Brideless Groom

The hilarious happenings of the 1947 movie Brideless Groom revolve around the comedy trio, the Three Stooges, played by Moe Howard, Larry Fine, and Shemp Howard. The Stooges, popularly known for their slapstick humor and physical comedy in various short films, brought a unique shade of humor to this 17-minute Columbia Pictures comedy film.

In Brideless Groom, Shemp Howard plays the leading role of a voice instructor named Shemp Howard, rendering his unforgettable modal operatics. He unexpectedly discovers that he's the heir to a vast fortune from his deceased Uncle Caleb, contingent only on him getting hitched within 48 hours of the reading of the will. As Shemp only had roughly a day and a half to find a potential wife and actually get married, what ensues is a hilarious and frantic search to find a bride.

Shemp’s partner in crime, Larry Fine, brilliantly plays Larry, an affable and somewhat scatterbrained sidekick. Moe Howard embodies Moe, the assertive and quick-thinking third Stooge, who devises a plan to find Shemp a wife. The trio embarks on a helter-skelter endeavor to find Shemp a bride before the deadline. Moe and Larry are aware that if Shemp fails to marry within the stipulated time, they will lose out on their slice of inheritance and thus the boys pull out every trick from their hat to make sure Shemp says those magic words ‘I do’ before time runs out.

In their comical quest, the Stooges desperately approach the numerous unsuspecting students from Shemp's voice class – all of whom reject Shemp’s proposal, despite the promise of inheritance. Just when hope seems lost, news of Shemp’s looming wealth spreads around town and brings with it a barrage of gold-digging women desperate to marry Shemp, leading to a circus of hysterical attempts at winning his hand.

One of the standout elements of Brideless Groom is its riotous fight scene, where several women battle each other in a madcap frenzy to capture the bachelor and his fortune. This scene is a classic demonstration of the Stooges’ slapstick comedy style, featuring an array of thrown pies, smashed furniture, and miscellaneous household items as improvised weapons, not leaving out their signature eye-poking and face-slapping antics.

Within the chaos, a standout character is Miss Dinkelmeyer, portrayed by Dee Green, an initially uninterested student from Shemp’s voice class turned aggressive pursuer after hearing of the inheritance. Green's character delivers a tremendous amount of amusement, particularly in a musical number where she showcases her less than melodious vocal ‘talents,’ which adds another layer of comedic absurdity to the story.

Another outstanding character is the Justice of Peace, played by Emil Sitka, who wonderfully adds to the comic madness. His repeated phrase, "Hold hands, you lovebirds," amidst the chaos, becomes a hilarious catchphrase by the end of the film. Sitka's performance as the earnest, yet overwhelmed figure trying to maintain order in the mayhem significantly contributes to the humor of this hilarious romp.

Directed by Edward Bernds, Brideless Groom is a brilliant integration of musical comedy and the signature physical humor of the Three Stooges. Bernds uses the strengths of the comedy trio coupled with sound comic timing and an engaging narrative to keep the audience entertained throughout.

Furthermore, the movie's madcap antics are brilliantly accompanied by infectious scoring courtesy of Mischa Bakaleinikoff. The periodically uncanny, opera-style singing, given the goings-on of the scenes, match the comedic pacing of the movie, making each moment of the film an entertaining experience.

In conclusion, Brideless Groom presents the insane but hilarious world of The Three Stooges in their prime. The movie, with its slapstick style and comic timing, remains a treasured gem of American comedy. It stands as testament not only to the lasting popularity of the Stooges but also to their unique ability to deliver non-stop laughter and eccentric charm. A must-watch for all those who appreciate classic humor and seek a hearty laugh.