RHYTHM AND WEEP

Production Information
Title: Rhythm and WeepStudio: ColumbiaShort Number: 95
Release Date: October 3, 1946
Running Time: 17:37

“C’mon, we got some croakin’ to do!”

Short Take

The Stooges play the roles of unsuccessful actors who have decided to end it all by jumping off a skyscraper. On top of the building, they discover three girls with an unsuccessful dancing act who have also decided to jump. The Stooges immediately fall in love with the girls. The six distraught lovers are still planning to jump when they suddenly hear piano music playing. They leave the ledge to go find the source of the music.

On a lower floor they discover a piano-playing millionaire who is looking for a talented act. He promises them a significant amount of money if they are good. Their act is a success with the millionaire, who doubles their salaries and says, “The way I throw my money around, I bet you think I’m crazy!” As if on cue, two men in white coats come to take him back to an asylum.

Rhythm and Weep Cast & Crew

Directed byJules White
Produced byJules White
Written byFelix Adler
StarringMoe Howard
Larry Fine
Curly Howard
Nita Bieber
Ruth Godfrey
Jack Norton
Gloria Patrice
Robert Kellard

Rhythm and Weep Trivia

  • Ruth Godfrey was Jules White’s daughter-in-law
  • The pill gag was originally written to have Curly pop the pills into his own mouth, but his physical coordination was poor due to his failing heath. The gag, then, had to be changed and Moe ended up popping the pills into Curly’s mouth.
  • This short contained one of the few instances that the Stooges broke the “fourth wall“. During his time on the ledge, Larry hugs his girl, looks into the camera, and says to the audience: “This I like! And I get paid for it, too!”

Production Notes

  • Filming took place from April 23-26, 1946
  • The title parodies the card-game expression “Read ‘Em and Weep”