Here is the very first of nearly two hundred Columbia two-reel Three Stooges short subjects which Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curley Howard made on their own, without their unfunny old straight man, Ted Healy. The results are pretty good but mixed, depending on how you approach it. For those who are not prepared, you may be taken aback by the style here: it is a musical comedy, where occasionally we'll get a Stooge or two break out into song, and every line of dialogue is spoken in rhyme. The plot line is that Moe, Larry and Curley join a misogynistic organization called "The Woman Haters", and vow not to have anything to do with females. Trouble begins to arise, however, when a woman takes after Larry and then starts to set her sights on the other Stooges as well. Not for everyone, and it's not indicative of their latter films, but taken with an open mind it's not a bad piece of work for a debut line of shorts. **1/2 out of ****
38 Reviews
A nice start for the Stooges at Columbia
bensonmum21 November 2007
Woman Haters is far from the best of the Three Stooges, but it is a nice start to the Columbia shorts and does offer a unique and interesting thing or two. The plot sees the boys joining the Woman Haters Club - a club that prohibits its members from carrying on with women. But no sooner than they become members, Larry (they actually have character names, but they don't really matter) finds himself at the altar. He does his best to keep Moe and Curly from finding out he's secretly gotten married and he does his best to keep his new wife from finding out about the Woman Haters club. As expected, a great deal of eye poking and head knocking ensues.
The two best things Woman Haters has going for it (beyond its curiosity value) is the rhyming scheme of the dialogue and Marjorie White as Larry's wife. While I've seen some complaints about the rhyming dialogue, it worked for me. I thought it was very clever. Now, it might not have worked for a full feature, but for a two-reeler, it's okay. As for Marjorie White, she more than capable of holding her own with Moe, Larry, and Curly - more so than most women I can think of off the top of my head who appeared in other Three Stooges shorts. It's too bad she didn't live long enough to see where her career might have taken her.
The two best things Woman Haters has going for it (beyond its curiosity value) is the rhyming scheme of the dialogue and Marjorie White as Larry's wife. While I've seen some complaints about the rhyming dialogue, it worked for me. I thought it was very clever. Now, it might not have worked for a full feature, but for a two-reeler, it's okay. As for Marjorie White, she more than capable of holding her own with Moe, Larry, and Curly - more so than most women I can think of off the top of my head who appeared in other Three Stooges shorts. It's too bad she didn't live long enough to see where her career might have taken her.
See "Footlight Parade" 1933
gmzewski23 April 2006
While I've known this one for many years, only today I watched an MGM Busby Berkeley musical from '33 titled "FOOTLIGHT PARADE" staring among others James Cagney, Dick Powell, and a bevy of others. What captured my attention was the big main production number: The rhythm and melody, and even the lyrics could well be the source of the rhyming sing-song of WOMAN HATERS! Just listen to Dick Powell & Joan Blondell crooning "You-hoo-hoo-hoo" to each other, and you'll see where Larry Fine & Marjorie White got theirs from! While maybe not EXACTLY a duplicate, but so close, it's almost scary! While watching and listening, WOMAN HATERS was the first thing that came to mind! But altogether, WH is the better of the two by leaps and bounds!
The first stooge short out of Columbia is one of the best!
williec2917 September 2001
The Three Stooges were on their way. They now had a contract at Columbia Pictures and were ready to make their mark on, not only comedy, but entertainment in general. With that Moe Howard, Larry Fine, and Jerome Howard, also known as Curly, set out with director Arthur Gottlieb to make the first of over 190 short films the Stooges would make at Columbia.
This short is unlike any other Stooge short film. There are plenty of hits, slaps, pokes, and bonks. This short is different in that it is a musical novelty starring up and comer Marjorie White who, unfortunately, died in a road accident in 1935, less than a year after filming this short.
Moe, Larry, and Curly play Tom, Jim, and Jackie respectively who vow to swear off women after they join a club known as the Woman Haters. Bud Jamison, who will appear in many of the Stooge films, is the chairman, if you will, of this organization. The Stooges are initiated into the club and are off to fulfil their commitment.
After only one week, Jim tells the other two that he would have to quit that silly club. He met a girl and fell head over heels in love. The other two try and convince him that he is making a big mistake. Jim finally takes their advice and goes to break it off, but ends up marrying the girl after her father gives him so "words of encouragement".
Tom, Jim, and Jackie all meet up at the train station later that day and chaos breaks loose when each man falls for the girl in their own way.
There is a definite pattern and rhyme scheme involved in this short that makes it memorable. I have noticed that there is a lot more violence in this short then the others. But nevertheless this is one of the best from the Stooges.
This short is unlike any other Stooge short film. There are plenty of hits, slaps, pokes, and bonks. This short is different in that it is a musical novelty starring up and comer Marjorie White who, unfortunately, died in a road accident in 1935, less than a year after filming this short.
