Home Theater Forum  ›  Forums  ›  Entertainment and Media  ›  SD DVD - Film and Documentary  ›  SPHE Press Release: The Three Stooges Collection, Volume One: Years 1-2

SPHE Press Release: The Three Stooges Collection, Volume One: Years 1-2

#1
Rating: 0
Larry, Moe and Curly Are “Yuk, Yuk, Yuk”-ing it Up
in a New, Definitive Volume of Classic Shorts

THE THREE STOOGES COLLECTION

VOLUME ONE: YEARS 1-2

All 19 Digitally-Restored Two-Reelers from 1934 through 1936
Packaged in a Two-Disc DVD

AVAILABLE ON OCTOBER 30

CULVER CITY, CALIF. (August 20, 2007) – Eye-gouging, nose-tweaking, stomach-poking, ear-pulling, head-slapping, pie-throwing, and seltzer-spraying can only mean one thing. The classic comedy trio of Larry, Moe, and Curly are back doing what they do best. On October 30, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will launch its definitive new series of Three Stooges DVDs with The Three Stooges Collection: Years 1-3. This first volume includes all 19 shorts from the boys’ first three years at Columbia. The two-reelers are chronologically organized by their original release date and painstakingly restored from the original negatives for the very best picture and audio quality. The DVD will be available in a two-disc package for the standard retail price of $24.96. The Three Stooges are one of the most significant screen comedy teams of the 20th century, on par with Laurel and Hardy, Abbott and Costello, and Martin and Lewis -- an inspiration to generations of comics that followed. The trio’s film career began in the early 1930s, reached its slapstick peak during their tenure at Columbia (1934-1957), and lasted well into the 1950s. After their initial retirement, they were rediscovered by an enthusiastic new generation through the medium of television and have outstripped all their contemporaries in terms of lasting popularity. The Three Stooges Collection: Years 1-3 finally pays the Stooges their due by tracing the evolution and development of their craft by presenting the films in progressive order.

The Three Stooges Collection: Years 1-3 includes the following titles:

1934 - Woman Haters, Punch Drunks (only short actually written by the Stooges), the Oscar® nominated Men in Black, and Three Little Pigskins (featuring a young Lucille Ball).

1935 - Horses' Collars (their first Western spoof), Restless Knights (first “triple-slap” in a Stooge short), Pop Goes the Easel (first film for frequent director Del Lord), Uncivil Warriors (set during the Civil War), Pardon My Scotch (first Stooge short to use “Listen to the Mockingbird” as its theme song), Hoi Polloi (remade as Half-Wits Holiday in 1947), and Three Little Beers.

1936 - Ants in the Pantry (features silent star Clara Kimball Young), Movie Maniacs (features Charlie Chaplin’s first wife Mildred Harris), Half-Shot Shooters (first short in which the Stooges get killed), Disorder in the Court (features the famous “swearing in” scene with Curly), A Pain in the Pullman (the longest short of the series), False Alarms, Whoops, I'm an Indian, and Slippery Silks (featuring the first Stooges cream dessert fight).

The Three Stooges Collection: Years 1-3 has a run time of approximately 345 minutes and is not rated. Artwork is available at www.SPHEPUBLICITY.COM. Visit Sony Pictures Home Entertainment on the Web at www.SonyPictures.com.

DVD Catalog # 21104
UPC Code: 043396211049
Order Date: 09/27/07
SLP: $24.96
Ronald J Epstein
Home Theater Forum co-owner
Email me at: repstein@hometheaterforum.com 
To View My Massive DVD Collection Click Here
HTF Rules and Regulations
Export to Wiki
#2
Rating: 0

Re: SPHE Press Release: The Three Stooges Collection, Volume One: Years 1-2

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ronald Epstein
Larry, Moe and Curly Are “Yuk, Yuk, Yuk”-ing it Up
in a New, Definitive Volume of Classic Shorts1936 - Ants in the Pantry (features silent star Clara Kimball Young), Movie Maniacs (features Charlie Chaplin’s first wife Mildred Harris), Half-Shot Shooters (first short in which the Stooges get killed), Disorder in the Court (features the famous “swearing in” scene with Curly), A Pain in the Pullman (the longest short of the series), False Alarms, Whoops, I'm an Indian, and Slippery Silks (featuring the first Stooges cream dessert fight).

