The Three Stooges released its November 1943 "The Phony Express," where the three are in the wild Old West, this time they're mistaken as tough lawmen. This was the last in a long line of Stooges movies actor/writer Monte Collins was involved. His years of associated with the comics date back to the Stooges' first film without their long-time manager and acting partner Ted Healy in 1934's "Women Haters." The silent movie actor Collins survived the transition to sound, and appeared and wrote gags for a number of comedies apart from the Stooges until 1948. His more noteworthy Stooges' role was playing their mother in 1942's "Cactus Makes Perfect," as well as participating in their 1940 classic "A Plumbing We Will Go." He co-wrote the script for "Phony Express," which has Stooges' regular Bud Jamison as the bad guy whose gang terrorizes the town, including robbing its banks.
After one robbery, the Stooges are hot on the trail of the gang and its leader Red (Jamison). The Stooges employ Curly as their bloodhound who's on all fours sniffing the ground. Moe nicknames Curly "Strongheart," referring to one of silent movie's first dog stars, predating Rin-Tin-Tin. The German Shepherd, raised in Germany as a police dog, performed outstanding service with the country's Red Cross during World War One. He was shipped to New York City by his impoverished owner to a friend. A film director discovered the dog's immense talents, and had him star in several silents, most lost. The shepherd was given the name 'Strongheart,' and became an instant celebrity, paving the way for future canine movie actors.
The title of "Phony Express" takes its name from the short-lived speedy Transcontinental mail service, the Pony Express, which captured the imagination of the population in those days.