Moe, Larry, and Curly play Tom, Jim, and Jackie respectively who vow to swear off women after they join a club known as the Woman Haters. Bud Jamison, who will appear in many of the Stooge films, is the chairman, if you will, of this organization. The Stooges are initiated into the club and are off to fulfil their commitment.
After only one week, Jim tells the other two that he would have to quit that silly club. He met a girl and fell head over heels in love. The other two try and convince him that he is making a big mistake. Jim finally takes their advice and goes to break it off, but ends up marrying the girl after her father gives him so "words of encouragement".
Tom, Jim, and Jackie all meet up at the train station later that day and chaos breaks loose when each man falls for the girl in their own way.
There is a definite pattern and rhyme scheme involved in this short that makes it memorable. I have noticed that there is a lot more violence in this short then the others. But nevertheless this is one of the best from the Stooges.
"My Life. My Love. My All."
StrictlyConfidential2 May 2020
Let me tell ya - With a blatantly misogynistic title hanging over its head like "Woman Haters", I thought that this "Stooges" comedy-short certainly played it pretty cute'n'coy when it came right down to this whole matter of emphasizing "woman hating".
Yeah. It sure did tone things down in that area (which is understandable) considering that this novelty-short was initially meant to introduce Curly, Larry, and Moe to the movie-going public (of both men and women) and put them in a friendly and favorable light, all around, with everyone.
Anyway - (IMO) - "Woman Haters" (where the insults, face slaps, and eye-pokes were soon to become a standard routine among the Three Stooges) was a fairly entertaining little vintage film (for the most part).
Yeah. It sure did tone things down in that area (which is understandable) considering that this novelty-short was initially meant to introduce Curly, Larry, and Moe to the movie-going public (of both men and women) and put them in a friendly and favorable light, all around, with everyone.
Anyway - (IMO) - "Woman Haters" (where the insults, face slaps, and eye-pokes were soon to become a standard routine among the Three Stooges) was a fairly entertaining little vintage film (for the most part).
Far different from the future episodes
jokerman145612 April 2010
This is one is really unique episode and not to forget this is the very first stooges episode. This stooges episode is mostly about rhyming and being a musical.
You know how none of the stooges are really the main character, well this one actually has a main stooge and it's surprisingly Larry. Usually Larry is in the background while Curly and Moe have most lines and jokes.
The story is about The stooges joining a woman hating club but Larry is about to get married to a woman named Mary but Larry is having problems with breaking up with her.
Down right saying saying it's an okay stooges episode but it's very unique and eccentric episode.
You know how none of the stooges are really the main character, well this one actually has a main stooge and it's surprisingly Larry. Usually Larry is in the background while Curly and Moe have most lines and jokes.
The story is about The stooges joining a woman hating club but Larry is about to get married to a woman named Mary but Larry is having problems with breaking up with her.
Down right saying saying it's an okay stooges episode but it's very unique and eccentric episode.
Very, very nice
rbverhoef7 January 2004
We see a woman haters club and three men want to join. The men are of course Moe (who plays Tom), Larry (who plays Jim) and Curly (who plays Jack). Right after they have become members Larry wants to quit because he promised a beautiful girl, Mary (Marjorie White), to marry her. After an argument with Moe and Curly they decide he has to tell that he can't marry her. After Mary's father tells a story about a guy who tried to run away from his other daughter Larry is not so sure anymore. He does marry the girl and the trouble with Moe and Curly can begin. But can they all resist the beauty and charm of Mary?
This is one of the nicest Three Stooges short. Not because it is so funny, there are good moments though, but because the whole short sounds like poetry. The dialogue is put on rhyme and it is really good. Marjorie White also adds something to the whole thing. A great little movie.
This is one of the nicest Three Stooges short. Not because it is so funny, there are good moments though, but because the whole short sounds like poetry. The dialogue is put on rhyme and it is really good. Marjorie White also adds something to the whole thing. A great little movie.
It's obvious that film execs still hadn't yet figured out what to do with the Stooges.
planktonrules16 January 2015
Before the Three Stooges entered into their super-successful careers with Columbia Studios, the trio were signed by MGM. However, MGM had no idea what to do with them or their front man (they were originally billed as Ted Healy and His Stooges). Often the trio appeared with Healy but the chemistry never really gelled. They also appeared all separately (such as in "Dancing Lady") as well as in a few shorts. However, the Three Stooges that we are familiar with today never really showed up in any of their MGM work--which could be why they spent so little time with this studio.
Here with their first film for Columbia, "Women Haters", it's obvious that the Stooge formula STILL wasn't established. Instead of the usual antics, this is an all-singing/rhyming short (they did at least one other like this) and they didn't go by their usual names! They are Tom, Jim and Jack!!
The plot is a bizarre thing and begins with the trio joining a club of guys who hate women. However, soon Jim (Larry) announces he's met a great lady and he's planning on getting married. Naturally, this wouldn't sit well with the club nor his friends--and to try to get past them, he asks his new bride to keep their marriage a secret! Later, he tells Tom and Jack that she ISN'T his wife--just some lady who fainted and he was helping her! What's next? Give it a try to find out what's next for the boys.
