the first program shown on Antenna TV, a channel that was launched on January 1, 2011, by Tribune Broadcasting.

<i>A Plumbing We Will Go</i> 1940 American short film by Del Lord

A Plumbing We Will Go is a 1940 short subject directed by Del Lord starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 46th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Rhythm and Weep</i> 1946 film by Jules White

Rhythm and Weep is a 1946 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 95th 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>An Ache in Every Stake</i> 1941 American short film by Del Lord

An Ache in Every Stake is a 1941 short subject directed by Del Lord starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 57th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>They Stooge to Conga</i> 1943 film by Del Lord

They Stooge to Conga is a 1943 short subject directed by Del Lord starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 67th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Three Little Sew and Sews</i> 1939 film by Del Lord

Three Little Sew and Sews is a 1939 short subject directed by Del Lord starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 36th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>In the Sweet Pie and Pie</i> 1941 film by Jules White

In the Sweet Pie and Pie is a 1941 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 58th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>A Bird in the Head</i> 1946 American short film by Edward Bernds

A Bird in the Head is a 1946 short subject directed by Edward Bernds starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 89th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Idiots Deluxe</i> 1945 film by Jules White

Idiots Deluxe is a 1945 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 85th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Scheming Schemers</i> 1956 film by Jules White

Scheming Schemers is a 1956 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 173rd 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>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>Hugs and Mugs</i> 1950 film by Jules White

Hugs and Mugs is a 1950 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 121st entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

References

  1. ↑ Lenburg, Jeff; Howard Maurer, Joan; Lenburg, Greg; (1982). The Three Stooges Scrapbook, Citadel Press. ISBN   0-8065-0946-5
  2. 1 2 Pauley, Jim (2012). The Three Stooges Hollywood Filming Locations. Solana Beach, California: Santa Monica Press, LLC. pp. 135–141. ISBN   9781595800701.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Solomon, Jon (2002). The Complete Three Stooges: The Official Filmography and Three Stooges Companion. Glendale, California: Comedy III Productions, Inc. pp. 68–70. ISBN   0-9711868-0-4.
  4. ↑ "barnesandnoble.com". Archived from the original on 18 February 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2009.
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.