Back from the Front (1943) starring the Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard)
Synopsis of Back from the Front
Back from the Front is a patriotic Three Stooges short film, set during World War II. After merchant mariners Moe, Larry and Curly mistake a torpedo for a whale and accidentally cause it to explode, they find themselves cast away at sea in a lifeboat… Until they board a Nazi warship and make an even bigger mistake.
The Three Stooges (Moe, Larry, Curly) bid a fond farewell to their girls, Tizzy, Lizzy and Dizzy and join the war effort by enlisting in the Merchant Marines. While aboard ship, they have a brief altercation with Lt. Dungen (Vernon Dent). Unknown to them, Dungen is a double agent – secretly a German Nazi officer. Then, they mistake a torpedo for a beached whale. Moe says they have to kill it, and it promptly explodes.
After being lost at sea for several days, they come across the SS Schicklgruber and climb aboard. Now with fully grown beards, they encounter Lt. Dungen again, who does not recognize them. After realizing they are in with a nest of German sailors, they eventually overtake the ship. They do that by having Moe imitate Hitler again, and ordering the the Kapitan, Lt. Dungen, and the Petty Officer to blow their brains out — which almost works! A little last-minute ingenuity later, and the Nazis are off the ship!
Back to the Front is a funny Three Stooges short film, and recommended.
Funny movie quotes from Back from the Front
Curly (Curly Howard): [the Stooges are leaning over the railing of the ship] Hi, fellas! Oh, where’d you get the suntan?
Moe (Moe Howard): Ooh, I’m seasick…
Curly (Curly Howard): It’s only mind over matter! That’s all! Here, Moe, have some of my raw liver! [Moe holds his mouth and runs away] What’s wrong with him? Hey Larry, share my raw liver, it’s delicious! [Larry runs away covering his mouth] What’s the matter with you guys? Ya can’t take it! [laughs, takes a bite of his raw liver. Suddenly realizes where he is, turns around and collapses, leaning over the railing of the ship]
Moe (Moe Howard): [hiding on the Nazi ship with Curly and Larry] We gotta get into Nazi uniforms, somehow. If we’re discovered, we’re lost.
Curly (Curly Howard): You’re crazy. If we’re discovered, we’re found.
Lt. Dungen (Vernon Dent): Zat’s treason! Zat’s mutiny! I’ll have you hung… I’ll have you shot for zat! Heil Hitler!
Petty Officer (Bud Jamison): Heil Hitler!
Lt. Dungen (Vernon Dent): Heil Hitler!
Petty Officer (Bud Jamison): Heil Hitler!
Lt. Dungen (Vernon Dent): Heil Hitler!
Petty Officer (Bud Jamison): Heil Hitler!
Lt. Dungen (Vernon Dent): Heil nothing! Come on, you
Moe (Moe Howard): [Dressed as Hitler] Ach, ich ich ich ach, ach ze vompen ze hast haben! Ja? You fail to catch three spies! Blow out your brains!
Herr Capitan (Stanley Blystone): But mein fuher, ve are nazis! Ve have no brains!
Moe (Moe Howard): Zen vat you got, blow out!
Herr Capitan (Stanley Blystone): Heil Hitler!
Moe (Moe Howard): Hang Hitler! Ven my field marshal counts three, start blowing!
Curly (Curly Howard): One!… What comes after one?
Moe (Moe Howard): TWO! Never mind, fat boy, I count myself. One! Two! Th… t… t… ACHOO!
Herr Capitan (Stanley Blystone): [Picks up mustache that Moe sneezed off] Oh, mein fuher!
Moe (Moe Howard): Oh, my personality, thanks buddy.
Cast of characters in Back to the Front
- Curly Howard … Curly
- Larry Fine … Larry
- Moe Howard … Moe
- Stanley Blystone (Spook Louder) … Herr Capitan
- Vernon Dent (Higher Than a Kite) … Lt. Dungen
- Bud Jamison (Movie Maniacs) … Petty Officer
Additional cast
- Neal Burns (Pop Goes the Easel) … German Sailor
- Sally Cairns (Three Smart Saps) … Tizzy
- Tom Coleman … Military officer
- Heinie Conklin (Loco Boy Makes Good) … German Sailor
- Lew Davis (Uncivil War Birds) … German Sailor
- George Gray (Uncivil Warriors) … German Sailor
- Johnny Kascier (Scrambled Brains) … German Officer
- Jack ‘Tiny’ Lipson (Playing the Ponies) … Huge German Sailor
- Sam Lufkin (Grips, Grunts and Groans) … German Sailor
- Adele Mara … Dizzy
- Harry Semels (Wee Wee Monsieur) … German Sentry
- Ruth Skinner (Three Smart Saps) … Lizzy
- Terry … Dog on Ship
- Al Thompson (Pies and Guys) … German Officer / German Sailor