My Episode Review on The Three Stooges: Matri-Phony (Plus, a Bonus) · 10:37pm Apr 13th, 2023
Greetings and salutations, my friends.
This is your top-of-the-line film, TV show, and episode reporter here with another review.
Today, I'm gonna give you guys my take of The Three Stooges' "Matri-Phony".
Here's the rundown of it:
In the city of Ancient Erysipelas, the Three Stooges are owners of a pottery shop where they make and sell their own products.
After befriending a red-haired girl named Diana, they decide to rescue her from becoming the wife of Erysipelas's emperor, Octopus Grabus. And to distract the emperor while Diana makes her escape, Curly masquerades as her!
After I reviewed "No Census, No Feeling", both of which were co-written by Harry Edwards, I became interested in reviewing the two Stooge shorts Edwards directed for quite a while. "Matri-Phony" was the first of the two he helmed, so of course I'd be starting with it.
Coming from a guy who saw "Matri-Phony" four times in preparation for reviewing it, I will say this:
I can definitely see why Harry Edwards was classified as Columbia's worst director. There were many instances of his incompetence throughout this short, from a noticeable lack of organization to various plot holes.
Among the examples of Edwards's disorganized directing are these:
- During the part where Octopus Grabus is advancing on the disguised Curly after he slaps the emperor, the same clip where Larry is about to drink the emperor's wine after he and Moe test it for poison on a sleeping man outside cuts right in the middle, with the voices of Curly and Grabus still being heard.
- After the Stooges are unwittingly dangling in the air by the soldiers' spears, the guards for some reason just walk straight towards a wall. Also, you can clearly hear some slight laughter from staff members, and Edwards calling out "Larry, grab the-" to have Larry grab his guard's pants.
Plot hole-wise, I believe the most noticeable one is that it was never shown or confirmed whether Diana escaped from the Emperor's palace. Once she and the Stooges make their plan, she just disappears without a trace. It was almost like, despite Elwood Ullman and Monty Collins laying out the groundwork through their script, Edwards completely forgot about Diana!
In spite of these nitpicks, though, I still found "Matri-Phony" to be an enjoyable Three Stooges short. And the very first episode special that I consider to be a guilty pleasure, if I may add.
For instance, despite Harry Edwards's lackluster direction, the comedy throughout this short was brilliantly-executed and hysterical. The slapstick and physical humor felt purely like the kind a Stooge short would have, only loonier. The situational comedy was also quite an amusing treat, and it helped drive the plot with style.
The acting and characters were terrific as well.
Considering how difficult production on "Matri-Phony" was, it amazes me that the Three Stooges themselves were able to successfully make the most of it and strive above Edwards's incompetent directing. They made every humorous bit they were given enjoyable to watch, and they carried everything along with gusto. Even when things appeared to be getting a little confusing by the end, the Three Stooges themselves managed to make the best out of what they were given, and it takes extraordinarily talented performers to make such an accomplishment.
Plus, Vernon Dent was undeniably quite a scene-stealer in the role of Octopus Grabus. Being a regular cast member of the Three Stooges filmography clearly helped Dent ease right in without a problem.
In the end, "Matri-Phony" is definitely one of the most flawed members of the Three Stooges filmography, mainly due the mishaps in direction. But, it's still enjoyable to watch thanks to the comedy and performances.
So, I rate "Matri-Phony" 4 out of 5 stars.
Before I conclude this post, I'd like to share with you guys another original painting I created myself a while back:
So, what do you guys think? Of this review? And my painting?