Nice to see ANTS IN THE PANTRY and DISORDER IN THE COURT rescued from public domain hell.
Export to Wiki
#3
Rating: 0

Re: SPHE Press Release: The Three Stooges Collection, Volume One: Years 1-2

WOW!

19 shorts for the same price that they used to charge for 4.

It's about time that these get released properly. Only, where are the extras? A release as major as this certainly could justify some extras. I recall somebody's post that surviving family & cast members had been involved in documentaries for the upcoming set(s). At the very least, some commentaries from some stooge-o-philes would be great!
"Shoot a few scenes out of focus. I want to win the foreign film award."
Billy Wilder

"This business has come a long way in the last 30 years, but why should I depress you"
I.A.L. Diamond on the Movie Business (1986)
Export to Wiki
#4
Rating: 0

Re: SPHE Press Release: The Three Stooges Collection, Volume One: Years 1-2

That should be Years 1-3, shouldn't it? And would love to see that artwork!
Export to Wiki
#5
Rating: 0

Re: SPHE Press Release: The Three Stooges Collection, Volume One: Years 1-2

It's about time Sony started to take notice of how well Warners and Fox have done with classic product! The last Sony disc I bought was "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" about 6 years ago, I would love to add their "Boston Blackie" and "Crime Doctor" films via dvd and also the long overdue "A Matter of Life and Death" which was canceled about 4 years ago just a month before it was scheduled to be released. I would support the dvd releases of the titles I mentioned in a heartbeat, I will wholeheartedly be supporting the Three Stooges and cannot wait to box up my old Columbia House tapes to make room for the dvd's those tapes served me well over the years! And kudos to Sony for recognizng the GREATNESS of Laurel and Hardy in their press release, mabye Lionsgate will get the idea to finally release the boys films in the way they deserve to be released!
Export to Wiki
#6
Rating: 0

Re: SPHE Press Release: The Three Stooges Collection, Volume One: Years 1-2

Hooray! Now to decide whether to jump on this or wait for the eventual Blu-Ray Complete Boxed Set. . .

"How wonderful it will be to have a leader unburdened by the twin horrors of knowledge and experience." -- Mr. Wick

Export to Wiki
#7
Rating: 0

Re: SPHE Press Release: The Three Stooges Collection, Volume One: Years 1-2

I just hope that Sony hasn't built up so much bad will over they years with Stooge fans that people will notice that they are finally offering a good deal. The old DVD releases were simply beyond belief.
Export to Wiki
#8
Rating: 0

Re: SPHE Press Release: The Three Stooges Collection, Volume One: Years 1-2

Quote:
Originally Posted by Aaron Silverman
Hooray! Now to decide whether to jump on this or wait for the eventual Blu-Ray Complete Boxed Set. . .

Why not just skip both and wait for the ultimate Polka Dot-Ray version in 2019?
Export to Wiki
#9
Rating: 0

Re: SPHE Press Release: The Three Stooges Collection, Volume One: Years 1-2

I'll let my son deal with that one.

"How wonderful it will be to have a leader unburdened by the twin horrors of knowledge and experience." -- Mr. Wick

Export to Wiki
#10
Rating: 0

Re: SPHE Press Release: The Three Stooges Collection, Volume One: Years 1-2

No idea how legit this is, but it sounds about right. It's an Amazon review (or, rather, preview) of the set, posted July 12:

Quote:
I am delighted, delapidated and embalmed to bring you this great news on the Sony DVD boxed set. I just hung up with a publicity man for Sony Home Entertainment and he has confirmed that the first set of chronilogical ordered shorts are being produced for DVD. However, they will not be released on September 18th as posted on [...]. In fact, the earliest release date is the end of October, according to Sony's publicity department. The set will contain all shorts from 1934, 1935 and 1936. The actual title of the set has not been finalized as of yet. There will be bonus features included on this upcoming release. Some that are finalized are a Moe Howard bio; pop up Stooge trivia (on selected shorts); audio commentary (on selected shorts); interviews of surviving female supporting players that were part of a recent convention.

I asked if he can confirm whether or not the shorts will be fully restored versus the remastered video in earlier DVD's. He was not able to confirm as the publicity department does not handle the making of the product. He did state that they will be in black and white only, unlike the last few DVD's that offered the Chromachoice option. He did state that it is Sony's policy to configure all DVD's to high definition, so the likely hood of the shorts being restored to the quality on the Chromachoice discs are a good bet.

