Phony Express

Phony Express
Directed by	Del Lord
Written by	Monte Collins Elwood Ullman
Produced by	Del Lord Hugh McCollum
Starring	Moe Howard Larry Fine Curly Howard Bud Jamison Ernie Adams Sally Cleaves Joel Friedkin Snub Pollard Chester Conklin Victor Travers Gwen Seager Shirley Patterson
Cinematography	John Stumar
Edited by	Paul Borofsky
Distributed by	Columbia Pictures
Release date	November 18, 1943(1943-11-18)(U.S.)
Running time	17:09
Country	United States
Language	English

Phony Expressis a 1943short subjectdirected byDel Lordstarring Americanslapstickcomedy teamThe Three Stooges(Moe Howard,Larry FineandCurly Howard). It is the 75th entry in the series released byColumbia Picturesstarring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

Plot

In the besieged environs of Peaceful Gulch, threatened by a marauding contingent of bandits and brigands, the town's mayor, formulates a stratagem to deter the encroaching menace. This plan entails the dissemination of a fabricated report heralding the imminent arrival of three resolute marshals (the Stooges), their identities appropriated from a wanted poster portrayingvagrants,valued at a nominal price. Despite this intricate scheme, the Stooges nearly face expulsion from the township subsequent to a misguided endeavor to administer a purported panacea to the ailing sheriff, afflicted with lumbago, which imperils his well-being.

The Stooges find themselves ensconced within the precincts of a local saloon. Here, they confront the leader of the marauders, Red, who endeavors to assuage them through conviviality and libations, only to have their deception unravelled. In a display of ingenuity, the trio prevails over their adversaries, effectuating their escape from imminent peril.

Subsequently entrusted with the solemn responsibility of safeguarding the town's financial bastion, the Stooges are confronted with a brazen act of bank robbery in their charge's absence. To avert dire consequences, they embark on a quest to apprehend the culprits. Amidst their pursuit, Curly, assuming the guise of abloodhound,momentarily diverts his attention to a whimsical pursuit of a skunk. Despite this diversion, their tenacity leads them to the discovery of the stolen plunder, just as the malefactors return to their hideaway.

A series of misfortunes culminates in Curly's inadvertent confinement within a stove, unwittingly becoming a receptacle for the ill-gotten gains. However, a fortuitous mishap ensues as a conflagration, ignited accidentally, propels a cascade of bullets, dispersing the outlaws in disarray.

Production notes

Phony Expresswas filmed on March 27–31, 1943.The film title is a parody of the "Pony Express,"a fastmail servicethat crossed theNorth Americancontinent fromSaint Joseph, MissouritoSacramento, Californiafrom April 1860 to October 1861.Some of the plot and minimalstock footagewould be recycled inMerry Mavericks.

This was the last Three Stooges short co-written byMonte Collins,who died on June 1, 1951.

Cast

• Moe Howardas Moe
• Larry Fineas Larry
• Curly Howardas Curly
• Shirley Pattersonas Lola
• Bud Jamisonas Red Morgan
• Ernie Adamsas the Banker
• Sally Cleaves as Dancing Partner
• Chester Conklinas Mr. Higgins
• Thomas Judge "Tex" Cooperas Barfly
• Joel Friedkin as Dr. Abdul
• Joe Garcioas a Henchman
• George Gray as a Messenger
• Herman Hackas a Dancer
• Ray Jones as Red's Henchman
• John Mertonas Red's Henchman
• George Morrell as a Townsman
• Snub Pollardas Sheriff Hogwaller

External links

• Phony ExpressatIMDb
• Phony ExpressatAllMovie
• Phony Expressat threestooges.net