Hold That Lion!

There are two big surprises about "Hold That Lion!". First, it has an appearance of post-Stooges Curly Howard...making this the only Stooges short with all three Howard brothers (Moe, Shemp and Curly). Second, it's surprisingly funny and worth seeing.

When the short begins, you learn that the Stooges are expecting an inheritance and the executor, Mr. Slipp, has apparently run off with the money! When they try to find him at his office, he attacks them all...beating them up and running away from the boys. So, they head for the train, as Slipp is trying to use it to make his escape. Aboard the train, they spend their time avoiding the conductor since they don't have tickets as well as looking for Slipp. Ultimatley, they accidentally release a lion and hilarity ensues.

Curly Howard had a debilitating stroke the year before this short was made. As a result, his older brother Shemp joined the team (he'd been a Stooge back in the early stage days). Here, Curly remains seated on the train....because he was wheelchair bound at this point. He was offered the bit part to lift his spirits....sadly it was his last film appearance before his early death in 1952.

Overall, this is a pretty funny short. It is more original than many of the Stooge films (many of the Shemp shorts were actually remakes of earlier Stooge shorts) and made me laugh a few times. This, combined with Curly's appearance, make this a must-see for mans.

Larry, Moe, and Shemp are looking for their inheritance. The three nephews are sole heirs but the executor Mr. Icabob Slipp is nowhere to be found. They go to his office with subpoenas but they don't know what he looks like. They follow him to a train where they accidentally release a lion.

It's a fine Stooges short with Shemp. This one has a fourth Stooge. In a way, Dudley Dickerson plays a Stooge-like character in the black porter but I'm really talking about Curly who makes a cameo after his stroke. And he has hair! Although his distinctive snoring gives him away.

Thanks for AMC and their NYUK Three Stooges show on the weekends starring Leslie Neilson. While the introductions to the shorts are 'hokey', good factual historical information regarding the Stooges is often given.

This is the case with 'Hold That Lion.' I found this short to be 'average,' but knowing that Curly makes a cameo, I watch it every time I know it will be shown.

About 1/2 way through the short, Moe, Larry, and Shemp are walking down the center isle of a moving train searching for a man in disguise. They happen on a sleeping man with his Derby over his face. To check to see if he is the villain, the boys stop, lift the hat and we find Curly, thin faced, full head of hair, NO BEARD, and a clothes pin on his nose! One of the boys remove the clothes pin only to cause Curly to begin snoring loudly. In classic Curly fashion - He does the typical loud, deep 'SNOGGGGGG' on the inhale, but on the exhale he lets out a 'W00 WOO WOO R'ARF R'ARF R'ARF' and takes another deep breath with a 'SNOGGGGGGGG'

After two or three cycles, Moe says 'This guy must be some kind of Spaniel,' and Shemp says 'More like a Cocker Spaniel!' They replace the clothes pin, Curly's Derby and continue down the isle....

I watch this short EVERY TIME I see it now, and I find it somber. Curly has just suffered a massive stroke. He can barely walk, thus the appearance sitting and sleeping, and his snoring as described above is only with 1/2 the energy. Curly looks human.....and his two brothers (Moe and Shemp) are on screen with him to make light of the situation. This is classic Stooges. Curly would die one short year later...

As I said: A piece of history...

Watch this film very carefully for a piece of show biz history. The one and only time on film we see the three brothers Howard (Moe, Shemp and Curly)together. Curly has a full head of hair, a bushy beard and no dialog, but the snoring he makes as a sleeping train passenger are vintage Curly all the way.

Actually Curly did not pass away until January 18,1952. And he made another cameo as an Angry Chef in the 1949 Malice In The Palace,and after he married for the 4th time,and had his second daughter. He is funny in this Comedy,and its nice to see the Howards all together. Its a shame that he didn't take better care of himself. Shemp is excellent here,and is under rated. And Kenneth McDonald is so good here,as he was as the Judge on the Perry Mason shows. His granddaughter Andrea Server is a fine Singer. RIP Curly,you were Funny! And its nice to see Curly as he is quite good in what was clearly an improvised,off the cuff appearance. And Dudley Dickerson was a scream as always.