This is another Stooges short with a Western setting, which has some nice backwoods scenery but is otherwise routine. Here, the boys are swindlers run out of town by the customers of a saloon; they subsequently have to fend for themselves, where we get a good gag which has Curly trying to procure food by going underwater and shooting at the fish! Eventually, they reach a log-cabin the property of one of their 'victims' and whose wife has been abducted by Indians; coincidentally, The Stooges disguise themselves as Native Americans which, of course, incurs the trapper's wrath (and also gives the film its title!). At the finale, our heroes are back in town believing their Indian disguise will fool the locals but, on the run once again soon after, they unwittingly lock themselves up in jail!
9 Reviews
Claimed To Be The Most Politically Incorrect Stooges Film
springfieldrental14 August 2023
In September 1936's "Whoops, I'm an Indian!" the politically correct crowd has labeled this as the threesome's most offensive short. The Stooges go back in time to the Old West as dishonest gamblers. Woodsman Pierre (Bud Jamison) catches on to their cheating ways, and vows to teach them a lesson. Running away from the law, the Stooges unknowingly seek shelter in Pierre's cabin, and disguise themselves as Native Americans. Their costumes create quite a bit of confusion when Pierre returns and sees the three Indians in his cabin.
The title was based on a popular Fanny Brice song at the time, "I'm an Indian," from the 1918 hit play 'Why Worry?' The tune was reprised in her part-talkie 1928 film 'My Man.' In the late 1800s and early 1900s, there was a connection between America's natives and the newly-arrived Jewish population to the United States, who both were trying to preserve their traditions of their vanishing cultural state. The ties between the two were prominent in many early film comedies, and the Stooges contributed to this body of work. As Ethnomusicologist Mark Slobin wrote, "The comic side of the Indian-Jewish connection is a vein richly worked throughout the history of Jewish-American and mainstream entertainment, down through Hollywood films of the 1970s such as 'Blazing Saddles' and 'The Frisco Kid.'
The title was based on a popular Fanny Brice song at the time, "I'm an Indian," from the 1918 hit play 'Why Worry?' The tune was reprised in her part-talkie 1928 film 'My Man.' In the late 1800s and early 1900s, there was a connection between America's natives and the newly-arrived Jewish population to the United States, who both were trying to preserve their traditions of their vanishing cultural state. The ties between the two were prominent in many early film comedies, and the Stooges contributed to this body of work. As Ethnomusicologist Mark Slobin wrote, "The comic side of the Indian-Jewish connection is a vein richly worked throughout the history of Jewish-American and mainstream entertainment, down through Hollywood films of the 1970s such as 'Blazing Saddles' and 'The Frisco Kid.'
Familiar Territory, But Still Great Stuff
ccthemovieman-125 August 2008
Warning: Spoilers
It's amazing how many times the Three Stooges dress up as woman and some poor sap falls for Curly, and Our Favorite Stooge, has to deal with it. Invariably the same things happen: 1 - Curly and whomever get married right away; 2 - the guy chases Curly around the room trying to make advances; and 3 - Curly's wig falls off and the big doofuss finally figures out Curly is a man; 4 - Curly (along with Larry and Moe) now run for their lives.
That's what happens in this story, and I've seen the same thing in a half dozen other Stooges yarns. The big dope who falls for Curly in this movie is one of the all-time favorite actors of TS films: Bud Jamison. Bud plays "Pierre," a Frenchman back in the days of log cabins, coonskin caps and wild saloons.
The Stooges are cheaters in a gambling scheme in one of the bars. They get caught and run for their lives. Wanted posters go up everywhere with a reward - "Dead or In Bad Shape" - for the Stooges.
We see how the boys try to live out in the woods with a lot of standard hunting and fishing gags. The best part is when they wind up in Pierre's log cabin and total insanity takes over as the boys don Indian costumes to try to fool the sheriff and his posse.
Tell me if this sample of dialog sounds just like the Stooges.
(Sheriff enters cabin and sees three Indians):
Moe: "How"
Larry: "How"
Curly: "How ya doin?"
Curly, as usual, comes up with a lot of good material, some of it subtle with just a quick mannerism or facial expression. I always wondered if history has given him his due as one of the great American comedians of all time. I think he was, an perhaps under-appreciated.
