Snow White and the Three Stooges

Was there ever a movie you watched as a kid because you thought was cool at the time because it was on, then as an adult forgot you’d ever seen it? (well, I didn’t forget Plan 9 From Outer Space or Robot Monster) On one of those local UHF stations that showed nothing but syndicated TV shows, B movies, serials like Tarzan, The Bowery Boys, The Little Rascals, 3 Stooges, Abbott and Costello, Shirley Temple movies, Godzilla, etc.My brother and I were 3 Stooges fans, and this movie was likely the reason we watched it.I saw it in a close-out bin at Christmas time, and bought it, as I thought one of our family kids might enjoy it.Curious, I watched it, wondering how my memories played out.Surprise: this 1961 movie is an entertaining, occasionally edgy and witty, colorful, imaginative, sincere, and even touching, take on the classic fairy tale. The special effects are astonishingly good, some gripping, suspenseful sequences, lots of magic, spells, and a few scenes of fairly decent action. The songs are not first-rate, but neither are they Leslie Bricusse-forgettable and banal. The skating sequences are quite beautiful, and one of them, a kind of dream ballet on ice that is similar thematically to Oklahoma!, where the fantasy romance turns into a nightmare, is unusually vivid and compelling.It’s actually a nearly perfect family film.Reading up on the particulars, I learned that this 20th Century Fox movie had a huge budget, three and a half million ( which equals nearly 30 million today), and was planned to capitalize on the renewed, phenomenal popularity of the 3 Stooges, owing to their shorts being played on TV. It had no less than Walter Lang directing, his big credit being The King and I, and one of the screenwriters was Noel Langley, one of his credits being The Wizard of Oz.The money spent on it shows in every frame. In Cinemascope, the cinematography, the Technicolor print job, the sets, costumes and matte backgrounds are all top-notch.Besides the 3 Stooges, the main attraction is the first and only appearance of 1950s Olympic skating champion Carol Heiss in the title role. Heiss looks the part, and while not what you call a commanding actress, she is sincere and appealing, and most importantly, is never saccharine or cringe-inducing. Her two skating sequences are dazzling: beautifully choreographed, filmed and played out deftly in the context of the story, they are unique, singular, and quite innovative. In evidence is the double axel jump which originated with her, among other features that made her a skating star.As for the 3 Stooges themselves, they are - surprise - very effectively used here. Word has it that they wanted to tone down their trademark violent physical for the sake of the children seeing the movie, and that instinct proved felicitous. They still do some of their classic buffoonery, but in a much more subdued manner. More importantly though, for this story, they are *lovable* buffoons. They serve to protect and join Snow White and Prince Charming together, and they are convincingly benevolent and sincere. Their antics add just the right amount of a fairy-tale clownish element, but they are never annoying or tiresome. They look old, but veteran performers that they were, are faultless in energy and spirit.There are two genuine surprises in the casting.The first is Edson Stroll as Quatro/Prince Charming. In movie/television pop culture history, he is a mere blip. Stroll appeared in two famous Twilight Zone episodes (where his outstanding physique is in full display), as well as Virgil in McHale’s Navy. A few small roles in some movies, lots of bit parts in several TV series up until the 1980s, plus much voiceover work. Starting out as a bodybuilder in the early 1950s, he studied acting and singing, and appeared on stage in several musicals and plays, including Shakespeare. He later became a U.S. Coast Guard captain and a marine surveyor.Based on his appearance and performance in this movie, Stroll could have been a full-fledged matinee idol-type star. He looks uncannily like a cartoon Prince Charming come to life: a perfect, swoony-dashing-romantic figure physique and face, photogenic, and looking almost like a younger brother of James Garner, with a touch of Errol Flynn thrown in. What’s more, his acting is much better than one might think. It is a difficult task to deliver some of the fairy-tale, borderline-schlocky dialogue without it sounding smarmy and derisive; but in fact Stroll delivers it absolutely straight, with the utmost sincerity and believability in this context, and he never seems foolish or glib (he’s very touching when he revives Snow White with a kiss). The swordfight with the queen’s magician Count Oga, played by the wiry, spiky Guy Rolfe, is in very much the Errol Flynn-Basil Rathbone mode, and it provides some rousing adventure. Stroll does an uncommonly fine job in this role.The movie is stolen, though, by Patricia Medina, as the evil queen, and later, when she’s transformed into the wicked witch. Medina, who in real life was married to Joseph Cotten or something...er...somebody, had a minor league career, but this is her most famous role.As the queen, the beautiful, voluptuous Medina is wily, droll, and spitefully witty in all her dialogue, savoring her turn with gleeful relish. Her queen is a medieval Alexis Carrington of Dynasty, and she plays it to the hilt. It gets even better. When the queen is transformed into a wicked witch, Medina’s makeup, physical posture, and vocal characterization is a startling jolt. Medina goes into full camp mode here, cooing and cackling with wonderfully batty mirth. She’s funny and fixating all at once. Too, she rides a broom with every bit of the evil joy as Margaret Hamilton did. You’ll laugh when she sends a bolt of lightning at the hapless Stooges.There are scenes and scenarios which plainly recall The Wizard of Oz, Robin Hood, and the Disney Snow White, but never in a blatant, plagiaristic way. An affectionate, respectful homage, you might say. Its big assets is that it is guileless in it aims, it doesn’t insult your intelligence, and the whole approach is laudably absent of campiness. Never dull, it has energy and charm.The movie bombed upon its release, and it is referred to scornfully by Stooges aficionados.It is not, however, a typical Stooges vehicle. I think audiences of the time just didn’t know what to make of it. Definitely offbeat, more than a bit idiosyncratic, and indubitably one-of-a-kind, this strangely beguiling movie has its quirky, demented charms.The DVD will be gifts for family and friends with children.

