This is a wonderful example of the boys in their prime. It's quite different from most of their shorts in that it has a healthy amount of straight vaudeville and variety numbers, as opposed to an intricate storyline. They're down-on-their-luck actors who get a lucky break and end up going to Broadway. It was a hackneyed plot, even in 1944.
What makes this special is seeing the boys' authentic vaudeville routines showing that they not only could bonk each other around but also sing and dance. Their harmonies are handsome and their movements deft. Vaudeville is a lost art form and it took tireless, multi-talented people to pull it off. Speaking of talent, the addition of the dance team Flo, Mary, and Shirley provides even more life to the short, with their amazing acrobatics (and good looks). And this is one of the few stooge shorts where the ending actually makes sense and ties in with the rest of the story.
One needs to remember that in 1944, the world was at war, and a lot was needed to keep the morale up at home. This short is an example of that: singing, dancing, acting, and jokes aplenty make this a wonderful way to document how the country was feeling back then. And if you can relax and allow the stooges to showcase more examples of their creativity than just slapstick, you'll have an enjoyable ride.
What makes this special is seeing the boys' authentic vaudeville routines showing that they not only could bonk each other around but also sing and dance. Their harmonies are handsome and their movements deft. Vaudeville is a lost art form and it took tireless, multi-talented people to pull it off. Speaking of talent, the addition of the dance team Flo, Mary, and Shirley provides even more life to the short, with their amazing acrobatics (and good looks). And this is one of the few stooge shorts where the ending actually makes sense and ties in with the rest of the story.
One needs to remember that in 1944, the world was at war, and a lot was needed to keep the morale up at home. This short is an example of that: singing, dancing, acting, and jokes aplenty make this a wonderful way to document how the country was feeling back then. And if you can relax and allow the stooges to showcase more examples of their creativity than just slapstick, you'll have an enjoyable ride.