Additionally, I asked if he knew of missing scenes, such as in a previous "Three Little Beers" release, will be restored. I also inquired if spliced dialogue would be corrected (as in "Micro Phonies", when Christine McIntyre was explaining her desire to be a radio singer in the control booth). The Sony rep had no idea what I was talking about here. Apparantly, us Stooge fans know more about the product than employees of the studio. Hopefully, they have someone helming this project who is familiar with the films.

Future sets are in the works and a bio on Larry, Curly, Shemp and Joe Besser will appear on future volumes. How far they will go into releasing all 190 shorts was not confirmed. Depending on how well the sets sell will be the ultimate decision, I'm sure. From a general market place point of view, the Curly sets will sell more than the Shemp sets. The Shemp sets will sell more than the Joe Besser set. True blue Three Stooges fans will, of course, support them all. I only hope there are enough of us to have all the shorts deemed worthy to be issued.
Export to Wiki
#11
Rating: 0

Re: SPHE Press Release: The Three Stooges Collection, Volume One: Years 1-2

Im willing to believe that Paul,because already in that post, he was right about the date changing.So maybe, everything else he says in that post might come true.
Export to Wiki
#12
Rating: 0

Re: SPHE Press Release: The Three Stooges Collection, Volume One: Years 1-2

That's great news Paul.

Is it just me, or does that seem like an awful lot of content for 2 discs? That's just under 3 hours of shorts per disc, plus alternate audio & docs.
"Shoot a few scenes out of focus. I want to win the foreign film award."
Billy Wilder

"This business has come a long way in the last 30 years, but why should I depress you"
I.A.L. Diamond on the Movie Business (1986)
Export to Wiki
#13
Rating: 0

Re: SPHE Press Release: The Three Stooges Collection, Volume One: Years 1-2

If the first set comes without extras, its possible they could fit them on 2 single sided discs, or else its the super dreaded double sided discs, that I hate.Most of the time there problematic, when double sided.
Export to Wiki
#14
Rating: 0

Re: SPHE Press Release: The Three Stooges Collection, Volume One: Years 1-2

Sony very rarely (if ever) does double-sided discs anymore.

"How wonderful it will be to have a leader unburdened by the twin horrors of knowledge and experience." -- Mr. Wick

Export to Wiki
#15
Rating: 0

Re: SPHE Press Release: The Three Stooges Collection, Volume One: Years 1-2

Can someone post the cover art here? I can't find it.
Export to Wiki
#16
Rating: 0

Re: SPHE Press Release: The Three Stooges Collection, Volume One: Years 1-2

I must admit I have never been a big STOOGES fan. Not that
I never liked them -- just never devoted my time to watching
enough of them.

But you know what? I am perfectly aware of the bad history
related to Sony doing any justice to THE THREE STOOGES films.
I know fans on this forum have been screaming about these DVD
releases for years.

Seeing that Sony is finally doing these releases correctly
has enticed even myself to start collecting these shorts.
Ronald J Epstein
Home Theater Forum co-owner
Email me at: repstein@hometheaterforum.com 
To View My Massive DVD Collection Click Here
HTF Rules and Regulations
Export to Wiki
#17
Rating: 0

Re: SPHE Press Release: The Three Stooges Collection, Volume One: Years 1-2

Sounds great, Ron. I've been a fan since I was a little kid, but I must admit that these days I find that their comedy gets too repetitious for me to watch many shorts at one time. One or two before a feature is plenty.
Export to Wiki
#18
Rating: 0

Re: SPHE Press Release: The Three Stooges Collection, Volume One: Years 1-2

I have to admit that just like Ron, im only a casual fan of the stooges. In fact , ive never had any of the best of random dvd that sony has released, just only 2 of their late theatrical movies with joe and 2 p.d dvd from region 4.But, at the price they are going to be charging for the sets , im getting all as they are released.Just imagine, for the price they use to charge for 4 shorts, we now get a huge 19 !!!!!!!! Even the most casual stooge fan has to get excited about this !
Export to Wiki
#19
Rating: 0

Re: SPHE Press Release: The Three Stooges Collection, Volume One: Years 1-2

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ronald Epstein
But you know what? I am perfectly aware of the bad history
related to Sony doing any justice to THE THREE STOOGES films.
I know fans on this forum have been screaming about these DVD
releases for years. Seeing that Sony is finally doing these releases correctly
has enticed even myself to start collecting these shorts.

You'll have a ball. These are great films.