That's what happens in this story, and I've seen the same thing in a half dozen other Stooges yarns. The big dope who falls for Curly in this movie is one of the all-time favorite actors of TS films: Bud Jamison. Bud plays "Pierre," a Frenchman back in the days of log cabins, coonskin caps and wild saloons.
The Stooges are cheaters in a gambling scheme in one of the bars. They get caught and run for their lives. Wanted posters go up everywhere with a reward - "Dead or In Bad Shape" - for the Stooges.
We see how the boys try to live out in the woods with a lot of standard hunting and fishing gags. The best part is when they wind up in Pierre's log cabin and total insanity takes over as the boys don Indian costumes to try to fool the sheriff and his posse.
Tell me if this sample of dialog sounds just like the Stooges.
(Sheriff enters cabin and sees three Indians):
Moe: "How"
Larry: "How"
Curly: "How ya doin?"
Curly, as usual, comes up with a lot of good material, some of it subtle with just a quick mannerism or facial expression. I always wondered if history has given him his due as one of the great American comedians of all time. I think he was, an perhaps under-appreciated.
Who is chief Afuntagribbinis
pwilson-8676222 November 2022
In the episode, Curly says he belongs to Chief Vanderpuss, although the closed captioning says Chief Ratapuss, and Moe says he belongs to Chief Afuntagribbinis~ that's how the closed captioning spells it. I am unable to find out anything about Afunta Gribbinis or Afuntagribbinis. What am I missing? Or what is he really saying? In the episode, Curly says he belongs to Chief Vanderpuss, although the closed captioning says Chief Ratapuss, and Moe says he belongs to Chief Afuntagribbinis~ that's how the closed captioning spells it. I am unable to find out anything about Afunta Gribbinis or Afuntagribbinis. What am I missing? Or what is he really saying?
Stooges as Indians
Horst_In_Translation30 April 2016
Warning: Spoilers
"Whoops, I'm an Indian!" is a relatively early Three Stooges cartoon. It is basically the usual. Moe and Larry are on board and Curly is also still there. Director is Del Lord and he made several of these Stooges short films. Runtime is the usual again too with slightly over 17 minutes. The trio once again gets in trouble while trying to cheat during gambling and their way of hiding this time is by dressing up as Indians. But sooner than later, love gets in the way in the most unpleasant way for Curly. Oh my, maybe it would have been better to stand up for what they did and avoid all the complications and chaos that ensues. But they would not be the Stooges if they did so right? Anyway, I personally have seen better Stooges than this one here. The comedy is not spot-on and it is really more loud and chaotic than truly entertaining. i give it a thumbs down.
Great Three Stooges short! Bud Jamison is great!
Movie Nuttball26 September 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 one of The Three Stooges' best western shorts! Its very funny. Bud Jamison puts on a fantastic performance! His accent is very authentic and his personality is cool. There are many hilarious scenes here including the fishing scenes! I seriously recommend this Three Stooges short to all Three Stooges fans!
This is one of The Three Stooges' best western shorts! Its very funny. Bud Jamison puts on a fantastic performance! His accent is very authentic and his personality is cool. There are many hilarious scenes here including the fishing scenes! I seriously recommend this Three Stooges short to all Three Stooges fans!
Weaker Stooge short
Michael_Elliott25 February 2008
Whoops I'm an Indian (1936)
** (out of 4)
Lazy short from The Three Stooges has them wanted by the law so they dress as Indians but then run into a man whose wife left him for one. The jokes here are pretty standard and routine and there really weren't any laugh at loud moments. The fishing scene is probably the highlight but even this wasn't that funny.
Now available on Columbia's 2-disc set, which features over 20 shorts, all digitally remastered and looking better than ever. If you're a fan of the Stooges then this is a must own.
** (out of 4)
Lazy short from The Three Stooges has them wanted by the law so they dress as Indians but then run into a man whose wife left him for one. The jokes here are pretty standard and routine and there really weren't any laugh at loud moments. The fishing scene is probably the highlight but even this wasn't that funny.
Now available on Columbia's 2-disc set, which features over 20 shorts, all digitally remastered and looking better than ever. If you're a fan of the Stooges then this is a must own.
