My Episode Review on The Three Stooges: Punch Drunks · 5:46pm Jun 8th, 2021
Hiya, Pals!
This is your friendly film, TV show, and episode reporter here with another review.
Today, for my 56th episode analysis, I'm gonna give you guys my take of the Three Stooges's "Punch Drunks".
Here's the rundown of it:
Moe Howard is a boxing manager who's struggling to maintain a good business due to not being able to pay his own fighters. However, when Moe later discovers that a restaurant waiter named Curly goes crazy every time he hears the "Pop Goes the Weasel" tune, he finds that Curly has the potential and takes him under his wing. Moe also hires a violinist named Larry to play the "Pop Goes the Weasel" tune to help Curly easily take down his opponents.
As with a great many other television specials and shorts, "Punch Drunks" was one that I absolutely wanted to make an analysis for. Aside from that, reviewing the Columbia shorts featuring the Three Stooges is always such a joy for me to do, and I frequently look for any opportunity possible analyze one.
After finally giving the short a rewatch months ago, I'm proud to say that "Punch Drunks" was as fun as I remembered it being. Despite the fact that this wasn't the first short the comedic trio made (the credit goes to "Woman Haters"), it's also what I'd like to call the Snow White of the Three Stooges.
For instance, the direction by Lou Breslow, the story by Moe Howard, Larry Fine, and Jerry Howard (Curly), and the screenplay by Jack Cluett, were marvelously well-done.
Among other things, the short felt like an origin story depicting how the Three Stooges met and what brought them together. It was as if the Stooges and company were making this short the start of something bigger, and the way they did so was genuine beyond compare. The comedy throughout the short was hilarious, and the way the gags were executed felt like the perfect introduction to the comedic style of the Stooges. And I really can't lie, when Curly faced off against Killer Kilduff and Larry had to find a new source of music to play the "Pop Goes the Weasel" tune with after his violin broke, I was on the edge of my seat because I was hoping Larry would quickly find something to replace his violin with. There was a boatload of snappy dialogue as well, and the best part was that the quotes were natural and fit the personalities of the characters just right.
The acting and characters were fun as well.
Every performer featured in this short were clearly giving their all, and the Three Stooges themselves commanded the screen without even trying. In my opinion, it was Curly Howard who gave the best performance out of everyone. He not only had the best comedic-timings, but he portrayed his onscreen persona with lovable innocence. Whenever his character heard the "Pop Goes the Weasel" tune, it looked like he really was going crazy! Plus, Dorothy Granger was entertaining to watch in the supporting role she had as Curly's girlfriend, and the chemistry she shared with the Stooges was something I had a great time with. When the ring announcer and boy with the candy were competing against each other over who'd ring the bell first during the match between Curly and Kilduff, they instantly stole the show because of how hilarious the whole scenario was.
In conclusion, "Punch Drunks" is quite honestly one of the Three Stooges's best works. In every way, it's both a perfect source of entertainment for people to get a laugh from, and a great launching pad for the Three Stooges.
So, I rate "Punch Drunks" five out of five stars.
I remember this episode very well. One of my favorites.
I loved watching this show all the time.