“Knutzy Knights” (1954) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View

Knutzy Knights (1954)

Director:  Jules White

Screenplay:  Felix Adler, Edward Bernds (uncredited)

Stars: Shemp Howard, Larry Fine, Moe Howard, Jock Mahoney, Vernon Dent, Christine McIntyre, Philip Van Zandt and Kenner G. Kemp

Tagline:  Hits a New High in High-Jinks!

The Plot…

Princess Elaine (McIntyre) loves Cedric the Blacksmith (Mahoney). Unfortunately the King (Dent) has promised his daughter’s hand in marriage to The Black Prince (Van Zandt).  When the boys learn that the Black Prince has evil intentions, our guys are determined to help the young lovers.  What could go wrong?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Knutzy Knights has the same basic plot as the Stooges short Squareheads of the Round Table made just six years earlier.  Although slight changes occur in the remake there’s a lot of re-used footage.

This is the last Stooges short to feature new footage with Vernon Dent who regularly appeared with the boys.  Dent was suffering from diabetes and going blind.

Jock Mahony appeared in Squareheads of the Round Table.  When Knutzy Knights was made six years later, Mahony was a much bigger star, regularly appearing in films and starring in his own television series.  Despite his increased star status, Mahony returned to film new scenes for the update. (Mahony would go on to a long career in movies and television.  He played Tarzan in two feature films,  He was also the stepfather of Sally Field.)

Knutzy Knights earns 4 of 5 stars.