The Outlaws Is Coming

Set in the 1800s, in the rustic Wild Wild West, The Outlaws Is Coming is a 1965 comedy-western film staring the legendary Three Stooges - Larry Fine, Joe DeRita, and Moe Howard. This film marks the group's sixth and final feature motion picture making it a special treat for fans of The Three Stooges.

The movie begins with a unique and amusing scenario, the Three Stooges are working at a mid-19th century wildlife magazine named "Silt's Pioneer", caught up between their fast-paced city life and a looming environmental crisis. The editor of the magazine, played by veteran actor, Emil Sitka, sends the bumbling Stooges on a daring mission to the wilds of the west to halt the callous slaughter of buffalos. Concerned about the vanishing buffalo population due to excessive hunting, the Stooges take on the mission with their typical comedic enthusiasm.

Heading out to the frontier, the lawless and comical trio assume the roles of lawmen to accomplish their mission. Assuming the identities of three western marshals, they unexpectedly end up in casper, Wyoming confronting the leading buffalo hunters in the region. The plot turns more interesting when the Stooges discover that the main culprits behind the unjust hunting are notable outlaws named after real-life figures like Wyatt Earp, Jesse James, Billy the Kid and others, each portrayed by local TV personalities from around the U.S. who were iconic back in the day.

The story progresses with the Stooges devising hilarious plans to outwit the outlaws in an attempt to save buffalos, while also trying to settle into their new roles. Using their trademark physical comedy and slapstick humor, the trio engage in wild chases and eccentric fights, resulting in comical moments that keep the audience laughing. The hilarious ineptitude of the Stooges adds a layer of absurdity and light-heartedness to the otherwise serious issue of overhunting.

Further adding to the movie's charm is the delightful on-screen romance between Annie Oakley, an attractive tomboy frontierswoman played by Nancy Kovack, and an ardent environmentalist, who happens to be the stuffy editor of Silt's Pioneer magazine, who arrives to the town to further complicate the situation. This subplot introduces a dynamic love triangle and adds a bit of sentimentality to the otherwise comedic dynamics of the plot.

The film does an awe-inspiring job of capturing the quintessential essence of the Wild West, with its raw authenticity reflected in the dirt-covered sets, saloons and period costumes. Directed by the talented Del Lord and Norman Maurer with screenplay by Elwood Ullman, the movie does a terrific job of presenting a riotous, fast-moving comedy while subtly introducing a message about conservation, making the overall experience both entertaining and thought-provoking.

The Outlaws Is Coming offers a seamless blend of comedy, action, adventure, and romance, infused with the irreverent charm of the Three Stooges. Their distinctive brand of humor, coupled with an engaging storyline, ensure that the film remains a timeless classic, loved by fans of slapstick comedy and the Western genre alike. Long-term fans of the Stooges will enjoy this film as a fitting end to their full-length features, while newcomers will marvel at the comic genius of the legendary trio, and their ability to turn even a serious situation into a hilariously engrossing comedy.

From high-energy chase scenes, eccentric encounters, hilarious gags, to unexpected turn of events, the movie has all the elements to keep viewers glued to their seats. With stellar comedic performances from Larry Fine, Joe DeRita, and Moe Howard, beautifully captured Western landscapes, memorable dialogue, and a storyline with silly twists and turns, The Outlaws Is Coming is a true embodiment of comedy and a long-standing testament to the unmatched zaniness of the Three Stooges.