Snow White and the Three Stooges

This film does not deserve half the abuse the critics give it (you know who you are). It is a wonderful telling of the story of Snow White, with the Three Stooges (Moe, Larry, and Curly Joe) stepping in for the Seven Dwarfs. It is beautifully filmed, the tuneful musical score is well done and performed, and the cast is exceptional. Unfortunately, this film is not often looked well upon by the critics. The most often-cited complaint is that the slaps, pokes, and other classic slapstick "stooge" routines are kept to a bare minimum. Remember, this is a telling of Snow White--a fairytale. Do you honestly think that the Stooges' slapstick comedy from their shorts days (and their Columbia feature films yet to come) have any place in a film like this? The familiar slaps, pokes, and nyuk-nyuk-nyuks are not present. I also appreciate that here, the Stooges are actually attempting to portray REAL serious characters rather than just slap each other around. Also, keep in mind is that by the early 60s, the Columbia Stooge shorts were being shown on television, and it's been said that Moe was sensitive to parental complaints about the violence in the Stooge routines we know and love. There is SOME Stooge comedy thrown in here and there, but not on the level that some might expect. Now don't get me wrong, I love the Stooges dearly, and have many of their tapes/DVDs, but if you take this film for what it really is, you'll find that it is truly enchanting. The new DVD transfer from 20th Century Fox Home Video is awsome. Colors are bold and sharp and well defined. For the first time since its 1961 release, we can see it in widescreen, which was not offered on the previous VHS version (only full-screen). Both the widescreen and the full-screen versions are on the DVD (2 sides), and there is a theatrical trailer. There are no other extra features, but no reason to gripe, as the package is available for less than $10. The Columbia Records soundtrack LP is long out of print; it is really an amalgamation of the film's songs with some dialogue mixed in, as an attempt to tell the story on records. It is not an essential listen, but worth picking up if you should come across it in the secondhand record store. The bottom line: Don't take the film as a Stooges vehicle. Take it for the enchanting fairytale that it is. You might even like it.

