Spook Louder

Last updated
Spook Louder
Spooklouder43LOBBY.jpg
Directed by Del Lord
Written by Clyde Bruckman
Produced byDel Lord
Hugh McCollum
Starring Moe Howard
Larry Fine
Curly Howard
Stanley Blystone
Heinie Conklin
William Kelley
Lew Kelly
Helen Servis
Symona Boniface
Stanley Brown
Charles Middleton
Ted Lorch
Shirley Patterson
Cinematography John Stumar
Edited by Paul Borofsky
Distributed by Columbia Pictures
Release date
  • April 2, 1943 (1943-04-02)(U.S.)
Running time
16:01
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Spook Louder is a 1943 short subject directed by Del Lord starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly Howard). It is the 69th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

Contents

Plot

During an interview with a newspaper reporter, Professor J.O. Dunkfeather narrates the story of Graves, a proficient master spy.

Commencing with the Stooges portraying traveling salesmen, their unsuccessful attempts to market the "Miracle Reducing Machine" prompts their continued journey in dire need of funds to meet rent obligations. Fortuitously, the trio stumbles upon Graves' residence, where they are mistakenly assumed to be the new caretakers. Graves, en route to Washington, D.C., entrusts his eerie mansion to the Stooges, intending to return after testing his revolutionary death ray machine. Meanwhile, nefarious spies in Halloween disguises emerge, unsettling the Stooges who become further agitated by unexplained cream pie projectiles seemingly propelled by an enigmatic pie-throwing apparition.

Cornered by the spies, the Stooges employ a bomb provided by Graves, effectively subduing the criminals and safeguarding Graves' confidential inventions.

The narrative returns to the present as the inquisitive reporter seeks the identity of the mysterious pie-thrower. Dunkfeather initially claims responsibility but is contradicted when a pie suddenly materializes, casting doubt on his account.

Production notes

The title Spook Louder is a pun combining the request "speak louder" with the "spooks" of a mansion. [1] It is a remake of the 1931 Mack Sennett film The Great Pie Mystery. [2]

Co-stars Charles Middleton and Ted Lorch also appeared together in the 1936 serial Flash Gordon . This was Middleton's only appearance in a Stooge short.

Filmed on July 17–21, 1942, Spook Louder was one of several World War II-era Stooges shorts that engaged in propaganda against the then-enemy Japanese, with others including No Dough Boys , Booby Dupes and, notably, The Yoke's on Me . [1]

Reception

The Stooge films released between 1942-1944 were considered to be a step down in quality from previous entries made between 1935-1941. Spook Louder, in particular, was singled out by author Ted Okuda as "their worst picture in some time. The story of a phantom pie-thrower is a repetitious one-joke affair devoid of laughs." [2]

Several scenes from Spook Louder appear in the 1992 film Radio Flyer .

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. 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">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 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.

<i>Hold That Lion!</i> (1947 film) 1947 film by Jules White

Hold That Lion! is a 1947 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 100th 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">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>Half-Wits Holiday</i> 1947 film by Jules White

Half-Wits Holiday is a 1947 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team the Three Stooges. It is the 97th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts 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>Spooks</i> (1953 film) 1953 film by Jules White

Spooks! is a 1953 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 148th 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">Symona Boniface</span> American actress (1894–1950)

Symona Ferner Boniface was an American film actress, most frequently seen in bit parts in comedy shorts, mostly at Columbia Pictures, particularly those of The Three Stooges. She appeared in 120 films between 1925 and 1950.

<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>Three Smart Saps</i> 1942 American short film by Jules White

Three Smart Saps is a 1942 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 64th 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 Twirps</i> 1943 film by Harry Edwards

Three Little Twirps is a 1943 short subject directed by Harry Edwards starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 71st 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">Dudley Dickerson</span> American actor (1906–1968)

Dudley Henry DickersonJr. was an American film actor. Born in Chickasha, Oklahoma, he appeared in nearly 160 films between 1932 and 1952, and is best remembered for his roles in several Three Stooges films.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eddie Laughton</span> British-American actor (1903–52)

Eddie Laughton was a British-American film actor. He appeared in more than 200 films between 1935 and 1952, and is best known for his work with The Three Stooges.

<i>Stop! Look! and Laugh!</i> 1960 film

Stop! Look! and Laugh! is a 1960 feature-length Three Stooges compilation featuring Moe Howard, Larry Fine, and Curly Howard. Eleven of the Stooges shorts were shown and bridged together with segments featuring Paul Winchell and his dummies, Jerry Mahoney and Knucklehead Smiff. Near the end of the film, the Marquis Chimps perform a version of Cinderella narrated in rhyme by Winchell, with June Foray providing female voices and Alan Reed providing male voices, as part of Jerry's bedtime story. New York Stooges TV host Officer Joe Bolton has a cameo as a customer in a cafe.

<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>Crime on Their Hands</i> 1948 American short film by Edward Bernds

Crime on Their Hands is a 1948 short subject directed by Edward Bernds starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 112th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Hula-La-La</i> 1951 film by Hugh McCollum

Hula-La-La is a 1951 short subject directed by Hugh McCollum starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 135th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Corny Casanovas</i> 1952 American short film by Jules White

Corny Casanovas is a 1952 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 139th 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">John Tyrrell (actor)</span> American actor (1900-1949)

John Edward Tyrrell was an American film actor. He appeared in over 250 films between 1935 and 1947, known for his numerous appearances with the Three Stooges, in a total of 29 shorts with Curly Howard as a third stooge.

<i>Pick a Peck of Plumbers</i> 1944 American film

Pick a Peck of Plumbers is an American comedy short produced and directed by Jules White. Released by Columbia Pictures on July 23, 1944, it stars El Brendel and Shemp Howard, both of whom receive top-billing in the short.

References

  1. 1 2 Solomon, Jon (2002). The Complete Three Stooges: The Official Filmography and Three Stooges Companion. Comedy III Productions, Inc. p. 226. ISBN   0-9711868-0-4.
  2. 1 2 Okuda, Ted; Watz, Edward (1986). The Columbia Comedy Shorts. McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. pp. 60–102, 237–239. ISBN   0-89950-181-8.