“Fuelin’ Around” (1949) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View

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Fuelin’ Around (1949)

Director:  Edward Bernds

Writer: Elwood Ullman

Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Shemp Howard, Christine McIntyre, Emil Sitka, Vernon Dent, Philip Van Zandt, Hans Schumm and Jock Mahoney.

Tagline: The Stooges cook up a brand new formula… for laughs!

The Plot…

They boys are putting in new carpet for Professor Sneed (Sitka).  The Professor is working on a top secret rocket fuel that foreign agents want to steal.  Wouldn’t you know, the bad guys mistake Larry for the Professor, and think Moe and Shemp are his assistants.  They kidnap our guys and set a deadline; either Larry gives them the rocket fuel formula or they will be executed.  What could go wrong?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Emil Sitka plays Christine McIntyre’s father.  Sitka was three years younger than McIntyre.

The extended scene with the Stooges, the Professor and his daughter trying to escape the jail cell (and Jock Mahoney as the guard flirting with McIntyre) is the highlight!

Fuelin’ Around (1949) rates 4 of 5 stars.

Jason Copland’s FULL TILT is Live on ZOOP!

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Jason Copland’s FULL TILT is finally ready for pre-orders on ZOOP!  My order is in. Here’s a preview…

After five years of hard work, passion and sacrifice, the epic indie crime-scifi-noir comic by Jason Copland is FINALLY being collected here for the first time!

FULL TILT is a perfect book for those that love gritty noir tales, dystopian future realities and kinetic black and white art. Think Sin City meets The Godfather in the setting of Blade Runner.

This soon-to-be modern day classic is presented in a slick 320-page oversized 7.8″ x 12″ hardcover.

Here’s the synopsis…

New Manhattan, once the gleaming, state-of-the-art city of the 23rd-century, is now in the throes of social and moral decay. Its despondent citizens lose themselves in narcotics and hi-tech toys. Corrupt law enforcement agencies terrorize the populace. Bloodthirsty fans cheer as indentured gladiators fight deathmatches to gain their freedom. It’s the end of civilization… and the five crime families control it all.

Massimo Miller, the fiercely loyal consigliere of the Chessa family, narrowly survives an attack that wipes out all five of New Manhattan’s crime-syndicate bosses. As the massacre’s lone survivor, the new bosses accuse him of the assassinations and gather their armies to hunt him down.

Injured and alone, Miller must battle his way homeward through enemy territory to discover the party responsible for the death of his mentor… and make them pay.

The choice between love and loyalty brought Massimo Miller to this moment. To make it right, he’ll have to go FULL TILT.

“Heavenly Daze” (1948) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View

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Heavenly Daze (1948)

Director:  Jules White

Writer: Zion Meyers

Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Shemp Howard, Vernon Dent, Sam McDaniel, Symona Boniface and Jules White (voice).

Tagline: The Stooges AT THEIR Howlingest Best!

The Plot…

Shemp has died and is waiting outside the pearly gates hoping to get into heaven.  It looks like he’s come up short and may be taking the down elevator.  Shemp is given one chance at heaven.  He must return to earth invisible to all and reform Moe and Larry.  It won’t be easy, because Larry and Moe are about to scam some rich business prospects.  Can Shemp save his and the other two Stooges’ souls?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

There’s a cool Easter Egg for fans of The Jack Benny Program (and I am one!).  It involves a train going from heaven to earth and one of the stops is… “Cuc…..amonga.”

There’s mixed stories about a gag that went sideways.  A fountain pin flies across the room and sticks in the middle of Larry’s head.  The stunt misfired and actually did hit Larry’s head.  Some say that Moe was so made that he chased Jules White (the director) around the set.  Others say, Larry was stuck in the forehead, but Moe didn’t go after White.

Heavenly Daze (1948) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Fiddlers Three” (1948) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View

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Fiddlers Three (1948)

Director:  Jules White

Writer: Felix Adler

Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Shemp Howard, Vernon Dent, Virginia Hunter, Philip Van Zandt and Al Thompson.

Tagline: Hilarity Reigns…when THE STOOGES make merry for Old King Cole!

