A Pain in the Pullman

The moment I saw this comedy, I immediately thought of Laurel and Hardy's outrageous film, BERTH MARKS (1929). Anything that could go wrong on a CRAMPED train goes wrong, and very fast. Shades of CHOO CHOO (1932), an Our Gang/Little Rascals comedy, which was totally insane.

This film is the team's longest running production, clocked at nearly 20 minutes. Yes, I agree, it's also one of their most popular, frequently in reruns. A Top Five contender. Strugging entertainers Moe, Larry and Curly, who can't pay the rent, hop aboard a train to get to their next big gig. This time for kicks, they have a pet monkey called Joe -- who gets them in a ton of trouble. Director and writer Jack White (alias Preston Black) rewrote the script from the Thelma Todd-Zasu Pitts comedy, SHOW BUSINESS, including their monkey. White's brother, Jules, directed that short.

The Stooges chase Joe all over the train, bumping into spoiled movie star James C. Morton, who loses his wig! Morton's stage name is Paul Pain? Wacky recurring gag featuring stone-face Bud Jamison continuously bumping his head, similiar to a bit in CHOO CHOO with Del Henderson getting punched in the nose by Spanky.

In the injury department, Moe claims Curly cut the roof his mouth biting into shellfish. Moe added he disliked any kind of fish with claws, and if you notice the scene, he very gingerly tastes the fish.

Character actress Loretta Andrews plays one of the show girls, who appeared in several 30s musicals, including GOLD DIGGERS OF 1933. Silent comedy star Bobby Burns also has a bit part, frequently used by the team.

A comedy winner on steroids. Always on Columbia remastered dvd box sets, generally by decades, 30s, 40s and 50s episodes. Big thanks to METV for running these gems every Saturday.