SHEMP HOWARD: The 2nd and 5th Stooge of THREE

Before he was Shemp Howard, he was Samuel Horwitz, born on March 11, 1895, and would be the third of Five-Horwitz-Brothers and - - wait - - I'm getting ahead of my story.

This is a look at a professional comedian's work. Which may not all be known to my reader, because Samuel became boxed in with one known character, twice. Which may not be as bad as it sounds to millions of his fans around the world.

Although, Samuel was born in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, his community was closer to the colony founded by the Dutch, "Breukelen", than the borough of today's, "New York City", Brooklyn. The boy would be 3-years-old, before "Brooklyn" combined with "Manhattan" and the "Bronx", to make 1898's, "New York City". The other two borough's were yet to come.

His parents, Solomon Nathan Horwitz,  and Jennie Mary Gorowitz (changed in the United States to Goldsmith) Horwitz, were second-cousins and both were born in Kovno, the Russian Empire, today, the second largest city of Lithuania, Kaunas. 

The couple immigrated to the United States in 1888.

Samuel's oldest brother would become insurance salesman, Isidore "Irving" Horwitz, the only brother that did not "Americanize" his last name. His younger brothers decided on the new last name of "Howard", because of strong Antisemitism in New York City that they were being exposed too.

The three boy's second oldest brother would become insurance agent, Benjamin Jacob "Jack" Howard.

Above a pre-1944 photo of "Jack", with back row left to right, Larry Fine (Louis Feinberg), Curly Howard (Jerome Lester Horwitz), and Moe Howard (Moses Harry Horwitz).

Samuel's name of "Shemp" came from his mother's problem saying "Sam". He had been named after her grandfather, "Shumel", which is an Ashkenazi Yiddish variant of the biblical name of "Samuel". His mother with her thick Lithuanian accent kept saying "Shem", or "Shemp", instead of "Sam", and the nickname stuck.

Below a rare picture, I couldn't locate the year, but was before the brother's mother passed away on September 9, 1939,

Above, in the front row are left to right, Samuel, mother Jennie, and Moses, back row left, Benjamin, and Irving, missing is Jerome.

In 1909, brother Moses, now using his nickname of "Moe", cut off his curls, to his mother's dislike, and produced his trademarked bowl cut hair, and became a runner at the "Vitagraph Studios", in Brooklyn. He was also being given pit parts in their films. However, a 1910 fire destroyed all the studios movies, 

With another young man named Charles Ernest Lee Nash, who would change his name to Ted Healy. "Moe" and "Ted", in 1912, found work with professional Australian swimmer, and actress, Annette Marie Sarah Kellerman's vaudeville, "diving girls". Kellerman was at the heart of a major scandal. She had dared not to wear the accepted and "proper" women's swimming wear, pantaloons. Instead, Annette Kellerman, was seen in public, wearing a one-piece bathing suit, seen below.

In 1914, Shemp and Moe performed with a Minstrel Show Troupe, on a showboat moving up and down the Mississippi River. The boys were known as "Howard and Howard: A Study in Blackface". In 1919, both Shemp and Moe appeared in a 1919 short subject, "Spring Fever". That had baseball legend, Johannes Peter "Honus" Wagner, below, teaching Moe how to hit a baseball.

Moe and Ted Healy now had a vaudeville act. In 1922, Moe spotted Shemp in the audience and called to him. His quick thinking brother came up on stage, became part of the act, and "Ted Healey and His Stooges" was born. The act normally had Ted telling jokes and being interrupted by "Stooge #1, Moe", and "Stooge #2, Shemp". "The Two Stooges"  started causing planned trouble for Healy, this type of act was known as a "Roughhouse".

On May 3, 1927, at the "44th Street Theatre", on Broadway, the musical "A Night in Spain", opened, and ran for 174-performances. The cast included Shemp Howard, Moe Howard, Ted Healy and his wife, Betty. 

On tour, the original cast traveled to Chicago. Where "A Night in Spain" would run from November 28, 1927 through April 27, 1928. 

During the show's Chicago run, in March, 1928, according to multiple  references to a Robert Davidson article, "1928 Was A Fine Year", in "The Three Stooges Journal", Issue #155", at:

https://www.threestooges.net/journal/view/155

"Ted Healey and His Stooges", first met comic violinist, Louis Feinberg, now using the name of Larry Fine at the "Rainbo Garden's", 4812-4836 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois. Larry Fine was the "Rainbo Garden's" "Master of Ceremonies". Back on February 4th, Larry had experienced a raid by "Federal Agents" of one of Al Capone's favorite "Jazz Clubs". Three months to the day later, May 4, 1928, the doors of the club were padlocked.

 

Shemp was leaving for a few months, and Larry was asked to be his replacement "Stooge". Larry Fine joined Ted's forgotten "Stooges", Bobby Pinkus. Who would use his real name of Peter James as part of "Spike Jones's" comedy band, and Sam "Moody" Braun, who seems to have disappeared from any searches, or cast listings. 

In September, 1928, Shemp, returned to finish the show's tour.

On May 21, 1929, on Broadway, at the "Sam S. Shubert Theatre", the musical, "A Night in Venice" opened. The musical included "Ted Healy and His Three Stooges", Stooge #1 was Moe Howard, Stooge #2 was Shemp Howard, and Stooge #3 was Larry Fine. However, when the show went on tour the billing would change to either "Ted Healy and His Racketeers", "Ted Healy and His Southern Gentleman", or "Ted Healy and His Three Lost Souls".

Above left to right, Larry Fine, Moe Howard, Shemp Howard, and Ted Healy

On September 28, 1930, history was made with the one-hour-and-ten-minute musical comedy motion  picture, "Soup to Nuts". As the original "Three-Stooges", aka: "Ted Healy and His Stooges", first appeared on the motion picture screen.

Above left to right, Ted Healy as "Ted 'Teddy", Shemp Howard as "Fireman Shemp", Moe Howard billed as Harry Howard portraying a "Fireman", and Larry Fine as a "Fireman",

The "Stooges" had a major disagreement with Ted back in August 1930, and they left him before "Soup to Nuts" had been released. The three formed their own group, "Howard (Moe), Fine (Larry), and Howard (Shemp)", and joined the "Radio-Keith-Orpheum (RKO)" vaudeville circuit, opening before the end of August 1930, at the "Paramount Theatre" in Los Angeles. The three needed a "Straight Man" and hired Jack Walsh. He stayed with the now, "Howard, Fine, and Howard: Three Lost Souls" through July 1932. Other than mentioning Walsh's name, I could not locate any other information about the comedian.

Ted Healy now returned wanting Shemp, Moe, and Larry to be in his act for the "Shubert's" new revue, "Passing Show for 1932". This series, the "Passing Show" had started in 1912, as the "Passing Show 1912", to compete with the "Ziegfeld Follies", and became a yearly new production. 

However, on August 16, 1932, over a contract dispute with the Shubert's, Ted Healy walked out on the show's rehearsals. On August 19th, Moe and Larry also left with Ted, but Shemp, tired of Ted Healy's alcoholism, and abrasive domination of "The Stooges", made the decision to remain with the show. 