The Plot…

Moe, Larry and Shemp are the famous “fiddlers three” for Old King Cole (Dent).  Our boys want to get married, but the King has ruled that until his daughter, Princess Alicia (Hunter) marries Prince Gallant III of Rhododendron there shall be no marriages allowed.  Working behind the scenes the diabolical magician Murgatroyd (Van Zandt) has his own plans of his own to marry the princess.  It will be up to our boys to foil Murgatroyd’s plans.  What could go wrong?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

When Shemp hears that guards have kidnapped the Princess he says, “Let me at ’em, I’ll tear ’em limb from limb. Let me at ’em!”  Moe responds, “Well, what’s keeping you?”  Shemp, “Me.”

The Stooges would rework Fiddlers Three using plot elements and footage for the 1954 short Musty Musketeers.

Fiddlers Three (1948) rates 2 of 5 stars.

Five Under-Appreciated Crime Films of the 70s by Joey Portelli of The Flix Zone

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Joey Portelli at The Flix Zone came up with a list of five Under-Appreciated Crime Films of the 1970s.  Portelli’s choices are good ones.  I love crime films and haven’t seen any of his picks.  Before you click over (and if you love crime films, you should), here are my quick thoughts on each.

Darker Than Amber (1970, Robert Clouse): How have I never heard of this one?  Rod Taylor plays John D. MacDonald’s Travis McGee. The very-good and under-rated William Smith plays a sadistic bodybuilder antagonist.  Robert “Enter the Dragon” Clause directs.  Wait until you read the plot.

The Last Run (1971, Richard Fleischer): George C. Scott plays an aging getaway driver for the syndicate on his last job.  Richard “Compulsion” Fleischer directs.  This one may have been ahead of its time.

Fear is the Key (1972, Michael Tuchner): Portelli describes this one as “a pure 1970s adrenaline rush” with “a terrific plot twist that completely shifts the films gears half way through”.  I’ve heard enough to know I’m in.  When you click over you’ll learn the cast and more.

The Nickel Ride (1974, Robert Mulligan): Jason Miller, hot off of his starring role in The Exorcist teamed with Robert “To Kill a Mockingbird” Mulligan for this crime drama.  Bo Hopkins and John Hillerman co-star.

Newman’s Law (1974, Richard T. Heffron): This one takes a different spin.  George Peppard plays an honest cop set up to take a fall. Richard T. Heffron (who directed the very under-rated I, the Jury starring Armand Assante) helms this one.

Thanks to Joey Portelli.  I’m going to put these five on my list of movies to be seen.

“Squareheads of the Round Table” (1948) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View

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Squareheads of the Round Table (1948)

Director:  Edward Bernds

Writer: Edward Bernds

Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Shemp Howard, Christine McIntyre, Philip Van Zandt, Jock Mahoney, Vernon Dent and Joe Garcio.

Tagline:  The Stooges Start a Knight Riot in King Arthur’s Court!.

The Plot…

Our boys are troubadours for the king.  His daughter, Princess Elaine (McIntyre) and Cedric the Blacksmith (Mahoney) are in love and wish to be married.  But the evil Black Prince (Van Zandt) has plans to kill Cedric and marry the Princess!  It’s up to the Stooges to save Cedric and see that true love wins.  What could go wrong?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Christine McIntyre did her own singing for this one.

The Guard says, “The king commands your presence.”  Shemp replies, “We ain’t got any presents.”

The Stooges would rework Squareheads of the Round Table using plot elements and footage for the 1954 short Knutzy Knights.  Even though Jock Mahoney was a bigger star in 1954, he returned for pick-up shots.

Squareheads of the Round Table (1948) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Pardon My Clutch” (1948) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View

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Pardon My Clutch (1948)

Director:  Edward Bernds

Writer:  Clyde Bruckman

Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Shemp Howard, Matt McHugh, Stanley Blystone,  and Emil Sitka.

Tagline:  None.

The Plot…

After Larry and Moe have a series of mishaps trying to remove Shemp’s aching tooth, they decide a camping trip is just the thing they all need.  The only problem is they don’t own a car.  Our guys end up buying a jalopy that needs work.  Let the hijinks begin.  Oh, and one more thing, the “lemon” may actually be an expensive collector’s car!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Writer Clyde Bruckman was known for recycling plots and gags.  Pardon My Clutch borrows from the Laurel & Hardy shorts Perfect Day (1929) and Them Thar Hills (1934).  The tire rolling into a gas station gag was used before in I’m the Sheriff (1927) and Slightly at Sea (1940).  Interestingly enough, the Stooges using footage from Pardon My Clutch reworked it into Wham-Bam-Slam (1955).

