Movie Maniacs

Movie Maniacs
Directed by Del Lord
Produced by Jules White
Written by Felix Adler
Starring Moe Howard
Larry Fine
Curly Howard
Mildred Harris
Kenneth Harlan
Bud Jamison
Harry Semels
Heinie Conklin
Cinematography Benjamin H. Kline
Edited by William Lyon
Distributed by Columbia Pictures
Release dates
  • February 20, 1936
Running time
17' 13"
Country United States
Language English

Movie Maniacs is the 13th short subject film starring American slapstick comedy trio the Three Stooges. The trio made a total of 190 shorts for Columbia Pictures between 1934 and 1959.

Plot

The Stooges are stowaways on a boxcar headed for Hollywood (to be exact, a furniture consignment to Hollywood). Fully expecting for no good reason to become stars, and dressed for the occasion, the Stooges sneak into a movie studiowhere they are mistaken for three new executives who are due to take over the facility. Given the authority, they promptly abuse it and take over the production of a movie set in hopes of shooting a blockbuster movie. Curly gets off on the wrong foot when, unable to light his match for a smoke, spots an actress receiving a pedicure (silent star Mildred Harris). He then strikes the match on her bare foot, startling her. Angered, she is about to storm off the set until the trio convince her to stay. The trio then act out the love scene as they want it filmed, leading its stars to abandon the set.

The Stooges try to keep Mildred Harris amused in Movie Maniacs

Another telegram arrives with the news that three actual executives were delayed by a storm. Angered at the deception, the studio boss goes after the Stooges, who flee the scene.

Production notes

Movie Maniacs was released on February 20, 1936, only two weeks after the previous release, Ants in the Pantry. It was filmed, though, in October 1935, two months before Ants in the Pantry.[1][2]

The original ending for the film involved the Stooges somehow setting fire to the movie set and running away.[2]

When Curly is preparing aboard the train and one of them gets stuck on the ceiling, a crew member's hand is briefly visible throwing the cake upwards.

Quotes

Curly: "If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking 'til you DO succeed!"

References

  1. Pauley, Jim (2012). The Three Stooges Hollywood Filming Locations. Solana Beach, California: Santa Monica Press, LLC. p. 160. ISBN 9781595800701.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Solomon, Jon (2002). The Complete Three Stooges: The Official Filmography and Three Stooges Companion. Glendale, California: Comedy III Productions, Inc. p. 80. ISBN 0-9711868-0-4.

External links