“Uncivil Warriors” (1935) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View

Uncivil Warriors (1935)

Director:  Del Lord

Screenplay: Felix Adler

Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard, Heinie Conklin and Bud Jamison

Tagline: Two Laughtereels with Moe Howard, Jerry Howard, Larry Fine.

The Plot…

The boys (Larry, Curly and Moe) are sent behind enemy lines to spy on the Confederate army.  They take on the identities of Lieutenant Duck, Captain Dodge and Major Hyde.  All is going well until Major “Bloodhound” Filbert arrives with news that there could be spies about.  What could go wrong?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Uncivil Warriors marks the first time that the Stooges use the “Everybody knows Charlie” gag to get past a guard.  It also contains the popular gag where something is coated with icing and the Stooges eat it.  This time it’s a feather potholder. (In later productions they use bubble gum or soap.)

Uncivil Warriors features as much wordplay humor as physical gags and it works.  Every scene has laughs.  It’s especially funny seeing the boys work together to try to fool “Bloodhound” Filbert.  Larry slipping out to pose as Moe’s father; Curly coming in as Moe’s wife!  The scene with the African-American baby was cut for many early television broadcasts!

Uncivil Warriors earns 5 of 5 stars.