The Three Stooges started in 1925 as part of the vaudeville act known as Ted Healy and His Stooges. In the act, lead comedian, Healy, would attempt to sing or tell jokes while his assistants (Lawrence "Larry" Fine, Harry Moses "Moe" Howard, and Samuel "Shemp" Howard), would keep "interrupting" him. Healy would respondwith an act of violence, either physically or verbally.
In 1930, Ted Healy and His Stooges appeared in their first major motion film Soup to Nuts; although the film was not a critical success, the Stooges' performances were considered the highlight, and Fox offered them a contract without Healy. Healy, upset with the studio, told them that the Stooges were his employees and the offer was withdrawn. After the Stooges learned of the reason for the contract withdrawl, left Healy and formed their own act.
In 1932, with Moe now their business manager, Healy reached an agreement with the Stooges, and they rejoined with Healy. Shemp, fed up with Healy abuse, left the act. Down one stooge, Moe decided to bring in his younger brother Jerome "Curly" Howard.
In 1934, the act's contract with MGM expired, and the Stooges finally departed from Healy for good, due to Healy's alcoholism and abuse. What happened next would define the Stooges' careers.
1 comment:
the Three Stooges, classic! What else needs to be said.
Dewey, Cheetum and Howe, Attorneys. LOL.
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