Sing a Song of Six Pants

The 1947 short comedy film Sing a Song of Six Pants presents the zesty slapstick humor of The Three Stooges, featuring the iconic trio of Moe Howard, Larry Fine, and Shemp Howard. As one of their numerous comedic spectacles, this film is replete with hilarious puns, gags, and typical Stooge-style antics, ensuring plenty of entertainment for fans of the franchise. The title itself adds an element of pun, intertwining the popular nursery rhyme title "Sing a Song of Six Pence" with the setting of a tailor shop, laying the platform for what follows in this 17-minutes long brisk comedic journey.

The plot of Sing a Song of Six Pants centers around The Three Stooges, who, in a desperate attempt to save their failing tailor shop, embark on a wild chase to capture a notorious bank robber for the reward money. Moe, Larry, and Shemp, racing against the clock and their financial woes, provide viewers with countless laughs through this high-energy, fast-paced narrative.

The movie begins in the shaky tailor shop The House of Biltmore Pantatorium, which is on the brink of being taken over due to a substantial debt built up by the unskilled tailoring of The Three Stooges. They've pinned their last hopes on a large reward being offered for the capture of a wanted criminal, Terry 'Slippery Fingered' Hargan. The short takes a comedic twist when our unassuming heroes unwittingly become involved with the dangerous criminal and his cunning, evasive plans.

The Three Stooges' characteristic brand of physical comedy flourishes throughout the movie. Known for their innovative slapstick routines, the comrades dig deeper into their humor repository to produce moments of clever wordplays and farcical mishaps. The scenes where they engage in their signature bumbling tailoring work particularly stands out, providing a comedic spectacle as they desperately try to battle their impending bankruptcy.

The movie also manages to successfully blend elements of crime and suspense into its comedic structure. While the main plot centers around the humorous and chaotic antics of the trio, the subplot involving wanted criminal Terry 'Slippery Fingered' Hargan adds an exciting dimension to the narrative. The Stooges' attempts to capture the wanted criminal involuntary land them in many hilariously contrived situations, masterfully melding humor and drama that lasts until the final scenes.

In Sing a Song of Six Pants, the leading trio - Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Shemp Howard - deliver performances that are over the top and energetic, effortlessly evoking laughter from the audience with their goofiness and comic timing. Their on-screen camaraderie is palpable, and their chemistry is as good as ever. Each of them brings unique quirks to their characters, making the most out of their scenes together.

Moe, the de-facto leader of the group, is as brusque and agile as ever, stooping to any level for a quick laugh. Larry, the well-meaning simpleton, perfectly complements Moe's dominant personality, while Shemp, replacing his brother Curly Howard, skillfully carries the legacy forward, adding his unique wit to the equation. Together, they execute their comedic routines impeccably, maintaining a brisk pace that keeps the audience on their toes.

The supporting cast, including Vernon Dent as Detective Sharp, provides a solid backdrop against which the stooges perform their gags. The direction by Jules White is spirited, capturing each slapstick moment with zeal. White's consistency in the construction of humor and his knack for capturing the signature elements of The Three Stooges’ comedy are evident throughout Sing a Song of Six Pants.

On the whole, Sing a Song of Six Pants serves as an excellent example of The Three Stooges' style of comedy, delivering hearty laughs and unforgettable gags that have come to embody the franchise. Though distinctly a product of its time, the movie's brand of comedy … with its display of physical gags and verbal wordplays … maintains its ability to entertain audiences even today. A must-see for fans of The Three Stooges, or for anyone seeking a dose of vintage humor.