Idiots Deluxe

IDIOTS DELUXE (1945) is the last good Three Stooges short directed by Jules White before falling down into mediocrity. Considering the poor quality of all of White Stooges shorts after this one the credit for this one belongs to writer Elwood Ullman whose script is excellent. With no "poke in the eyes" jokes the two-reeler is effectively structured in flashback and features a lot of inspired gags and jokes. For once, Jules White does not milk the screenplay with protracted and unfunny gags. The version I have seen so far, in Argentina, is in Spanish; however, not even the poor dubbing can undermine the film qualities.

Woe is Moe. He's being sued by Larry and Curly for assault. Moe tells the judge (Vernon Dent) he can't help himself, that he is a sick man and a nervous wreck. The film flashbacks to the boys on a hunting trip; Moe gets irate when he thinks Larry and Curly have eaten his food; in reality a bear has devoured the tasty morsels! Will the boys defeat the bear and will Moe get some much needed rest?

"Idiots Deluxe" is a decent Stooge outing, but somewhat inconsistent. Many film buffs and historians cite a later 1945 release, "If a Body Meets a Body," as evidence that Curly had suffered a stroke. I think that "Idiots Deluxe" shows that Curly Howard was already a sick man. Physically, he's still able to do many things, including running into the side of a cabin and getting knocked down by a rock. But listen to his voice; it ebbs and flows between his "Curly" falsetto and Jerome "Curly" Howard's natural voice. This inconsistency does not allow the viewer to fully relax with the film. You know there's something wrong when a bear and not the Stooges get most of the laughs.

Funny, but not outstanding. 6 out of 10.

This is easily one of the BEST Stooges shorts ever. The premise: Curly and Larry take Moe on a hunting vacation for his nerves but a wandering bear makes things difficult for them. It is unique in that it moves at a slower pace than many of their other films (at least, from my POV) but it's still quite hilarious! Some of their best gags come from this little gem such as Curly and Larry performing as the "Original 2-Man Quartet" (with an out-of-control trombone slide), the boys trying to seal a menacing bear inside a cave by blocking the entrance with rocks (inevitably leading to both Moe and the bear being knocked cold by decidedly misthrown boulders), and Curly asking Larry if hunting is allowed. Larry replies, "Sure. I just saw a sign: Fine for Hunting" (a great verbal gag). This short also shows some of Moe's best acting abilities. One practically sympathizes with him as he unsuccessfully tries to soothe his "jangled nerves". I highly recommend this to any Stooges fan. Give it a try; you'll not be sorry you did. And watch out for that car driving bear!

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 a really a classic Three Stooges short. Vernon Dent is very good as the Judge. Paul Kruger, Eddie Laughton, and Al Thompson are in this one. I like the great acting by the Stooges especially by Moe. When Curly and Larry are in the car the communication between the two was really good. I recommend this one!

Idiots Deluxe (1945)

*** (out of 4)

Moe is on trial for assaulting Larry and Curly but he pleads with the judge to allow him to tell what actually happened. We learn that Moe was being treated for a nervous condition so Larry and Curly took him into the woods where they ended up running into a bear.

IDIOTS DELUXE is a very funny short for The Three Stooges so fans of them will certainly enjoy it. I'd also argue that if you're unfamiliar with their work then this would be a good place to begin because there are some really funny gags along the way. There are several very funny moments scattered throughout the short but the highlight has to be the sequence with the bear being "dead" and in the back seat of the car. The joke that happens is rather obvious but it's still a lot of fun.