The Three Stooges: Three Stooges in History

This collection dusts off five shorts from the Stooge archives, produced between 1935 and 1948, starring Moe, Larry, Curly, and later Shemp. Although thematically moving across several historical periods, Stooge fans can rest assured that the mayhem never strays far from the universal vaudeville stage ("Did you take a bath?" "What's the matter? Is there one missing?"). Skits range from the caveman days ("I'm a Monkey's Uncle") to medieval times ("Squareheads of the Round Table"), and the period settings seem to inspire the boys to an even greater frenzy of noggin knocking, nose pulling, and eyeball gouging. Of course, the frenetic activity may well be meant to disguise the fact that most of this isn't really top drawer Stooge material, but it's unlikely that the legions of Stooge fans will mind. Sporting a sharp transfer and surprisingly clean, crisp sound for films of this vintage, this extra-less compilation disc is a no-brainer for Stooge nyuk-le heads, and a strong optional purchase for others. (S. Rees)