Horses' Collars

Last updated

Horses' Collars
Horsescollars35.jpg
Mistitled lobby card (as the singular Horse Collars)
Directed by Clyde Bruckman
Written by Felix Adler
Produced by Jules White
Starring Moe Howard
Larry Fine
Curly Howard
Dorothy Kent
Fred Kohler
Fred Kelsey
Cinematography John W. Boyle
Edited by James Sweeney
Distributed by Columbia Pictures
Release date
  • January 10, 1935 (1935-01-10)
Running time
18:01
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Horses' Collars is a 1935 short subject directed by Clyde Bruckman and starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly Howard). [1] It is the fifth entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 short films for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

Contents

Plot

The Stooges, acting as emissaries under the auspices of Detective Hyden Zeke, embark upon a mission to the Western frontier with the objective of assisting Nell Higginbottom in reclaiming an IOU wrongfully obtained from her father. The document, coveted by Double Deal Decker, a notorious individual of ruthless disposition, represents a key instrument in his bid to unlawfully appropriate Nell's rightful inheritance, a prized ranch.

Undaunted by the looming hazards, the Stooges encounter a series of challenges, notably successfully appropriating Decker's wallet through a strategic maneuver. This act incites the antagonist's wrath, precipitating a perilous situation wherein he and his accomplices endeavor to administer summary justice by hanging the trio.

The Stooges press forward, penetrating into Decker's clandestine stronghold. Here, they exhibit resolve as they successfully access the secure confines of a safe, wherein lies the coveted IOU. Amidst the ensuing confrontation with Decker and his confederates, the Stooges demonstrate their mettle, with Curly's idiosyncratic fear of mice paradoxically aiding their cause.

Production notes

Horses' Collars was filmed on November 23–27, 1934. [2] The opening theme song is titled "At the Races," composed by Louis Silvers. [3] Curly has a violent reaction to the sight of a live mouse at any time, going into a fit while demanding, "Moe! Larry! The Cheese!". [1] The only cure is for someone to feed him cheese, [1] with Curly telling them which kind. The reason for this is explained by Moe & Larry, stating that Curly's father was a rat. The kind of cheeses that Curly calls for are roquefort, camembert, and limburger.

An external stimulus — as with Curly spotting the mouse — that causes him to go bonkers was also used as a plot element in Punch Drunks , Grips, Grunts and Groans , and Tassels in the Air . [4]

Horses' Collars was the first of 17 Western-themed films the Stooges would make. [2] It is also the first short where the Stooges sing "You'll Never Know What Tears Are" in barbershop music style. This song would make an appearance in future shorts Half-Shot Shooters and A Ducking They Did Go .

The casting of Kohler, who played the villain in countless actual westerns, gave the film some added authenticity.

Related Research Articles

<i>Punch Drunks</i> 1934 film by Lou Breslow

Punch Drunks is a 1934 short subject directed by Lou Breslow starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the second entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 short subjects for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shemp Howard</span> American comedian and actor (1895–1955)

Shemp Howard, was an American comedian and actor. He was called "Shemp" because "Sam" came out that way in his mother's thick Litvak accent.

<i>Rockin in the Rockies</i> 1945 film by Vernon Keays

Rockin' in the Rockies is a 1945 American musical western feature film starring the Three Stooges. The picture was one of the Stooges' few feature-length films made during the run of their better-known series of short subjects for Columbia Pictures, although the group had appeared in supporting roles in other features. It is the only Stooges feature-length film with the team's best known line-up in starring roles.

<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>Grips, Grunts and Groans</i> 1937 American short film by Preston Black

Grips, Grunts and Groans is a 1937 short subject directed by Preston Black starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 20th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who appeared in 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Restless Knights</i> 1935 American short film by Charles Lamont

Restless Knights is a 1935 short subject directed by Charles Lamont starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the sixth 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>Hoi Polloi</i> (film) 1935 American short film by Del Lord

Hoi Polloi is a 1935 slapstick comedy short subject directed by Del Lord starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. 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.

<i>Three Little Beers</i> 1935 American short film by Del Lord

Three Little Beers is a 1935 short subject directed by Del Lord starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 11th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Ants in the Pantry</i> 1936 film by Preston Black

Ants in the Pantry is a 1936 short subject directed by Preston Black starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 12th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Slippery Silks</i> 1936 American short film by Preston Black

Slippery Silks is a 1936 short subject directed by Preston Black starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 19th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Cactus Makes Perfect</i> 1942 American short film by Del Lord

Cactus Makes Perfect is a 1942 short subject directed by Del Lord starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 61st entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>From Nurse to Worse</i> 1940 American short film by Jules White

From Nurse to Worse is a 1940 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 49th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Rockin thru the Rockies</i> 1940 short film by Jules White

Rockin' thru the Rockies is a 1940 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 45th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Even as IOU</i> 1942 American short film by Del Lord

Even as IOU is a 1942 short subject directed by Del Lord starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 65th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>A Gem of a Jam</i> 1943 film by Del Lord

A Gem of a Jam is a 1943 short subject directed by Del Lord starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 76th 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 Troubledoers</i> 1946 film by Edward Bernds

The Three Troubledoers is a 1946 short subject directed by Edward Bernds starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 91st 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 Pirates</i> 1946 film by Edward Bernds

Three Little Pirates is a 1946 short subject directed by Edward Bernds starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 96th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Out West</i> (1947 film) 1947 American short film by Edward Bernds

Out West is a 1947 short subject directed by Edward Bernds starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 99th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Punchy Cowpunchers</i> 1950 American short film by Edward Bernds

Punchy Cowpunchers is a 1950 short subject directed by Edward Bernds starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 120th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Janiss Garza (2016). "Horses' Collars". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times . Archived from the original on March 7, 2016.
  2. 1 2 Horses' Collars at threestooges.net
  3. Finegan, Richard (Fall 1998). "More Three Stooges Film Music Identified (1934-1935)". The Three Stooges Journal (87). Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania: The Three Stooges Fan Club, Inc.: 9. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  4. Solomon, Jon (2002). The Complete Three Stooges: The Official Filmography and Three Stooges Companion. Glendale, California: Comedy III Productions, Inc. p. 99. ISBN   0971186804.