Pardon My Clutch

Pardon My Clutch
Directed byEdward Bernds
Written byClyde Bruckman
Produced byHugh McCollum
StarringMoe Howard
Larry Fine
Shemp Howard
Matt McHugh
Wanda Perry
George Lloyd
Stanley Blystone
Alyn Lockwood
Doria Revier
Emil Sitka
CinematographyAllen G. Siegler
Edited byHenry DeMond
Distributed byColumbia Pictures
Release date
  • February 26, 1948 (1948-02-26) (U.S.)
Running time
15:30
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Pardon My Clutch is a 1948 short subject directed by Edward Bernds starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Shemp Howard). It is the 105th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

Plot

Shemp's toothache prompts the Stooges' acquaintance, Claude, to offer medical advice, which they misinterpret. Following the extraction of Shemp's tooth, Claude proposes a camping trip for relaxation.

Lacking transportation, Claude sells them a faulty car. The trio encounters various challenges, including a flat tire and an altercation with a gas station attendant. Eventually, they attract the attention of a car collector willing to pay a premium for the vehicle. Upon learning of this, Claude hastily refunds the Stooges' money and sells the car to the collector. However, Claude's actions lead to his mistaken apprehension by men from the local asylum.

Cast

Credited

Uncredited

  • Alyn Lockwood as Petunia
  • Wanda Perry as Narcissus
  • Doria Revier as Marigold
  • George Lloyd as Service station attendant
  • Emil Sitka as Car Collector/The Professor
  • Stanley Blystone as 1st sanitarium attendant
  • Alfred H. Wilson as 2nd sanitarium attendant

Production notes

Pardon My Clutch was filmed on May 19–21, 1947;[1] it would be remade in 1955 as Wham-Bam-Slam!, using ample stock footage.[2] Both films borrow plot elements from the Laurel and Hardy shorts Perfect Day (1929) and Them Thar Hills (1934).[3]

This is the second of three Stooge shorts with the words "pardon my" in the title. The first was Pardon My Scotch (1935).

Shemp is unable to convince the gas station attendant that the tire he is removing from the tire display actually came off his car and rolled into the gas station by accident. This was a stock routine that had been used in prior comedies. It had been performed by Joe Murphy and Bud Jamison in I'm the Sheriff (1927) and Edgar Kennedy and Charlie Hall in Slightly at Sea (1940).[2]

A different variation of "Three Blind Mice" introductory theme is used in this entry. This version would be used again for Crime on Their Hands and The Ghost Talks.[2]

Quotes

  • Larry: "You know, fish is great brain food."
  • Moe: "You know, you should fish for a whale!" *SLAP!*

(As the Three Stooges head out to pack their car:)

  • Shemp: "Well, fellas, let's get loaded."
  • Larry: "Hey, you know I don't drink!"

References

  1. ^ Pauley, Jim (2012). The Three Stooges Hollywood Filming Locations. Solana Beach, California: Santa Monica Press, LLC. p. 199. ISBN 9781595800701.
  2. ^ a b c Solomon, Jon (2002). The Complete Three Stooges: The Official Filmography and Three Stooges Companion. Comedy III Productions, Inc. p. 327. ISBN 0-9711868-0-4.
  3. ^ Galbraith IV, Stuart (July 7, 2012). "The Three Stooges: The Ultimate Collection". DVD Talk. Retrieved April 5, 2016.