Was there ever a movie you watched as a kid because you thought was cool at the time because it was on, then as an adult forgot you’d ever seen it? (well, I didn’t forget Plan 9 From Outer Space or Robot Monster) On one of those local UHF stations that showed nothing but syndicated TV shows, B movies, serials like Tarzan, The Bowery Boys, The Little Rascals, 3 Stooges, Abbott and Costello, Shirley Temple movies, Godzilla, etc. My brother and I were 3 Stooges fans, and this movie was likely the reason we watched it. I saw it in a close-out bin at Christmas time, and bought it, as I thought one of our family kids might enjoy it. Curious, I watched it, wondering how my memories played out. Surprise: this 1961 movie is an entertaining, occasionally edgy and witty, colorful, imaginative, sincere, and even touching, take on the classic fairy tale. The special effects are astonishingly good, some gripping, suspenseful sequences, lots of magic, spells, and a few scenes of fairly decent action. The songs are not first-rate, but neither are they Leslie Bricusse-forgettable and banal. The skating sequences are quite beautiful, and one of them, a kind of dream ballet on ice that is similar thematically to Oklahoma!, where the fantasy romance turns into a nightmare, is unusually vivid and compelling. It’s actually a nearly perfect family film. Reading up on the particulars, I learned that this 20th Century Fox movie had a huge budget, three and a half million ( which equals nearly 30 million today), and was planned to capitalize on the renewed, phenomenal popularity of the 3 Stooges, owing to their shorts being played on TV. It had no less than Walter Lang directing, his big credit being The King and I, and one of the screenwriters was Noel Langley, one of his credits being The Wizard of Oz. The money spent on it shows in every frame. In Cinemascope, the cinematography, the Technicolor print job, the sets, costumes and matte backgrounds are all top-notch. Besides the 3 Stooges, the main attraction is the first and only appearance of 1950s Olympic skating champion Carol Heiss in the title role. Heiss looks the part, and while not what you call a commanding actress, she is sincere and appealing, and most importantly, is never saccharine or cringe-inducing. Her two skating sequences are dazzling: beautifully choreographed, filmed and played out deftly in the context of the story, they are unique, singular, and quite innovative. In evidence is the double axel jump which originated with her, among other features that made her a skating star. As for the 3 Stooges themselves, they are - surprise - very effectively used here. Word has it that they wanted to tone down their trademark violent physical for the sake of the children seeing the movie, and that instinct proved felicitous. They still do some of their classic buffoonery, but in a much more subdued manner. More importantly though, for this story, they are *lovable* buffoons. They serve to protect and join Snow White and Prince Charming together, and they are convincingly benevolent and sincere. Their antics add just the right amount of a fairy-tale clownish element, but they are never annoying or tiresome. They look old, but veteran performers that they were, are faultless in energy and spirit. There are two genuine surprises in the casting. The first is Edson Stroll as Quatro/Prince Charming. In movie/television pop culture history, he is a mere blip. Stroll appeared in two famous Twilight Zone episodes (where his outstanding physique is in full display), as well as Virgil in McHale’s Navy. A few small roles in some movies, lots of bit parts in several TV series up until the 1980s, plus much voiceover work. Starting out as a bodybuilder in the early 1950s, he studied acting and singing, and appeared on stage in several musicals and plays, including Shakespeare. He later became a U.S. Coast Guard captain and a marine surveyor. Based on his appearance and performance in this movie, Stroll could have been a full-fledged matinee idol-type star. He looks uncannily like a cartoon Prince Charming come to life: a perfect, swoony-dashing-romantic figure physique and face, photogenic, and looking almost like a younger brother of James Garner, with a touch of Errol Flynn thrown in. What’s more, his acting is much better than one might think. It is a difficult task to deliver some of the fairy-tale, borderline-schlocky dialogue without it sounding smarmy and derisive; but in fact Stroll delivers it absolutely straight, with the utmost sincerity and believability in this context, and he never seems foolish or glib (he’s very touching when he revives Snow White with a kiss). The swordfight with the queen’s magician Count Oga, played by the wiry, spiky Guy Rolfe, is in very much the Errol Flynn-Basil Rathbone mode, and it provides some rousing adventure. Stroll does an uncommonly fine job in this role. The movie is stolen, though, by Patricia Medina, as the evil queen, and later, when she’s transformed into the wicked witch. Medina, who in real life was married to Joseph Cotten or something...er...somebody, had a minor league career, but this is her most famous role. As the queen, the beautiful, voluptuous Medina is wily, droll, and spitefully witty in all her dialogue, savoring her turn with gleeful relish. Her queen is a medieval Alexis Carrington of Dynasty, and she plays it to the hilt. It gets even better. When the queen is transformed into a wicked witch, Medina’s makeup, physical posture, and vocal characterization is a startling jolt. Medina goes into full camp mode here, cooing and cackling with wonderfully batty mirth. She’s funny and fixating all at once. Too, she rides a broom with every bit of the evil joy as Margaret Hamilton did. You’ll laugh when she sends a bolt of lightning at the hapless Stooges. There are scenes and scenarios which plainly recall The Wizard of Oz, Robin Hood, and the Disney Snow White, but never in a blatant, plagiaristic way. An affectionate, respectful homage, you might say. Its big assets is that it is guileless in it aims, it doesn’t insult your intelligence, and the whole approach is laudably absent of campiness. Never dull, it has energy and charm. The movie bombed upon its release, and it is referred to scornfully by Stooges aficionados. It is not, however, a typical Stooges vehicle. I think audiences of the time just didn’t know what to make of it. Definitely offbeat, more than a bit idiosyncratic, and indubitably one-of-a-kind, this strangely beguiling movie has its quirky, demented charms. The DVD will be gifts for family and friends with children.

This movie was wonderful and very underrated. The Three Stooges are not as violently slapstick as their original act, which I honestly prefer. This is more child friendly and the film stars a figure skater, who was also a very good actress. There is one violent scene, but otherwise the film is family friendly and beautifully filmed. The Three Stooges take on more serious parts here, but they do a great job.

