Self Made Maids (1950)

Simply Perfect

A lot of fun.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

The worst Stooge short is, without a doubt, "Cuckoo on a Choo Cho", made two years after this, but this is a close second. I can't think of ANY shorts with Joe Besser that are funny, but even the worst of those abysmal efforts pales in comparison with this and "Cuckoo" (as bad as the Joe Bessers are, I'never never given any of them a "2", as I did for this one). No use going over the "plot", as other reviewers have taken care of that. Suffice it to say that this short is almost completely humorless (in that respect it's one up on "Cuckoo", which WAS completely humorless). The Stooges play themselves and their girlfriends, all of them badly. The physical stuff--head butts, eyepokes, etc.--are without exception very poorly done and the "script", for lack of a better word, is witless, the Stooges' delivery is way off and the whole thing is a huge waste of time and should never have been made. It's embarrassing and painful to watch. Skip it at all costs.

Yikes - Moe, Larry and Shemp play themselves AND their finances, "Moella," "Larraine," and "Shempetta." You can easily identify the last two but Moe did a good job (and is the ugliest woman ever!). I wouldn't have known it was him. Moe plays a third role - the "girls" father, in which he actually looks very distinguished with a normal hairstyle. However, twice he was in the same scene and he spoke with his lips not moving! The costume and makeup department worked overtime on this picture but Columbia Picturs saved money as the Three Stooges were the only actors in the movie.They also played Scottish bagpipers and newly-born babies and maybe an outfit or two I forgot.....Also, there was a good "I'm mortified" Jimmy Durante impression, done by Larry The boys are French artists but not exactly Monets. For instance, Shemp paints upside down paintings. The "girls" pose for them despite having ants all over them! There is lots of kissing, holding hands, and hugging here - a little too much considering it's all just between the Stooges!

Give the Stooges credit: they weren't afraid to experiment. Imagine, portraying their own girlfriends! They did a clever job, and did not have to rely on camera trickery (Columbia's shorts department would not have provided them with sufficient funds to do so, anyway). The Stooges did a little "mix'n'match," but to be honest, I can't remember who was paired with whom. Let's see, was Moe Shempetta's boyfriend? Well, anyway, the Stooges weren't exactly attractive women, but they did have a sort of home-spun innocent charm. Now there's a triple marriage I would have absolutely loved to see. Too bad the ladies' old man is dead set against it, and perhaps you can't blame the guy. Now I love Moe, but three roles were just too many. I think Vernon Dent would have been great as the girls' father, but, what the hell, Moe still works. I think after this short was made, the world witnessed a spate of occurrences where prospective bridegrooms tickled their intended spouses' father into submission to procure his permission to marry his daughter. This was about 1950, right? Remember that famous case in Tunisia? Those Stooges, they were innovators, years ahead of their time. Just watch this surreal film, and you will agree.

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! I think this Three Stooges Short with Shemp is really good. The Stooges put on very good performances as not only their characters but also their love interests! Also Moe plays the girls' father as well greatly. Many funny things happen here. I recommend this Three Stooges short!