Shemp's decision resulted in two actions:

1. Moe and Larry decided to add Moe's brother, Jerome Lester Howard , known as Curly. He had been the youngest of the five- brother's and they had nicknamed him, "Babe". However, when Shemp married Gertrude Frank in 1925, she came with the same nickname of "Babe". Lester was               re-nicknamed, "Curly".

2. After the "Shubert's" "Passing Show for 1932", folded during the pre-Broadway roadshow appearances, because of both terrible critic reviews and box office. Shemp started out on his own. 

At that time, Ted Healey, Moe, Curly, and Larry Fine, were at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studio, in the Los Angeles suburb of Culver City. While, Shemp signed with "Vitaphone Pictures", which was now owned by "Warner Brothers", but filmed their shorts at a studio in Brooklyn, near his home.

The following quote comes from the website "Wikipedia" at:

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shemp_Howard#Solo_years 

And is apparently the main source, on other websites and blogs, including "AI" research, as to how many short subject films Shemp Howard made with Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle:

Originally playing bit roles in their six two-reel Roscoe Arbuckle comedies made from 1932 to 1933, showing off his comical appearance

The problem is one, Shemp apparently made no motion pictures in 1932. Two, according to the website "IMDb" at: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0397602/ , or at:

 https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000779/ :

Howard and Arbuckle made only two-movies together. Both in 1933, "Close Relations" in September, and "In the Dough", in November, released the day before Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle died.

On February 16, 1934, "RKO Pictures" released, "The Knife of the Party", a 20-minute comedy short that might be lost to history, IF it didn't contain Shemp Howard's own attempt to create his own "Stooge's" comedy team, sounding very Ted Healy, "Shemp Howard and Stooges". 

The "Stooge's" were, actor Jammie Fox, in his 1st of 59-roles through 1956, to the left of Shemp. Who is center in the above photo, and Charles Senna, in his only acting role, possibly to Shemp's right.  

In March 1934, Moe, Larry, and Curly finally broke away from Ted Healy. Who now started a solo career with "Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer" under a new contract. The three were no longer "Ted Healy and - - -", but "THE 3 STOOGES". The trio signed with "Columbia Pictures" and began the series of short's they would be remembered for.

While Shemp stayed in Brooklyn filming for "Vitaphone".

Shemp Howard's first feature length motion picture contained his first dramatic role.

CONVENTION GIRL aka: ATLANTIC CITY ROMANCE premiered in London, England, on May 15, 1935, and in the United States on October 16, 1935

Rose Hobart portrayed "Cynthia 'Babe' LaVal". Who runs a group of "Call-Girls" at an Atlantic City Hotel. Hobart was also an official on the board of the "Screen Actors Guild". An organization, in 1949, the "House Committee on Un-American Activities" considered "subversive". She was called before the committee, accused of being a Communist, which she was not, refused to "Name Name's" of other Communist members of "SAG", "Blacklisted", and her motion picture acting career ended.

Shemp Howard portrayed "Gangster Dan Higgins". This is anything but a role one would think of Shemp Howard playing. At one point in cold blood, he murders his partner,

For those on my readers interested in watching 1935's, "Convention Girl", with the out of character Shemp Howard role. The following link, at the time of this writing, will take you there:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCHJIITlnbM 

It was back to non-Three Stooge's comedy shorts, starting with the 21-minute, released on June 15, 1935, "Serves You Right", starring Shemp.

Above left, slapstick comedian and singer, Donald MacBride portraying gangster, "Muscle Bound Pete". On the right is Shemp Howard portraying "Johnny Spivens". Who was promised the head process server's job, if he can deliver a summons to the gangster. Like those who tried to serve "Pete" before, "Johnny" is beaten-up, but knowing the other's weakness for women. "Johnny", in drag, serves the gangster with the summons.

Shemp would make another 12-Vitaphone comedy shorts, before he, again, began to appear in supporting roles in feature films. Several of those shorts, in 1936, were about a very popular "Sunday Comic Section Character, Boxer "Joe Palooka", created by cartoonist, Ham Fisher.

In 1934, a feature length movie about the boxer had been released. "Joe Palooka" had been portrayed by Stuart Erwin, with Jimmy Durante as his manager, "Knobby Walsh", and "King Kong's", Robert Armstrong, as "Joe's father". 

In 1936, "Vitaphone" had obtained the film rights to the character and would make 9-shorts. The first short was "For the Love of Pete", March 14, 1936, with Shemp Howard co-starring as "Knobby Walsh".

Above, Shemp Howard on the left, with Robert Norton portraying "Joe Palooka".

On April 30, 1936, "THE THREE STOOGES", Moe Howard, Larry Fine, and Curly Howard's, short, "Half Shoot Shooters" premiered.  Look closely in the crowd scene's and you may see Solomon "Sol" Horwitz in the first of his six-appearances.

While for brother "Shemp", "For the Love of Pete", would be followed by the non-Joe Palooka short, "Absorbing Junior", starring Shemp, on May 9, 1936. 

Shemp's next 7--shorts had him portraying "Knobby Walsh" opposite Norton's, "Joe Palooka". The character was dropped for the final short, 1937's, "Calling All Kids".

Question: When is a Western Not a Western?

Answer:

HOLLYWOOD ROUND-UP premiering November 6, 1937

Before I get into the movie, what is of interest is the motion picture was made by "Columbia Pictures". The same studio that was making Moe, Larry, and Curly's "3 Stooges" shorts.

Buck Jones aka: Charles Jones, born Charles Fredrick Gebhardt, portrayed "Buck Kennedy" . He started portraying "B" Cowboy heroes in 1914, and was also a stunt man. His last film was #167 in 1942. Buck's horse, "Silver" is listed as an uncredited actor.

Helen Twelvetrees portrayed "Carol Stephens". She would retire after two more films, and is remembered more for a "Lost Movie", 1930's, "The Cat Creeps", a sound remake of the classic 1927, "The Cat and the Canary".

Grant Withers portrayed "Grant Drexel". In 1930, he eloped with 17-years-old, Loretta Young. He was a member of the "John Ford Stock Company", and appeared in nine of his motion picture's, including as "Ike Clanton" in 1946's, "My Darling Clementine". 

Shemp Howard portrayed "Oscar Brush, the assistant director".

I asked a question of when was a "Western Not a Western?" 

The answer:

When it's about a motion picture company making a "B" Western and what is going on behind the filming of the picture. The producer has hired a fading actress he always admired, there's a little on and off set romance, bank robbers claiming to be another movie company and needing the filming location as a ruse to rob the bank, and an overzealous assistant director, all adding to the confusion. 

I can ask my same question for Shemp Howard's next motion picture, which directly followed "Hollywood Round-Up", 1937's, "Headin' East". It also starred Buck Jones, this time as "Buck Benson".

The motion picture is listed as a "Western Drama". Just before this picture, Buck Jones was seen in the "Western Drama", 1937's, "Sudden Bill Dorn", and followed it with the 1938, "Western Drama", "The Overland Express". The problem with this picture fitting between the two other actual "B" Cowboy Westerns, is that "Buck Benson" is the son of the head of a farmer's, "Lettuce Growers Association". Whose members are being threaten by "New York Racketeers" and he goes to confront them. At the New York City produce market, "Buck" sees two racketeers tipping over produce loaded hand-trucks. He takes off his "Cowboy Hat" and trade's it for the hat worn by truck driver "Windy Wylie", portrayed by Shemp Howard, and takes on the two racketeers in a fight,

On the above lobby card, left to right, Ruth Coleman as "Helen Calhoun", Shemp Howard, and Buck Jones, not looking much like a "Lettuce Growing Cowboy".

