Restless Knights

Last updated
Restless Knights
RestlessKnightsTITLE.jpg
Directed by Charles Lamont
Written by Felix Adler
Produced by Jules White
Starring Moe Howard
Larry Fine
Curly Howard
Geneva Mitchell
James Howard
Bud O'Neill
Walter Brennan
Stanley Blystone
Cinematography Benjamin H. Kline
Edited by William Lyon
Distributed by Columbia Pictures
Release date
  • February 20, 1935 (1935-02-20)(U.S.)
Running time
16:11
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Restless Knights is a 1935 short subject directed by Charles Lamont starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Jerry Howard). 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.

Contents

Plot

Set in medieval times, the father of the Stooges (Walter Brennan) informs them from his deathbed that they are of royal blood.

Now dubbed the Duke of Durham (Larry), the Count of Fife (Moe) and Baron of Grey Matter (Curly), they are entrusted by their father to take up arms and protect Queen Anne (Geneva Mitchell) of their old kingdom of Anesthesia, as word has spread that the present prime minister, Prince Boris (George Baxter), may attempt to seize the throne. The Stooges accept and make their way to Anesthesia, where, as the Duke of Mixture, the Fife of Drum and Baron of Brains, they become the queen's royal guards. The prince puts in motion his plan to abduct the queen as a royal wrestling match starts. Disgusted by the result of the match, Moe and Curly take it upon themselves to wrestle in their place with Larry acting as the referee. After an unforgettable match, the queen ends up missing, with the Stooges blamed for being lax. A sword fight ensues and the Stooges are taken away to be executed.

The Stooges are sentenced to be shot by crossbows, but before the arrows are fired the archers spot a woman undressing at a window. Enchanted, they watch her, giving the Stooges a chance to escape. As they hide out from the guards someone drops a jug on Curly's head. It contains a note stating that the queen is hidden in the wine cellar. The Stooges head to the cellar, spotting a few of the men who had taken the queen, and come up with a plan—Curly will lure them out one by one, and Moe and Larry will knock them out. The plan goes well until one guard trips while chasing Curly and Moe and Larry inadvertently knock themselves out. Curly takes off with the guard hot on his trail, until Curly sneaks up behind him and knocks him out. He then runs back to the alcove, where Moe and Larry regain consciousness just in time to hear footsteps. Thinking them to be of the guard they missed, they swing their clubs and knock Curly out instead. The queen, tied up and hidden away, is able to loosen the gag on her mouth and call for help. The Stooges rush to her rescue, but a few more guards show up to search the wine cellar for them. Moe instructs Curly to do the same tactic he did before, but as he and Larry take position and Curly dashes past the doorway, the queen follows him, unaware of their plan, and is accidentally knocked out. Once they realize what they have done, all three Stooges hit themselves on the head, knocking each other out.

Production notes

Restless Knights was filmed on December 19–22, 1934. [1] The film title Restless Knights is a pun on "restless nights," or chronic insomnia. [2] Opening theme music was titled "Entry of the Giants," composed by Louis Silvers. [3]

The title Baron of Grey Matter is a pun on "barren of grey matter. [2]

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.

<i>No Dough Boys</i> 1944 film by Jules White

No Dough Boys is a 1944 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 82nd 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 Pigskins</i> 1934 film by Ray McCarey

Three Little Pigskins is a 1934 short subject directed by Raymond McCarey and starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the fourth entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 short films for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>I Can Hardly Wait</i> 1943 film by Jules White

"I Can Hardly Wait" is a 1943 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 73rd entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Uncivil Warriors</i> 1935 American short film by Del Lord

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

<i>Horses Collars</i> 1935 film by Clyde Bruckman

Horses' Collars is a 1935 short subject directed by Clyde Bruckman and starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges . 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.

<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>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>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>Dizzy Pilots</i> 1943 film by Jules White

Dizzy Pilots is a 1943 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 74th 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>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>Matri-Phony</i> 1942 American short film by Harry Edwards

Matri-Phony is a 1942 short subject directed by Harry Edwards starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 63rd entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Higher Than a Kite</i> 1943 film by Del Lord

Higher Than a Kite is a 1943 short subject directed by Del Lord starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 72nd entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Phony Express</i> 1943 film by Del Lord

Phony Express is a 1943 short subject directed by Del Lord starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 75th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>The Yokes on Me</i> 1944 film by Jules White

The Yoke's on Me is a 1944 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 79th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who appeared in 190 shorts at the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Monkey Businessmen</i> 1946 film by Edward Bernds

Monkey Businessmen is a 1946 short subject directed by Edward Bernds starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 92nd 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>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>Fling in the Ring</i> 1955 American short film by Jules White

Fling in the Ring is a 1955 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 159th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

References

  1. Restless Knights at threestooges.net
  2. 1 2 Solomon, Jon. (2002) The Complete Three Stooges: The Official Filmography and Three Stooges Companion, p. 59; Comedy III Productions, Inc., ISBN   0-9711868-0-4
  3. Finegan, Richard (Fall 1998). "More Three Stooges Film Music Identified (1934-1935)". The Three Stooges Journal. Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania: The Three Stooges Fan Club, Inc. (87): 9. Retrieved 11 April 2016.