Jail Birds of Paradise

Last updated
Jail Birds of Paradise
Jailbirds of Paradise.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Al Boasberg
Written byAl Boasberg
Produced by Jack Cummings
Samuel Baerwitz
Starring Dorothy Appleby
Moe Howard
Curly Howard
Distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release date
  • March 10, 1934 (1934-03-10)
Running time
18 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Jail Birds of Paradise is a 1934 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer short starring Dorothy Appleby plus brothers Moe and Curly Howard (of Three Stooges fame).

Contents

The film was written and directed by Al Boasberg, and filmed in Technicolor. The film was released on March 10, 1934. [1]

Synopsis

When the Warden of Paradise Prison is absent for three months, his daughter Miss Deering (Dorothy Appleby) decides to turn the prison into the 'Paradise', a luxurious hotel complete with all the amenities, and she sets the prison guards to run the 'hotel' for her. As Miss Deering and her secretary tour the prison there are a series of sight gags that involve various prisoners; among them, registering at Paradise's front desk, are Joe Pantz (Moe Howard), an axe murderer who has transferred from Leavenworth. [2]

During a show held in the Prison Auditorium that evening with dinner and music, Moe enters with Curly Howard, who is wearing a toupée, and the two work a hair tonic scheme among the other prisoners; this scene was later reworked for Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Joe DeRita in their 1961 feature, Snow White and the Three Stooges . The evening ends with gunshots and a vase-throwing melee among the prisoners. [2]

The Dodge Twins appear in a number called "The Lock Step", which had been shot in color early in 1930 at the then brand new MGM extra high sound Stage Six for The March of Time , an MGM musical which was never finished or released. This sequence was recycled in Jail Birds of Paradise.

Cast

Preservation status

This film is now considered a lost film, with no studio, collector prints or negatives known to exist. [2] According to some sources the only known copy was destroyed in the 1965 MGM vault fire.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Three Stooges</span> American comedy team active from 1922 until 1970

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 Stooges appeared over the act's run : Moe Howard and Larry Fine were mainstays throughout the ensemble's nearly 50-year run; the pivotal "third stooge" was played by Shemp Howard, Curly Howard, Shemp Howard again, Joe Besser, and "Curly Joe" DeRita.

<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">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 best known as a member of the American comedy team the Three Stooges, which also featured his elder brothers Moe and Shemp Howard and 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">The Three Stooges filmography</span>

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

<i>Hello Pop!</i> 1933 American short film by Jack Cummings

Hello Pop! is the third of five short films starring Ted Healy and His Stooges released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer on September 16, 1933. A musical-comedy film, the film also featured the Albertina Rasch Dancers and Bonnie Bonnell. The film was considered lost until a 35mm nitrate print was discovered in Australia in January 2013. Stooges Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly Howard were billed as "Howard, Fine and Howard."

<i>Loco Boy Makes Good</i> 1942 American short film by Jules White

Loco Boy Makes Good is a 1942 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 60th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Playing the Ponies</i> 1937 American short film by Charles Lamont

Playing the Ponies is a 1937 short subject directed by Charles Lamont starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 26th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Beer Barrel Polecats</i> 1946 film by Jules White

Beer Barrel Polecats is a 1946 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 88th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>3 Dumb Clucks</i> 1937 film by Del Lord

3 Dumb Clucks is a 1937 short subject directed by Del Lord starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 22nd 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>Cookoo Cavaliers</i> 1940 American short film by Jules White

Cookoo Cavaliers is a 1940 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 51st entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>So Long Mr. Chumps</i> 1941 film by Jules White

So Long Mr. Chumps is a 1941 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 53rd 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>Uncivil War Birds</i> 1946 film by Jules White

Uncivil War Birds is a 1946 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 90th 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dorothy Appleby</span> American actress (1906–1990)

Dorothy Appleby was an American film actress. She appeared in over 50 films between 1931 and 1943.

Al Boasberg was an American comedy writer in vaudeville, radio, and film, as well as being a film director.

<i>Meet the Baron</i> 1933 film by Walter Lang

Meet the Baron is a 1933 American pre-Code comedy film starring Jack Pearl, Jimmy Durante, Edna May Oliver, ZaSu Pitts, Ted Healy and His Stooges. The title of the film refers to Pearl's character of Baron Munchhausen, which he made famous on his radio show.

<i>Roast Beef and Movies</i> 1934 American film

Roast-Beef and Movies is a short subject starring George Givot, Curly Howard, Bobby Callahan, and the Albertina Rasch Dancers, released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) on February 10, 1934. The music is by Dimitri Tiomkin, who was married to Rasch at the time.

References