The Three Stooges: Cops and Robbers (1936-1949)
Review by Doc Ezra
Film:
DVD:

Starring: Larry Fine, Moe Howard, Shemp Howard, and Curly Howard

Features:

• Remastered audio and video
  
• Six episodes
  

Rating: NR, suitable for most audiences

Anamorphic: N/A

My Advice: Pass. It was funnier when we were ten.

One of the chief advantages of the DVD format is the ability to rescue the classics of TV and film, preserving them for future generations on a more durable medium than traditional reels and tapes. So it was only a matter of time before The Three Stooges got their place in posterity. Herein are a half-dozen episodes, all connected by the theme of “Cops and Robbers” (though some a bit loosely connected, I will say).

The first thought that struck me upon watching these episodes was that all of it was not nearly as funny as I remembered. I don’t know if it’s merely the years that have passed since I last watched any of the Stooges’ stuff, or if modern sensibility has really so deeply brainwashed me that slapstick comedy of their particular flavor just doesn’t appeal anymore. Adding to the problem is the fact that these are just not very good episodes. I can distinctly remember the plots of a few dozen episodes, and only one of those on the disc, “Disorder in the Court” is among those memorable shows.

The disc also includes two Shemp episodes, which anybody knows are inferior to those involving Curly. Why you’d put together a selection of episodes and even bother to include Shemp is beyond me (though it could be worse – it could have been Joe). I think they should just wait until they’ve already collected the episodes they want, and put out a pair of discs with Shemp episodes to appease those misguided souls that think he’s funnier than Curly.

Of extras there are none, which is disappointing. I’m sure some TV historian could have said a few words about the influence of the Three Stooges on the popular culture of the time, and their part in the early development of television as a medium. Of course, the average Stooges fan isn’t likely to be interested in such an academic analysis of the comedy of the Brothers Howard and Fine. In addition to the lack of extras, the remastering of the video still leaves quite a lot to be desired (though I suspect the original of being in such bad shape, there's only so much one can do, but so much popping and crackling of both audio and video remain it's distracting). The animated menus, which I'm sure someone thought were clever, just prove tedious, as each screen takes a full thirty seconds to finish its animation before any selections can be made.

Basically, if my memory serves me correctly, you should hold out for a collection of episodes tied together by a golfing theme, as I recall those being pretty amusing to the last. If you’re a huge fan, then you’ll probably want this disc, but it would be nice if somebody would actually give the fans a little extra of some kind, for sticking with the series this long.