For those who hate the Stooges (and there are MANY out there in this group), the film might be a welcome change of pace. While there is some slapping and the usual violence, it's a bit more restrained and the film is a genuine oddity! I think it's mostly of value for its novelty more than anything else. Far from brilliant, it IS memorable. Occasionally over-acted (even by Stooge standards) and perhaps it might have worked better with a few songs instead of having them sing everything.
Here with their first film for Columbia, "Women Haters", it's obvious that the Stooge formula STILL wasn't established. Instead of the usual antics, this is an all-singing/rhyming short (they did at least one other like this) and they didn't go by their usual names! They are Tom, Jim and Jack!!
The plot is a bizarre thing and begins with the trio joining a club of guys who hate women. However, soon Jim (Larry) announces he's met a great lady and he's planning on getting married. Naturally, this wouldn't sit well with the club nor his friends--and to try to get past them, he asks his new bride to keep their marriage a secret! Later, he tells Tom and Jack that she ISN'T his wife--just some lady who fainted and he was helping her! What's next? Give it a try to find out what's next for the boys.
For those who hate the Stooges (and there are MANY out there in this group), the film might be a welcome change of pace. While there is some slapping and the usual violence, it's a bit more restrained and the film is a genuine oddity! I think it's mostly of value for its novelty more than anything else. Far from brilliant, it IS memorable. Occasionally over-acted (even by Stooge standards) and perhaps it might have worked better with a few songs instead of having them sing everything.
The Three Stooges' Columbia debut in Women Haters is uniquely entertaining in its own way
tavm30 December 2010
Having just reviewed The Three Stooges' previous shorts they made at M-G-M with Ted Healy, I'm now commenting on their very first short they made at their new studio of Columbia. Moe, Larry, and Curley's (as the latter's name was spelled during this time) first film without Healy was unique in that there's an underscoring throughout and they and the entire cast nearly talk entirely in rhyme during the whole thing. They enter at what becomes a Women Hater's club with Bud Jamison (the first of what would become their stock company at the studio) doing the initiation. Then Larry reveals a week later that he's fallen in love with Marjorie White and that's when all hell breaks loose! I'll stop there and just say that I really enjoyed this unusual short early in their careers especially when Curley does his unique characteristics and those sound effects when they punch and poke each other. And Ms. White is quite good in participating in the slapstick with them. So much so that one wonders how further she would have gone had she not tragically died in an accident soon after filming finished. Also, eventual winner-of-more-than-one-Oscar Walter Brennan appears here as a train conductor so that should provide more than enough interest here. So on that note, Women Haters comes highly recommended.
early Stooges
SnoopyStyle16 March 2020
Men meet in secret and talk in rhythm for the Woman Haters Club. Tom (Moe Howard), Jim (Larry Fine), and Jackie (Jerry Howard aka Curly) arrive to join. Jim meets Mary and wants to quit the club. The other two convince him to stop his pending wedding and stay in the club. Mary is not going down without a fight.
It's an unusual Stooges short in that it's in rhythm and there is background music throughout. It is early Stooges. It is so early that Curly is Jerry and their character names are different. They haven't fixed on a concept yet but it has some of their classic elements. Their slapstick is already front and center although their musical aspect would fade. It's an intriguing early short to see the Stooges journey for their fans.
It's an unusual Stooges short in that it's in rhythm and there is background music throughout. It is early Stooges. It is so early that Curly is Jerry and their character names are different. They haven't fixed on a concept yet but it has some of their classic elements. Their slapstick is already front and center although their musical aspect would fade. It's an intriguing early short to see the Stooges journey for their fans.
Woman Haters (1934)
Dougsarnecky22 November 2014
WOMAN HATERS, where it all began for The Three Stooges at Columbia, is more of an anomaly in The Three Stooges series. Officially, it is part of The Musical Novelties series, a series in which all the dialogue is spoken in rhyme and accompanied by music. Well, "novelty" is a good way to describe this short because that is exactly how I view it.
I'm glad this short exists because it gives us a different look at The Three Stooges in a musical role, and Larry in particular does a fine job (no pun intended). That said, would I be a Three Stooges fan if all 190 shorts were like this? Not exactly. Musicals aren't really my thing, and this one holds my interest simply because of three certain actors who are in it.
The rhyming dialogue gets old after a while and the Stooges really have to conform to the rhythm of the music as opposed to the rhythm they would naturally develop in later shorts, so it sounds a bit forced. I don't have much else to say with this one except I find it to be a fascinating one off.
I'm glad this short exists because it gives us a different look at The Three Stooges in a musical role, and Larry in particular does a fine job (no pun intended). That said, would I be a Three Stooges fan if all 190 shorts were like this? Not exactly. Musicals aren't really my thing, and this one holds my interest simply because of three certain actors who are in it.
