''Hoofs and Goofs'' is a 1957

short subject A short film is a film with a low running time. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) defines a short film as "an original motion picture that has a running time of not more than 40 minutes including all credits". Other film or ...

directed by

Jules White Jules White (born Julius Weiss; 17 September 1900 – 30 April 1985) was an American film director and producer best known for his short-subject comedies starring The Three Stooges. Early years White began working in motion pictures in the ...

starring American

slapstick Slapstick is a style of humor involving exaggerated physical activity that exceeds the boundaries of normal physical comedy. Slapstick may involve both intentional violence and violence by mishap, often resulting from inept use of props such as ...

comedy team

The Three Stooges The Three Stooges were an American vaudeville and comedy team active from 1922 until 1970, best remembered for their 190 short-subject films by Columbia Pictures. Their hallmark styles were physical, farce, and slapstick comedy. Six total ...

(

Moe Howard Moses Harry Horwitz (June 19, 1897 – May 4, 1975), better known by his stage name Moe Howard, was an American comedian and actor. He is best known as the leader and straight man of the Three Stooges, the farce comedy team who starred in motion ...

Larry Fine Louis Feinberg (October 4, 1902 – January 24, 1975), better known by his stage name Larry Fine, was an American actor, comedian and musician. He is best known as a member of the comedy act the Three Stooges and was often called "The Middle St ...

, and

Joe Besser Joe Besser (born Jessel Besser, August 12, 1907 – March 1, 1988) was an American actor and comedian known for his impish humor and wimpy characters. He is best known for his brief stint as a member of The Three Stooges in movie short subject ...

in his first starring role with the act). It is the 175th entry in the series released by

Columbia Pictures Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc., Trade name, doing business as Columbia Pictures, is an American film Production company, production and Film distributor, distribution company that is the flagship unit of the Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group ...

starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

Plot

Joe finds himself unable to shake thoughts of his departed sister, Birdie. In a gesture of camaraderie, Moe and Larry play along with Joe's belief that Birdie will manifest herself downtown the next day. Upon their excursion, the trio encounters a horse purportedly embodying Birdie's reincarnation, much to the astonishment of Moe and Larry. Filled with jubilation, the Stooges endeavor to persuade their equine "sister" to accompany them home. Initially resistant, Birdie eventually relents. However, their joy is short-lived as they discover Birdie's impending motherhood. Joe's reaction is one of frantic preparation for the forthcoming arrival of the newborn foal. Meanwhile, the clattering of Birdie's hooves draws the attention of their landlord, Mr. Dinklespiel, and his daughter, residing below. Confronted by Mr. Dinklespiel, Moe attempts to deceive him into believing the commotion stems from innocuous sources. Once the landlord departs, Birdie gives birth to a colt, prompting Joe's exuberant declaration of unclehood. Yet, his elation is abruptly interrupted by Moe and Larry, awakening him from what transpires to be a dream sequence. In reality, Birdie (portrayed by Moe in feminine attire) remains alive and well, residing with the Stooges. Joe, recounting his dream to Birdie, inadvertently offends her by likening her to a horse, resulting in a humorous retaliation involving a casserole deposited atop Joe's head.

Cast

Credited

as Moe/Birdie *

as Larry *

as Joe *

Harriette Tarler Harriette Tarler (November 4, 1920November 18, 2001) was an American film actress. Born in New York, New York, Tarler appeared in over 15 films between 1956 and 1959. Career Tarler is best known for her prominent work in many late Three Stooges s ...

as Dinklespiel's daughter *

Benny Rubin Benjamin Rubin (February 2, 1899 – July 15, 1986) was an American comedian and film actor. Born in Boston, Rubin made more than 200 radio, film and television appearances over a span of 50 years. Career In 1929, Rubin went to Hollywood, where ...

as Mr. Dinklespiel * Tony the Wonder Horse as Birdie

Uncredited

* Ruth Godfrey White as Birdie (voice) *

Joe Palma Joe Palma (born Joseph Provenzano; March 17, 1905 – August 14, 1994) was an American film actor. Palma appeared in over 120 films between 1937 and 1968. He was well known as a supporting player for The Three Stooges and his brief tenure a ...

as drunk man

Production notes

''Hoofs and Goofs'' is the first Three Stooges short featuring

as the third Stooge; filming was completed April 18–20, 1956. According to Besser's autobiography ''Not Just a Stooge'', Besser spoke to Moe shortly before filming to convey his condolences over the death of

Shemp Howard Shemp Howard (born Samuel Horwitz; March 11, 1895 – November 22, 1955) was an American comedian and actor. He is best known as the third Stooge in The Three Stooges, a role he played when the act began in the early 1920s (1923–1932), while i ...

the year before. Joe and Shemp had been good friends. The film's original ending was to have the Stooges' sister, Birdie, hit Joe with a rolling pin. However, due to his not wanting to be hit in the head with a solid prop, it was changed to a casserole. The film makes reference to actress

Kim Novak Marilyn Pauline "Kim" Novak (born February 13, 1933) is an American retired actress and painter. Her contributions to cinema have been honored with two Golden Globe Awards, an Honorary Golden Bear, a Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement, and a s ...

, when spoken by the reincarnated Birdie. A direct sequel, '' Horsing Around'', was released on September 12, 1957.

References

External links

*
''Hoofs and Goofs'' at threestooges.net
{{The Three Stooges 1957 films 1957 comedy films The Three Stooges films American black-and-white films Films about horses Films directed by Jules White Columbia Pictures short films 1950s English-language films 1950s American films