Calling All Curs is a 1939 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly Howard). It is the 41st entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.
| Calling All Curs | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Jules White |
| Screenplay by | Elwood Ullman Searle Kramer |
| Story by | Thea Goodan |
| Produced by | Jules White |
| Starring | Moe Howard Larry Fine Curly Howard Lynton Brent Cy Schindell Isabelle LaMal Beatrice Curtis Libby Taylor |
| Edited by | Charles Nelson |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 17:19[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Plot
editThe Stooges are skilled veterinarians, entrusted with the care of Garçon, an esteemed poodle belonging to socialite Mrs. Bedford. Following a successful surgical intervention to alleviate Garçon's discomfort, the Stooges attract the attention of two ostensibly benign reporters from The Daily Star, who express interest in featuring the clinic in their publication.
Amidst their interactions with the canine clientele, Garçon inexplicably disappears, leaving behind a ransom note purportedly penned by the faux reporters, revealing their malevolent intent as dognapping criminals. The Stooges, confronted with the dilemma of Mrs. Bedford's escalating distress, resort to a hapless ploy involving a substitute mutt disguised as Garçon, which ultimately unravels under the scrutiny of Mrs. Bedford's discerning eye.
Faced with the imminent threat of incarceration, the Stooges embark on a desperate quest to apprehend the perpetrators, employing the substitute mutt as a makeshift bloodhound to trail the dognappers to their lair. A confrontation ensues, culminating in a triumph for the Stooges, who emerge victorious in their confrontation with the adversaries.
Moreover, amidst the tumult of the rescue mission, an unexpected revelation transpires as Garçon reveals her maternal instincts, birthing a litter of puppies.
Production notes
editFilmed on December 27–30, 1938,[2] the title Calling All Curs is a pun on the phrase "Calling all cars!"[1] A colorized version of this film was released in 2006 as part of the DVD collection entitled "Stooges on the Run."[3]
Garçon gives birth at the end of the short, and is referred to by feminine pronouns throughout. Garçon is French for “boy.”
This marks one of the few times the Stooges have respectable, professional careers as opposed to working as blue-collar laborers.[1]
This was one of Curly Howard's favorite Stooge films as he was a well-known dog lover.[1]
Footage was reused in the 1960 compilation feature film Stop! Look! and Laugh!
Quotes
edit- Moe (to the Garçon in disguise): "Listen, bloodhound! If you got any 'blood' in you, you'd better start pointing and point out those dognappers! Get the point?!"
- Curly: "Hmmm, n'yuk, n'yuk n'yuk. He must be a Pointsetter." (referring to the Poinsettia flower) also "I'm trying to think but nothing happens!"
- Moe: "Quiet, you hot air-dale!" (referring to an Airedale Terrier and making a pun on the phrase "hot air" as in "empty talk intended to impress")[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Solomon, Jon. (2002) The Complete Three Stooges: The Official Filmography and Three Stooges Companion, p. 105; Comedy III Productions, Inc., ISBN 0-9711868-0-4
- ^ Pauley, Jim (2012). The Three Stooges Hollywood Filming Locations. Solana Beach, California: Santa Monica Press, LLC. p. 70. ISBN 9781595800701.
- ^ Stooges on the Run