False Alarms

This one finds The Three Stooges as firemen – though, of course, they prefer to sleep their way through work…or else attempt to keep appointments with their girls (one of whom is obese and highly irritating)! Many a film or cartoon has dealt with this theme, poking fun at a serious subject via the mayhem caused by either incompetent firemen or the engine's various equipment – such as water-hoses and ladders. As always, The Stooges manage to fall foul of their boss – especially when, at the climax, they borrow and wreck his brand-new automobile! In essence, this vehicle – like much of The Three Stooges' work (at least, from what I've seen so far) – is harmless but, at the same time, unsympathetic…and, besides, has little rewatchability value for me.

False Alarms (1936)

*** (out of 4)

The Three Stooges are about to be fired at their fire fighting jobs but the Captain gives them one more shot, which they take advantage of by destroying his new car. This is certainly a step up from the previous couple shorts as this one here returns to the fast paced roots of the earlier movies. The stuff with the fat girl was very funny and the boys antics are a lot funnier here including a great sequence where the wreck the car.

Now available on Columbia's 2-disc set, which features over 20 shorts, all digitally remastered and looking better than ever.

Curly, Larry and Moe are with the fire brigade. They mess things up and almost get fired. They get one last chance. Later that day are suppose to go to a birthday party with some girls but are not allowed to leave. Only Curly sneaks out and arrives at the party. He must find a way to get his friends there as well and therefore he sets off the alarm. You can imagine what can go wrong.

This is a pretty funny short with some very nice physical jokes as well. By watching too much Three Stooges shorts the violence, especially from Moe, gets a little irritating. There are also very funny violent moments so I am not really complaining. It is just that after one punch in the eyes it is enough, in my humble opinion. Still, this is a very entertaining movie.

Once again the Stooges are firemen. While this isn't the first time they've been in these roles, this isn't one of the best due to a plot and jokes that just don't seem to have a lot of energy or zip. Fortunately, while this is a problem, the mindless violence that many enjoy in their films is present--with some of the most painful-looking gags I've seen. Larry really has a tough time of it and I don't know how they did the one scene with Moe holding him by the hair as he dangled on the fire pole--could this have been real? Also, although it may offend some, I liked where Curly and the lady at the end of the film slap each other around--especially since in the 1930s you almost never saw a guy slap a lady--unless he's a Stooge! Overall, it's an amiable time-passer and not a lot more. Fans of the team will no doubt love it, while others will probably find it all a tad tiresome.

Larry, Curly, and Moe are incompetent firemen. The Captain is furious that they missed the fire. He gives them their last chance but the boys keep screwing up. Curly sneaks out to visit his girlfriend. She has two friends who need boyfriends. Curly makes a false alarm to bring in his firemen friends.

Incompetent, idiotic, and selfish is the best of the ugly Stooges. This is one of the best ugly Stooges. One still roots for them despite themselves. I love Curly fighting the girl although he could lose worst. When he slaps her, he should act like he hurts his hand. I also love that this is one story and not disjointed. This is loads of fun.