Outer Space Jitters
Encyclopedia
Outer Space Jitters is the 182nd short subject starring American slapstick
comedy team the Three Stooges
. The five (Larry Fine; Moe, Shemp, Curly Howard; and Joe Besser) made a total of 190 shorts for Columbia Pictures
between 1934 and 1959.
) who travel to the planet Sunev (Venus
spelled backwards). The planet's leader, the Grand Slitz of Sunev (Gene Roth
) greets them cordially enough, but it soon becomes apparent that he has plans to bring prehistoric men to life and take over the planet Earth
. No sooner does Professor Jones catch onto the Grand Slitz's plan does he end up being tied up.
In the interim, the Stooges engage in some flirtatious activity with several Sunevian girls (Harriette Tarler
, Diana Darrin
, and Arline Hunter
). At dinner, an alien leader, known officially as The High Mucky Muck (Philip Van Zandt
) tells the Stooges to eat heartily and enjoy their meal, for it will be their last. The trio make a quick dash for the space ship, but not before encountering a prehistoric goon (Dan Blocker
). The boys manage to free Professor Jones and destroy the equipment that would have conquered the Earth.
Slapstick
Slapstick is a type of comedy involving exaggerated violence and activities which may exceed the boundaries of common sense.- Origins :The phrase comes from the batacchio or bataccio — called the 'slap stick' in English — a club-like object composed of two wooden slats used in Commedia dell'arte...
comedy team the Three Stooges
Three Stooges
The Three Stooges were an American vaudeville and comedy act of the early to mid–20th century best known for their numerous short subject films. Their hallmark was physical farce and extreme slapstick. In films, the Stooges were commonly known by their first names: "Moe, Larry, and Curly" and "Moe,...
. The five (Larry Fine; Moe, Shemp, Curly Howard; and Joe Besser) made a total of 190 shorts for Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production and distribution company. Columbia Pictures now forms part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate Sony. It is one of the leading film companies...
between 1934 and 1959.
Plot
The Stooges tells their infant sons (also the Stooges) a story about the time they blasted to outer space. In this story, the Stooges are assistants to Professor Jones (Emil SitkaEmil Sitka
Emil Sitka was a veteran American actor who appeared in hundreds of movies, short films, and television shows, and is best known for his numerous appearances with the Three Stooges—nearly 40...
) who travel to the planet Sunev (Venus
Venus
Venus is the second planet from the Sun, orbiting it every 224.7 Earth days. The planet is named after Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty. After the Moon, it is the brightest natural object in the night sky, reaching an apparent magnitude of −4.6, bright enough to cast shadows...
spelled backwards). The planet's leader, the Grand Slitz of Sunev (Gene Roth
Gene Roth
Gene Roth was an American film actor. Born in Redfield, South Dakota, Roth was born Eugene Oliver Edgar Stutenroth...
) greets them cordially enough, but it soon becomes apparent that he has plans to bring prehistoric men to life and take over the planet Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
. No sooner does Professor Jones catch onto the Grand Slitz's plan does he end up being tied up.
Harriette Tarler
Harriette Tarler was an American film actress. Born in New York, New York, Tarler appeared in over 15 films between 1956 and 1959.-Career:...
, Diana Darrin
Diana Darrin
Diana Darrin is an American film actress and singer. She has made over 35 film and television appearances.-Career:Darrin spent the early years of her career appearing in several later Three Stooges films such as He Cooked His Goose, Shot in the Frontier, and A Merry Mix Up.Later appearances include...
, and Arline Hunter
Arline Hunter
Arline Hunter is an American actress and model. She is perhaps best known as Playboy's Playmate of the Month for August 1954. Her centerfold was the first not to be purchased from the John Baumgarth Co...
). At dinner, an alien leader, known officially as The High Mucky Muck (Philip Van Zandt
Philip Van Zandt
Philip "Phil" Van Zandt was a Dutch actor of film, stage and television. He made over 220 film and television appearances between 1939 and 1958.-Career:...
) tells the Stooges to eat heartily and enjoy their meal, for it will be their last. The trio make a quick dash for the space ship, but not before encountering a prehistoric goon (Dan Blocker
Dan Blocker
Dan Blocker was an American actor best remembered for his role as Eric "Hoss" Cartwright in the NBC western television series Bonanza.-Early life:...
). The boys manage to free Professor Jones and destroy the equipment that would have conquered the Earth.