Above, Shemp Howard and possibly Elaine Arden, whose total film work was five pictures.

Shemp next co-starred in 2-shorts, with comedian Andy Clyde. Who was the 1940's, sidekick for William Boyd's "Hopalong Cassidy", portraying "California Carlson", in 12-Westerns.

However, at this point in his motion picture career, actor Shemp Howard found himself in some major, and minor feature films, and in some major and minor aka: uncredited roles. The combination of a major motion picture and a minor role, first occurred right after the second Andy Clyde short, 1938's, "Home on the Rage".

ANOTHER THIN MAN premiered in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, on June 28, 1939, and premiered in Detroit, Michigan, on November 16, 1939

This was the third of six motion pictures based upon the husband and wife detective fiction of Dashiell Hammett. "Nick Charles", portrayed for the third time by William Powell, the classic 1936, "My Man Godfrey" with co-star Carol Lombard, and "Nick's" wife, "Nora Charles", portrayed for a third time by Myrna Loy, a must see is Loy as Boris Karloff's daughter in 1932's, "The Mask of Fu Manchu", solve the murder of "Colonel Burr MacFay", portrayed by C. Aubrey Smith.

Shemp Howard had the uncredited role of a ex-con and friend of the "Charles's" named "Wacky". He doesn't show up until what would be considered "The Last Reel of the Movie" and brings an extra baby. Where the ex-cons are throwing a birthday party for one-year-old, "Nicky, Jr.", portrayed by William A. Poulsen, in his only motion picture. 

At this point, as I have been with his short films, I am going to be selective of Samuel "Shemp" Horwitz's feature films. Shemp Howard's next appearance, was in the uncredited role of a "Kitchen Worker", in the forgotten Brian Donlevy, Jacqueline Wells, aka: Julie Bishop aka: Diane Duval, and Paul Fix, 1939, "Behind Prison Gates". 

On August 16, 1939, at the young age of 48-years, Shemp's oldest brother Isidore (Irving) passed away. Sadly, less than one month later on September 6, 1939, his mother Jennie Mary Gorowitz Horwitz passed away.  

Shemp next appeared with Noah Beery, Jr., in a 18-minute short, 1939's, "Glove Slingers", and, also 1940's, "Money Squawks", with Andy Clyde.

Shemp's roles might be "uncredited", but his next two motion pictures were in two classic 1940's detective series entries.

He was "Shorty McCoy" in 1940's, "Charlie Chan's Murder Cruise", starring Sidney Toler. He was "Joe-a pickpocket", in 1940's, "The Lone Wolf Meets a Lady", starring Warren Williams.

On July 12, 1940, "RKO Pictures" released the crime drama, "Millionaires in Prison". about the prison doctor, "Dr. William 'Bill' Collins", portrayed by Truman Bradley. Who is also an inmate, and an inmate volunteer, the picture's star, Lee Tracy portraying "Nick Burton", finding a cure for a deadly virus.

 

Above left to right, Cliff Edwards portraying "Happy", Shemp Howard portraying the "Professor", and Horace McMahon portraying "Sylvester Ogden 'SOS' Schofield"

Back in 1935 was a major Broadway play entitled "Dead End". In 1937, the play was turned into a vey successful motion picture. A critical part of the story revolves around a group of teenage boys that became known in the motion pictures as "The Dead End Kids", and the young actors were in both the Broadway production and the motion picture. The entire plot revolves around people living on a "Dead End" street. The leading young actor's were Leo Gorcey and Bobby Jordan. 

In 1938, "Universal Pictures" wanted in on the action, and borrowed the "Dead End Kids" without Gorcey and Jordan and created a new group the studio named, "The Little Tough Guys".

GIVE US WINGS premiered in New York City on November 21, 1940

Bobby Jordan was back as a "Dead End Kid", but Leo Gorcey was missing. The 1940 film was one of many pushing high school grads to join the military and especially the "Army Air Corps".

The additional cast, not the two groups of boys, are a very interesting grouping for "Universal Pictures".

Wallace Ford portrayed "Mr. York". Ford had starred in director Tod Browning's, 1932, "Freaks". He had co-starred in director John Ford's, "The Lost Patrol"with Victor McLaglen, and Boris Karloff.

Anne Gwynne portrayed "Julie Mason". She was in the Boris Karloff-Bela Lugosi, 1940, "Black Friday", and the serial "Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe", and among her future films would be, 1941's, "The Black Cat",  1942's, "The Strange Case of Dr. Rx", and 1944's, "House of Frankenstein".

Victor Jory portrayed "Mr. Arnold Carter". In 1939, Jory was in "Gone with the Wind", 1940 saw him in "The Lone Wolf Meets a Lady", in 1953, Jory co-starred in the cult science fiction movie, "Cat-Women of the Moon", and in 1954's, the search for a Pharaoh who believed in Jesus, "Valley of the Kings".

Shemp Howard portrayed "Bus Berger".

Above left to right, Shemp Howard, "Dead End Kid" Billy Halop, and Anne Gwynne. 

Milburn Stone portrayed "Tex Austin". Before Stone first appeared on television's "Gunsmoke", as "Doc Adams", in 1955, for what became 605-episodes. He appeared in motion picture's such as this one, both 1943's, "Captive Wild Women", and "The Mad Ghoul", and 1945's, "The Frozen Ghost".

This typical "Dead End Kids", "Little Tough Guys" series entry, follows the boys quest to become pilots, but they must be high school graduates. None of the seven are, but the screenplay also is plugging "FDR's", real, "National Youth Administration" and its work. That in this story leads the boys to becoming airplane mechanics. However, the subplot has an unscrupulous crop duster owner, "Arnold Carter", offering the boys pilot training to help him, because no respectable pilot will fly in his old and lacking repairs,  crop dusting planes. After "Tex Austin" is killed in one of his planes. "Carter" offers "Rap", portrayed by Bobby Jordan, a chance to fly, but he is also killed. Leading to the "Dead End Kids", "The Little Tough Guys", Wallace Ford, and Shemp going after "Carter".

THE BANK DICK aka: THE BANK DETECTIVE released on November 29, 1940

The screenplay was written by "Mahatma Kane Jeeves", actually W. C. Fields using an old Broadway joke, "My Hat, My Kane, Jeeves".

W. C. Fields portrayed "Egbert Souse". The Broadway and movie comic had just been seen in the classic 1940, "My Little Chickadee", co-starring Mae West. 

The jokes come fast and furious in this story of a henpecked husband, Fields, dealing with his wife, "Agatha Souse", portrayed by Cora Witherspoon, and his oldest daughter "Myrtle Souse", portrayed by Una Merkel. 

To get money to go to his favorite saloon, "Egbert" is known for robbing his youngest daughter, "Elsie Mae Adele Brunch Souse's", portrayed by Evelyn Del Rio's,  piggy bank and leaving her "I.O.U's". 

There are two subplots to the screen play. 

