Customer Reviews

The Three Stooges in Color

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

(...) boy,was it definitely worth the wait ! Legend Films and co-partner 20th Century Fox has released THE THREE STOOGES IN COLOR on DVD that features the four well-known classic public domain Stooges shorts that we've seen over a hundred times by now,but never as good of quality and restoration job as they have done like in the past.I've seen and have several public domain Stooges shorts on DVD that have ranged from good ( Madacy,Columbia,Catcom ) to the not-so-good ( Platinum,Goodtimes,United American Video,Anchor Bay,etc. ) and so forth.Legend's restoration of all four shorts are perhaps the most exciting,beautiful-looking,cleanest,and pristine-looking that you're probably not going to see anywhere else and it's definitely for your money's worth ! The colorized versions are really amazing,realistic-looking,and sharp like the much-hyped Columbia DVD releases from last year as it was transferred from high-definition masters.This is perhaps the best colorization job of any film I have ever seen and certainly won't be the last.For a time,we also have had the much-rivaled colorized DVD release of only two public domain Stooges shorts from a company called Global Classics,which I also have and is of much different but watchable quality,whose colorized versions were done by the very same studio that did the official Columbia DVD'S,West Wing Studios that was released in 2004,but only Volume One has been released and not Volume Two.There were also colorized clips of some of the shorts that was used in the truly forgettable 1985 film STOOGEMANIA back when the process was still in its freshman phase.And lets not forget the colorized version of MALICE IN THE PALACE that was shown on the Alan Thicke-hosted Stooges Anniversary special back in 1991.But those previously mentioned versions didn't have the technology,nor creativity that the Legend Films and Columbia releases have and things have definitely changed since then ! Those aside,these color versions are truly amazing and very very entertaining to watch ! They are all presented uncut complete with the original Columbia opening and closing credits ( the Global Classics edition simply "letterboxed" any reference to Columbia on the main titles,if you watch that version,you'll know what I mean !) even though rival studio Fox has released this DVD.For fans looking for more,the original beautiful-looking restored shorts are also presented in their original black & white versions as well on this DVD,as with many of Legend Films' other DVD releases.The only big bonus feature that's included on this disc are the weird,but funny and entertaining introductions to each short by the 'Film Crew',in this case MST3K's Mike Nelson,a frequent and excellent collaborator on several other Legend Films DVD's,Kevin Murphy,and Bill Corbett that adds to the enjoyment of going back when the boys' films were shown on television with these types of intros ! Think the Blue Collar Comedy guys meets MST3K only without the bodily humor and PG-13 innuendos ! Plus,a whopping collection of trailers from six other Legend Films releases that are also now available on DVD ! This DVD is a great bargain and huge comparison to the Global Classics DVD incarnations and a huge bargain as well from the authorized Columbia DVD releases.Note that only two out of the four public domain shorts are now available on the Columbia Stooges DVD's: DISORDER IN THE COURT ( the COPS AND ROBBERS DVD release ) and BRIDELESS GROOM ( the DIZZY DOCTORS DVD release ). All in all,I definitely recommend this excellent DVD to any Stoogephile and I would love to see some more great films get the Legend Films treatment in the very near future ( including Abbott & Costello's AFRICA SCREAMS which is coming soon at the end of the year ) ! Throw away those crappy low-budget editions and get this definitive collection of public domain classic Stooges shorts !! LEGEND FILMS RULES !! I also recommend their version of REEFER MADNESS as well ! Visit their website at www.legendfilms.net for more upcoming releases and ones that are coming soon to DVD !

The Stooges shorts are FUNNY and Legend Films has done a GREAT job cleaning up the film quality of these old gems, whether you watch the black and white original or the colorized versions. These are four terrific Stooges shorts, even the Shemp ones are very funny. The Film Crew host segments are also funny as one would expect from these three terrific former Mystery Science Theater 3000 writers and performers.

That said, I've only given this disc 4 stars instead of 5 for the following reason: The version of the shorts with the Film Crew comedy host segments is colorized. I'm still not certain why anyone would colorize these or any other classics. It adds nothing to the viewing experience and in many cases detracts from the director's original use of lighting and contrast in black and white. Thank goodness the black and white originals were included on the disc.

