The Three Stooges Ultimate Collection (DVD REVIEW)

The Three Stooges Ultimate Collection

DVD Review by Kam Williams

Headline: The Definitive Three Stooges Set Finally Released on DVD

Forget the recent remake of The Three Stooges. Why settle for a weak imitation when over 60 hours of original skits are available on DVD? After all Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly Howard still strike a primordial chord, at least in men, proof positive of an enduring appeal that never gets old.

            Yes, I have to admit I, too, enjoy watching these slapstick artists clown around, whether they’re pummeling each other, poking out eyes, setting pants afire or tossing cream pies in faces. With the Three Stooges Ultimate Collection, these consummate comedians are finally getting their due via a 20-disc box set which includes all 190 of their short films, plus another 11 hours of movies and never before released material.

            Besides Moe, Larry and Curly, some of the films feature substitute Stooges Shemp Howard, Joe Besser and Curly Joe DeRita. The offerings span over a quarter-century of their enduring film careers which began after a successful stint as a traveling vaudeville act.

            Among this critic’s favorites is Men in Black, for which the boys landed an Oscar nomination in 1935. That flick remains fondly remembered by many for the iconic, intercom catchphrase: “Calling Dr Howard! Dr Fine! Dr. Howard!” Other hilarious two-reelers include Women Haters, Punch Drunks and A-Plumbing They Did Go.

            “Certainly!” a must for diehard Three Stooges fans. “I’m warning you!”

Excellent (4 stars)

Unrated

Running time: 635 Minutes

Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

20-Disc DVD Extras: 11 hours of Stooges content never before released on DVD; full-length Columbia films starring the Stooges: Have Rocket, Will Travel (1959) and Rockin’ in the Rockies (1945); a collection of 28 short films starring Shemp Howard, Joe Besser and Joe DeRita; and 3 animated shorts.