Saved by the Belle

Last updated
Saved by the Belle
SavedbytheBelleTITLE.jpg
Directed by Charley Chase
Written by Searle Kramer
Elwood Ullman
Produced byCharley Chase
Hugh McCollum
Starring Moe Howard
Larry Fine
Curly Howard
LeRoy Mason
Carmen Laroux
Gino Corrado
Vernon Dent
Manuel París
Al Thompson
Cinematography Allen G. Siegler
Edited by Art Seid
Distributed by Columbia Pictures
Release date
  • June 30, 1939 (1939-06-30)(U.S.)
Running time
17:22
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Saved by the Belle is a 1939 short subject directed by Charley Chase starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly Howard). It is the 40th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

Contents

Plot

The Stooges are itinerant salesmen traversing the fictional South American realm of Valeska, characterized as a vibrant tropical kingdom rife with seismic activity. Despite the periodic tremors that disrupt the tranquility of the town, a latent revolutionary fervor simmers beneath the surface.

The leader of the burgeoning rebellion, coincidentally the proprietor of the inn where the Stooges are lodged, resolves to shutter the establishment, precipitating a chain of events that culminate in the trio's incarceration for delinquent payment of their accommodations. Condemned to face execution under the auspices of revolutionary charges, the Stooges find themselves incarcerated, forging an alliance with Señorita Rita, a fellow revolutionary sympathizer.

Assisted by Señorita Rita, the Stooges effectuate a daring escape from captivity, only to find themselves ensnared in a series of misadventures upon joining the ranks of the rebels. Accused of delivering erroneous plans, they narrowly evade execution, their fortunes further compounded by an earthquake that facilitates their flight in a dynamite-laden vehicle.

However, their escape is short-lived as a manifestation of Curly's ineptitude precipitates the detonation of the dynamite-laden truck, thrusting the trio into yet another perilous predicament. Undeterred by the adversity they encounter, the Stooges endeavor to flee the country on horseback, yet their journey is abruptly halted by an ignominious tumble from their equine steed.

Production notes

Saved by the Belle was filmed on December 12–15, 1938. [1] The film title is a play on the boxing expression "saved by the bell." [2] It was the final Three Stooges short to be directed by veteran comedian Charley Chase, who died of a heart attack on June 20, 1940. [2]

When the Stooges introduce themselves to the rebels upon their arrival, Moe is heard saying "Hello, doh!" This line is from the Stooges' "Maharaja" routine, which would be performed in future films Time Out for Rhythm , Three Little Pirates and The Three Stooges Go Around the World in a Daze . [2]

When the Stooges are in front of the firing squad, believing they are to get their picture taken, Curly poses and says to Moe "I'm gonna send one home to Elaine". This is a reference to his then-wife Elaine Ackerman, whom he was married to from 1937 to 1940. [2]

Curly almost laughs and breaks character when the team lands on the horse at the end of the short. [2]

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 comedy. 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">Moe Howard</span> American comedian and actor (1897–1975)

Moses Harry Horwitz, better known by his stage name Moe Howard, was an American comedian and actor. He is best known as the leader and straight man 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.

<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 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>Tassels in the Air</i> 1938 American short film by Charley Chase

Tassels in the Air is a 1938 short subject directed by Charley Chase starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 30th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Movie Maniacs</i> 1936 American short film by Del Lord

Movie Maniacs is a 1936 short subject directed by Del Lord starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 13th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Goofs and Saddles</i> 1937 American short film by Del Lord

Goofs and Saddles is a 1937 American Western short subject film directed by Del Lord and starring the slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 24th 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>Dutiful But Dumb</i> 1941 film by Del Lord

Dutiful But Dumb is a 1941 short subject directed by Del Lord starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 54th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Flat Foot Stooges</i> 1938 American short film by Charley Chase

Flat Foot Stooges is a 1938 short subject directed by Charley Chase starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 35th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Mutts to You</i> 1938 American short film by Charley Chase

Mutts to You is a 1938 short subject directed by Charley Chase starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 34th 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>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>Three Little Sew and Sews</i> 1939 film by Del Lord

Three Little Sew and Sews is a 1939 short subject directed by Del Lord starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 36th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Sappy Bull Fighters</i> 1959 American short film by Jules White

Sappy Bull Fighters is a 1959 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 190th and final entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Idle Roomers</i> (1944 film) 1944 film by Del Lord

Idle Roomers is a 1944 short subject directed by Del Lord starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 80th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

<i>Booby Dupes</i> 1945 film by Del Lord

Booby Dupes is a 1945 short subject directed by Del Lord starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 84th 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>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>The Three Stooges</i> (2000 film) 2000 biopic about the Three Stooges

The Three Stooges is an American biographical comedy television film about the slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges directed by James Frawley. The film was entirely shot in Sydney, Australia. It was broadcast on ABC on April 24, 2000.

References

  1. Pauley, Jim (2012). The Three Stooges Hollywood Filming Locations. Solana Beach, California: Santa Monica Press, LLC. p. 222. ISBN   9781595800701.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Solomon, Jon (2002). The Complete Three Stooges: The Official Filmography and Three Stooges Companion. Comedy III Productions, Inc. pp. 153–154. ISBN   0-9711868-0-4.