The rhyming dialogue gets old after a while and the Stooges really have to conform to the rhythm of the music as opposed to the rhythm they would naturally develop in later shorts, so it sounds a bit forced. I don't have much else to say with this one except I find it to be a fascinating one off.
Great Three Stooges short!
Movie Nuttball30 July 2004
The Three Stooges has always been some of the many actors that I have loved. I love just about every one of the shorts that they have made. I love all six of the Stooges (Curly, Shemp, Moe, Larry, Joe, and Curly Joe)! All of the shorts are hilarious and also star many other great actors and actresses which a lot of them was in many of the shorts! In My opinion The Three Stooges is some of the greatest actors ever and is the all time funniest comedy team!
This is a very good Three Stooges short and this was the very first one from Columbia Pictures! The beautiful Marjorie White is in this one! Also Monte Collins, the very talented bug man Bud Jamison, Jack Norton, Don Roberts, Tiny Sandford, Dorothy Vernon, Leslie Goodwins, Charles Richman, Gilbert Emery, George Gray, Fred 'Snowflake' Toones, Walter Brennan, June Gittelson, and A.R. Haysel are in this very special Three Stooges short! The acting and the singing by the Stooges is excellent! There is another Three Stooges similar like this one with Shemp called Gypped in the Penthouse which is very funny. I recommend that you see Woman Haters!
This is a very good Three Stooges short and this was the very first one from Columbia Pictures! The beautiful Marjorie White is in this one! Also Monte Collins, the very talented bug man Bud Jamison, Jack Norton, Don Roberts, Tiny Sandford, Dorothy Vernon, Leslie Goodwins, Charles Richman, Gilbert Emery, George Gray, Fred 'Snowflake' Toones, Walter Brennan, June Gittelson, and A.R. Haysel are in this very special Three Stooges short! The acting and the singing by the Stooges is excellent! There is another Three Stooges similar like this one with Shemp called Gypped in the Penthouse which is very funny. I recommend that you see Woman Haters!
WOMAN HATERS (Archie Gottler, 1934) **1/2
Bunuel197613 January 2008
I’m virtually a beginner when it comes to The Three Stooges: I’d seen a few of their films – and episodes from the animated series – as a kid (this short being one of them, incidentally) but not enough to rank them judiciously in the pantheon of classic comedy.
Anyway, this has been advertised as “a musical novelty” – influenced by the work of Ernst Lubitsch, no doubt – with all dialogue written in verse! In essence, it lies somewhere between Laurel & Hardy (with the train setting recalling BERTH MARKS [1929] in particular) and The Marx Bros. – but emerging, in the long run, as less sympathetic than either. The gang joins the titular club but Larry, practically blackmailed into marriage, attempts to keep his status from pals Moe and Curley – but can’t, because his spouse turns out to be a flirt who has her eyes on them as well! Walter Brennan appears briefly as the train conductor.
I have to say that the slap-happy antics of the comic trio gets tiresome after a while. To be honest, I wonder how I’ll be able to stick the relentless display of such childish behavior through 19 Stooges shorts I’ve got scheduled (given that I’ve just acquired a copy of the official Columbia 2-Disc collection)...
Anyway, this has been advertised as “a musical novelty” – influenced by the work of Ernst Lubitsch, no doubt – with all dialogue written in verse! In essence, it lies somewhere between Laurel & Hardy (with the train setting recalling BERTH MARKS [1929] in particular) and The Marx Bros. – but emerging, in the long run, as less sympathetic than either. The gang joins the titular club but Larry, practically blackmailed into marriage, attempts to keep his status from pals Moe and Curley – but can’t, because his spouse turns out to be a flirt who has her eyes on them as well! Walter Brennan appears briefly as the train conductor.
I have to say that the slap-happy antics of the comic trio gets tiresome after a while. To be honest, I wonder how I’ll be able to stick the relentless display of such childish behavior through 19 Stooges shorts I’ve got scheduled (given that I’ve just acquired a copy of the official Columbia 2-Disc collection)...
Pretty Strange Film is the Stooges' First Columbia Short
mrb198025 November 2008
Warning: Spoilers
By "strange", I don't mean unusual for its era (it's not). What's strange are the Stooges' characterizations. When did you see Larry as the center of attention (never); Moe not very violent at all (never); and Curly not using his high-pitched voice and frantic physical comedy (never). In addition, the entire short's dialogue is spoken in excruciating rhyme.
The story concerns the Stooges joining the Woman Hater's Club, vowing never to fall in love or marry. The club is chaired by Bud Jamison, who is nearly unrecognizable under all his pancake makeup. Larry predictably falls in love with a beautiful woman (Marjorie White), causing all kinds of problems, particularly with her tough, mean brothers.