Pardon My Clutch (1948) rates 4 of 5 stars.

THE WIND BEGAN TO HOWL by Laird Barron is Coming!

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Regular readers have heard me sing the praises of Laird Barron’s Isaiah Coleridge tales.  Barron has a new one coming soon.  THE WIND BEGAN TO HOWL premieres on Kindle on May 16th and paperback on June 16th.  My preorder is in.  Here’s the synopsis…

Laird Barron’s acclaimed crime saga makes a triumphant return in THE WIND BEGAN TO HOWL, an all-new story set after the events of Worse Angels. A seemingly benign case gradually pulls mob enforcer-turned-P.I. Isaiah Coleridge into a chilling mix of music, movie magic, mayhem, and madness.

This time, Coleridge’s dark journey forces him to confront a brutal truth: For some who try to escape the past, there is no way out.

“Hardboiled and trippy at the same time, THE WIND BEGAN TO HOWL by Laird Barron is a twisted ride through the darker recesses of the mind complete with conspiracy theories, ex-government operatives, movie madness, and possibly a portal into another dimension. Read at your own risk.” – Alma Katsu, author of THE FERVOR

“Isaiah Coleridge hits back hard in this bare-knuckle novella that’s equal parts Hollyweird fiction and conspiracy-laden Catskills noir.” – Clay McLeod Chapman, author of GHOST EATERS

“Shivering Sherlocks” starring The Three Stooges / Z-View

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Shivering Sherlocks (1948)

Director:  Dell Lord

Writer:  Del Lord, Elwood Ullman

Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Shemp Howard, Christine McIntyre, Vernon Dent, Stanley Blystone, Duke York  and Blackie Whiteford.

Tagline:  None.

The Plot…

When the boys’ friend, Gladys (McIntyre) learns that she has inherited a house, they go with her to look it over.  Turns out it is a spooky old joint in a remote area.  To make it even worse, crooks along with a big, scary looking goon are using the house as a hideout.  What could go wrong?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Moe brings back a classic Stooges’ gag when he attempts to eat a bowl of clam chowder but the clam gets the best of him.

There’s a funny gag involving the cops, our guys and a lie detector.

Duke York plays Angel a big, dumb, scary-looking thug.  Love the look of this character.  And any time a monster is after our guys, it is the best.

Shivering Sherlocks (1948) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Out West” (1947) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View

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Out West (1947)

Director:  Edward Bernds

Writer:  Clyde Bruckman, Thomas Moore

Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Shemp Howard, Christine McIntyre, Jock Mahoney, Stanley Blystone, Heinie Conklin, Vernon Dent and Blackie Whiteford.

Tagline:  The Stooges are shootin’ up the West!

The Plot…

The doctor tells Shemp that the climate out west would be good for his enlarged vein.  So he, Larry and Moe head out.  A crook overhears the boys talking about Shemp’s vein and think he has a gold mine.  The crook and his gang decide they’re going to steal the boys’ gold.  Let the hijinks begin!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Jock Mahoney who would go on to star in many television and feature films (he played Tarzan in two films) is billed as Jacques O’Mahoney.

Out West (1947) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Fright Night” (1947) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View

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Fright Night (1947)

Director:  Edward Bernds

Writer:  Clyde Bruckman

Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Shemp Howard, Dick Wessel, Claire Carleton, Stanley Blystone, Heinie Conklin, Sammy Stein and Evelyn Venable.

Tagline:  The Stooges are punchier than ever in a knockout of screwy joy!

The Plot…

Our guys are managers of heavyweight boxer, Chopper Kane.  When gangsters tell our boys that Chopper loses his next fight or they lose their lives, they know what they have to do.  Chopper has to take a dive, but Chopper refuses.  Let the hijinks begin.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Fright Night is Shemp Howard’s first Three Stooges’ short.  He agreed to play a Stooge until Curly regained his health.  Sadly Curly never did.  Fright Night is Shemp’s favorite Three Stooges short.

There’s a very funny extended scene when our boys are running from gangsters in a crowded warehouse.  The scene was later copied on The Abbott and Costello Show in the episode Public Enemies.  Clyde Bruckman wrote that episode as well.

Fright Night (1947) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Monkey Businessmen” (1946) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View

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Monkey Businessmen (1946)

Director:  Edward Bernds

Writer:  Edward Bernds

Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard, Wade Crosby, Kenneth MacDonald, ‘Snub’ Pollard and Jean Willes.