The first starts at "Egbert's" favorite saloon, the "Black Pussy Cat Cafe", which is run by "Joe Guelpe", portrayed by Shemp Howard. There "Egbert" meets film producer "Mackley Q. Greene", portrayed by Dick Pursell, who is shooting a movie, but his director "A. Pismo Clam", portrayed by Jack Norton, has gone out on a drinking bender. The problem is solved, when "Egbert" claims he directed silent movies once.

The second has "Egbert" in the bank where "Og Oggilby", portrayed by Grady Sutton, "Myrtle's" fiancé works. A robbery takes place and "Egbert" is mistaken for having stopped the bank robber, "Cozy Cochran aka: Loudmouth McNasty", portrayed by George Moran. The bank president rewards "Egbert", by making him a "Bank Detective" and the story moves forward with hero "Egbert Souce" next dealing with a swindler at the "Black Pussycat".

Another Sidney Toler "Charlie Chan" mystery, 1940's, "Murder Over New York", followed, and then Shemp found himself in a motion picture with a story written by Curt Siodmak. Who wrote 1940's, "The Invisible Man Returns", and would write 1941's, "The Wolf Man". My article is "CURT and ROBERT SIODMAK: Horror and Film Noir" at:

https://www.bewaretheblog.com/2017/11/curt-and-robert-siodmak-horror-and-film.html 

The following has been modified and comes from my other article "The Invisible Woman", 1940, "The Atomic Kid", 1954 and "The 30 Foot Bride of Candy Rock" at: 

https://www.bewaretheblog.com/2021/01/the-invisible-woman-1940-atomic-kid.html 

THE INVISIBLE WOMAN released December 27, 1940

The screenplay resulted in the typical "Screwball Comedy" of the late 1930's and early 1940's.

Virginia Bruce portrayed "Kitty Carroll". Bruce was one of the original 20 "Goldwyn Girls" with Betty Grable, Ann Sothern and Paulette Goddard. Her first 10 films were all in 1929 and 8 were without any credit. In 1935, Virginia Bruce moved from supporting roles to co-starring with Chester Morris and Robert Taylor in the Drama, "Society Doctor". Bruce, was a singer, and started appearing in "B" Musicals, such as, 1935's, "Here Comes the Band", co-starring with Ted Lewis and his Band. In 1939, she co-starred with Nelson Eddy and Victor McLagen in the Musical "Let Freedom Ring". It was in 1940, that Virginia Bruce's  Comedic talent was finally discovered.

John Barrymore portrayed "Professor Gibbs". Because of his on-screen look during the "Silent Film Era", Barrymore was  known as 'The Great Profile". His motion pictures include, 1920's "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", 1922's "Sherlock Holmes", 1926's "The Sea Beast (Moby Dick)", 1930's "Moby Dick", 1931's "Svengali" and 1932's, MGM All-Star feature, "Grand Hotel".

John Howard portrayed "Richard Russell". Howard portrayed Roland Colman's brother in Director Frank Capra's, 1937, classic version of James Hilton's novel, "Lost Horizon". Also in 1937, Howard started playing the fictional British hero, "Hugh 'Bulldog' Drummond", in several motion pictures. In 1929, Roland Colman had previously played the popular character. In 1942, John Howard turns out to be the title character of, "The Undying Monster", a werewolf, not seen until the pictures climax.

Charles "Charlie" Ruggles portrayed "George". Comedian Ruggles film roles started in 1914 and in 1949 his television series, "The Ruggles", premiered and ran through 1952. Fans of Jay Ward's, "The Bulwinkle Show", know Charlie Ruggles voice as "Aseop". His feature films include, the Howard Hawks' Screwball Comedy, 1938's, "Bringing Up Baby", starring Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant, Walt Disney's original, 1961, "The Parent Trap", Disney's 1963, "Son of Flubber", and Disney's, 1966, "The Ugly Dachshund".

Ann Nagel portrayed "Jean". Nagel would become a forgotten actress, but appeared in some interesting features. These included, co-starring as "Lenore Case", in the 13 Chapter "Cliff Hanger", 1940's, "The Green Hornet", the Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi, 1940, "Black Friday", reprising her role as "Lenore Case", in the 15 Chapter "Cliff Hanger", 1940's, "The Green Hornet Strikes Again", but with a different actor portraying "Britt Reid aka: The Green Hornet". Nagel, co-starred with Lionel Atwill and Lon Chaney in. 1941's, "Man Made Monster", and had a small role in the W.C. Fields, 1941, "Never Give a Sucker an Even Break".

Above, on the right,  Ann Nagel, as "Jean".

Oscar Homolka portrayed "Blackie Cole". Homolka would play many a villain in motion pictures during the 1940's and into the 1950's, but also the occasional good guy. Among his films are, Alfred Hitchcock's, 1936, "Sabotage", the Clark Gable and Heddy Lamarr, 1940, "Comrade X", the Claude Rains and Glenn Ford, 1950, "The White Tower". and Director King Vidor's epic, 1956, production of Leo Tolstoy's, "War and Peace", starring Audrey Hepburn, a miscast Henry Fonda and Mel Ferrer. 

Margaret Hamilton portrayed "Mrs. Jackson". Probably best known for playing the "Wicked Witch", in 1939's, "The Wizard of Oz". In 1960, Director William Castle and Hamilton, had fun with a parody of her character. She portrayed housekeeper, "Elaine Zacharides", in the original "13 Ghosts".

Shemp Howard portrayed "Frankie". 

Charles Lane portrayed "Crowley". Lane, because of his looks, usually portrayed mean and miserly characters. Over his career, between 1930 and 1955, with a large amount of work without screen credit, Charles Lane had 375 different roles.

Maria Montez portrayed "Marie". This was Montez's second on-screen appearance. The following year, she would start to star in films about South Sea's beauties and Arabian Adventures. Her films would include, 1941's "South of Tahiti", starring Brian Donlevy, Broderick Crawford and Andy Devine, the 1942 Film-Noir, based upon an Edgar Allan Poe story, "The Mystery of Marie Roget", 1942's "Arabian Nights", 1944's "Ali Baba and the Forty-Thieves", both with her main co-star, Jon Hall and the same years, "Cobra Woman".

The Very Funny Sight Gag Screenplay:

Fired from her previous job, as a Department Store Model, "Kitty Carroll",  answers as Want Ad from the dotty inventor, "Professor Gibbs". 

Wealthy lawyer and playboy, "Richard Russell", who likes the Professor, has funded a machine the inventor claims will make anything invisible. However, "Russell", has also exhausted his inheritance and "Gibbs" hopes the invention would become salable and help his benefactor. Who has left for his mountain lodge in a depressed state of mine. While, after explaining his invention to "Kitty", she becomes the Professor's test subject.

The invention works and "Kitty Carroll" has become invisible. She slips out of the Professor's house for a little fun revenge on "Crowley", the boss that fired her. To start, as several of the models are showing off gowns to a group of women, a gown, without a head, now appears.

"Kitty" returns to the Professor and he calls "Russell" about his inventions success, but the other doesn't believe "Gibbs". Who decides to take "The Invisible Woman" to "Richard Russell" at his mountain lodge.

"Richard Russell" now meets "Kitty Carroll", which, of course, will lead to a romance. 

While having an alcoholic beverage with the Professor and "Russell", "Kitty" become visible once more. It's determined she can't drink alcoholic beverages, or she'll revert to her invisibility.

