Soup to Nuts (1930)- the first Three Stooges movie

 Soup to Nuts, the first movie with The Three Stooges, is not a typical Three Stooges movie.  In it, the Three Stooges are mostly supporting characters, in a movie that stars Ted Healy. At this time, the act was known as Ted Healy and his Stooges.  The Three Stooges include Shemp Howard (this movie was filmed before Shemp left the group and was replaced by his younger brother Curly Howard), Moe Howard (as “Harry” Howard) and Larry Fine.  Fred Sanborn acts as a non-speaking “fourth stooge” as well.  If you want a complete collection of the Three Stooges movies, add this to your collection.  Among other items of note, the move was written by Rube Goldberg. He’s the cartoonist who made famous oddball contraptions to do simple things. Think of the children’s game Mouse Trap for an example.

Product Description of Soup to Nuts, courtesy of Amazon.com

Mr. Schmidt’s costume store is bankrupt because he spends his time on Rube Goldberg-style inventions; the creditors send a young manager who falls for Schmidt’s niece Louise, but she’ll have none of him. Schmidt’s friends Ted, Queenie, and some goofy firemen try to help out; things come to a slapstick head when Louise needs rescuing from a fire.

Trivia for Soup to Nuts, starring the Three Stooges

• Cameo appearance: Rube Goldberg a non-paying customer in Klein’s restaurant.
• The first film appearance of The Three Stooges.
• First film appearance of Shemp Howard with the Three Stooges. His last appearance with the group until he rejoined in 1947.
• Originally released September 28, 1930.

Cast of Characters

• Ted Healy (Beer and Pretzels) … Ted ‘Teddy’
• Charles Winninger (Babes in Arms) … Otto Schmidt
• Frances McCoy (Soldier in the Rain) … Queenie
• George Bickel … Gustav ‘Gus’ Klein
• Lucile Browne (Last of the Mohicans) … Louise – Otto’s Niece
• Shemp Howard (The Invisible Woman, Hold That Ghost) … Fireman Shemp
• Stanley Smith (Flight Command) … Richard Carlson
• Moe Howard … Fireman (as Harry Howard)
• Hallam Cooley … Mr. D. Quincy Throckmorton
• Fred Sanborn (Hellzapoppin’) … Mute Fireman
• Larry Fine … Fireman
• Lois Moran … Beauty
• Ralph Elmer … Magician