Tagline:  It’s shock-full of hilarious laughter!

The Plot…

After getting fired, the boys need to get away and recharge.  They decide that Mallard’s Rest Home is just what’s required.  Little do our guys know that Mallard’s is run by crooks!  What could go wrong?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Curly’s health had deteriorated from a series of strokes to the point that Moe had to teach Curly his parts line by line.  In one scene Moe calls Curly by his pet name “Baby” and this mistake was left in the short.  Moe can also be seen nudging Curly to say his line in Dr. Mallard’s office.  In another scene Moe was coaching Curly out of camera range.  Curly was supposed to yell, “Moe and Larry!” but Curly remembered this line and yelled, “I know!  Moe and Larry!” and this also stayed in.

Moe and Larry enter a room after a loud crash.  Curly is on the floor wrapped around a ladder.  Moe says, “You lame brain, why don’t you be careful when you climb up a ladder?” Curly says, “I only climbed up seven steps.” Moe responds, “The ladder has six steps.”

Monkey Businessmen (1946) rates 3 of 5 stars.

FIXIT by Joe Ide is Coming!

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If you’re a fan of Joe Ide’s IQ novels, you probably know that there’s a new one dropping on May 9th.  Here’s the lowdown…

In the latest installment in Joe Ide’s “superb” series (Washington Post), the relentless, hard-bitten PI, Isaiah Quintabe, is faced with a nightmarish scenario when the love of his life is kidnapped by a maniacal hitman who bears a grudge against him.

Danger has always followed IQ, a reality he’s keenly aware of as he’s laid up in a hospital bed, recovering from injuries sustained in his last case. Isaiah cannot help himself from being the hero, and any misery he’s suffered as a result—wounds from a knife fight, gnawing paranoia—he’s suffered alone. Yet as IQ recovers, five hundred miles from East Long Beach, he’s unaware that Grace has been abducted by his sworn enemy, the professional hitman Skip Hanson. Skip is savage and psychotic, determined to punish Isaiah for sending him to prison and destroying his life. Now, Isaiah and his sometimes partner, ex-hustler Juanell Dodson, must track scant clues through L.A.’s perilous landscape as Grace’s predicament grows more uncertain.

A complication arises in the form of Winnie Hando, a homicide detective with something to prove. Stubborn and effective, Winnie sees Isaiah’s efforts as an obstruction to the investigation and a possible embarrassment: an unlicensed PI can’t be seen doing the department’s job better than the department. Winnie tries to stop Isaiah while pursuing the case herself, their struggles clashing and slowing their progress. As the desperate hunt winds on, Isaiah fears that even if he can bring Grace home alive, things between them will never be the same. This latest series installment is an explosive collision of drug dealers, thieves, maniacs, shotguns, vicious dogs, stampeding horses, and Ide’s signature energy, grit, and profundity.

“Uncivil War Birds” (1946) – The Three Stooges / Z-View

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Uncivil War Birds (1946)

Director:  Jules White

Writer:  Clyde Buckman

Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard, Theodore Lorch, Robert B. Williams and Blackie Whiteford.

Tagline:  None.

The Plot…

The American Civil War has started.  The boys decide to join the fight.  Larry and Moe come back in Union uniforms, while Curly has signed up with the Confederacy!  Suddenly the war is raging around them and the Union Army controls the area… but just as quickly the Confederacy wins it back.  Our guys are going crazy trying to keep up with which side has the power and to protect the boy(s) in the wrong uniform!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Clyde Buckman recycled his Buster Keaton script Mooching Through Georgia adapting it for the Stooges.  Buckman would later re-work the story for The Abbott & Costello Show.

When an officer orders the soldiers with the command, “Forward march, you fools!” Curly doesn’t move.  The officer yells, “What’s the matter with you?”  Curly responds, “I’m no fool.”  The commander is exasperated and yells, “Forward march, you idiot!” Curly answers, “That’s different” and begins marching.

The boys, in an attempt to escape dress up in blackface and try to pose as minstrel singers. While blackface is not their proudest moment, it wasn’t an uncommon occurrence during that era.

Sadly, because of strokes, Curly’s career was coming to an end.  More of the funny bits and dialogue are given to Moe and Larry.  Still, Curly makes the most of what he is given.

Uncivil War Birds (1946) rates 4 of 5 stars.