Punch Drunks | |
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Directed by | Lou Breslow |
Screenplay by | Jack Cluett |
Story by | Moe Howard Larry Fine Jerry Howard |
Produced by | Jules White |
Starring | Moe Howard Larry Fine Curly Howard Chuck Callahan Dutch Hendrian Frank Moran William Irving Jack "Tiny" Lipson Dorothy Granger Al Hill Billy Bletcher Arthur Housman Larry McGrath George Gray A.R. Heysel Harry Watson |
Cinematography | Henry Freulich |
Edited by | Robert Carlisle |
Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 17:29 |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Punch Drunks is a 1934 short subject directed by Lou Breslow starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Jerry Howard). 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.
In 2002, Punch Drunks became the first and only Stooge film to be selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
Moe, a struggling boxing manager, finds himself embroiled in a tumultuous lunchtime confrontation with his disgruntled fighters, who threaten to abandon him due to unpaid wages. A serendipitous turn of events unfolds as strolling violonist Larry unwittingly triggers a violent outburst from the timid waiter, Curly, upon playing the melody of "Pop Goes the Weasel". Seizing upon this unexpected display of physical prowess, Moe swiftly enlists Curly as a boxer and engages Larry to play the titular tune during Curly's matches, enabling him to effortlessly defeat opponents and secure prize money.
As Curly undergoes rigorous training under Moe's guidance, a chance encounter with a stranded female motorist interrupts their routine. Despite Moe's admonition against entanglements with women, Curly aids the young lady, propelled by the musical accompaniment provided by Larry.
Adopting the moniker "K.O. Stradivarius," Curly ascends to prominence in the boxing arena, positioning himself as the leading contender for the heavyweight championship. However, on the eve of the title match, Moe discovers Curly in the company of the lady, prompting a stern reprimand and a directive to focus solely on the impending bout.
The championship showdown ensues, with reigning titleholder Killer Kilduff asserting his dominance by swiftly dispatching Curly from the ring, causing devastation to Larry's violin in the process. Desperate to revive Curly's fighting spirit, Larry embarks on a frantic quest to procure an alternative means of playing the tune. Amidst the tumult of the bout, Larry's resourcefulness prevails as he secures a radio broadcasting the melody, revitalizing Curly's resolve.
However, just as Curly gains momentum, the radio abruptly shifts its broadcast, interrupting the crucial musical accompaniment and tilting the scales in Kilduff's favor once more. Frustration mounts as Moe and Larry scramble to restore the melody, resorting to unconventional methods in their pursuit.
Ultimately, Larry commandeers a politician's campaign truck equipped with the desired tune, crashing into the arena to deliver the decisive musical aid. Empowered by the restored melody, Curly rallies to secure victory, claiming the championship title.
The script for Punch Drunks was written by the Stooges, credited as "Jerry Howard, Larry Fine, and Moe Howard". According to Moe, the initial treatment of the script was originated by him; on its strength, the studio decided to produce the Stooges' next film sooner than scheduled. [1] Filming was completed May 2–5, 1934. [2]
In 2002, Punch Drunks was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant", the only Stooge film to achieve such an honor. [3]
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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.
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.
Louis Feinberg, better known by his stage name Larry Fine, was an American comedian, actor, and musician. He is best known as a member of the comedy act the Three Stooges and was often called "The Middle Stooge".
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.
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