Violent Is the Word for Curly (1938) User Reviews

Now That's What I Call (Super) Service!

[ccthemovieman-1 · 9/10 · 4 March 2008]

Boy, have times changed, at least at gas stations in America.

In this film, we see the days in which you got a lot of personal service when you pulled up next to the pumps. It's exaggerated here.....big time! In this movie, the boys, who just got employed at the Acme Service Station, give you their version of "super service."

"Super service" with the Stooges means they not only will put gas in your automobile, but check the spark plugs, polish the car, oil and grease it, put water in the radiator, wash it, and give you a shave and haircut, press your pants and a lot more and three professors at the college find out when they pull into the station. They especially find out when the idiots put gas in the radiator and water in the gas tank!

That lunacy is just the start in this extremely wacky Stooges film. Soon, a frozen Curly is put on a spit and barbecued. Soon after that, the boys are mistaken for the professors - the ones the blew up at the gas station.

After that, well, I don't want to spoil everything. Suffice to say the boys - as professors' "Feinstein," "Frankfurter' and "von Stupid" - would be a little unorthodox in their teaching! It is a funny film and a good representation of the total craziness of Curly, Larry and Moe in the late '30s.

NOTES - Gladys Gale is a dead-ringer for Margaret Dumont, the foil in many of the Marx Brothers film. Gale plays "Mrs. Katsby," the head of a Mildew College, a women's college. In her snobbish tones, while watching gym class, she says things like, "In my day, we kept our noses in books and didn't around dressed like fan dancers!"

"Oh, mother," replies her very-hot daughter, played by Marjorie Deanne, who wears a revealing blouse. I am surprised that got by the censor.

The famous silent comedian, Charley Chase, directed this one. I think he did about a half dozen Three Stooges shorts in the late 1930s.

Top Shelf Stooges

[redryan64 · 9/10 · 10 June 2012]

CONTAINING A WHOLE slew of young starlets, putting the boys on the open road and a usually dependable ploy of putting the Stooges in the middle of an inextricable case of mistaken identity are all excellent reasons to recommend this short.

ADDING TO THESE, we have lively gags and an emphasis on music. Often an overlooked aspect of the Stooges' makeup, carrying a tune and being able to sing a little are definitely potent aspects of their arsenal. With this outing, they are able to display such prowess to good advantage. Their choice of "The Alphabet Song" probably couldn't have been better. Lively interplay with the female student body and the boys' novelty approach to making the music combine to make for the high points of this romp. *

THE EVER PRESENT questions about college athletics, both pro and con, are brought into focus as a sort of sidebar or subplot. As is now the case and was then; after seemingly endless amounts of rhetoric being expended, no one takes any real stand in the opposition to Collegiate Sports, he prosper to this very day. Wy, we'd venture to say that the 'Simon Pure' NCAA sanctioned competitions are stronger than ever! FROM THE BEGINNING to the movie's 2 reel ending, it's Stooges comedy at its very best. For our money, this comedy ranks at the top of the late 1930's output.

NOTE: * When the great 3 Stooges comeback occurred in 1958-59 with the release of their Columbia Shorts to the television market, Moe and Larry, now joined by Joe DeRita (as 'Curly Joe') cut a 33 1/3 LP vinyl record for Coral Records. Titled THE NONSENSE SONGBOOK, the featured fare was a collection of mostly novelty songs from the previous 50 years; with 'The Alphabet Song' being one of those so featured.

We had no idea of the song's history with the 3 Stooges, until about 20 years or so later; when we saw this short at St. Xavier's College in Chicago. We were accompanying our sister, Rose Mary and her boyfriend, Don.

Interestingly, the album is still available on CD or Casette.

Violent is the Word for Curly is one of the most fun of The Three Stooges shorts

[tavm · 9/10 · 1 August 2008]

Just saw this on Thad's Animation Blog (actually, rewatched would be the better word since I first viewed this in the late '70s on afternoon television). In this one, the boys are gas station attendants who are doing "super service" on three professors on their way to a college they've been hired for. But the Stooges' inept errands has the car they're working on blowing up, so Moe, Larry, and Curly end up running for their lives. They then disguise themselves as those men as a case of mistaken identity ensues...Quite hilarious from beginning to end with the highlight being the "Swinging the Alphabet" number. Especially loved Curly's contribution and the girls' admonition of "Curly's a dope!" afterwards! Directed with great fun by comedian Charley Chase.

B-A, Bay. B-E, bee. B-I, bickey-bye...