I've been one of those screaming the loudest. I kind of hope Sony pulls those atrocious releases from shelves so as to not alienate any other unsuspecting fans and hurt the sales of these good sets.

This is great news. I've been waiting for an official announcement since these rumors started months ago.

Hope they release more sets quickly & keep the momentum going.
Export to Wiki
#20
Rating: 0

Re: SPHE Press Release: The Three Stooges Collection, Volume One: Years 1-2

You'll find the cover art at www.inthebalcony.com.
Export to Wiki
#21
Rating: 0

Re: SPHE Press Release: The Three Stooges Collection, Volume One: Years 1-2

Thanks for the link, but I still can't find where on the site the cover is displayed.
Export to Wiki
#22
Rating: 0

Re: SPHE Press Release: The Three Stooges Collection, Volume One: Years 1-2

Its on the left hand side of the page, really hard to miss.
Export to Wiki
#23
Rating: 0

Re: SPHE Press Release: The Three Stooges Collection, Volume One: Years 1-2

Now , if only we could get a shot of the backcover, to see if volume 1 has extras !
Export to Wiki
#24
Rating: 0

Re: SPHE Press Release: The Three Stooges Collection, Volume One: Years 1-2

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tony Zannikos
Its on the left hand side of the page, really hard to miss.


It is? I've looked at it 4 times and I am scrolling SLOWLY and Ionly see a picture of Shemp! Pray tell, what am I doing wrong? Neat site btw...
Export to Wiki
#25
Rating: 0

Re: SPHE Press Release: The Three Stooges Collection, Volume One: Years 1-2

The very reliable "stooges and confoosed" from the ThreeStooges.net got us a high-res shot...



Now, my problem is that the picture Columbia is using is from the former public domain title SWING PARADE OF 1946.. now it seems that Warner owns it when Turner acquired it back in the late 90s.. so seems kind of foolish to first use a photo that doesn't belong to any of the shorts your company put out and second not even from a year the set is from! Also, if you look closely on the side, a shot from "A Bird In the Head" is in there and as all Stoogephiles know that was a much later short after Curly's health deteriorated. It really looks like Sony threw it together in 5 minutes after they've spent YEARS restoring the prints! I really hope they change it.. it looks like some cheap-ass Goodtimes title.
Matt

Mobu? Sounds like some sort of damn car polish.
Export to Wiki
#26
Rating: 0

Re: SPHE Press Release: The Three Stooges Collection, Volume One: Years 1-2

That looks horribly Photoshopped.
Export to Wiki
#27
Rating: 0

Re: SPHE Press Release: The Three Stooges Collection, Volume One: Years 1-2

It's not that it's unappealing to me, just that it's a later photo. It really makes me feel that, once again, whoever is in charge doesn't know his Stooges. Also - not that it's that big a deal, but it doesn't say "Volume 1" either. For those not in the know, it might be helpful for them to realize this is not just another "fly by night" or "public domain" offshoot -- that it's Sony now actively putting the whole series out "definitively". If I wasn't aware I myself might at a glance think this was just another run of the mill collection.
Export to Wiki
#28
Rating: 0

Re: SPHE Press Release: The Three Stooges Collection, Volume One: Years 1-2

That CAN'T be the final artwork.

Even Sony wouldn't release that thing to shelves. Not if they expect to make money from it.

It is completely indistinguishable and hardly stands out. Worse, it looks like a budget label public domain box. Not exactly screaming for positive marketing sales with this one...

I'm certain that cannot be final, because really, who in their right mind would give the pass to that thing?
Export to Wiki
#29
Rating: 0

Re: SPHE Press Release: The Three Stooges Collection, Volume One: Years 1-2

Even though I dont like the cover art,ill still buy this.For the cover art I cant resist ,ill quote shemp,"what a hideous monstrous face, oh !!!!!!!!!!
Export to Wiki
#30
Rating: 0

Re: SPHE Press Release: The Three Stooges Collection, Volume One: Years 1-2

Obviously I'll still buy this as well... I'm just saying that this does not look like a professional product and I expect that unless a strong marketing campaign is set to promote this release (which judging by the proximity of the release date and what we've seen so far, doesn't appear to be the case) I expect that it will affect sales.

When a Warner Bros. box set is seen on shelf for instance, there is no mistaking the product or passing it by. This is not even "bold" in the usual gawdy photoshop way. It's just plain and indiscreet and cheap looking, which is a poor reflection (I hope!) of the product within.
Export to Wiki