Also note that much of the humor of the Film Crew is not "young child friendly" and people buying this Stooges disc to share with their young kids may be shocked the first time through. The Film Crew segments are much more overtly crude and adult-oriented than the humor these fellows were known for on Mystery Science Theater 3000. So if you're showing these shorts to your little ones, you may want to run the black and white track that does not include the Film Crew. I also found the humor to be a bit less razor sharp in some spots than expected from these fellows. I know from reading other material by these three guys that they have some reverence for the great classic comedy that came before them, but you won't always know it when you see the sketches on this disc. Some of the humor is cruel in the way it relentlessly targets the physical appearance of the Stooges, although it is also undeniably at times very funny.

There's a hidden host segment during the final short, Malice In The Palace. During the movie, the Stooges acquire a map. While they are supposedly viewing the map and the map is on-screen so that the audience can see it, press the "enter" key on your DVD remote. This will take you to a special host segment not listed in the chapter list. However, I have found that when the host segment ends, there is a programming flaw on the DVD that takes it back to the beginning of the disc rather than picking up where it left off during the short. Bearable, but very annoying.

In spite of its flaws, this disc is a great combination of new and old humor that will keep you amused for many repeat viewings. At only about $10, it's certainly worth the price. Recommended!

I hate colorization, but I think this is a great DVD. The reason is that it actually contains pristine and fully restored color AND black and white versions of the 4 public domain Stooge shorts every second-rate DVD company has released using horrible looking source elements (including Anchor Bay, whose "Greatest Hits and Rarities" is a disgrace for a company of their stature). If you are looking to pick up the 4 public domain Stooge titles -- Disorder in the Court (Curly), Malice in the Palace (Shemp), Sing a Song of Six Pants (Shemp) and Brideless Groom (Shemp) -- this is the definitive version.

Though we all have seen these episodes before in b&w, the terrific colorization -- as if it were filmed in three-strip Technicolor -- brings out an entirely new dimension to the comedy. Seeing all of the objects within the filmed scenes as the actors and director saw them [perhaps with a few color variations] gives one an insight into their production and acting intent. It's as if we are on the set with the Stooges themeselves!

And if you loved MST 3000, having their crew onscreen to intro each short is a treat!

While colorization opponents may find this a sacrilegious venture, THE THREE STOOGES IN COLOR is still highly entertaining. The colorization is quite good, achieving a sometimes comic book flavor. As for the stooges, they continue to reign as the crown princes of unabashed silly slapstick. With four classic shorts and some ridiculous introductions by members of Mystery Science Theatre 3000, viewers are treated to "Brideless Groom," "Disorder in the Court," "Malace at the Palace" and "Sing a Song of Six Pants." Unfortunately, Curly is only in one of them, with the less effective Shemp trying to fill the void in the other three. Stooge vets Christine McIntyre and Vernon Dent show up and if you're a fan of the trio (as I am) you'll find yourself laughing out loud at these classic comic geniuses.

The Stooges' famous intro music, "Three Blind Mice," takes me back to a simpler, happier time. A time without color, a time with grainy film, a time with Shemp...

Well, maybe that wasn't such a happy time after all! But, fear not, your nostalgic fantasies need not go unrealized because of technological limitations, because now you can watch the fabulous Three Stooges shorts in full, re-mastered color! (Nothing can be done, however, about Shemp.)

Classic movie house Legend Films has taken several of the boys' most distinguished shorts, including the fan-favorite Disorder in the Court, applied its trademark colorization process to them, and the result is wonderful. In fact, the colorization is so faithful to reality (through extensive research, I understand) that you might be aghast at the director's use of bright colors, until you consider that they were selected to look unique when shown in the day's standard grayscale.

Though the shorts are billed as being in color, and this is in fact the highlight of this particular DVD, Legend has also provided the untouched black and white versions along with their rainbow-imbued counterparts, so you don't have to make a choice between the new experience and the nostalgic one, you can have both for the same price.

The "Three Stooges" purist in me say's absolutely no way to the colorized shorts. I'll admit that after watching this DVD I have warmed up to the Three Stooges in color. 20th Century Fox Studio did a great job with this one and the price is very reasonable for what you get. Fans will enjoy four classic Three Stooges shorts in all new color versions plus the same four shorts restored and remastered in glorious Black & White.