[curly-17 · 9 May 2001]

Working at a gas station, the 3 Stooges provide "super service" to three visiting European college professors. They accidentally blow up their car, and escape by borrowing a truck "Yukon Ice Cream Co., frozen dainties." Since Curly fell asleep in the back, he becomes a frozen dainty. Moe and Larry barbecue Curly to thaw him out, Moe quips, "20 minutes to a pound-- we'll be here a month." Donning the caps and gowns the professors had in their luggage, the 3 Stooges hitch a ride to Mildew College. Their academic lesson consists of leading the girls in singing along with the very catchy number, "Swingin' the Alphabet." B-A, Bay. B-E, bee. B-I, bickey-bye, (etc.) When the real college professors arrive, they announce they are going to leave the college, but the Stooges get them to come back-- with a bang.

This story was written by the incomparable Elwood Ullman. In the 1930s, he had written for the legendary magazine "Captain Billy's Whiz Bang," which in 1939 inspired "Whiz Comics" in which Billy Batson became Captain Marvel with the Bang of a magical thunderbolt. Elwood would write 37 "Three Stooges" shorts, 14 Bowery Boys movies, and capped his career by writing 2 "bikini" movies for AIP. This short was the debut for Marjorie Deanne (Miss Katsby), her first film in which she played a character with a name. In Marjorie's 6-year film career, she would be in 2 other Stooges shorts: "Dutiful But Dumb" (1941) and "Matri-Phony" (1942). Trivia: the title of this short is a spoof of the movie "Valiant Is the Word for Carrie" (1936).

Violent is the Word for Curly

[Smells_Like_Cheese · 10/10 · 7 May 2005]

I'm still swinging to the alphabet with this hilarious episode of the Three Stooges. Basically Moe, Larry, and Curly screw up their job cleaning and filling up cars with gas. When they run away, the get into a very wet situation causing them to steal professor gowns to stay dry. But when the dean of students over at Mildew Academy thinks that they are the three brilliant professors that they've been looking for, the boys take the job without asking. They have fun with the academy instead of teaching knowledge. This is one of the best stooge shorts, and I would highly recommend it.

10/10

Great Three Stooges short!

[Movie Nuttball · 10/10 · 25 March 2005]

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!

One of the most hilarious Three Stooges shorts is Violent is the word for Curly. In this short are Marjorie Deanne, Eddie Fetherston, Gladys Gale, Pat Gleason, Bud Jamison, and John T. Murray, and Al Thompson. The acting by these actors are all very good especially by Jamison and Deanne. There are many funny scenes here that I think most Three Stooges fans will love! In My opinion this one of the most different Three Stooges shorts. I recommend this one to all!

When finding Corona was a good thing.

[BlackJack_B · 10/10 · 29 July 2020]

The strangely named Three Stooges short Violent Is the Word for Curly is packed with action during its 18 minute run time and offers some classic situations that make it one of their quintessential efforts.

The boys have gotten jobs as service men at a gas station. They are to offer "Super Service" to their customers but instead give 'Stupid Service". Three German professors (Feinstein, Frankfurter and Von Stupor) make the mistake of having their lunch while the Stooges "service" their jalopy. The results are hilarious and a lunch is ruined. Another customer comes in, asking to check on his ice truck. After they destroy the professor's jalopy, they escape in the ice truck which contains the professor's suitcases that Larry threw into said truck.

After the truck runs out of gas, they find out they have to thaw out Curly because he now resembles a frozen dainty. They put him on a spit and after he thaws out he jumps into a creek because he's seared. After dragging Moe and Larry into the creek, the boys dress up in the professor's clothes and are found by Mrs. Catsby of Mildew College; who thinks they're the German professors.

The Stooges wreak havoc on the college but also get the girls to perform a quaint version of "Swingin' The Alphabet". The real professors eventually show up at Mildew and the Stooges do what they can to keep them from leaving.

Violent is packed with a lot of content and classic bits and gags. It probably would have been better if the Stooges made longer shorts but as is this one is still very entertaining after dozens of viewings

It's The Alphabet Song of which as much makes the title and the feature.

[Stebaer4 · 10/10 · 8 September 2019]

Yes The Alphabet song makes as much the feature as it does music history.If there's ever any editing job whatsoever and especially without the song then it's just not the same.A good example of this is that when The Family Channel adapted the 3 Stooges for a time they as my,no pun intended,3rd Cousin Raymond E. DiPirro said they butchered them beyond recognition.But I wont say to what other extent that's not suitable for this site.So He and various other fans and I boycotted The Family Channel.

Coitainy, Stephen "Steve" G. Baer a.k.a. "Ste" of Framingham,MA USA

Entertaining short from the Three Stooges

[rbverhoef · 7/10 · 9 January 2004]

The Three Stooges are working at a gas station and their first customers are three famous professors from Europe. The stooges blow up their car and steal some of their clothes. When they are mistaken for the professors they end up at a women's college where they have to talk about their work.

