Production Information
Title: Goofs and Saddles
Studio: Columbia
Short Number: 24
Release Date: July 2, 1937
Running Time: 17:10
“Look! Wagon tracks…and they’re fresh, too!”
Short Take
Set in the Old West, The Stooges are scouts for the United States Cavalry and are sent by General Muster (Ted Lorch) to catch a gang of cattle rustlers. Therefore, they hide as bushes to try and find the gang’s leader, Longhorn Pete (Stanley Blystone). However, the rustlers see past their disguises and shoot at the trio, forcing them to flee. The Stooges eventually wind up in Longhorn Pete’s saloon, and The Boys disguise themselves as gamblers and get into a card game with Pete as they wait for the cavalry.
Moe attempts to send a message to General Muster for help via carrier pigeon, but the pigeon returns to Pete, who reads the incriminating message aloud. The Stooges are forced to escape for their lives, jumping on a covered wagon filled with household equipment — and a monkey. The trio tosses pots and pans from the wagon onto the ground, which the hooves of the rustlers’ horses catch. The wagon loosens up from the horse team and goes down in its own power until it stops.
The Stooges lock themselves within a small house, forcing the rustlers to use their guns on it from the outside. A bullet knocks off the monkey’s hat, and he is forced to use a dipper as a helmet. Amidst the melee, Curly spots a meat grinder and decides to make a hamburger. The whizzing bullets accidentally topple a box of ammunition into the grinder, and the grinder becomes a makeshift Gatling gun. Discovering the chance, they add more ammunition and even a gun belt serving as an ad hoc ammunition belt. The increase in opposing firepower overwhelm the bandits until General Muster and his soldiers arrive and capture them. As a result, The Stooges are given kudos for a job well done, the monkey goes to the grinder and twists the handle, firing a few shots that hit The Boys.
Goofs and Saddles Cast & Crew
| Directed by | Del Lord |
|---|---|
| Produced by | Jules White |
| Written by | Felix Adler |
| Starring | Moe Howard Larry Fine Curly Howard Stanley Blystone Ted Lorch Cy Schindell Eddie Laughton Hank Bell |
| Cinematography | Benjamin H. Kline |
| Edited by | Charles Nelson |
Goofs and Saddles Trivia
- Although uncredited, this is the first appearance of supporting actor Joe Palma, who would play the “Phony Shemp” stand-in in 1956
- This short has the lowest slap count: Moe smacks Curly softly on his head and he slaps Larry when he thought Larry pulled them off the horses after hitting a tree branch
Production Notes
- Filming was completed on April 14–19, 1937
- The wagon escape footage was reused in Pals and Gals (1954)
