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Back to the Woods

  • 1937
  • Approved
  • 19m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
646
YOUR RATING
Moe Howard, Larry Fine, and Curly Howard in Back to the Woods (1937)
SlapstickComedyShortWestern

A 17th Century English judge orders three miscreants to defend the new British colonies in New England against its residential Native Americans.A 17th Century English judge orders three miscreants to defend the new British colonies in New England against its residential Native Americans.A 17th Century English judge orders three miscreants to defend the new British colonies in New England against its residential Native Americans.

  • Director
    • Jack White
  • Writers
    • Andrew Bennison
    • Searle Kramer
  • Stars
    • Moe Howard
    • Larry Fine
    • Curly Howard
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.9/10
    646
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Jack White
    • Writers
      • Andrew Bennison
      • Searle Kramer
    • Stars
      • Moe Howard
      • Larry Fine
      • Curly Howard
    • 13User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos12

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    Top cast19

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    Moe Howard
    Moe Howard
    • Moe
    • (as Moe)
    Larry Fine
    Larry Fine
    • Larry
    • (as Larry)
    Curly Howard
    Curly Howard
    • Curly
    • (as Curly)
    Beatrice Curtis
    • Charity
    • (uncredited)
    Vernon Dent
    Vernon Dent
    • Governor
    • (uncredited)
    Charles Dorety
    Charles Dorety
    • Indian
    • (uncredited)
    Budd Fine
    • Indian
    • (uncredited)
    William Irving
    William Irving
    • Courtroom Guard
    • (uncredited)
    Bud Jamison
    Bud Jamison
    • Prosecutor
    • (uncredited)
    Ethelreda Leopold
    Ethelreda Leopold
    • Hope
    • (uncredited)
    Theodore Lorch
    Theodore Lorch
    • Chief Rain in the Puss
    • (uncredited)
    Sam Lufkin
    Sam Lufkin
    • Indian
    • (uncredited)
    Murdock MacQuarrie
    Murdock MacQuarrie
    • Judge
    • (uncredited)
    Charles Phillips
    • Indian
    • (uncredited)
    John Rand
    John Rand
    • Governor's Aide
    • (uncredited)
    Cy Schindell
    Cy Schindell
    • Indian
    • (uncredited)
    Blackie Whiteford
    Blackie Whiteford
    • Indian
    • (uncredited)
    Harley Wood
    Harley Wood
    • Faith
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Jack White
    • Writers
      • Andrew Bennison
      • Searle Kramer
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews13

    6.9646
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    Featured reviews

    Michael_Elliott

    Weaker Stooges

    Back to the Woods (1937)

    ** (out of 4)

    The Three Stooges in England are sentenced to fifty-five years in prison but the prosecutor thinks the country could save money by just shipping them to America to fight Indians. The judge agrees so the boys are off to fight "redskin savages", which shows you what was going over for comedy back in the 1930's. Here was another new Stooges short to me but I didn't find myself laughing very much. It seems opinions on this one are rather mixed at best so I'm going to have to side with those who don't find this very funny. There are certainly a few nice chuckles but there wasn't anything here that had me busting a gut through laughter. The biggest problem is that there are long sequences where nothing funny happens and the big jokes turns out to be a dub. The best example of this is when the boys arrive and meet three women. Soon a long dance follows but I found this to be rather tiresome. Another joke that doesn't work is when the Stooges are hitting the Indians in the stomach and then putting some hot wood in their pants.
    7ccthemovieman-1

    'Corned Beef And Savages'

    We are back in "Merrie Old England" and the boys say they are related to the Three Musketeers but the court says they are criminals who tried to attack His Majesty's guards. They are sentenced to New Cape Prison for 55 years. The prosecutor, played by Stooges regular and favorite Bud Jamieson, however, recommends the court save money and send these "knaves to the new colonies in America to fight the redskin savages." That sounds good to Curly. "I just love corned beef and savages," he says.

    Soon we see three beautiful pilgrims who open the door to let in the Stooges. The boys are impressed. Who wouldn't be with these gorgeous governor's daughters: "Faith," "Hope," and "Charity?" Poor Charity is third pick of the lot. Larry says he doesn't charity because he's already on the WPA (Willing Pilgrims Association.). Yup, comedy was really corny back in the 1930s.