While it doesn't exactly follow the storyline of the original fairytale, SNOW WHITE & THE THREE STOOGES comes alive with comedy, romance and action. This film was tailored as a showcase for five-time Olympic champion iceskater Carol Heiss, and while she lacks the dramatic finesse of a true actress, she deeply feels the role of Snow White and does a fine job. In this version of the tale, the Wicked Queen (played with aplomb by B-movie bad girl Patricia Medina) plots to kill lovely Snow White (Carol Heiss) as well as the prince of a neighbouring kingdom. Both plans flounder, and the two royal refugees find solace in the company of a wandering minstrel trio (played by--of course--the Three Stooges). What follows is a wonderful mix of comedy, adventure and breathless romance as Snow White and her Prince Charming skate towards their "sky of happiness". As an all-skating, all-musical version of SNOW WHITE, this version hits the mark beautifully. Playing the thankless role of the Prince Charming is no easy assignment, but Edson Stroll does what he can with the part--most of the time he just stands around looking pretty, but what else does a fairytale prince do? Likewise, Carol Heiss rarely rises above the level of department-store mannequin in her performance as Snow White, but achieves what she can, and really comes alive with her ice-skating routines. Patricia Medina manages to hold back in her rendering of the Wicked Queen; it would have been so easy for the role to be done in a high-camp style, but Ms Medina stays true to the material and plays it straight. The Three Stooges likewise curb their usual comic schtick, and it does make a refreshing and welcome change. They could sometimes be subtle, and the proof is right here. The production values are indeed lavish. The director, Walter Lang, almost bankrupted the Twentieth Century-Fox studios with his incredible ice-rink sets, and there are several wonderful skating sequences to savour, including a "Dream Ballet" for Stroll and Heiss. The musical numbers do little to advance the plot, but are very pretty, and highlights include "Magic Day" and "That Place Called Happiness". As with any film version of a fairytale classic, it's hard not to get caught up in the romance and adventure--the same is true for SNOW WHITE & THE THREE STOOGES. The DVD includes both widescreen and full-frame versions of the film, plus the trailer. (Double-sided, single-layer disc).

Dvd worked perfectly. This Three Stooges movie is in color,choices of wide screen or full screen to watch. It's the Three Stooges in a fairy tale,what's not to like. I enjoyed it.

This is a very much toned down Three Stooges where they are almost serious (for Three Stooges) and they do less of the "nyuk=nyuk" face slapping, eye-poking, and hammer-heading antics Stooge fans are familiar with. That being said it goes with the tone of the movie which is a fantasy telling of (fairest of them all) Snow White/Carol Heiss, the (still beautiful) Wicked Queen/Patricia Medina, and (handsome) Prince Charming/Edson Stroll. The color is fantastic for the time, the sets are beyond belief and the ice skating scenes are expertly and flawlessly performed by 1960 Olympic figure-skating champion Carol Heiss. The cast is all beautiful/handsome and the ice skating flawlessly performed by all. FYI - after watching this as a Netflix rental I bought the DVD to add to my personal collection. - SBJ

I am a big Three Stooges fan and recently purchased this one on iTunes. Its very well scripted, and acted. The Stooges play a supporting role and provide some comic relief, but they are not the focus of the film. Some will be disappointed by this, but this film is not about the Stooges, but about Snow White and her story. This is one of my favorite Stooge films and right up there with Around the World in 80 Days & Have Rocket Will Travel. A great addition to the library of any Stooge fan.

This definitely brought back some memories of going to Sunday afternoon matinees as a child in the early 70's, and this was one of the ones I saw back then. "Snow White & The Three Stooges" was a milestone film for the boys in several ways: first, it was their only feature film to be made for a big name studio (20th Century Fox); second, to have a sizeable budget (well over $1 million, fairly large for a children's movie in 1961); and third, their one & only major film shot in color (the never-finished 1970 film "Kooks Tour" notwithstanding). Again, the money was there, so why not? Columbia certainly wasn't shelling it out as all of their features were shot in black & white and on shoestring budgets until the end. I've read quite a few of the previous reviews stating that this wasn't the "real" Three Stooges and that their antics of old are all but gone, and while I do agree with both, you have to remember that all of them were in their late fifties by this time (in Moe's case, his early sixties), and also the Stooges were bowing to public pressure to tone down the violence. If this hadn't already been the case, they probably would've toned it down themselves anyway, because how convincing would it be watching retirement-age men slapping each other around? Probably not very. If anything, they would've ended up making an embarassing mockery of themselves had they kept at it. That notwithstanding, this movie is very delightful; there's certainly plenty of ice skating going on here as Carol Heiss was a renowned Olympic skating champion in 1960. She really wasn't much of an actress, so what else would there have been for her to do in this film except to skate? As you might expect, the Stooges are the good guys, taking the place of the Seven Dwarfs, who were, of all things, on "vacation" and allowed the Stooges to use their cottage! While the Stooges were pretty tame and "sanitized" here as some people have referred to it, their lack of violence was replaced by the swordfighting throughout the film, which to me was much more violent than slapping, eye-poking or head-clunking; I had forgotten about it until I saw the film again recently and never knew it was rated PG; I always thought it was G. After seeing the level of violence in the sword fights, I was not at all surprised. It was nice seeing this again after many years and was a real treat; I can't wait to watch it with my son when he gets a little older and hopefully he'll enjoy it as much as his Dad!