Rather slow film
oscar-3513 December 2012
Warning: Spoilers
*Spoiler/plot- Whoops, I'm an Indian, 1936. The Stooges prove how the West was funny with their crooked gambling scheme exposed by the townspeople so the boys disguise themselves as Indians to escape a posse.
*Special Stars- The Three Stooges: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard. Bud Jamison, Elaine Waters, Beatrice Blynn
*Theme- Crime doesn't pay, but is funny.
*Trivia/location/goofs- B & W, Columbia Pictures, film short, pre WW2,
*Emotion- A rather slow film with the low-key unexciting acting of the supporting cast, but somewhat saved by The Stooge's energy. The comedy situations are too expected and staged so boring. It's not the best from The Stooges.
*Special Stars- The Three Stooges: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard. Bud Jamison, Elaine Waters, Beatrice Blynn
*Theme- Crime doesn't pay, but is funny.
*Trivia/location/goofs- B & W, Columbia Pictures, film short, pre WW2,
*Emotion- A rather slow film with the low-key unexciting acting of the supporting cast, but somewhat saved by The Stooge's energy. The comedy situations are too expected and staged so boring. It's not the best from The Stooges.
"$333.33 Reward - Dead or in Bad Shape"
slymusic15 March 2006
Warning: Spoilers
"Whoops, I'm an Indian!" falls short of being an "A+" Three Stooges comedy, but it still has its funny moments. Directed by Del Lord, it is one of a handful of Stooge films that casts the boys as scoundrels who run afoul of the law (whereas a majority of the time, the boys portray good guys out to help others).
Highlights from this short include the following (if you have not yet seen it, don't read any further). At the film's opening, Larry uses a concealed horseshoe magnet to the Stooges' advantage for their crooked roulette game, but they don't get away with it for too long. When Moe asks Curly what he did with all the money the Stooges won from their shady roulette game, Curly replies, "I threw it away so I could run faster." A bit later, when Moe spots Larry with a bundle of supplies, he asks Larry if he stole them. Larry answers, "What do you think I am, a crook? I just took it." During the fishing scene, Moe keeps catching fish that are not the requisite size for three men to eat ("What are you doin' out of bed? Go back and get your big brother....So you're the big brother, huh? Go fetch your old man!"). Also during this scene, Curly accidentally hooks himself and then gets clubbed by Moe when he suggests baiting the fish with chewing tobacco. And finally, the boys hop aboard a canoe and cross the lake with one paddle stroke.
"Whoops, I'm an Indian!" is not a big winner in the Three Stooges film library, but aside from the highlights mentioned above, this short benefits greatly from the appearance of Bud Jamison as a burly French-Canadian fur trapper named Pierre. Unshaven, with a thick accent and a hot temper, Pierre becomes a perfect foil for the Buckskin Stooges, who soon get themselves into more trouble with their Indian disguises and ultimately wind up in jail, where they belong.
Highlights from this short include the following (if you have not yet seen it, don't read any further). At the film's opening, Larry uses a concealed horseshoe magnet to the Stooges' advantage for their crooked roulette game, but they don't get away with it for too long. When Moe asks Curly what he did with all the money the Stooges won from their shady roulette game, Curly replies, "I threw it away so I could run faster." A bit later, when Moe spots Larry with a bundle of supplies, he asks Larry if he stole them. Larry answers, "What do you think I am, a crook? I just took it." During the fishing scene, Moe keeps catching fish that are not the requisite size for three men to eat ("What are you doin' out of bed? Go back and get your big brother....So you're the big brother, huh? Go fetch your old man!"). Also during this scene, Curly accidentally hooks himself and then gets clubbed by Moe when he suggests baiting the fish with chewing tobacco. And finally, the boys hop aboard a canoe and cross the lake with one paddle stroke.
"Whoops, I'm an Indian!" is not a big winner in the Three Stooges film library, but aside from the highlights mentioned above, this short benefits greatly from the appearance of Bud Jamison as a burly French-Canadian fur trapper named Pierre. Unshaven, with a thick accent and a hot temper, Pierre becomes a perfect foil for the Buckskin Stooges, who soon get themselves into more trouble with their Indian disguises and ultimately wind up in jail, where they belong.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
