Disorder in the Court

This is likely the most-watched Three Stooges short due to its public domain status: 

(Short # 15 in Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk: The Columbia Shorts of The Three Stooges)

A short that I’ll always think is legendary. To be transparent, Disorder in the Court was viewed more than a few times in my life. Due to what I only know was “an oversight”, this and three Shemp shorts entered the public domain once the copyright lapsed. Another tape the parents purchased was one of the many budget releases containing some or all of those public domain titles. Mine had this and Brideless Groom. Both are classics.

The antics of the trio in a serious setting is usually a recipe for success and in a location as serious as the courtroom during a murder trial… this effort thankfully delivered. They are colleagues of Gail Tempest-great name-who is on trial for the murder of Kirk Robin, despite her pleas of innocence. The defense has them present to testify on her behalf. As Curly struggles with the very process of being sworn in and how to address the court (he thinks calling the judge “courty” is acceptable)…

One famous bit is apparently taken almost verbatim from a Buster Keaton sound film-Sidewalks of New York-but IMO there is no shortage of famous bits & lines of dialogue. It becomes increasingly absurd as a musical number is performed, and such elements as a letter press, a parrot, a hose and a revolver are used to great effect. Curly even gives the middle finger to the camera as part of a gag! I have no idea how that slipped by the censors.

There are also memorable bits for supporting characters who appeared in only a few or more than a few efforts… from flirting juror Alice Belcher to James C. Morton, who typically had a toupee blown off his head—well, that happened to him on three occasions in 16 ½ minutes. Even Solomon Horwitz (yes, the father of Moe & Curly) was one of the spectators in the courtroom. Edward LeSaint also was amusing as the judge due to his stern yet fair tone. He also portrayed the judge in… Reefer Madness. In my canon, they were the same character!

Disorder in the Court exemplifies the basic characters of Moe, Larry, & Curly so it’s probably a swell way to introduce someone to The Three Stooges. If they are repulsed, that sort of comedy is just not for them; I’d never call them a knucklehead, a grape-head, a mutton-head, porcupine, or any other insult.