Hoofs and Goofs

Last updated
Hoofs and Goofs
HoofsandGoofsTITLE.jpg
Directed by Jules White
Written by Jack White
Produced byJules White
Starring Moe Howard
Larry Fine
Joe Besser
Harriette Tarler
Benny Rubin
Tony the Wonder Horse
Joe Palma
Ruth Godfrey White
Cinematography Gert Andersen
Edited by Harold White
Distributed by Columbia Pictures
Release date
  • January 31, 1957 (1957-01-31)(U.S.)
Running time
15:27
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Hoofs and Goofs is a 1957 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine, and Joe Besser in his first starring role with the act). 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.

Contents

Plot

Joe finds himself unable to shake thoughts of his departed sister, Birdie. In a gesture of camaraderie, Moe and Larry play along with Joe's belief that Birdie will manifest herself downtown the next day. Upon their excursion, the trio encounters a horse purportedly embodying Birdie's reincarnation, much to the astonishment of Moe and Larry.

Filled with jubilation, the Stooges endeavor to persuade their equine "sister" to accompany them home. Initially resistant, Birdie eventually relents. However, their joy is short-lived as they discover Birdie's impending motherhood. Joe's reaction is one of frantic preparation for the forthcoming arrival of the newborn foal. Meanwhile, the clattering of Birdie's hooves draws the attention of their landlord, Mr. Dinklespiel, and his daughter, residing below.

Confronted by Mr. Dinklespiel, Moe attempts to deceive him into believing the commotion stems from innocuous sources. Once the landlord departs, Birdie gives birth to a colt, prompting Joe's exuberant declaration of unclehood. Yet, his elation is abruptly interrupted by Moe and Larry, awakening him from what transpires to be a dream sequence.

In reality, Birdie (portrayed by Moe in feminine attire) remains alive and well, residing with the Stooges. Joe, recounting his dream to Birdie, inadvertently offends her by likening her to a horse, resulting in a humorous retaliation involving a casserole deposited atop Joe's head.

Cast

Credited

Uncredited

Production notes

Hoofs and Goofs was the first Three Stooges short featuring Joe Besser as the third Stooge; filming was completed April 18–20, 1956. [1] According to Besser's autobiography Not Just a Stooge, Besser spoke to Moe shortly before filming to convey his condolences over the death of Shemp Howard the year before. Joe and Shemp had been good friends. [2]

The film's original ending was to have the Stooges' sister, Birdie, hit Joe with a rolling pin. However, due to his not wanting to be hit in the head with a solid prop, it was changed to a casserole. [2] [3]

The film makes reference to actress Kim Novak, when spoken by the reincarnated Birdie.

The film would have a direct sequel, Horsing Around , released on September 12, 1957.

See also

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 comedy. 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 and straight man 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">Larry Fine</span> American comedian and actor (1902–1975)

Louis Feinberg, better known by his stage name Larry Fine, was an American actor, comedian and musician. He is best known as a member of the comedy act the Three Stooges and was often called "The Middle Stooge".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Garner</span> American actor (1909–2004)

Paul Albert "Mousie" Garner was an American actor. Garner earned his nickname by assuming the role of a shy, simpering jokester. He was one of the last actors still doing shtick from vaudeville, and has been referred to as "The Grand Old Man Of Vaudeville."

<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 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.

<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>Have Rocket, Will Travel</i> 1959 American film by David Lowell Rich

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>Kooks Tour</i> 1970 unreleased U.S. film by Norman Maurer

Kook's Tour is an American comedy television film produced in 1969. It was the final film to star the Three Stooges and was originally intended as the pilot for a television series. However, on January 9, 1970, before filming was completed, Larry Fine suffered a massive stroke, paralyzing the left side of his body. When it became clear that Fine was not expected to recover fully from the stroke, production of the series was cancelled and the Kook's Tour pilot film was shelved.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Three Stooges filmography</span> The Three Stooges starred in over 200 pictures during their decades-long run.

This is a complete list of short subjects and feature films that featured The Three Stooges released between 1930 and 1970.

<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>Bedlam in Paradise</i> 1955 American short film by Jules White

Bedlam in Paradise is a 1955 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 162nd 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>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>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>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>Cuckoo on a Choo Choo</i> 1952 American short film by Jules White

Cuckoo on a Choo Choo is a 1952 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 143rd entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>The Three Stooges Scrapbook</i> 1960 unsold American television miniseries starring the Three Stooges

The Three Stooges Scrapbook is an unaired 1960 television miniseries starring The Three Stooges. In the opening title and Hollywood trade advertisements, the show's title is spelled without "The," including a promotional photograph of the Stooges holding an oversized scrapbook. The first episode's plot finds the men evicted from a rooming house and finding refuge in the home of a mad inventor. The second and final episode features the trio presenting an animated short called The Spain Mutiny that imagines them as part of Christopher Columbus’ crew.

References

  1. ↑ Pauley, Jim (2012). The Three Stooges Hollywood Filming Locations. Solana Beach, California: Santa Monica Press, LLC. p. 142. ISBN   9781595800701.
  2. 1 2 Besser, Joe; Jeff Lenburg; Greg Lenburg (1984). Not Just a Stooge. Orange, California: Excelsior Books. p. 264. ISBN   978-0918283009.
  3. ↑ Howard Maurer, Joan; Jeff Lenburg; Greg Lenburg (2012) [1982]. The Three Stooges Scrapbook. Glendale, California: Chicago Review Press. p. 264. ISBN   978-1613740743. rdi.
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.