CALLING ALL CURS

Production Information
Title: Calling All Curs
Studio: Columbia
Short Number: 41
Release Date: August 25, 1939
Running Time: 17:19

“I’m tryin’ to think, but nuthin’ happens.”

Short Take

The Stooges are skilled veterinarians at a pet hospital who are the proud surgeons of Garcon, a prized poodle of socialite Mrs. Bedford (Isabelle LaMal). They successfully remove a thorn from his paw. Dognappers posing as reporters (Lynton Brent, Cy Schindell) dognap Garcon.

Before the kidnapping crime is discovered, the trio attempts to enjoy a dinner of bones and dog biscuits at a long table with all the other dogs who are patients at the hospital. It’s during the meal that a nurse discovers Garcon is missing. The Boys frantically try to trick Mrs. Bedford by disguising a mutt as Garcon. However, when Mrs. Bedford’s maid (Libby Taylor), who is frightened of dogs, accidentally vacuums a clump of glued-on fur off the mutt’s shaggy coat, Mrs. Bedford threatens to throw The Stooges in jail. Desperate, the trio uses the mutt as a bloodhound to track down the crooks. When they discover the enemies’ hideout, a big fight ensues. Larry and Moe get knocked out, but then Curly defeats both crooks. The Boys hear Garcon quietly barking from inside a closet, only to discover that the prized poodle has had a litter of pups.

Calling All Curs Cast & Crew

Directed byJules White
Produced byJules White
Written byThea Goodman
Searle Kramer
Elwood Ullman
StarringMoe Howard
Larry Fine
Curly Howard
Lynton Brent
Cy Schindell
Isabelle LaMal
Beatrice Curtis
Libby Taylor
Edited byCharles Nelson

Calling All Curs Trivia

  • The working titles were Call a Doctor and Dog Hospital
  • This was one of Curly Howard’s favorite Stooge films as he was a well-known dog lover
  • The release title parodies the police radio call “Calling all cars!”

Production Notes

  • Filming took place from December 27-30, 1938
  • Charlie Chase finished his final Stooge production, so Jules White will direct and produce five consecutive films
  • The 1300 block of North Saint Andrews in Los Angeles was the filming location for the scene when The Boys and their four-legged friend hunt for Garcon, the kidnapped French poodle
  • This site came very close to being lost forever when Highway 101 was extended during the 1940s and ’50s. Another 100 feet or so, and this location would have been gone. Less than a mile from the Columbia studio on North Gower Street, this location is hard to find, since no street signs, number or business signs are visible in the film
  • The scene with the ‘replacement’ Garcon on the doorstep of the house is the Blondie House on Blondie Street on the Columbia Ranch