Gents Without Cents

When I first saw this Three Stooges short as a kid watching in the late '70s, it was during the "Niagra Falls" skit. I remember laughing quite a bit at that one. I saw a little more on AMC during the '90s but now I've seen the whole thing recorded from MeTV just now. It has the boys and their girlfriends from above doing their acts for a show they hope to get in. I'll just now say that the rest of the short was also pretty entertaining but the highlight was definitely that routine that was also performed by Abbott & Costello in their feature Lost in a Harem though the location changed for their version which they performed with Murray Leonard. Worth a look for fans of Moe, Larry, and Curly.

The episode Gents Without Cents came out officially in Brazil, unfortunately just seven packet DVD, all remainder we still waiting for, the Stooges had a great time on this short, no one chase them, no crook around, just three wonderful dancing girls proposing marriage, they looking for a job as actors and also entertainers and got a change when the top billing show didn't show up, then they replace in great style as a true acting on a fabulous tale over a friend who stolen his girl before they go to Niagara, this words means trouble when someone talk about, meanwhile the fantastic athletic performance of the three girls, regarded as best show on The Three Stooges career, funny and a breathtaking choreography ever, amazing short!!!

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First watch: 1972 / How many: 4 / Source: DVD / Rating: 8

This is a somewhat different kind of short feature from the Three Stooges, more of a variety show with some of their usual slapstick comedy added in. The boys are struggling singers/actors looking for a break, and are joined by a trio of acrobats (Flo, Mary, & Shirley), who are also hoping for stardom. There are a few slow spots in this one, although some of the non-comic parts are worth seeing. There is also a pretty good running gag that has to do with the comedy routine that the boys have been practicing. Overall, it's not as funny as many of their comedies, but it's worth a look.

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.

Gents Without Cents (1944)

** (out of 4)

Moe, Larry and Curly are practicing their act when the people above them keep making stuff from the ceiling fall. The boys go up there for a fight but are happy when they see that it's three women doing a dance act. Soon the six are trying to get on a talent show.

GENTS WITHOUT CENTS has to be the least entertaining Stooges short up to this point. Throughout the running time there are a few slaps, punches and eye-pokes but there's really not too many scenes that even attempt for laughs. The majority of the running time is devoted to a "show" that the boys put on and there certainly aren't any laughs here. Then you've got the girl's act, which is the most entertaining thing here.