Spook Louder
| Spook Louder | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Del Lord |
| Written by | Clyde Bruckman |
| Produced by | Del Lord Hugh McCollum |
| Starring | Moe Howard Larry Fine Curly Howard Stanley Blystone Heinie Conklin William Kelley Lew Kelly Helen Servis Symona Boniface Stanley Brown Charles Middleton Ted Lorch Shirley Patterson |
| Cinematography | John Stumar |
| Edited by | Paul Borofsky |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 16:01 |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Spook Louder is a 1943
The film is set in an eerie mansion. An inventor appoints the Stooges as the mansion's new caretakers. During his absence, spies attempt to steal his inventions. The Stooges have to defend the mansion from the intruders.
The film was one of several
Plot
During an interview with a newspaper reporter, Professor J.O. Dunkfeather narrates the story of Graves, a proficient master spy.
Commencing with the Stooges portraying traveling salesmen, their unsuccessful attempts to market the "Miracle Reducing Machine" prompts their continued journey in dire need of funds to meet rent obligations. Fortuitously, the trio stumbles upon Graves' residence, where they are mistakenly assumed to be the new caretakers. Graves, en route to Washington, D.C., entrusts his eerie mansion to the Stooges, intending to return after testing his revolutionary death ray machine. Meanwhile, nefarious spies in Halloween costumes emerge, unsettling the Stooges. The Stooges become further agitated by unexplained cream pie projectiles, seemingly propelled by an enigmatic pie-throwing apparition.
Cornered by the spies, the Stooges employ a bomb provided by Graves, effectively subduing the criminals and safeguarding Graves' confidential inventions.
The narrative returns to the present as the inquisitive reporter seeks the identity of the mysterious pie-thrower. Dunkfeather initially claims responsibility but is contradicted when a pie suddenly materializes, casting doubt on his account.
Production notes
The title Spook Louder is a pun combining the request "speak louder" with the "spooks" of a mansion.[1] It is a remake of the 1931 Mack Sennett film The Great Pie Mystery.[2]
Co-stars
Filmed on July 17–21, 1942, Spook Louder was one of several World War II-era Stooges shorts that engaged in propaganda against the then-enemy Japanese, with others including No Dough Boys, Booby Dupes and, notably, The Yoke's on Me.[1]
Reception
The Stooge films released between 1942-1944 were considered to be a step down in quality from previous entries made between 1935-1941. Spook Louder, in particular, was singled out by author Ted Okuda as "their worst picture in some time. The story of a phantom pie-thrower is a repetitious one-joke affair devoid of laughs."[2]
In popular culture
Several scenes from Spook Louder appear in the 1992 film Radio Flyer.
References
- ^ ISBN 0-9711868-0-4.
- ^ ISBN 0-89950-181-8.