 

Meanwhile, a gangster named "Foghorn", played by Donald McBride, has gotten word of the Professor's invisibility device and plans on stealing it. His purpose is to take the machine to Mexico, turn his boss, "Blackie", invisible, and then sneak him back into the United States to continue their crime wave with an invisible gang.

Above, MacBride, between his henchman, "Bill", played by Edward Brophy and Shemp Howard as "Frankie".

This all leads to more sight gags, as the gang attempts to make "Blackie" invisible.

 

"Kitty" drinks another alcoholic beverage, becomes invisible, and with "Russell" takes down the gangsters and the two recover the machine for "Professor Gibbs". The story moves forward, after "Kitty Carroll" has become "Mrs. Richard Russell". They have a baby who has inherited her ability to go invisible

One last word, the "Hayes Censorship Office", had problems with the perceived nudity of Virginia Bruce, when she was invisible. They claimed she was actually nude and wanted to cut out scenes as being morally objectionable to American Family Values. This did not happen!

Two motion pictures later, the one-time comedic member of "Ted Healy and His Stooges", 15th-billed Shemp Howard, first appeared with Bud Abbott and Lou Costello.

BUCK PRIVATES premiered in Rochester, New York, on January 29, 1941

The above poster has Bud Abbott in first position, and Lou Costello in second, but the "Official Cast Listing, has Abbott in 3rd position, and Costello in 4th position. That was because the story was to focus on a love triangle between Lee Bowman, Alan Curtis, and Jane Frazee, with Abbott and Costello as comic relief. As they were seen in their first on-screen appearance, "One Night in the Tropics", in October, 1940. However, someone at "Universal Pictures" realized that the comic duo was actually what the story was built around, and made the decision to give them top-billing, and comic history was made.

Above, Bud and Lou, with Maxine, Patty, and Laverne, "The Andrew Sisters"

Shemp Howard's role was the Army cook that had to put up with the boy's antics. As Bud and Lou were from burlesque, it seemed almost a rerun of "Ted Healy and His Stooges" to him.

Five forgotten motion picture role's followed, two were uncredited, and when Bud and Lou switched military service, in the sixth feature film, so did Shemp. Who now found himself - - - -

IN THE NAVY released May 30, 1941

In this feature, Shemp moved up to 9th-billing, portraying "Dizzy", but instead of being a cook, he was a baker.

Above, a classic part of Bud and Lou's original routines was the magic trick "cups and balls". In the movie it's used to take money from other sailors. Who may not be to pleased with being a rube.

"Universal Pictures" didn't have "The Three Stooges", but they did have Shemp Howard and all they needed was to pair him with another comedian and they had the perfect one, Lon Chaney, Jr. 

SAN ANTONIO ROSE released on June 20, 1941

This was a musical comedy designed to showcase a popular 1940's singing group, "The MERRY MACS", without using their actual names:

Mary Lou Cook became "Mona Mitchell".

Joe McMichael became "Harry".

Ted McMichael became just "Ted".

Judd McMichael became "Phil".

Jane Frazee portrayed "Hope Holloway". She was a popular musical and comedy "B" actress. After "Buck Privates", Frazee had appeared in a "Republic Pictures" musical comedy, 1941, "Angels with Broken Wings". Just prior to returning to "Universal Pictures" for this feature.

Robert Paige portrayed "Con Conway". In 1943, Paige would be reunited with Lon Chaney, Jr. in the Curt and Robert Siodmak, "Son of Dracula". 

Eve Arden portrayed "Gabby Trent". For 130-episodes, from 1952 through 1956, she starred on the television series, "Our Miss Brooks". Fans of the motion picture "Grease", know Arden as "Principle McGee".

Abbott and Costello were not available, so in routines designed for the duo were substituted:

Lon Chaney, Jr. portraying "Jigsaw Kennedy". Chaney, Jr. was just seen in the Robert Taylor, 1941, "Billy the Kid". He followed this feature film with the 15-Chapter Western serial, "Raiders of Death Valley", starring Dick Foran, Leo Carrillo, Buck Jones, and Charles Bickford. My article is "Lon Chaney, Jr: Of Mice and Werewolves", by the full moon at:

https://www.bewaretheblog.com/2016/05/lon-chaney-jr-of-mice-and-werewolves.html 

Shemp Howard portrayed "Benny the Bounce".

From the above linked article:

Two months after Lon Chaney, Jr made his first horror film in June 1941. Lon was in “San Antonio Rose’ not as a heavy or monster, but as the straight man for Shemp Howard as the pair became a faux Abbott and Costello.

Above left to right, Eve Arden, Shemp Howard, and Lon Chaney, Jr.

Shemp portrayed the character of "Dingbat", in another "Dead End Kids", "Little Tough Guys" film, 1941's, "Hit the Road". Then it was actually back to Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in their first horror comedy.

HOLD THAT GHOST premiered in New York City, on August 7, 1941

Note that on the above poster, the largest names belong to Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, who respectfully portray "Chuck Murray" and "Ferdinand 'Ferdie' Jones".

The second largest names belongs to the "Andrew Sisters" and the popular swing band of "Ted Lewis and his entertainers".

Between the motion picture's title and the line about the sisters and the entertainers were the extremely small name of the other main actors in the film.

Richard Carlson portrayed "Dr. Jackson". Six-movies earlier, Carlson also was billed third, but instead of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, it was after Bob Hope and Paulette Goddard, in another, horror comedy, 1940's, "The Ghost Breakers". However, in this picture Richard Carlson is a good-guy. My article is "Richard Carlson the Academic Turned Actor" found at:

https://www.bewaretheblog.com/2015/08/richard-carlson-academic-turned-actor.html 

Above, the back of the head belongs to Shemp Howard.

Joan Davis portrayed "Camille Brewster". Comedian Davis, television's "I Married Joan" with Jim Backus, 1952 through 1955, for 98-episodes, would next be seen in 1941's, "Sun Valley Serenade", featuring Glenn Miller and His Orchestra.

Evelyn Ankers portrayed "Norma Lind". Mrs. Richard Denning was two films away from 1941's, "The Wolf Man", and four films away from 1942's, "The Ghost of Frankenstein". My article is "Evelyn Ankers and Her 1940's Horror Films From Universal Pictures" at:

https://www.bewaretheblog.com/2020/10/evelyn-ankers-and-her-1940s-horror.html  

Shemp Howard portrayed "A Soda Jerk". 

Above left to right, Shemp Howard, Richard Carlson, and Evelyn Ankers.

Although Shemp's role of "A Soda Jerk" is small. Here, he's in one of the real classic Abbott and Costello feature films. The initial budget was $190,000 1941-dollars, but it would soar to $300,000 1941-dollars after the movie was completed and re-edited before release. As of this writing, the final cost would equate to $6, 592, 816, 2025-dollars. 

What actually happened was that the "Universal Pictures" executives had no faith in "Buck Privates", or Abbott and Costello, but the movie became one of the studios biggest box office hits of all time. 

"Hold That Ghost" had already been filmed, but the studio decided to hold its release it. So that they could now add the Andrew Sisters and Ted Lewis doing musical numbers at the pictures start and end. While that was being done, the studio shot and released "Abbott and Costello, In the Navy", prior to finally releasing this motion picture.

