THERE WAS A LOT of dynamic energy at work externally on the old Stooges' act at this time. World War II was now over. A return to peacetime topics was the number one priority. The already threadbare budgetary restrictions for the Columbia Short Subjects Department were being reduced as the studios' apprehension about the effect of the new medium of Television and what potential its coming of age would have on the movie business.
BUT THE MOST damning element of all was the physical condition of Curly Howard. The youngest of the trio, as well as the least senior member of the 3 Howards involved (being Shemp, Moe and then Jerry/Curly), his health was poor. Within the next year, he would have to step down in favor of Shemp; who Curly had replaced over a decade prior.
POOR HEALTH IN the case of the funniest of the team meant that there was a definite need for modification of the heretofore ironclad formula of having Curly's absorbing the brunt of the punishment. Larry's cheek, forehead, ears and eyes stepped up to the plate and picked up the slack. But the question remained of what to do with Curly?
THE ANSWER WAS a shifting of the humor to that of the verbal, the realm of the pun and the punch-line. Added to this, we had an element of which MICRO PHONOES is a prime exponent; that being absurd female impersonation.
THOSE TWO ELEMENTS that made up the backbone of this highly rated Stooge outing were the female impersonation angle and the "Damsel in Distress" subplot. The rescuing of a lady with insurmountable problems had always been an element in their comedies and did excuse their inherent vulgarity, low intelligence and unorthodox rescue methods. \ ANOTHER OFTEN USED plot element is that of the upsetting of dignity. Usual targets include: High Society, snobbishness, "Fine Arts" and Authority figures. In MICRO PHONIES, the Stooges and the crew of Producer Jules White's Columbia Short Subjects managed to cover all of the bases.
WE WANT TO make mention of ad give proper credit to three actors who contributed so much here.
FIRST UP IS the prolific Mr. Gino Corrado; who appears in so many classic films of the 1930s & '40s. Here credited as Gino Caraddo, his typical role is that of a waiter; as he was seen in A NIGHT AT THE OPERA, CITIZEN KANE and CASABLANCA*. His interplay with the Stooges here displayed an aptitude for the farce that few would have expected or realized.
SECONDLY, THERE IS Simona Boniface, who quietly added to several Stooge comedies. Her slow, reaction to embarrassing situations coupled with her dowager's physical appearance made her a priceless addition to any "Society" gathering. She has been called "the Stooges' answer to Margaret Dumont."
LAST ON OUR list is the beautiful, energetic and solid comedy trooper, Miss Christine McIntyre. She was and remains the all-time favourite heroine of the series.
BUT THE MOST damning element of all was the physical condition of Curly Howard. The youngest of the trio, as well as the least senior member of the 3 Howards involved (being Shemp, Moe and then Jerry/Curly), his health was poor. Within the next year, he would have to step down in favor of Shemp; who Curly had replaced over a decade prior.
POOR HEALTH IN the case of the funniest of the team meant that there was a definite need for modification of the heretofore ironclad formula of having Curly's absorbing the brunt of the punishment. Larry's cheek, forehead, ears and eyes stepped up to the plate and picked up the slack. But the question remained of what to do with Curly?
THE ANSWER WAS a shifting of the humor to that of the verbal, the realm of the pun and the punch-line. Added to this, we had an element of which MICRO PHONOES is a prime exponent; that being absurd female impersonation.
THOSE TWO ELEMENTS that made up the backbone of this highly rated Stooge outing were the female impersonation angle and the "Damsel in Distress" subplot. The rescuing of a lady with insurmountable problems had always been an element in their comedies and did excuse their inherent vulgarity, low intelligence and unorthodox rescue methods. \ ANOTHER OFTEN USED plot element is that of the upsetting of dignity. Usual targets include: High Society, snobbishness, "Fine Arts" and Authority figures. In MICRO PHONIES, the Stooges and the crew of Producer Jules White's Columbia Short Subjects managed to cover all of the bases.
WE WANT TO make mention of ad give proper credit to three actors who contributed so much here.
FIRST UP IS the prolific Mr. Gino Corrado; who appears in so many classic films of the 1930s & '40s. Here credited as Gino Caraddo, his typical role is that of a waiter; as he was seen in A NIGHT AT THE OPERA, CITIZEN KANE and CASABLANCA*. His interplay with the Stooges here displayed an aptitude for the farce that few would have expected or realized.
SECONDLY, THERE IS Simona Boniface, who quietly added to several Stooge comedies. Her slow, reaction to embarrassing situations coupled with her dowager's physical appearance made her a priceless addition to any "Society" gathering. She has been called "the Stooges' answer to Margaret Dumont."
LAST ON OUR list is the beautiful, energetic and solid comedy trooper, Miss Christine McIntyre. She was and remains the all-time favourite heroine of the series.