    It gets cornier as it goes on, with a prolonged dance scene, a horse racing skit, a funny speech by a Chief who is labeled "an Indian giver," and then some more corny antics by the Stooges as they go out "a-hunting-we-will go" to get food for their new sweethearts.

    The second half features the hunting scenes and The Boys various encounters with the Indians. Yes, it's pretty crude stuff, but it generally funny material.
    10Movie Nuttball

    Good one!

    The Three Stooges has always been some of the many actors that I have loved. I love just about every one of the shorts that they have made. I love all six of the Stooges (Curly, Shemp, Moe, Larry, Joe, and Curly Joe)! All of the shorts are hilarious and also star many other great actors and actresses which a lot of them was in many of the shorts! In My opinion The Three Stooges is some of the greatest actors ever and is the all time funniest comedy team!

    This is one of My favorite Three Stooges shorts with Curly! All Appearing in this short are Vernon Dent, Charles Dorety, Bud Jamison, Ethelreda Leopold, Theodore Lorch, Cy Schindell, Blackie Whiteford, Harley Wood, and Bert Young! This one is so hilarious! Curly has a great performance here and in My opinion its one of his best. I strongly recommend this Three Stooges short!
    10tcchelsey

    THE STOOGES VS. THE INJUNS!

    Back to outrageous historical times, the Stooges about to be thrown into prison, instead get kicked out of England and sent to the struggling American colonies in the 17th century. Bottom line, the court didn't want to feed them. Let someone else do it!

    Moe, Larry and Curly turn up in Massachusetts and meet the beautiful daughters of the governor, played by no nonsense Vernon Dent. Is there any other type of role? As expected, there's a feud going on with the Indians (who want an old debt paid off), forbidding the settlers to hunt. Out to impress the ladies, the Stooges defy the Injuns, go hunting and that's where the fun starts. Lots of goofy escapades with the enemy, including Chief Rain in the Puss? (played by stone-face Theodore Lorch, as usual). Look for veteran actor Blackie Whiteford as an indian, who appeared in dozens of westerns.

    Best bit; In prison, the Stooges drop their ball and chains (one at a time), which chime(!), sounding like the famous NBC chimes. Fairly clever stuff, written by Andrew Bennison, longtime Hollywood writer. Also the last movie directed by Jack White, brother of producer Jules White.

    Grumpy Bud Jamison plays the court prosector, veteran actor Murdock MacQuarrie plays the judge. Former model Ethelreda Leopold plays Hope, one of the governor's daughters. She was a famous bit actress for decades.

    Look for Curly's original skunk cap and the super fast canoe!

    Always remastered on Columbia dvd, generally by decades, 30s, 40s and 50s episodes. Thanks to METV for running these mini classics on Saturdays.
    dozanddoz

    The Boys at their Best: Hilarious, 10 out of 10

    My personal favorite Stooge short of all time. Back to the Woods has the boys sent to America as outlaw colonists where they stir up a nest of wild Indians and take care of them with a tree branch bow and arrow. Logs, fish, and bee hives are air borne and well you can go from there. Great goofs, sound effects, and Curley is at his best. An excellent early entry into the Stooge series.

    Bottom Line: One of the Top 10 Stooges.

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    Related interests

    Leslie Nielsen in The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)
    Slapstick
    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Benedict Cumberbatch in The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023)
    Short
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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The first Stooges short to re-use old footage; the canoe scene at the end is from Whoops, I'm an Indian! (1936), which was why they change clothes before boarding the canoe (to match the footage - "On with the disguises!").
    • Goofs
      When the Stooges bow before the governor's daughters they bump heads. Larry's head doesn't touch Moe's or Curly's yet he reacts in pain anyway.
    • Quotes

      Judge: Order! Order!

      Curly: Order? I'll take a ham sandwich!

      Judge: Hold thy tongue!

      Curly: Not tongue, ham!

    • Connections
      Edited from Whoops, I'm an Indian! (1936)
    • Soundtracks
      A-Hunting We Will Go
      (uncredited)

      Composed by Thomas Augustine Arne

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 14, 1937 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • YouTube - Video
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Retorno a los bosques
    • Production company
      • Columbia Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 19m
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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