What about brother's Moe and Curly, and Larry Fine at this time? The popularity of "The Three Stooges" was over shadowing Shemp, but he was determined to keep a separate career and it would lead to some actual dramatic roles.

However, as far of popularity went for "The 3 Stooges", they even overshadowed Humphrey Bogart's, October 1941, "The Maltese Falcon", especially when they were live at the RKO PALACE in New York City.

 

As the above newspaper add indicates, these were:

THE ORIGINAL HOLLYWOOD "THE 3 STOOGES" - - -

- - - and as I have written above, not the original "3 Stooges". Also note their name placement, while Moe was the business partner and semi-manager of the group. It was Curly, who had become the most popular with the audience's. 

Next, for Shemp Howard was the role, "Louie the projectionist", added to a finished movie by the second director, Eddie Cline. Whose name is not found on the released motion picture, because he was uncredited, as what he did were considered retakes. Whether you see a revival of the original Olsen and Johnson, 1938 Broadway comedy play, or this motion picture, you're in for a treat if you're a movie buff.

The following is taken from my article "Elisha Cook, Jr: Film Noir's, Westerns, Horror, Science Fiction, and a Judy Garland Musical" hunting for "The Black Bird" at:

https://www.bewaretheblog.com/2025/05/elisha-cook-jr-film-noirs-westerns.html. 

HELLZAPOPPIN premiered in New York City on December 25, 1941

If you love movies and are a movie buff, this slapstick and musical attack on the motion picture industry is a must see. It was originally shot with sight gags, and for the year, some new camera tricks by director H. C. Potter. Among his films are the 1938, comedy western, "The Cowboy and the Lady", starring Gary Cooper, and Merle Oberon, 1939's, "The Story of Verne and Irene Castle", starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers, 1947's, "The Farmer's Daughter", starring Loretta Young, Joseph Cotton, and Ethel Barrymore, and 1948's, "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House, starring Gary Grant, Myrna Loy, and Melvyn Douglas.

However, the "Universal Pictures" executives thought some of Potter's scenes were too confusing for the audience. So, they brought in director Edward "Eddie" F. Cline, without on-screen credit, to shoot additional clarification sequences, technically "Re-Takes". Cline was known for silent and sound comedies starring comedians Buster Keaton, "Fatty" Arbuckle, W. C. Fields, and Charlie Chaplin. 

Here's an example of the changes made by Cline to Potter's work. Throughout the film,  

Olsen and Johnson keep breaking the fourth wall of the theatre by talking to an unseen projectionist, in Potter's cut, that becomes the audience. 

The Cline correction was to add the projectionist, "Louie", portrayed by Shemp Howard.

For the motion picture version, the stage production was adapted by Nat Perrin, "The Marx Brother's", 1933, "Duck Soup", and the same years "Roman Scandals" starring Eddie Cantor. Perrin had co-wrote the original Potter production with Warren Wilson. The new material required by the studio executives, was written by the uncredited Alex Gottlieb, whose screenplay writing were basically "B" drama's.

The comic skits are all tied together with the two stars. The movie opens with Shemp Howard showing a pageant of chorus girls coming down a staircase. The staircase collapses into a slide and the chorus girls slide into hell and meet comic demons. 

Next, the picture cuts to "Ole" and "Chic", who play themselves, arriving in hell by a taxi cab in the midst of the chorus girl mayhem. Which is followed by a series of vaudeville style pranks, and the audience discovers this is all part of shooting a movie on a sound stage.

The boys are now hounded by the film's "Director", portrayed by Richard Lane. Who as announcer Dick Lane, did the wrestling and boxing matches on Los Angeles's "KTLA-TV", from the "Olympic Auditorium", and the "Roller Derby" from 1946 through 1972.

Enter the writer of the motion picture being filmed and directed by Richard Lane, "Harry Selby", portrayed by Elisha Cook, Jr.

Described as "Mousy screenplay writer Harry Selby", "Selby" now starts to explain his screenplay as the motion picture turns into what is supposed to be his musical comedy. 

Moving to the end of "Hellzapoppin", Olsen and Johnson leave the sound stage. After which, the audience finds the director frustrated by what "Harry Selby" has written. The director pulls out a gun, and Elisha Cook, Jr., now finds his Film-Noir crime roles, have become the butt of a vaudeville sight joke. After the director has shot Cook, Jr. multiple times, the director seems not to not have killed him.

To which the character of "Selby" replies:

I always wear a bulletproof vest around the studio.

Followed by, "Harry Selby" taking a drink of water and - - -

Next was a motion picture based upon a Damon Runyon story, published in 1938 in the collection, "Furthermore". The screenplay of 1942's, "Butch Minds the Baby", gave Shemp Howard the colorful Runyon name of "Blinky Sweeney". While star, Virginia Bruce, was Runyon's "Susie O'Neill", and Broderick Crawford was "Aloysius 'Butch' Gorgon".

From classic Damon Runyon to typical low budget, excellent cast, "Universal Pictures" low budget horror:

THE STRANGE CASE OF DOCTOR RX premiered in New York City on March 27, 1942

The following paragraph comes from the website, "The Telltale Mind", 

https://thetelltalemind.com/2015/05/18/strange-indeed-the-strange-case-of-doctor-rx-1942/

The Strange Case of Doctor Rx is an odd little film, marketed as a horror picture and yet it is more of a mystery-thriller than anything else. Even if you were in the audience when this film was released, you would not find it the least bit frightening. In fact, you actually get more laughs out of this film than you do scares and it is a little boggling to watch this movie as it moves from one genre to the next and back again. Still, it is a lot of fun and director William Nigh makes the material go down easy with some solid performances from the cast and a steady pace that never lets the movie feel boring or overlong.

The story the screenplay was based upon came from the uncredited Alex Gottlieb, but the actual screenplay was written by Clarence Upson Young. Who never finished it and the actors had to ab-lib the majority of their lines. 

According to Tom Weaver in his 2004, "It Came from Hollywood: Interviews with Movie Makers in the SF and Horror Tradition", actress Anne Gwynne, 1941's, "The Black Cat", in an interview with Weaver prior to her death in 2003, stated that making this film without a written screenplay was just:

fun, fun, fun, 

 however, she added that the:

 ad-libbing left many plot holes.

 

Above, Ann Gwynne portraying "Kit Logan Church".

Patrick Knowles portrayed "Detective Jerry Church". I'll be speaking in more detail about the actor shortly.

Above, think of "Jerry Church" and his bickering wife and mystery writer, "Kit Church", as a low budget version of of William Powell and Myna Loy's, "Nick and Nora Charles", of the continuing "Thin Man" movie series. 

The plot revolves around a lawyer whose clients he defended in court and getting them off, but are being murdered later by the mysterious "Doctor RX".

Lionel Atwill portrayed "Dr. Fish". He would follow this picture with the action adventure cliff-hanger, "Junior G-Men of the Air", portraying "The Baron". This article on "Doctor RX" came from my "Lionel Atwill: The Legitimate Stage, Classic and Not So Classic Horror, and 'Sherlock Holmes" at:

https://www.bewaretheblog.com/2024/04/lionel-atwill-legitimate-stage-classic.html

Samuel L. Hinds portrayed lawyer, "Dudley Crispin". Hinds had last been seen in the Bud Abbott and Lou Costello comedy, 1942's, "Ride'Em Cowboy". The actor followed this film with the Marlene Dietrich, Randolph Scott, and John Wayne, 1942, "The Spoilers".

