#larry fine

[halothanic]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE BEST TO EVER DO IT, BRUCE CAMPBELL! this piece was inspired by my thinking a few months ago "hmm, i've drawn enough portraits of bruce, what would he REALLY want as a birthday gift?" and then of course, subsequently watching a ton of the three stooges and his friend group's super 8 films. "the blind waiter" was actually the first film of his that i watched outside of the evil dead series, which was my formal introduction. i was instantly captivated, and wanted to know everything there was to know about him. years later, i don't see that stopping anytime soon.

bruce is genuinely one of the funniest, most inspiring people i have ever witnessed — and ever met! my gratitude and reverence for him is indescribable, and i am so blessed to always have his work on hand and his presence in my memories. there is no one else like him in this world, in all his living cartoon glory! however, he would fit well among the stooges, and i'm sure he'd be pleased to. i am a massive fan of them as well, and have been so excited to finally try drawing them. this won't be the last time, you can count on that. keep shemping, bruce — watch out for errant pies today!

some close-ups for good measure. while i was drawing this, i was alerted that i was sitting smiling blissfully, front and center in the photo from his birthday post. took me awhile to calm down so i could finish a steady line again!!!

[cosmicretreat]

[chernobog13]

From Hold That Lion! (1947). This was the 100th short film, out of a total of 190, that the Stooges made for Columbia Pictures.

The first time I saw this (in a theatre, no less) when Larry removes the hat covering the face of a train passenger who's snoring loudly the whole audience broke out in riotous applause!

This film was shot after Curly's debilitating stroke in May, 1946. Curly's health had been on the decline for several months before then, and it was believed he'd already experienced several strokes.

Older brother Shemp rejoined the Stooges at that time, but he stipulated that it was only a temporary move until Curly recovered and could return to the troupe. Unfortunately, Curly's condition only worsened, and Shemp's temporary return became permanent; he remained in the Stooges until his death in 1955.

Hold That Lion! is the only time Larry Fine appeared on screen with the three Howard brothers (Moe, Curly and Shemp). It is also the third film made after Shemp's return.

Curly's cameo in the film was actually impromptu; he had been visiting the set to see his brothers. Director Jules White spotted Curly and immediately thought a cameo would be a great bit, and Curly happily agreed to do it.

Curly actually filmed another cameo in 1948 for 1949's Malice in the Palace. He even appears on lobby cards for the film, almost unrecognizable with his weight loss and huge mustache.

However, due to his poor health, his performance was not very good and needed up being cut from the final film.

[citizenscreen]

Larry Fine (October 4, 1902 – January 24, 1975)

[angrybrownman]

Our iconic trio — The Vee Stooges

[moviesludge]

the runaround

[laelablooms]

[bygone-hollywood]