Included on the DVD are Trailers, Wraparounds by the mystery science 3000 crew and a film crew easter egg. I didn't particularly care for the wraparounds or the mystery science 3000 guys because I've never been a fan of MST3K. These same four "Three Stooges" shorts presented have been released many times over the years in the public domain, but I've never seen them look so good until now. This DVD is an affordable way to see the "Three Stooges" in great clarity at a low price.

DVD Shorts:
- Disorder in the Court
- Sing a Song of Six Pants
- Malice in the Palace
- Brideless Groom

DVD Features:
- DVD Includes all-new color version and restored black-and-white version
- Comedy Wraparounds by the Film Crew (Mike Nelson and the cast from Mystery Science Theater 3000)
- Vintage trailers
- Hilarious film crew Easter egg
- Play: Original Black & White Movies
- Three Stooges DVD Comparison

It seems pointless for there to be yet another release of the four public domain shorts, and with colorised versions no less, but this time the issuing company actually got it right. While the print quality on the numerous other releases varies from bearable to downright horrible, here they're the most stunning restored versions I've yet seen. Apart from a handful of lower-quality frames, they're absolutely pristine, making the umpteenth reissue of these shorts everyone has seen hundreds of times really worthwhile.

One can't say the same for the colorised versions, though. While it looks somewhat more natural than the colorisations of the Eighties, it still looks and seems wrong for the Stooges to be in color. It changes the whole experience of watching them. They exist in black and white, not artificially-created color. And since the color process used on this disc isn't the same one used on the (poorly-selling) colorised Columbia discs, not all of the colors are the same. So much for the claims of both groups that they did extensive research into the clothes and props that were used! There are still a lot of greens, purples, and yellows instead of a more lifelike color spectrum.

The colorised versions also include wraparound segments from the hosts of Mystery Science Theatre 3000. They're not nearly as funny as the comments they make on their own show, and pretty much detract from the overall viewing experience. Additionally, a lot of the attempted humor is incredibly immature, cruel, over the top, and in very poor taste, such as the scene where Kevin dresses up as a woman. Even I would have to agree that this particular segment isn't really appropriate for very young kids. The Shemp-bashing segment is also really cruel, over the top, and in bad taste. If you're going to be making comments on a disc that contains three of his episodes, you should at least like and respect the man and his contributions to the team instead of trashing on him just because he wasn't Curly and because he wasn't exactly conventionally good-looking. Basically the hosts come across as having no respect for or understanding of the very comedians they're claiming to love.

It's a good disc to have if one is interested in copies of the public domain shorts that look like they were actually carefully restored instead of just randomly grabbed out of the bottom of a barrel, even with the unnecessary colorisation and mean-spirited puerile "humor" of the film crew, but it appears as though the need for it will be obsolete soon with the release of the chronological Stooge boxed sets.

The Disorder In The Court woman dancing never looked so good!, as if it was filmed yesterday. The color and cleaning up brings the performance to life like you've never seen it. (I barely noticed her before, or at most she was annoying) Beyond that, the rest was like seeing color TV for the first time. The stooges oddly, seemed "less funny" in color. Anyone else get that? I found that interesting. But here's the thing... the evaluation of the original stays unchanged in my mind, even after knowing about the color version. A note to the color restoration people, No way Curly's suit was that hideous color. That nauseous shade alone makes it hard for the episode stay "funny", as one is annoyed with yellow/green. Try not to notice it..... bet you can't.. As for the narration.. It was insulting to the point of - Why?. These guys just didn't like much about much. Better would have been to use a straight man, all dry and serious to introduce them. So -- If you get the DVD, and DO!-- know this-- at least the dancing chick from the 1930's will surprise you. That and a scar on Curly's face. Where was that before? Most interesting to see in color. Give it a go. Everyone's reaction will be unique.
Had the narrators not been so uninteresting and some of the colors not so distracting, it would have been a 5 Star.

This movie arrived in a timely manner-actually a little earlier than I had expected. Of course it arrived in perfect condition too!