The Stooges don't really seem to know how to proceed, since the entire short subject is not their style at all. Marjorie White is just charming, and Walter Brennan appears as a train conductor (who I kept expecting to don a cowboy hat and speak in his distinctive voice). Otherwise, the film just doesn't seem to have much of a point. I guess my main pleasure was watching White (who was killed in a car wreck shortly after filming), and seeing the boys completely out of character in their first Columbia short. Watching it once is okay, but there are definitely no belly laughs.
The story concerns the Stooges joining the Woman Hater's Club, vowing never to fall in love or marry. The club is chaired by Bud Jamison, who is nearly unrecognizable under all his pancake makeup. Larry predictably falls in love with a beautiful woman (Marjorie White), causing all kinds of problems, particularly with her tough, mean brothers.
The Stooges don't really seem to know how to proceed, since the entire short subject is not their style at all. Marjorie White is just charming, and Walter Brennan appears as a train conductor (who I kept expecting to don a cowboy hat and speak in his distinctive voice). Otherwise, the film just doesn't seem to have much of a point. I guess my main pleasure was watching White (who was killed in a car wreck shortly after filming), and seeing the boys completely out of character in their first Columbia short. Watching it once is okay, but there are definitely no belly laughs.
Where it all began.
Tresix21 January 2001
WOMAN HATERS was the first of the Three Stooges shorts made for Columbia Pictures and began America's (if not the cinema comedy-loving world's) love affair with the Stooges. The short is billed as "A Musical Novelty", meaning that the entire film is spoken in rhyming dialogue. In a way, this could be thought of as the first rap music video.
WOMAN HATERS begins with a meeting of the eponymous organization when three new members wait with out. "With out what?" asks the president (Bud Jamison). We then meet the trio: Tom (Moe), Jim (Larry) and Jack (Curly). They all get initiated via eyepoke and vow to say down with any poor sap who sings "My love, my life, my all" to any dame. However, later in the day, Jim makes a "horrible" confession: He is engaged to Mary (Marjorie White). At first, he tries to back out of the marriage, until Mary's father shows Jim what happened to the last man who tried to back out of a marriage to one of his daughters.
All of the Stooges trademarks are present in WOMAN HATERS: The first eyepoke (delivered by Jamison), Curly's first "Woo-woo-woo" (after Moe bites him in the toes), the exaggerated sound effects. There's even an appearance by future Oscar winner Walter Brennan. Everything that made us fall in love with the Stooges started here. Now, watch it and enjoy, ya knuckleheads!
WOMAN HATERS begins with a meeting of the eponymous organization when three new members wait with out. "With out what?" asks the president (Bud Jamison). We then meet the trio: Tom (Moe), Jim (Larry) and Jack (Curly). They all get initiated via eyepoke and vow to say down with any poor sap who sings "My love, my life, my all" to any dame. However, later in the day, Jim makes a "horrible" confession: He is engaged to Mary (Marjorie White). At first, he tries to back out of the marriage, until Mary's father shows Jim what happened to the last man who tried to back out of a marriage to one of his daughters.
All of the Stooges trademarks are present in WOMAN HATERS: The first eyepoke (delivered by Jamison), Curly's first "Woo-woo-woo" (after Moe bites him in the toes), the exaggerated sound effects. There's even an appearance by future Oscar winner Walter Brennan. Everything that made us fall in love with the Stooges started here. Now, watch it and enjoy, ya knuckleheads!
Salute To Misogyny
bkoganbing18 January 2010
The Three Stooges made their Columbia Pictures debut with this short involving the boys joining a Woman Haters club. Where apparently it's some kind of a rule to constantly sing in rhyme. Without apparently any reason.
I'm not sure how Moe, Larry, and Curly would feel, but the short bears resemblance to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's Hiawatha in that it's a poetical telling of a story. I doubt though the gag writers at Columbia would credit that with their inspiration.
They've got mutiny in the ranks of the Woman Haters, Larry wants to get married to Marjorie White. It's a disgraceful situation that threatens to leave Curly totally at the mercy of Moe without Larry as a buffer.
If you can orient yourself to the musical rhyme which could be taken as a harbinger of rap, the Stooges solve the problem in their normal manner. This salute to misogyny called Woman Haters is not a bad debut for the boys.
I'm not sure how Moe, Larry, and Curly would feel, but the short bears resemblance to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's Hiawatha in that it's a poetical telling of a story. I doubt though the gag writers at Columbia would credit that with their inspiration.
They've got mutiny in the ranks of the Woman Haters, Larry wants to get married to Marjorie White. It's a disgraceful situation that threatens to leave Curly totally at the mercy of Moe without Larry as a buffer.
If you can orient yourself to the musical rhyme which could be taken as a harbinger of rap, the Stooges solve the problem in their normal manner. This salute to misogyny called Woman Haters is not a bad debut for the boys.
