Slapstick comedy has long been regarded as pure comedic entertainment. Unlike most other forms of comedy, slapstick requires physical precision and often uses violence and injury in order to reach its audience. While this form of physical comedy might seem remedial and childish, it has long been viewed as tirelessly entertaining, providing endless laughs throughout a series of television shows and films. With Fred Karno being regarded as the first to use this style of comedy, individuals such as Charles Chaplin, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy (of Laurel and Hardy) and Jim Carrey have perfected the art over the course of the past nearly one hundred and thirty years. Among these incredible talents lies a trio of comic geniuses. Louis Feinberg (Larry Fine), Moses Harry Horwitz (Moe Howard) and Jerome Lester Horwitz (Curly Howard)--with Samuel Horwitz (Shemp Howard) very much a part of the crew--better known at the Three Stooges are often regarded as one of the funniest comedic groups in history. From the 1930’s through the 1970’s, The Three Stooges are credited in more than two hundred films and television shows, making each of them some of the most active and productive comedians ever. Through a long-standing television show and more than one hundred and ninety films (both shorts and features), the Stooges found a level of fame that no one could have ever projected.
Dancer Gail Tempest (Suzanne Kaaren) is in trouble with the law, as she is being accused of a murder that she did not commit. In the midst of the trial Tempest’s lawyer calls three witnesses to the stand in order to defend the young woman. Those three goofs are, in fact, Larry, Moe and Curly. In typical Stooges fashion the three wreak havoc inside the courtroom, creating Disorder in the Court and making things incredibly difficult for all parties involved. As the judge (Edward LeSaint) attempts to get his courtroom under control, chaos continues, ultimately forcing the judge’s hand on a ruling. Will the nonsensical charades of the Stooges work in Tempest’s favor or will their behavior condemn her to a life of hard time?
Like Chaplin, the Three Stooges rely almost entirely on their ability to entertain physically. Unlike Chaplin, the Stooges have the advantage of dialogue to help guide their endeavors and bring their eccentric and vivacious characters to life. The dialogue present in Disorder in the Court is clearly used to supplement the slapstick comedy and not meant to be of high order. However, the ridiculousness of every word uttered from the Stooges warrants a laugh. Their clear stupidity urges viewers to laugh, and their dialogue perfectly supports each of the chuckleheaded acts of comedy strewn throughout the film. Again, while dialogue is not terribly important in Disorder in the Court, Larry, Moe and Curly find ways to make every word feel almost necessary.
Well, what can you say about the physical comedy? The adage “the more the merrier” comes to mind. In scenes where one of the Stooges is isolated from the group humor is still clear and they manage to help Disorder in the Court move along. However, when the three converge and create comedy together, their ability to get the audience riled up is uncanny. It’s hard to compete with the physical comedy of three asinine men, as Larry, Moe and Curly feed off of one another with great aplomb and find themselves almost chemically bonded. There is an unteachable connection between the three dunces that allows them to find success in such a short amount of time.
The Three Stooges (including Shemp) have mined their way into the hearts of viewers around the world since first being introduced in the 30’s. Their passion is clear, the chemistry is impeccable and their ability to reach audiences as the quintessential slapstick threesome has found them success in the past and will continue to find them (and their families) great success in the future. Disorder in the Court clocks in at only sixteen minutes, leaving them almost no time to develop a story and see it played out to its fullest potential. However, the Stooges ability to work so brilliantly alongside one another, and the rest of the cast, provides them all the resources necessary to create a ridiculous, but loveable, film.
Directed by Jack White (as Preston Black). Written by Felix Adler. Starring Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard, Suzanne Kaaren, Bud Jamison, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10
Comments