Above, Samuel L. Hinds with solid "B" actress, Mona Barrie as his wife, "Eileen Crispin". 

Shemp Howard portrayed "Detective Sergeant Sweeney". 

Above, Shemp Howard, standing, with Edmund MacDonald portraying "Detective Captain Bill Hurd".

I want to point out two uncredited actors:

Mary Gordon portrayed "Mrs. Scott". You probably missed her as "Hans Wife" in director James Whales', 1935, "The Bride of Frankenstein", but starting with the 1939, "Hound of the Baskervilles". Mary Gordon portrayed the housekeeper, "Mrs. Hudson", in both of "20th Century Fox's" "Sherlock Holmes" films, and all of the "Universal Pictures" series.

Ray "Crash" Corrigan portrayed "Nbongo the Gorilla", "B" Cowboy actor Corrigan played many a gorilla type animal in 1930's and 1940's films, including Johnny Weissmueller's, "Tarzan" and Buster Crabbe's "Flash Gordon". However, he was also one of the original "Three Mesquiteers", co-starring at different times with John Wayne, Bob Livingston, and Tom Tyler among others replacing them in their roles. Ray Corrigan also "was", 1958's, "It, the Terror from Beyond  Space", and he owned the "Corriganville Movie Ranch", in Simi Valley, California.

Above, "Doctor RX" pushing Patrick Knowles by Ray Corrigan, because the doctor wants to transplant his brain into the gorilla. Below, left to right, Corrigan, Max Terhune, and John Wayne in a "Three Mesquiteer's" entry.

For those "B" Western fans, my article is "An Overview of 'THE THREE MESQUITEERS': A Classic 'B' Western Series" at:

http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2021/11/an-overview-of-three-mesquiteers.html

In the end, Lionel Atwill's, "Dr. Fish", is the red herring of the story and has been working with Patrick Knowles's "Jerry Church" to catch Samuel Hinds' attorney, "Dudley Crispin". Who wants the criminals he defends in court and gets them off at their trials, to face justice. 

Nothing like 6th-billing, when the first three were Marlene Dietrich, Randolph Scott, and John Wayne. Shemp portrayed "Shorty, the tailor". 

As to the other two actors ahead of Shemp Howard, 4th-billed was Frank Craven. Who first played the "Stage Manager" in the original 1938 Broadway cast of playwright Thornton Wilder's "Our Town", and repeated the role in the 1940 motion picture version. 5th-billing went to Louise Allbritten, who would join Craven in 1943's, German-Expressionist-Style, "Son of Dracula".

The problem for all sixth actors was they were in the feature film "Pittsburgh", released on December 11, 1942. 

Above, the original United States billing on all posters, below, the Australian release poster:

A typical review, this one from "The New York Times", February 25, 1943, at:

https://www.nytimes.com/1943/02/25/archives/at-loews-criterion.html 

The review agrees with many others that the story is routine, but was a reminder to "Buy Bonds" and support the war effort:

The fact that the three build a gargantuan coal and steel combine, only to see it fail through Mr. Wayne's antagonistic ways, and finally rise chastened to the top when war production requires their talents, merely proves that patriotism can make good men out of bad. 

 

From a heavy handed support the war effort "Pittsburgh", Shemp Howard found himself in: 

ARABIAN NIGHTS premiered in New York City on December 25, 1942

The following comes from an Australia review of the motion picture, being released for home video, by Grant Watson, on the website, "Fiction Machine", at:

https://fictionmachine.com/2023/05/16/review-arabian-nights-1942/ 

The first of the five included films is Arabian Nights (1942), a war-time adventure with a pleasing seam of comedy running through it. It was the first three-strip Technicolor films for Universal Pictures, something that director John Rawlins certainly exploits in his vibrant use of colour. It runs a tight 90-minutes: it gets in, does exactly what it says on the tin, and gets back out with efficiency.

In a tale of warring brothers, the Caliph of Baghdad Haroun al-Rashid (Jon Hall) is betrayed by his brother Kamar (Leif Erickson) and forced to escape in secret. Joining a group of entertainers including former heroes Aladdin (John Qualen) and Sinbad (Shemp Howard), and with the aid of the acrobat Ali Ben Ali (Sabu), Haroun fights to reclaim his throne and capture the heart of the dancer Sherazade (Maria Montez).

Above left to right, Billy Gilbert portraying "Ahmad", Shemp Howard portraying "Sinbad", and John Qualen portraying "Aladdin".

Above, Jon Hall portraying "Haroun-Al- Raschid",  and Sabu, portraying "Ali Ben Ali",  and below, Jon Hall and Maria Montez, portraying "Sherazade"

Below, Leif Erickson portraying "Kamar", before he was the father in 1953's, cult science fiction classic, "Invaders from Mars", and "Big John Gannon", on television's "The High Chaparral", 1967 through 1971.

Below, Sabu and Shemp Howard

Shemp next appeared in January 1943's, "How's About It?", one of five motion pictures starring "The Andrew Sisters", that followed their appearance in Abbott and Costello's, 1941, "Hold That Ghost". Speaking of Bud and Lou - - - -

IT AN'T HAY premiered in New York City on March 10, 1943.

This was another Damon Runyon tale, also published in 1938's "Furthermore" entitled, "Princess O'Hara". It's about a race horse that is accidentally killed. Then in a typical Damon Runyon world of race horse gamblers, adapted to Bud and Lou. The two look for the cash to replace the horse, for the 13-year-old owner, "Peggy, 'Princess' O'Hara", portrayed by Patsy O'Connor.

Shemp first appears carrying an umbrella at the film's opening. He is asked "Why" he's carrying an umbrella? When it hasn't rained for months, and answers:

Who knows? I'm a Damon Runyon character.  

A perfect response to the writer's writings, if you're a lover of musicals and are unfamiliar with Runyon. You need to see the 1955 musical "Guys and Dolls", starring Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons, Frank Sinatra, and Vivian Blaine 

Above Grace McDonald as "Kitty McGloin", and three typical Runyon characters,  left to right, David Hacker as "Chauncey the Eye", Shemp Howard as "Umbrella Sam", and Eddie Quillan as "Harry the Horse".

Above left to right, Eddie Quillan, David Hacker, Shemp Howard, Bud Abbott as "Grove Mockridge", Leighton Noble, without his orchestra, as "Army Private Joe Collins", and Lou Costello as "Wilbur Hoolihan".

Shemp was "Mumbo", Basil Rathbone was "Sherlock Holmes" with Nigel Bruce as "Dr. Watson", Andy Devine was "Andy Devine", along with other's on the "Universal Pictures" payroll in the Ole Olsen and Chic Johnson musical "Crazy House", released on October 8, 1943.

On December 21, 1943, Solomon Nathan Horwitz passed away and joined his wife. 

On July 15, 1944, "Columbia Pictures" released a 16-minute-and-52-second "Three Stooges" short, "Idle Roomers". 