Moe, Larry and Curly have made another fine short. I had a pretty good time and some of the violent jokes are quite good, especially one involving a woman near the end. Finally the word "violent" is in the title because you have to admit that the stooges are a little too violent sometimes. Still, this one is very nice.

censorship rears it's ugly head

[eaamon · 8/10 · 14 December 2014]

this always was one of my favorite movies. but curly's own piece was cut from the movie. the original name for this movie was, "The Boys go to College." so what happened? since most readers here are YOUNG. they missed out on the original cut of this. Spoiler: student body introductions started with Larry. after Larry was introduced he was asked a question and responded with a blank stare. Moe stepped in and got the swinging the alphabet after he was introduced. this was cut to the "Curly is a dope." then Curly was introduced and he started the student body and as he was he had the ladies repeat after him. quote; "if at first you don't succeed, keep on $******* till you do $ucceed." I may get banned from here telling the truth. Curly had the girls repeat this several times and their charming voices did it just fine. so many later copies I have seen have Curly finishing up the alphabet song by himself.....(current title) I believe he was violent because he may have done the boys go to college one, on the fly so to speak. and it was yanked/pulled and he was forced to remake. so many of their films had little hints, like the fish salesmen wagon had fish by 'Hook, Line and Sinker." it would be nice to see the original again but I might be dreamin' for sure. it was out before tapes and DVDs. otherwise it would get 10 out of 10 stars....

fine Stooges

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 10 January 2020]

Mildew College is a women's college expecting three new professors. Gas station attendants Larry, Curly, and Moe are left in charge. The three upper class professors stop at the station looking for service. The boys blow up the car and escape stealing an ice cream truck with the professors' suitcases. They don on the professors' robes and get mistaken for the real deal. Then the actual professors show up at the college. It's a fine Stooges. They have plenty of comedic actions. Blowing up the car seems a bit cheap. The singing is a little odd. The story is a bit random. There is a bit too many blowing up. It's perfectly fine Curly Stooges.

A Classic Song is this Feature's key and Rhythm.

[Stebaer4 · 10/10 · 3 June 2015]

Yes this feature made famous The Alphabet Song a.k.a. The Crazy Alphabet Song as it was first featured in a remade version of which heard on The Radio Show Dr.Demento on Dr. Demento from a record album of which varies a little differently with Curley-Joe but onward to the feature.

Moe,Larry,and Curley a.s.a.,for also seen as,Curly are mistaken for 3 professors when after they find in the back of a truck The Graduation Caps and Gowns and while hitch hiking are mistaken for Professors Feinstein,Frankfurter,and Von Stupor. Moe then Ask's "Stupid you must mean him and so that's how Curley got that for his false name & Moe Got to be Frankfurter and Larry got to Feinstein because of his real last name being Fine but originally was Feinberg but got shortened to fine since 1922 in real life.Many times these guys are featured as Howard,fine,and Howard in these features.

Early in this feature the Stooges wait on The 3 real professors wash their car and even shave them,and spray their glasses' and windshields with Moe Saying "Now that's what I call Super Service."Also Curley upon putting Gasoline into the radiator instead of the gas tank also falls asleep from inhaling the fumes then the car blows up and with the engine cover landing upon their heads.

The 3 Professors upon finding out about The 3 Stooges "impersonating" them create a basketball filled with Nitroglycerin upon being humiliated The Teacher,Mrs.Katzby says she'll forgive everything and get the College an athletic fund upon getting the 3 professors back throw the basketball over the bush and then the 3 professors come right over the bush upon the impact of the explosion.Then Moe says "Now that's what I call Super Service."

The usual ingredients

[Horst_In_Translation · 4/10 · 30 October 2015]

"Violent Is the Word for Curly" is pretty much a typical 3 stooges short. It runs for 18 minutes, like they usually do, is still in black-and-white, has sound, was remade later by the trio and has even more music than usual. Not only is Larry playing the violin again this time, but there is also lots of singing in here, by the Stooges as well as their female co-actors. This was made over 75 years ago, shortly before World War II and the Stooges weren't political at this time yet. Curley was probably the biggest star of the trio at this point as you can see by his inclusion in the title, even if the title is really random and has nothing to do with the story really. However, the fact that Curly is still in here before he had to leave the group due to health reason shows that this was done during the earlier days of the Stooges. No Shemp yet and certainly none of the guys that followed his sudden and unexpected death. The film can basically be split in 2 halves. The first has the Stooges as gas station attendants causing mayhem and in the second half they are mistaken for renowned university professors. But the real professors are ready for their revenge. The writers Giebler and Ullman worked on many Stooges films. The director is Charley Chase, one of the most influential names of the silent era in terms of acting. He made this one not long before his untimely death in 1940. This little movie here is often considered one of the Stooges finest works, but I cannot agree. I have seen several better ones and, all in all, I do not recommend the watch. Thumbs down.

