"Half-Wits Holiday" is a Three Stooges short that is memorable for one right reason and one wrong reason. The right reason is that it marked the Stooge film debut of Emil Sitka, who plays Sappington the butler; Sitka would go on to become one of the most beloved character actors in Stooge films with Shemp Howard, Joe Besser, and Curly-Joe DeRita. The wrong reason is that this short marked the final appearance of Curly Howard as one of the Stooges; after being quite ill during his last dozen or so Stooge shorts, he suffered a stroke on the set of "Half-Wits Holiday" just before the filming of the climactic pie fight. Since Curly is not seen at all during the pie fight, the audience (at least those who do not know the history of the Stooges) is inclined to wonder why he disappeared.
In spite of Curly's severe illness and eventual absence, "Half-Wits Holiday" is still a very good Three Stooges short directed by Jules White. The main highlight of the picture is the pie fight, and some of my other favorite moments from the film include the following. Mrs. Smythe Smythe (Symona Boniface) walks over towards Moe just as he tosses a pie upward onto the ceiling. She tells him, "Young man, what's wrong? You act as though the sword of Damocles is hanging over your head." When Moe is finally able to get away, Mrs. Smythe Smythe looks up and gets splatted. (Supposedly, it was during this scene that Curly suffered his stroke.) Among the numerous funny gags at the dining room table, Curly nudges in front of Moe with the hopes of being able to sit close to Ms. Lulu (Barbara Slater). But Moe takes Curly's chair out from under him, and Curly takes a fall. And finally, the Stooges belong to the Amalgamated Association of Morons, Local 6 7/8, and they prove it by their funny faces.
It can be quite distracting to notice Curly's lack of energy throughout the film, but don't be misled. "Half-Wits Holiday" is an enjoyable Three Stooges comedy despite Curly's physical condition. Do not, therefore, overlook the good points of this film.
In spite of Curly's severe illness and eventual absence, "Half-Wits Holiday" is still a very good Three Stooges short directed by Jules White. The main highlight of the picture is the pie fight, and some of my other favorite moments from the film include the following. Mrs. Smythe Smythe (Symona Boniface) walks over towards Moe just as he tosses a pie upward onto the ceiling. She tells him, "Young man, what's wrong? You act as though the sword of Damocles is hanging over your head." When Moe is finally able to get away, Mrs. Smythe Smythe looks up and gets splatted. (Supposedly, it was during this scene that Curly suffered his stroke.) Among the numerous funny gags at the dining room table, Curly nudges in front of Moe with the hopes of being able to sit close to Ms. Lulu (Barbara Slater). But Moe takes Curly's chair out from under him, and Curly takes a fall. And finally, the Stooges belong to the Amalgamated Association of Morons, Local 6 7/8, and they prove it by their funny faces.
It can be quite distracting to notice Curly's lack of energy throughout the film, but don't be misled. "Half-Wits Holiday" is an enjoyable Three Stooges comedy despite Curly's physical condition. Do not, therefore, overlook the good points of this film.