The Three Stooges go on a sit down strike in order to persuade the stern father (a brief, but excellent performance by James C. Morton) of three women to let them marry his daughters. After a couple of days the father gives in and the Stooges are married. Moreover, our lovably doltish trio win a prefabricated cottage, but naturally there's a big hitch: the trio of bumbling fools have to build said cottage themselves! Director Del Lord maintains a snappy pace throughout and stages the plentiful zany slapstick with considerable skill and gusto. Gut-busting comic highlights include Larry and Moe constantly running through cement that Curly is smoothing out, Curly being knocked out with a keg of nails and waking up with a literal pair of enormous cement shoes on his feet, and Curly stuck up in a tree. The very ending is likewise hilarious. The boys are in fine form here, displaying a loose and engaging natural rapport that's a joy to watch. Betty Mack as Corabell, Marcia Healy as Dorabell, and June Gittelson as Florabell make for perfect female foils for the Stooges. An enjoyably silly diversion.
Review of The Sitter Downers
