I never even knew there were any post-Curly lineups! Now I know that the name of Joe “Mama” Besser in Spinal Tap is a Three Stooges reference, although this here is the second Joe, Joe DeRita.
Joe DeRita was the third replacement for Curly. The first was Shemp Howard; then after Shemp died in 1955, Joe Besser joined the group. After production of the two reel comedies ended in 1958, Joe DeRita joined the group and was the last of the “third” stooges.
Shemp was actually the 1st “third” stooge. If you check out the film “Soup to Nuts” (1930) you’ll see the original team of Moe, Larry and Shemp before they had really worked out their characters.
November 5th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
“The Three Stooges In Ecstasy”
Moe, Joe and Larry rehearse for a closing “shot” scene to be performed
with “Barnum And Bailey’s Sex Circus” star “Jumbo The Elephant”.
Nuk Nuk Nuk!!!
November 6th, 2008 at 12:07 am
I never even knew there were any post-Curly lineups! Now I know that the name of Joe “Mama” Besser in Spinal Tap is a Three Stooges reference, although this here is the second Joe, Joe DeRita.
November 6th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Joe DeRita was the third replacement for Curly. The first was Shemp Howard; then after Shemp died in 1955, Joe Besser joined the group. After production of the two reel comedies ended in 1958, Joe DeRita joined the group and was the last of the “third” stooges.
November 7th, 2008 at 11:47 am
Shemp was actually the 1st “third” stooge. If you check out the film “Soup to Nuts” (1930) you’ll see the original team of Moe, Larry and Shemp before they had really worked out their characters.