Charming
vampiratewolf8821 April 2021
Ok so i am not going to lie, i am not god at writing reviews. I will try my best. I started watching these guys when i was a kid and instantly feel in love. How could you not. Then i saw Woman Haters and i despised it. It was not their tried and true style, they were speaking in rhyme and they weren't even playing themselves as they always did. Now being an adult and recently renewing the obsession with them i research everything. This was the first short after they broke with Healy and it was basically Columbia testing the waters not only with them but with these musical rhyming shorts that the studio wanted to make. Knowing that i decided to give this short a fair shot. It has grown on me. I actually kinda adore it. It does showcase more of their talents then what we are use to seeing. Its interesting to see the bit of dynamic change in them. Plus i have grown to love when they showcase their musical talents. Which they do NOT get enough credit for. Marjorie White holds her own with the boys very well and its a shamed she passed so young. Would love to have seen her come back and take part in more antics. I wont go much into the actual plot as you should enjoy it from a clean slate and fair chance.
One of the best from the Stooges
Plissken-617 May 1999
This is one of the early ones from the boys and it is excellent. Along with the typical slapstick there is a little something else added, it's a musical. The Stooges join a club called Woman Haters, and all is well until Larry meets "a beautiful girl and fell head over heels in love." After that, it is total chaos in typical stooge fashion. The Stooges do a fine job in their parts as always. A true gem.
It Begins Here
PCC092116 August 2023
The contract between the Three Stooges and Columbia Pictures, begins here. Woman Haters (1934), is pretty good, when it comes to the jokes. The film actually starts out great. The Stooges get involved in a rumble with longtime, Three Stooges foil, Bud Jamison. Jamison did a bunch of shorts with the Stooges, until his untimely death in 1944. He went on, from here, to do 38 shorts with the boys. This film is a first for many things Stooges and we do get to see a great preview of things to come. However, Woman Haters (1934), gets bogged down, by the need to tell the story, in a melody of rhymes. This device is interesting for the first five minutes of the film, but gets old quick. Not only is Woman Haters (1934), the Three Stooges first film, with Columbia Pictures, that would launch a great 25 year career for them, it also was the first film they did, after their spilt from Ted Healy. Those shorts before this, have their own kind of charm, but involved a lot of music, singing and dancing, which probably carried over to Woman Haters (1934). It's an understandable transition.
I also noticed, Larry got more screen-time in this film too, compared to Moe and Curly. That aspect also looked like it was a carry-over from the Healy years too. Curly actually did more solo film work than both Moe & Larry combined, during these years. I guess, in those early, Healy years, the filmmakers probably felt Curly was a rookie and they wanted to keep the two brothers together, so Larry seemed to get his own separate sub-plot or they took him in a slightly different direction with his character, than Moe and Curly. That transition period would be over here and the musical-rhyming would end here too, because we will see the more popular form of the Stooges emerge in their next film, Punch Drunks (1934). However, the historical, significance of Woman Haters (1934), the fact, that Columbia actually produced a nicely polished film technically, created an interesting start for the Three Stooges. The problem with Woman Haters (1934), is the singing-dialogue gets old quick, the film itself gets old midway through and it ends up being a weak start for Moe, Larry and Curly. I call it the Healy hang-over.
6.4 (D+ MyGrade) = 6 IMDB.
I also noticed, Larry got more screen-time in this film too, compared to Moe and Curly. That aspect also looked like it was a carry-over from the Healy years too. Curly actually did more solo film work than both Moe & Larry combined, during these years. I guess, in those early, Healy years, the filmmakers probably felt Curly was a rookie and they wanted to keep the two brothers together, so Larry seemed to get his own separate sub-plot or they took him in a slightly different direction with his character, than Moe and Curly. That transition period would be over here and the musical-rhyming would end here too, because we will see the more popular form of the Stooges emerge in their next film, Punch Drunks (1934). However, the historical, significance of Woman Haters (1934), the fact, that Columbia actually produced a nicely polished film technically, created an interesting start for the Three Stooges. The problem with Woman Haters (1934), is the singing-dialogue gets old quick, the film itself gets old midway through and it ends up being a weak start for Moe, Larry and Curly. I call it the Healy hang-over.
6.4 (D+ MyGrade) = 6 IMDB.
A Good First Short Subject as The Three Stooges
dunaway7716 February 2008
"Woman Haters" is probably the best of The Three Stooges' work. It was the first official Three Stooges film (they were Ted Healy and His Stooges before this film). This was their first film for Columbia Pictures. It was the only Three Stooges film in which all of the lines rhymed, making the lines more memorable. "Woman Haters" had a catchy musical score to make the dialogue flow nicely. Marjorie White was an adorable leading lady in her role as Jim's(Larry)wife. Tiny Sanford made a small cameo appearance as a cop. "Woman Haters" was the only Three Stooges film that had Larry in a leading role. "Woman Haters" is definitely a good film for Stooge fans to see the Stooges do something completely different. It was an excellent film to start off The Three Stooges series.
A Failed Experiment
ccthemovieman-19 December 2006
We begin with a meeting of the Women Haters Club, dedicated to the idea that "romance is a crime!"
