Merry Mavericks

Merry Mavericks is a 1951 short subject directed by Edward Bernds starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Shemp Howard). It is the 133rd entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

Plot

Set in the Old West, the once-tranquil town of Peaceful Gulch faces turmoil as the notorious Red Morgan and his gang intimidate the populace and drive out the sheriff. In a bid to restore law and order, members of the sheriff's posse devise a plan to deceive Morgan and his cohorts by fabricating the arrival of three renowned marshals.

The Stooges unwittingly become entangled in this scheme when they are mistaken for the legendary lawmen. Tasked with thwarting Morgan's efforts to plunder a stash of money hidden in a purportedly haunted house, the trio embarks on their mission. Upon investigating, they discover that the ghostly apparition haunting the premises is merely a disguise worn by one of Morgan's associates.

Seizing the opportunity, Shemp subdues the impostor and assumes the guise himself. Reuniting with Moe and Larry, who have fallen into Morgan's clutches, Shemp employs his ruse to rescue them. With swift action and comedic flair, Shemp incapacitates Morgan's gang using a hatchet, thereby emerging as the unlikely hero of the day, and restoring order to Peaceful Gulch.

Production notes

Merry Mavericks was filmed June 13–16, 1950, but not released until September 1951.^[1] It is a partial remake of Phony Express, using minimal stock footage from the original.^[2]

References