Micro-Phonies

At some point in late 1944 or early 1945, Curly Howard suffered the first of what was to be a long series of strokes. Due to this, his ability to function and to perform varied widely from day to day and week to week. Always-protective brother Moe insisted he check into a hospital, where the younger Howard was diagnosed with acute hypertension, obesity, and eye problems. He had also been a heavy drinker for years. The doctors (and Moe) insisted that Curly rest; as a result, the Stooges cut back production in 1945. Over the next two years, Howard's abilities varied greatly; the comedian often appeared sluggish, and many scenes had to be shot repeatedly. Nonetheless he made 16 more shorts in the interim, until a massive stroke on the set of "Half Wits Holiday" ended his career in early 1947.

Fortunately for Stooges fans, Curly was near the top of his game for "Micro Phonies," because it is one of the best that the trio made. With new director Edward Bernds at the helm, the film is put together well, with a good mixture of slapstick, music, and dialogue.

Observant viewers will notice that Curly is lip-syncing most of the actual words to "Voices of Spring" (which was actually sung by Christine McIntyre). The Italian aerie that Gino Carrado is trying to sing as the boys throw cherries into his mouth is "Vieni Sul Mar." And during excerpt from the recording of the Sextet from Lucia, while there is considerable clowning around,, you can actually see Larry and Curly lip-syncing many of the correct words of the their parts of the aria --- in Italian! This isn't surprising to Stooges fans, as all three were known to be perfectionists who took their craft, slapstick or not, seriously.

It should also be known that Moe was a good bass-baritone singer who was in casual quartets. Larry was a studied violinist and pianist, but he wasn't known as a singer.

Overall, "Micro Phonies" is one of the better Stooges works, and it deserves a look if you find it on TV or the internet.

Larry, Curly, and Moe are workmen connecting a radiator in a radio studio and are confronted by an angry Signor Spumoni. Alice Andrews auditions for Mrs. Bixby under a stage name, Alice Van Doren, to avoid family disapproval. The Stooges play around in the sound booth lip-sync to Alice's recording. Mrs. Bixby mistakes Curly for her new singer and invites the boys to her party. Alice is at the party as a family friend. Signor Spumoni is also there. This is actually interesting. The story has a good narrative flow and a villain. It also has the Stooges' classic slapstick. It all works together very well.

This three stooges flick is at a tie with my other favorite flick "Disorder in the Court". This is an uproar of laughter for any Three Stooges fan to enjoy.

The boys are janitors at a recording studio when they hear the lovely Christine McIntyre sings a great version of "Voices of Spring". She is going to be offered a record deal, but she is scarred to be honest with her father about her choice of a career and prove herself as a real singer. When she and the others leave the studio, the stooges decide to have a little fun and play her record and dress Curly up as Christine. The contract lady who can make Christine's career, sees Curly and mistakes him for Christine and invites Curly to sing for her party. Of course there is a man that they have upset that is at the party and they destroy his solo in front of the crowd, so he'll find a way to get back at them.

What a great stooge flick, this should not be missed!

10/10

If Back to the Woods isn't the best Stooge short, this one is. The Boys pull through "Together" on this one. One more big laugh. The Boys pose as Opera singers where Curly is the enchanting Senorita Cucaracha. It's a hilarious ride from start to finish filled with air-borne fruit, sword fights, and a pipe beaten boss (i.e. watch Larry mistakenly hit the boss with a pipe and then haul). HA HA HA!! Go Larry. This entry was made in 1945 and look for Curly's weakness in his voice and movements. Moe and Larry really pull him through this one to make it the best series entry, but it's fair to say Curly was out of his prime here. After this entry and "3 Little Pirates" the Boys were never the same. Granted, they were still funny (with Shemp) but were never again like this.

Bottom Line: The Best Stooge of them all. 10/10

Micro-phonies is a classic Stooge short. The guys are inept repairmen working at a radio station, and during some horsing around in a broadcast booth, Curly's perfect mimic of a recording of "Voices of Spring" is mistaken for the real thing, leading to a radio contract and a zany musical party. The trio's mock rendition of the quintet from "Lucia de L'Amamore" is especially entertaining. No doubt this is essential viewing for Stooge fans.

Although the evidence of Curly's failing health is visible in his face and voice, his performance is amazing, and it is probably the last glimpse of the old Curly. Some fans think that "A Bird in the Hand" is the last great Curly short, but his coarse voice and slow movement are just too difficult to watch.