To Curly, Moe, and Larry's fan's, the short seemed normal. However, to Moe and Larry, they noticed something different with Curly. His timing was becoming progressively slower, his voice was getting deeper and rougher sounding. By the filming of this short, according to "Columbia Pictures" cinematographer, for over 100 of the boys short's, Henry Freulich, in an 1984 interview with Steve Allen for the "VHS Documentary", "The Making of the Stooges". It was as if every night before shooting, Curly:

had himself a heluva time!

In fact, Jerome Lester "Curly" Howard had been drinking heavily since his 1940 divorce to the second of his four wives, Elaine Ackerman.

The above were warning signs, that no one, except perhaps, Jerome, knew about!

On July 22, 1944, Shemp Howard appeared as Shemp Howard in his comedian friend Billy Gilbert's comedy, "Three of Kind". All I could find out about the plot is that two vaudeville acrobats adopt the son of a friend.  Below, Billy and Shemp:

Shemp found himself with 7th-billing as "Punchy Carter", in the September 8, 1944, "The Andrew Sisters" feature film, "Moonlight and Cactus" described on the website, "IMDb":

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037086/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_cdt_t_96 as an:

"Action Drama Music Romance Western"

If the above "IMDb" description was somewhat over done, how about the sites description for Shemp Howard's following feature film, October 5, 1944's, "Strange Affair" at:

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037317/releaseinfo/?ref_=tt_ov_rdat the feature film was a:

"Farce Slapstick Whodunnit Action Adventure Comedy Crime Drama Mystery Romance"

The plot is basically a low budget "B-movie" "The Thin Man" rip-off.

7th-billed, Shemp Howard, had portrayed "A laundry truck driver".

Next, was the first of three motion pictures Shemp Howard made at the request of his good friend Billy Gilbert through "Monogram Pictures".

CRAZY KNIGHTS released on December 8, 1944

The picture was a comedy horror movie about three friends from a traveling Carnaval. Who helps a stranded man and his daughter. The man has a house and once the three friends enter, they're up against ghosts and a gorilla.

Above left to right, Billy Gilbert portraying "Billy", Jayne Hazard portraying "Joan Gardner", Maxie Rosenbloom portraying "Maxie", and Shemp Howard portraying "Shemp".

JANUARY 1945 was a sign of things to come.

Moe had talked his brother Shemp into filling in for an ill Curly for a week long personal appearance of "The 3 Stooges", at the "St. Charles Theatre", in New Orleans, Louisiana. On January 23rd, Curly had been admitted to the "Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital", for severe hypertension, retinal hemorrhage, and obesity. 

Starting with the short subject, "Off Again, on Again", released on February 16, 1945, "Columbia Pictures" released a series of comedy shorts starring Shemp Howard.

Between March 9th and March 13, 1945, "The 3 Stooges" short, "If a Body Meets a Body" was filmed. It wouldn't be released until August 30, 1945, but just prior to filming, Curly had suffered a mild stroke and during filming his speech was slurred and his timing was off.

On May 2, 1945, Shemp's second motion picture with Billy Gilbert, "Trouble Chasers" was released.

Two more shorts starring Shemp Howard followed, and on February 28, 1946, he had 6th-billing, portraying "Marty", in the long forgotten musical comedy feature film, "The Gentleman Misbehaves". Another two of his shorts brought him to 4th-billing in a comedy crime feature film:

One Exciting Week released on June 5, 1946, at Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada

Above, center left Pinky Lee portraying "Ichy", center right Shemp Howard portraying "Marvin Lewis". The two comedians are the comedy relief team of this story about three con-men attempting to convince an amnesic Canadian sailor that he is a war hero. Above right, is Al Pearce portraying the sailor "Dan Flannery", above left, is Jerome Cowan portraying "Al Cater".  The twist is that "Dan" is an actual war hero, but the three con men, and of course the amnesiac "Dan", don't know that.

My article is "Pinky Lee, Soupy Sales, Pee-Wee Herman: Adult Laugh's Disguised as Children's Television" tickling your funny bone at: 

https://www.bewaretheblog.com/2022/02/pinky-lee-soupy-sales-pee-wee-herman.html

Next, for Shemp was the comedy short, "Society Mugs", released on September 19, 1946.

With 8th-billing, the dog, "Daisy", had 5th-billing, Shemp Howard portrayed "Jim Gray", in the 18th film, out of 28, in the Sunday Comic Strip series, "Blondie". The entry's title was "Blondie Knows Best", released on October 17, 1946.

"Blondie", portrayed by Penny Singleton, below center, is seen with her husband, "Dagwood" portrayed by Arthur Lake, who is under threat of a lawsuit from another firm. However, "Dagwood's" best help comes from the terminally nearsighted process service, "Jim Cray", Shemp, on the far right below. Who seems to give the summons to anyone he meets, but "Dagwood".

Both Penny Singleton and Arthur Lake, portrayed the Sunday comic strip couple for the entire 28-films of the  series.

Release dates are always misleading, as those dates are not when a particular short, or movie was being made. 

BACK ON JUNE 5, 1946, the same date "One Exciting Week" first opened in Canada. Shemp Howard had begun filming the short "Fright Night". This short would not be released until MARCH 6, 1947. However, what made this short unusual for the comedian was that his two co-stars, were his brother Moe Howard, and Larry Fine. 

One month earlier then Shemp filing "Fright Night", on May 6, 1946, Curly Howard had been filming "Half-Wits Holiday". He was sitting in director Jules Whites chair, and his brother Moe noticed he was slumped over. Curly had suffered a severe stroke and he was taken to the "Motion Picture Country House", in Woodland Hills, and stayed for several weeks. After which, he was transferred to his own home to continue his recovery.

"Half-Wits Holiday" would be released two-months before "Fright Night", on January 9, 1947.

Shemp had helped Moe out by appearing for Curly in "Fright Night", and at another of "The 3-Stooges, Live Appearance's". 

He next appeared in another of his solo starring shorts, "Bride and Gloom", filmed on February 20, 1946, but not released on March 27, 1947, 21-days after the release of "Fright Night".

To Shemp;s mind, it was nothing more than further agreeing with Moe and the executives of "Colombia Pictures" to cover for his younger brother, Curly, until his recovery and return to work. Which had began officially on July 8, 1946, with the start of filming of "Out West", that wouldn't be released until April 24, 1947. 

INSTEAD, SHEMP HOWARD THE SECOND STOOGE, BECAME THE FIFTH STOOGE!

Curly never returned to full work, but made two cameo appearances. The first was as a "Train Passenger" in "Hold That Lion", filmed January 28, 1947, and not released until July 17, 1947.

Above, the first appearance of "The 4 Stooges", below a still from the edited out Curly. As an angry chief in "Malice in the Palace", filmed June 8, 1948, and released on September 1, 1949. The editing was because of how Curly looked on screen, notice how thin he was, how he sounded because of his stroke, and moved for the same reason.

On January 18, 1952, Jerome Lester Horwitz aka: Curly Howard, passed away.

That temporary covering for his brother never stopped and ended with 79 "3 Stooges Shorts", guest television appearances on "The Ed Wynn Show", "The Milton Beryl Show", "The Frank Sinatra Show", and "The Eddie Cantor Comedy Theater". Along with a solo appearance in the role of "Gunner", in the Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, 1949, motion picture, "Africa Screams". 

On November 22, 1955, riding home from seeing a boxing match in a cub, Samuel Horwitz Howard died of a massive heart attack.