A fair retelling of Snow White with Prince Charming as the fourth stooge named, Quatro.

Choreography was excellent

While it doesn't exactly follow the storyline of the original fairytale, SNOW WHITE & THE THREE STOOGES comes alive with comedy, romance and action. This film was tailored as a showcase for five-time Olympic champion iceskater Carol Heiss, and while she lacks the dramatic finesse of a true actress, she deeply feels the role of Snow White and does a fine job.In this version of the tale, the Wicked Queen (played with aplomb by B-movie bad girl Patricia Medina) plots to kill lovely Snow White (Carol Heiss) as well as the prince of a neighbouring kingdom. Both plans flounder, and the two royal refugees find solace in the company of a wandering minstrel trio (played by--of course--the Three Stooges). What follows is a wonderful mix of comedy, adventure and breathless romance as Snow White and her Prince Charming skate towards their "sky of happiness".As an all-skating, all-musical version of SNOW WHITE, this version hits the mark beautifully. Playing the thankless role of the Prince Charming is no easy assignment, but Edson Stroll does what he can with the part--most of the time he just stands around looking pretty, but what else does a fairytale prince do? Likewise, Carol Heiss rarely rises above the level of department-store mannequin in her performance as Snow White, but achieves what she can, and really comes alive with her ice-skating routines.Patricia Medina manages to hold back in her rendering of the Wicked Queen; it would have been so easy for the role to be done in a high-camp style, but Ms Medina stays true to the material and plays it straight. The Three Stooges likewise curb their usual comic schtick, and it does make a refreshing and welcome change. They could sometimes be subtle, and the proof is right here.The production values are indeed lavish. The director, Walter Lang, almost bankrupted the Twentieth Century-Fox studios with his incredible ice-rink sets, and there are several wonderful skating sequences to savour, including a "Dream Ballet" for Stroll and Heiss. The musical numbers do little to advance the plot, but are very pretty, and highlights include "Magic Day" and "That Place Called Happiness".As with any film version of a fairytale classic, it's hard not to get caught up in the romance and adventure--the same is true for SNOW WHITE & THE THREE STOOGES.The DVD includes both widescreen and full-frame versions of the film, plus the trailer. (Double-sided, single-layer disc).

I've been looking for this movie for Ages and ages since I first saw it at the theater! Loved it!

Entertaining, for the whole family!

bit like a fairytale

Very happy with this movie and the quality.

poor it will not play on my DVD player or on my daughter TV and computer.so i had a upset child.