Groucho

[tedg · 13 December 2005]

I saw this with another Stooges short, "The Sitter-Downers." By the late 30's they were trying all sorts of forms. "Sitter" was based on a famous Keaton gag. This is based on the Marx brothers form.

The three take the identities of professors at a girl's school. There's a Margaret Dumaont character, and what you'll see in terms of gags are half Marx and half Stooge.

At the beginning is a pretty sexy shot of one of the young women in a seethrough clingy silk athletic blouse. Postcode adventure I guess. This was Marjorie Deanne who appeared in a couple dozen movies as the designated cheesecake.

Ted's Evaluation -- 1 of 3: You can find something better to do with this part of your life.

The Stooges' Classic The Alphabet Song

[springfieldrental · 8/10 · 7 January 2024]

The secret for the success of The Three Stooges was their hard work behind the scenes. The three would read the upcoming film's script and fine-tune the comedy bits until they wore out their directors from rehearsing. A good example finds the three posing as college professors in July 1938's "Violent is the Word for Curly."

While in front of a college class, the three proceed to teach the students how to remember the letters of the alphabet written on the blackboard. Comedian Charley Chase, director for "Violent is the Word for Curly," remembered as a boy his family's maid would sing the 1875 composer Septimus Winner song 'The Spelling Bee' to teach him the alphabet. He adapted her lessons to the Stooges film by renaming it 'The Alphabet Song.' Moe led off with a pointer singing each letter beginning with "B": "B-A-bay, B-E-bee, B-I-bicky-bi, B-O bo, bicky-bi bo, B-U bu, bicky bi bo bu." Curley belts out a couple of letters, intermixed with the singing students getting the hang of it by tackling a few. The sequence turned out to be one of the Stooges' more famous skits, credited because of all the rehearsing and fine-tuning The Three Stooges did to the song.

"Violence is the Word for Curly," whose title is a modification of RKO Pictures' 1936 film 'Valiant is the Word for Carrie,' follows the Stooges as they begin their first day on the job as gas station attendants. Their first customer is a car with three visiting college professors, whose luggage the Stooges throw into an ice cream truck parked next to them to clean the interior of their car. Things get so chaotic the three escape in the truck with Curly trapped in the back refrigerator. Running out of gas, Moe and Larry discover Curly frozen in the ice cream storage compartment. They put him on a rotating spit above a fire to thaw him out. During filming, future Stooge director Edward Bernds, assisting on the production, noticed Curly's weight prevented Larry and Moe from turning the crank. "The straps holding him slipped and he was hanging directly over the fire," Bernds remembered, when a sudden gust of wind kicked up the flames. "Before they could get him off, he was pretty well seared. Curly was hollering his head off, and I don't blame him. Being roasted alive belongs to the Inquisition, not making two-reel comedies." "Violent is the Word for Curly" is also known for being colorized from black-and-white much later. Trouble was the color made the female college students, dressed in athletic shear tops with nothing underneath them, transparent in the scenes they're playing basketball.

In The Three Stooges' earlier 31st entry, May 1938 "Healthy, Wealthy and Dumb," Curly won $50,000 in a radio contest. They decide to splurge in a fancy hotel stay, only to be unsuccessfully fleeced by three pretty gold diggers residing in the next room. The title was a parody on Ben Franklin's advice, "early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise." Actress Lucille Lund, 25, plays one of the ladies cozying up to the Stooges. She's best known for her role as the wife of the Boris Karloff character in 1934's horror classic "The Black Cat."

"Screwball" is the word for this comedy!

[slymusic · 2 September 2009]

"Violent Is the Word for Curly" is a wonderful Three Stooges short in which the plot and situations are absolutely daffy! Curly, Larry, and Moe are service station attendants, soon to be mistaken for European college professors. Just the thought of this premise is wacky enough!

Highlights: The most celebrated and well-loved sequence in this short is that of the Stooges and the college girls performing the classic musical number "Swingin' the Alphabet" (Charley Chase, the director of this film, was known to be a music lover). In the lengthy opening sequence, the boys demonstrate "super service" at their gas station when they cause nothing but misery for the three European professors whose automobile they try to service and subsequently blow up. One of the most mind-blowing moments ever to occur in a Three Stooges short involves Moe and Larry thawing out a frozen Curly tied onto a revolving spit; no wonder Curly was screaming in pain for Moe and Larry (and subsequently the film crew) to get him the hell off!

"Violent Is the Word for Curly" was made at a time when screwball comedy was in vogue. It's highly debatable as to which Stooge film is the screwiest of them all, but this particular short has to be in the top ten.