Ted Healy Short Subjects
Soup to Nuts – (1930)
Starring – Ted Healy, Charles Winninger, Shemp Howard, Harry Howard, Larry Fine
This uproarious musical comedy, written by comic strip artist Rube Goldberg, marked the film debut of the legendary trio who would become The Three Stooges. It’s bad enough that costume shop owner Otto Schmidt (Charles Winninger) is headed for bankruptcy, but one of his creditors is also being rejected by his niece Louise (Lucile Browne). Then sparks fly when Louise is pulled from a raging fire by a courageous fireman (Ted Healy) and his zany cohorts. A hilarious routine at a costume party, a sandbag stand-off and other great bits round out this cinematic treasure which sets the tone for the Stooges soon-to-be-classic style of comedy.
Hollywood on Parade - (1933)
Starring - Gary Cooper, Bing Crosby, Jimmy Durante, Larry Fine, Ted Healy, Curly Howard, Moe Howard, Ginger Rogers, Ed Wynn
This is a very interesting and good-humored film which basically is a promotional film for Hollywood about Hollywood celebrities. It is really interesting to see this film so many years later, and some of the "stars" that the other stars consider to be "mega" stars are people that have faded into history and their movies and reputations are long forgotten! On the other hand, it is entertaining to see famous (now deceased) actors and actresses joking around with other stars. This film clearly shows that not only was there a pecking order in Hollywood, but that all of the stars made sure to give lots of praise to the "mega" stars. Sadly, some of the less-important celebrities are given short-shift and to some degree this movie is kind of overly smug. But, as a time-capsule it really is an interesting movie to watch if you are a fan of movies from the 1930s.
Nertsery Rhymes - (1933)
Starring - Ted Healy, Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard, Bonnie Bonnell
Nertsery Rhymes (1933) is the first short film starring Ted Healy and his Stooges. It was a musical comedy released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The original script was eight pages long. Some footage was from the unfinished MGM musical The March of Time(1930), which was to feature Healy and the Three Stooges.
The Stooges are children and Ted Healy is the father. Unable to sleep, the Stooges ask Healy to tell them a bedtime story. He proceeds to tell them of the "Ride of Paul Revere" as well as the "The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe". Briefly veering away from the slapstick, there are two musical interludes pertaining to the stories.
Beer and Pretzels - (1933)
Starring - Ted Healy, Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard, Bonnie Bonnell, Fred Malatesta
Beer and Pretzels (1933) is the second short film starring Ted Healy and his Stooges, following Nertsery Rhymes. It was a musical comedy released by Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer. Some footage of Healy and the Three Stooges from the unfinished MGM musical The March of Time(1930) was included in Beer and Pretzels.
Ted Healy and his Stooges are entertainers. But because Healy is much more interested in women than he is in performing, they are thrown out of the Happy Hour Theatre. Unable to keep a job anywhere else, they are reduced to waiting tables at a high-class restaurant. This, of course, ends up being a disaster as the restaurant is thrown into chaos because of them. So, yet again, they are thrown back out on to the streets.
Plane Nuts - (1933)
Starring - Ted Healy, Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard, Bonnie Bonnell
Vaudville routines and musical numbers
Meet the Baron - (1933)
Starring - Jack Pearl and Jimmy Durante, Zasu Pitts, Ted Healy, Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard, Edna May Oliver and The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Girls
Radio comic Jack Pearl (with support from Jimmy Durante) plays the bogus baron on a speaking tour, and Larry, Curly (billed as Jerry) and Moe play janitors at the all-girl Cuddle College. What? No hot water in the shower? The boys will be right up!