Production Information
Title: Out West
Studio: Columbia
Short Number: 99
Release Date: April 24, 1947
Running Time: 17:32
“Son, NEVER in the history of motion pictures has the United States Cavalry been too late.”
(Stanley Blystone)
Out West Short Take
The Stooges go west on vacation for Shemp’s health, who has a swollen vein in his leg. At a saloon The Stooges get acquainted with Nell and Shemp begins to tell her about his vein. Doc Barker overhears and thinks Shemp is talking about a gold mine, and plots to steal it by inviting Shemp into a crooked poker game. The Boys learn that Doc Barker stole the Red Dog Saloon from Nell and is forcing her to marry him, otherwise he’ll kill her sweetheart the Arizona Kid. Stooges to the rescue!
Of the dozens of set routines the Stooges developed and varied over the years, the mixology gag was one of the most dependable. the mixing itself always blends verbal and visual comedy, and it usually serves to further the plot by drugging someone, in this case – the villain. Their Ickey-may recipe: Pour Old Homicide whiskey into a bucket, add old beer, molasses, Tabasco, seltzer, two eggs (broken on the forehead) and paint. If you add too much paint, add some paint remover. Shake in a large boot and serve to your worst enemy.
Out West Cast & Crew
| Directed by | Edward Bernds |
|---|---|
| Produced by | Hugh McCollum |
| Written by | Clyde Bruckman |
| Starring | Moe Howard Larry Fine Shemp Howard Christine McIntyre Jack Norman Jock Mahoney Stanley Blystone George Chesebro Heinie Conklin Vernon Dent Frank Ellis Blackie Whiteford |
| Cinematography | George F. Kelley |
| Edited by | Paul Borofsky |
Out West Trivia
- The Arizona Kid played by Jock Mahoney and his girlfriend Nell played by Christine McIntyre would reprise these roles in Punchy Cowpunchers (Arizona Kid), the first supporting players to reprise their characters. He began his career as a stuntman for ‘The Durango Kid’ – Charles Starret with whom The Stooges played in Start Cheering.
- The fast motion during the climactic scenes has The William Tell Overture as the background music.
- The congested vein is originally in Shemp’s right leg, but he favors his left leg throughout the film.
Production Notes
Out West was filmed July 8-11, 1946, and is a remake of Pistol Packing Nitwits starring Harry Langdon and El Brendel. It would later be remade in 1954 as Pals and Gals, using ample stock footage.