What's unusual about this short movie is that all the dialog is done in rhyme. I thought it would be kind of stupid but, to be honest, a lot of it is very clever - for about five minutes. Whoever wrote this did a pretty good job. The music is nice, too, but five minutes was enough. It's cool at first but wears thin in a hurry.
The emphasis on poetry and song drastically diminished the slapstick humor, the normal wisecracks and the atmosphere that made The Three Stooges what they were. I can see why this early experiment was just that: an experiment, and thankfully a one-time experience.
Just give me back the Stooges as they are - crude, violent, stupid and funny - with Curly and his squeaky voice, not singing poets, for cryin' out loud. This turned out to be one of the longest 20 minutes I've ever endured.
What's unusual about this short movie is that all the dialog is done in rhyme. I thought it would be kind of stupid but, to be honest, a lot of it is very clever - for about five minutes. Whoever wrote this did a pretty good job. The music is nice, too, but five minutes was enough. It's cool at first but wears thin in a hurry.
The emphasis on poetry and song drastically diminished the slapstick humor, the normal wisecracks and the atmosphere that made The Three Stooges what they were. I can see why this early experiment was just that: an experiment, and thankfully a one-time experience.
Just give me back the Stooges as they are - crude, violent, stupid and funny - with Curly and his squeaky voice, not singing poets, for cryin' out loud. This turned out to be one of the longest 20 minutes I've ever endured.
First Of Many
boblipton6 January 2024
The first Three Stooges short for Columbia is not a typical one. Their character names are Tom, Jim, and Jack, there's a musical score, and all the dialogue is in rhyme. Even so, there's plenty of hard-knock slapstick, and plenty of cast members -- in the depths of the Depression, a dollar of production money went a lot farther than it did with their last short in 1959. So this short about how the Stooges join the Woman Haters' Club, which causes a problem when Larry falls for Thelma White in her last role has a lot of familiar faces.
I should note that the IMDb trivial claims this is Bud Jamison's debut. It may have been for his appearance in Three Stooges shorts, but his more than 500 movie appearances go all the way back to 1915, when he was appearing in Chaplin shorts.
I should note that the IMDb trivial claims this is Bud Jamison's debut. It may have been for his appearance in Three Stooges shorts, but his more than 500 movie appearances go all the way back to 1915, when he was appearing in Chaplin shorts.
Musical Stoogery
LCShackley2 August 2006
This is a very bizarre entry in the Stooge canon. In many ways, it follows the basic layout of their other shorts, but it's tortured by a script entirely in verse. (Interestingly, the writer of the screenplay went on to write Bowery Boys films and episodes of the Mickey Dolenz vehicle CIRCUS BOY.) We don't really get to know the Stooge characters very well, and the token "beautiful dame" takes over the plot and plays the boys for...well, stooges.
What impresses me about this short is that I'm fairly certain they would have had to record the music and dialog live, in other words, voices and orchestra together. (Can anyone verify this?) The Stooges could do no improvising of dialog as a result, and they had to stay linked to the rhythm of the accompaniment. It's done very skillfully and cleverly; only a few times does the sync not work well (they rush or drag their lines a bit). This early short is a promise of things to come but much too tame to take top marks.
What impresses me about this short is that I'm fairly certain they would have had to record the music and dialog live, in other words, voices and orchestra together. (Can anyone verify this?) The Stooges could do no improvising of dialog as a result, and they had to stay linked to the rhythm of the accompaniment. It's done very skillfully and cleverly; only a few times does the sync not work well (they rush or drag their lines a bit). This early short is a promise of things to come but much too tame to take top marks.
Unique Early Stooges!
trw333200029 March 2002
After the 3 Stooges rid themselves of the highly annoying and abusive Ted Healy,(who was killed in a drunken brawl several years later), they were signed by Harry Cohn of Columbia for a few short films. We know 192 shorts and 23 years later they were rediscovered and revered as cult heros. Their characters were much more evolved in this first entry than any of the MGM films they did, where they yielded the spotlight to Ted Healy most of the time. Once their individual characters really materialized, by 1935, they did some of their best work. The surreal quality of Woman Haters, the lively music score and memorable song: "....for you...my life, my love, my all....." makes this an interesting first entry. A very good print is on the DVD release: "Curly Classics"
First Columbia Pictures Three Stooges Film Without Straight Man Ted Healy
springfieldrental10 March 2023
Moe and Curly Howard and Larry Fine had appeared in a number of MGM moves in 1933 with Ted Healy, a former vaudeville star who played straight man to the three. But when their studio's contract expired, the three decided to leave Ted and MGM. The trio secured a one-year contract with Columbia Pictures, and The Three Stooges proceeded to make the team's first independent short film in May 1934's "Woman Haters."
