Phony Express

Phony Express is a 1943 short subject directed by Del Lord starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly Howard). It is the 75th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

Plot
In the besieged environs of Peaceful Gulch, threatened by a marauding contingent of bandits and brigands, the town's mayor, formulates a stratagem to deter the encroaching menace. This plan entails the dissemination of a fabricated report heralding the imminent arrival of three resolute marshals (the Stooges), their identities appropriated from a wanted poster portraying vagrants, valued at a nominal price. Despite this intricate scheme, the Stooges nearly face expulsion from the township subsequent to a misguided endeavor to administer a purported panacea to the ailing sheriff, afflicted with lumbago, which imperils his well-being.

The Stooges find themselves ensconced within the precincts of a local saloon. Here, they confront the leader of the marauders, Red, who endeavors to assuage them through conviviality and libations, only to have their deception unravelled. In a display of ingenuity, the trio prevails over their adversaries, effectuating their escape from imminent peril.

Subsequently entrusted with the solemn responsibility of safeguarding the town's financial bastion, the Stooges are confronted with a brazen act of bank robbery in their charge's absence. To avert dire consequences, they embark on a quest to apprehend the culprits. Amidst their pursuit, Curly, assuming the guise of a bloodhound, momentarily diverts his attention to a whimsical pursuit of a skunk. Despite this diversion, their tenacity leads them to the discovery of the stolen plunder, just as the malefactors return to their hideaway.

A series of misfortunes culminates in Curly's inadvertent confinement within a stove, unwittingly becoming a receptacle for the ill-gotten gains. However, a fortuitous mishap ensues as a conflagration, ignited accidentally, propels a cascade of bullets, dispersing the outlaws in disarray.

Production notes
Phony Express was filmed on March 27–31, 1943. The film title is a parody of the "Pony Express," a fast mail service that crossed the North American continent from Saint Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California from April 1860 to October 1861. Some of the plot and minimal stock footage would be recycled in Merry Mavericks.

This was the last Three Stooges short co-written by Monte Collins, who died on June 1, 1951.

Cast

 * Moe Howard as Moe
 * Larry Fine as Larry
 * Curly Howard as Curly
 * Shirley Patterson as Lola
 * Bud Jamison as Red Morgan
 * Ernie Adams as the Banker
 * Sally Cleaves as Dancing Partner
 * Chester Conklin as Mr. Higgins
 * Thomas Judge "Tex" Cooper as Barfly
 * Joel Friedkin as Dr. Abdul
 * Joe Garcio as a Henchman
 * George Gray as a Messenger
 * Herman Hack as a Dancer
 * Ray Jones as Red's Henchman
 * John Merton as Red's Henchman
 * George Morrell as a Townsman
 * Snub Pollard as Sheriff Hogwaller