The Three Stooges Meet Hercules
Encyclopedia
The Three Stooges Meet Hercules was the third feature film to star the Three Stooges after their 1959 resurgence in popularity. By this time, the trio consisted of Moe Howard
, Larry Fine
, and Joe DeRita (dubbed "Curly Joe"). Released by Columbia Pictures
, The Three Stooges Meet Hercules was directed by long-time Stooge director Edward Bernds
. Over the years, Moe would cite Bernds as the team's finest director. This was the most financially successful of the Stooges' feature films and is still highly regarded amongst fans.
, where they befriend Schuyler Davis (Quinn Redeker
), the owner of the shop next door, who is attempting to build a time machine. With the boys' "help", the machine transports the boys, Schuyler and wannabe girlfriend Diane Quigley (Vicki Trickett) back in time to Ithaca
in ancient Greece during the reign of the lecherous King Odius (George N. Neise
). The King, after defeating and imprisoning Ulysses
because the Stooges are believed to be gods, has a yearning for Diane and banishes Schuyler and the boys to the galleys, where Schuyler builds impressive muscles while constantly rowing.
After escaping, they start billing Schuyler as Hercules
at a local gladiatoral arena. The real Hercules (Samson Burke
) gets wind of their game and confronts them, but the Stooges manage to convince Hercules to help them rescue Diane. The time travelers manage to set history straight by removing the King and dump him off during Indian dominated America
where a band of warriors chase him off into the distance.
Moe Howard
Moses Harry Horwitz , known professionally as Moe Howard, was an American actor and comedian best known as the leader of The Three Stooges, the farce comedy team who starred in motion pictures and television for four decades...
, Larry Fine
Larry Fine
Louis Feinberg , known professionally as Larry Fine, was an American comedian and actor, who is best known as a member of the comedy act The Three Stooges.-Early life:...
, and Joe DeRita (dubbed "Curly Joe"). Released by Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production and distribution company. Columbia Pictures now forms part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate Sony. It is one of the leading film companies...
, The Three Stooges Meet Hercules was directed by long-time Stooge director Edward Bernds
Edward Bernds
Edward Bernds was an American screenwriter and director, born in Chicago, Illinois.-Career:While in his junior year in Lake View High School, he and several friends formed a small radio clique and obtained amateur licenses...
. Over the years, Moe would cite Bernds as the team's finest director. This was the most financially successful of the Stooges' feature films and is still highly regarded amongst fans.
Plot
The Stooges work at Dimsal's Drug Store in Ithaca, New YorkIthaca, New York
The city of Ithaca, is a city in upstate New York and the county seat of Tompkins County, as well as the largest community in the Ithaca-Tompkins County metropolitan area...
, where they befriend Schuyler Davis (Quinn Redeker
Quinn Redeker
Quinn K. Redeker is an American actor and screenwriter, who is well-known for his work on soap operas.-Career:Redeker has been a screenwriter for over 30 years, with the most notable work to his name being the story writer for the 1978 film The Deer Hunter...
), the owner of the shop next door, who is attempting to build a time machine. With the boys' "help", the machine transports the boys, Schuyler and wannabe girlfriend Diane Quigley (Vicki Trickett) back in time to Ithaca
Ithaca
Ithaca or Ithaka is an island located in the Ionian Sea, in Greece, with an area of and a little more than three thousand inhabitants. It is also a separate regional unit of the Ionian Islands region, and the only municipality of the regional unit. It lies off the northeast coast of Kefalonia and...
in ancient Greece during the reign of the lecherous King Odius (George N. Neise
George N. Neise
George N. Neise was an American character actor. He made over 120 film and television appearances between 1942 and 1978.-Career:Born in Chicago, Neise began his career playing soldiers in war-themed films...
). The King, after defeating and imprisoning Ulysses
Odysseus
Odysseus or Ulysses was a legendary Greek king of Ithaca and the hero of Homer's epic poem the Odyssey. Odysseus also plays a key role in Homer's Iliad and other works in the Epic Cycle....
because the Stooges are believed to be gods, has a yearning for Diane and banishes Schuyler and the boys to the galleys, where Schuyler builds impressive muscles while constantly rowing.
After escaping, they start billing Schuyler as Hercules
Hercules
Hercules is the Roman name for Greek demigod Heracles, son of Zeus , and the mortal Alcmene...
at a local gladiatoral arena. The real Hercules (Samson Burke
Samson Burke
-Biography:Burke attended Baron Byng High School and McGill University where he earned a degree in physical education. He wrestled and swam for Canada in the 1948 Summer Olympics....
) gets wind of their game and confronts them, but the Stooges manage to convince Hercules to help them rescue Diane. The time travelers manage to set history straight by removing the King and dump him off during Indian dominated America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
where a band of warriors chase him off into the distance.
Cast
- Moe HowardMoe HowardMoses Harry Horwitz , known professionally as Moe Howard, was an American actor and comedian best known as the leader of The Three Stooges, the farce comedy team who starred in motion pictures and television for four decades...
- Himself - Larry FineLarry FineLouis Feinberg , known professionally as Larry Fine, was an American comedian and actor, who is best known as a member of the comedy act The Three Stooges.-Early life:...
- Himself - Joe DeRita - Himself
- Quinn RedekerQuinn RedekerQuinn K. Redeker is an American actor and screenwriter, who is well-known for his work on soap operas.-Career:Redeker has been a screenwriter for over 30 years, with the most notable work to his name being the story writer for the 1978 film The Deer Hunter...
- Schuyler Davis - Vicki Trickett - Diane Quigley
- George N. NeiseGeorge N. NeiseGeorge N. Neise was an American character actor. He made over 120 film and television appearances between 1942 and 1978.-Career:Born in Chicago, Neise began his career playing soldiers in war-themed films...
- Ralph Dimsal/King Odius - Samson BurkeSamson Burke-Biography:Burke attended Baron Byng High School and McGill University where he earned a degree in physical education. He wrestled and swam for Canada in the 1948 Summer Olympics....
- Hercules - Emil SitkaEmil SitkaEmil Sitka was a veteran American actor who appeared in hundreds of movies, short films, and television shows, and is best known for his numerous appearances with the Three Stooges—nearly 40...
- Shepherd/Refreshment Man - Hal SmithHal Smith (actor)Harold John "Hal" Smith was an American character actor and voice actor. Smith is best known as Otis Campbell, the town drunk on The Andy Griffith Show, and was the voice of many characters on various animated cartoon shorts...
- King Theseus Of Rhodes - Marlin McKeeverMarlin McKeeverMarlin Thomas McKeever was an American football defensive end, fullback and punter at the University of Southern California and a tight end and linebacker during his 13-year National Football League career. He was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming.-College career:McKeever earned two-time All-America...
- Ajax (The Siamese Cyclops) - Mike McKeeverMike McKeeverMike McKeever was a guard at the University of Southern California football team.-College career:McKeever earned All-America honors. He was also chosen to the academic All-America team. Mike and his brother Marlin McKeever were the first twins to earn All-America status...
- Argo (The Siamese Cyclops)