The Stooges were glad to call it a day from Healy, according to Moe Howard in his biography. After ten years with the cantankerous actor, Moe said, the three became weary of Healy's drinking and his abusive behavior, and decided to strike it on their own. Columbia executives felt The Three Stooges would fit perfectly in the studio's "Musical Novelties,'" a series of two-reels (about 20 minutes each), making their appearance the program's sixth installment. Because of the format, the Stooges found themselves in an unusual musical movie with rhyming dialogue. "Woman Haters" is the trio's first time they showed some of their signature gags they would become famous.
Stooges' film reviewer Bill Gibron writes, "The Three Stooges remain viable cinematic icons because, in an era which still embraced slapstick as viable everyman entertainment, they understood the rules, rewrote the syntax. Once they came along, their flawless bravado couldn't be matched. Instead, most bowed to the masters and moved along." "Woman Haters," is more of a romantic farce than their normal Stooge comedies, but it does contain a number of firsts in their oeuvre. Curly's use of 'woob-woob-woob-woob" and "Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk" debuted in the short. The two-figure eye-poke was introduced, but not by Moe. Veteran Bud Jamison, a regular in 38 Stooges films, delivers the eye-poke. Consistent with their schtick decades ahead, Moe dishes out most of the hits to Larry and Curly, although in their Columbia debut, he's on the receiving end of a few.
Unique to the game of their independence, the credits in the Stooges' "Woman Haters" don't list Moe, Larry and Curly names in its title. The studio gave them the fictitious names of Tom, Jim and Jackie respectfully. Larry is the center of attraction, one of only three Stooges' episodes he dominates. It wasn't until a 1950's short the Stooges were in a musical with rhyming dialogue. Director Archie Gottler, who also wrote the script for "Woman Haters," never worked with them again (except ironically for their final short, 1958's 'Sweet and Hot' with Joe Besser in place of Curly).
A young Walter Brennan, the three-time Oscar winner, plays the train conductor who's excited to join the Woman's Haters Club with the three comics. Brennan was seen in film since 1925, but was receiving only small roles. "Woman Haters" also marked the final movie for Marjorie White. The diminutive 4' 10" 103-pound actress was first in film in 1929, and played the character J-6 in the 1930 sci-fi picture "Just Imagine." A year later, while she was a passenger in a car traveling through Santa Monica, California, her driver sideswiped an automobile of a couple who had just been married an hour before. The crash killed White, the only person seriously injured in the crash. She recently had turned 31.
The future looked bright for the Stooges after their Columbia debut, with their popularity soaring over the next year. The studio took advantage of their initial contract that included a renewable clause. Columbia exercised the option and signed them to a $7,500 per film agreement (now equal to well-over $150,000 per short split three ways). Also, the contract called for them to produce eight shorts within 40 weeks, freeing them to do anything they wanted, including free-lancing, the other 12 weeks of the year.
Stooges' film reviewer Bill Gibron writes, "The Three Stooges remain viable cinematic icons because, in an era which still embraced slapstick as viable everyman entertainment, they understood the rules, rewrote the syntax. Once they came along, their flawless bravado couldn't be matched. Instead, most bowed to the masters and moved along." "Woman Haters," is more of a romantic farce than their normal Stooge comedies, but it does contain a number of firsts in their oeuvre. Curly's use of 'woob-woob-woob-woob" and "Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk" debuted in the short. The two-figure eye-poke was introduced, but not by Moe. Veteran Bud Jamison, a regular in 38 Stooges films, delivers the eye-poke. Consistent with their schtick decades ahead, Moe dishes out most of the hits to Larry and Curly, although in their Columbia debut, he's on the receiving end of a few.
Unique to the game of their independence, the credits in the Stooges' "Woman Haters" don't list Moe, Larry and Curly names in its title. The studio gave them the fictitious names of Tom, Jim and Jackie respectfully. Larry is the center of attraction, one of only three Stooges' episodes he dominates. It wasn't until a 1950's short the Stooges were in a musical with rhyming dialogue. Director Archie Gottler, who also wrote the script for "Woman Haters," never worked with them again (except ironically for their final short, 1958's 'Sweet and Hot' with Joe Besser in place of Curly).
A young Walter Brennan, the three-time Oscar winner, plays the train conductor who's excited to join the Woman's Haters Club with the three comics. Brennan was seen in film since 1925, but was receiving only small roles. "Woman Haters" also marked the final movie for Marjorie White. The diminutive 4' 10" 103-pound actress was first in film in 1929, and played the character J-6 in the 1930 sci-fi picture "Just Imagine." A year later, while she was a passenger in a car traveling through Santa Monica, California, her driver sideswiped an automobile of a couple who had just been married an hour before. The crash killed White, the only person seriously injured in the crash. She recently had turned 31.
The future looked bright for the Stooges after their Columbia debut, with their popularity soaring over the next year. The studio took advantage of their initial contract that included a renewable clause. Columbia exercised the option and signed them to a $7,500 per film agreement (now equal to well-over $150,000 per short split three ways). Also, the contract called for them to produce eight shorts within 40 weeks, freeing them to do anything they wanted, including free-lancing, the other 12 weeks of the year.
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