Snow White and
the Three Stooges
(aka SNOW WHITE AND THE THREE CLOWNS)
With: Carol Heiss (Snow White), Larry Fine (Larry), Joe DeRita (Curly-Joe), Moe Howard (Moe), Edson Stroll (Prince Charming), Patricia Medina (Queen/Witch), Guy Rolfe (Count Oga), Michael David (Rolf), Buddy Baer (Hordred), Edgar Barrier (King Augustus), Peter Coe (Captain), Marie Blake (Servant) (as "Blossom Rock")
***
SYNOPSIS: Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Fortunia, a Queen gave birth to a daughter with skin as white as snow, lips as red as rubies, and hair as black as ebony. She was called Snow White. Soon after her birth, however, her mother died. In time, the king remarried. His new Queen was a beautiful, but evil woman who soon became jealous of Snow White's beauty.
On the day of her 17th birthday, Snow White's father died, and the Queen immediately imprisoned her. Eventually, the Queen's jealousy of her stepdaughter became so great, that she ordered her killed. Snow White escaped her hired assassin, and found refuge in the empty cottage of the seven dwarfs, soon to be joined by "Ye Stooges Three" who are traveling to the castle with their ward. But the boy they have raised since childhood (also narrowly escaping an assassination attempt by the wicked Queen} is in reality Prince Charming, who, though he has lost his memory, is actually betrothed to Snow White.
Snow White and the Prince fall in love, of course, but the Queen has him kidnapped when she suspects his true identity. The Stooges, disguised as cooks, attempt to rescue him, but he falls from a staircase in the palace, and is presumed dead. Meanwhile, the Queen learns from her magic mirror that Snow White is still alive. With the help of her magician, Count Oga, she transforms herself into a witch, and succeeds in getting Snow White to take a bite from a poisoned apple.
As she rides back to the palace on her broom, she encounters the Stooges, and, thanks to an inadvertent wish they make on a magic sword {stolen from Count Oga} she falls to her death. By this time, the Prince has led a successful revolt against the Queen's castle, recovering his memory along the way. After he learns of the whereabouts of Snow White, he arrives in time to dispel the effects of the poisoned apple. Snow White and Prince Charming are married, and live happily ever after...
***
SNOW WHITE AND THE THREE STOOGES was the most lavish film the famous comedy team was ever associated with (not counting their brief cameo appearance in IT'S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD). Released in 1961, SW3S had a budget of 3.5 Million dollars! Originally, director Frank Tashlin, who had directed Jerry Lewis in his fairy tale farce, CINDERFELLA was set to helm the film. Tashlin was also once married to opera singer Mary Costa, who did the voice of Princess Aurora in Walt Disney's SLEEPING BEAUTY. However, when production got under way in 1960, he was replaced by famed director Walter Lang, known for the many musicals he made during Hollywood's "Golden Age". In fact, SW3S was his last film. Somehow, 20th Century-Fox, who were then in serious trouble after a series of expensive flops, gave the OK for the 3-plus Million dollar budget, which was originally set at a mere $750,000!
The star of the film was Olympic skating champion Carol Heiss. She was twenty years old at the time, and had won her Gold Medal the year before. In fact, SW3S was intended as a vehicle for her skating talents, with the Three Stooges aboard merely as support. Cast in the dual role of the wicked Queen and the witch she turned into was veteran leading lady Patricia Medina, who had recently married the actor Joseph Cotten. Edson Stroll, a virtual unknown, played Prince Charming, while British actor Guy Rolfe was the evil Count Oga.
Also aboard were Blossom Rock, as the Prince's one-time nurse, and Herbie Faye, as the head cook. Rock, sister of Jeanette MacDonald, would be best known for her role as Grandmama on the TV series "The Addams Family". Despite the fact that the blonde Miss Heiss, who turned brunette for the part, could not sing, it was decided to add songs to the plot. Stroll was dubbed for his musical numbers by Bill Lee, who also sang for Christopher Plummer in THE SOUND OF MUSIC, but the voice used for Miss Heiss is unknown.
The plot is basically the same as the fairy tale, with the skating sequences added to show off Carol Heiss' blade prowess. The Stooges are substitutes for the vacationing Seven Dwarfs, and are also responsible for uniting Snow White with her Prince. He has grown up with the Stooges, who have a traveling medicine show, when they rescue him from an assassination attempt engineered by Snow White's stepmother, the Queen.
SNOW WHITE AND THE THREE STOOGES has long been reviled by critics, fans of the Stooges, and even the Stooges themselves, who felt cheated by the subordinate roles they play. When the film was released in 1961, it was yet another flop Fox could ill afford. It is, however, a wonderful movie with fine performances by Carol Heiss in what was both her film debut and swan song, the ravishingly beautiful Patricia Medina, who conveyed the evil in her character without overdoing it, and Stroll, who, alas was little heard from since, though he became a regular on the TV series "McHales's Navy".
The Cinemascope production is truly beautiful, with sets which convey the perfect fairy tale mood, as well as establishing where a good deal of the budget went. The music score by Lyn Murray, and the songs were delightful, as well. SW3S is, to be sure, best appreciated by lovers of fairy tale films than fans
of the Three Stooges.
Another criticism leveled at the film was the toned-down antics of the rowdy team. but, truthfully, there is little room for all-out slapstick in a fantasy of this kind, without destroying the mood. However, they did have a brief pie-throwing scene. In short, the film is successful as a very lavish and satisfying adaptation of the beloved fairy tale, and no apologies need be made for it.
- Phil Lindholm
addenda:
* There was a soundtrack album available on Columbia records.
Kevin S. Butler submits this additional information about SNOW WHITE AND THE THREE STOOGES:
The character of Count Olga was not originally meant for Guy Rolf. The part first was slated for Martin Landau, then an unknown character actor. For whatever the reason, Landau never got to play the part and the role was given to Rolf. There is some test footage of Landau trying out for the part, which appeared in one of the Hidden Hollywood documentaries which The American Movie Classics Network aired during the 1990's.
copyright © 2004 Phil Lindholm, all rights reserved
Video/DVD availability: VHS (Fox Video)
courtesy of Phil Lindholm
courtesy of Phil Lindholm
(1961) color 107 minutes
Chanford Productions / Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
Story: Charles Wick
Screenplay: Noel Langley, Elwood Ullman
Songs: Earl K. Brent, Harry Harris
Music: Lyn Murray
Cinematography: Leon Shamroy
Produced by Charles Wick
Directed by Walter Lang
* Mel blanc (aka Bugs Bunny, did the voice of the puppet used by the prince in his
ventriloquist act.
(08-21-05)
DVD Review by Phil Lindholm
SNOW WHITE AND THE THREE STOOGES has just been released on DVD by Fox Video. It is available for the first time in its original Cinemascope version (enhanced for widescreen TV's). The print used is nearly perfect, the color is vibrant and there is no noticable damage. The two-channel Stereo sound is fantastic. The film looks glorious in Cinemascope, and much better than the old pan and scan VHS tape, which had muted color and some relatively minor print flaws. Included on this long-awaited DVD is the original theatrical trailer, also letterboxed, and well-preserved. There is also a Spanish soundtrack option. Highly reccomended, especially for ''Snow White'' fans, and a wonderful treat for those who have never seen this neglected fantasty film.
(02-05-06)
NEW! Rare British Lobby Card Set! SUPERSIZED!
NEW! Rare Publicity Portraits of Carol Heiss!
