Among Three Stooges fanatics, “They Stooge to Conga” is notorious for a few seconds of roughhouse involving a climbing spike and Moe’s head. But that’s just a one of too many brilliantly surreal moments that occur in this deliriously insane short film.
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Tag Archives: World War II
The Big Noise (1944)
The other day, I saw a post on Facebook asking for input on whether the 1944 Laurel and Hardy feature “The Big Noise” deserved to be considered among the worst films ever made. After all, many Laurel and Hardy aficionados label it as the duo’s on-screen nadir, and it was also cited in a book that allegedly ranked the all-time 50 worst films.
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The Bootleg Files: Jive Junction
BOOTLEG FILES 847: “Jive Junction” (1943 musical starring Dickie Moore and directed by Edgar G. Ulmer).
LAST SEEN: On DailyMotion.com.
AMERICAN HOME VIDEO: It doesn’t appear to have been released.
REASON FOR BOOTLEG STATUS: There might be a music rights issue.
CHANCES OF SEEING A COMMERCIAL DVD RELEASE: Not likely.
When you think of the musicals of the 1940s, you probably think about the big-budget Technicolor productions from MGM or 20th Century Fox. Few people would immediately call to mind the output of Producers Releasing Corporation (PRC), the Poverty Row funhouse that churned out low-budget Westerns and thrillers. Every now and then, this cheapjack studio would put forth a musical – and while none of these films resonated within the popular culture, they provided enough silly distraction to help theaters fill their double features.
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The Bootleg Files: Here is Germany
BOOTLEG FILES 836: “Here is Germany” (1945 propaganda film directed by Frank Capra).
LAST SEEN: On YouTube and other online sites.
AMERICAN HOME VIDEO: On public domain labels.
REASON FOR BOOTLEG STATUS: No copyright was ever filed on the film.
CHANCES OF SEEING A COMMERCIAL DVD RELEASE: Nope, it is doomed to public domain hell.
During World War II, the U.S. government churned out scores of nonfiction films aimed at both the enlisted military personnel and civilian audiences. Many highly regarded Hollywood filmmakers received commissions from the military and worked to create productions that would artistically drive the message about why the nation was at war and what it hoped to achieve.
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Open Secret (1948)
Newlyweds Paul (John Ireland) and Nancy (Jane Randolph) Lester are on their honeymoon when they decide to stop by to see Paul’s army buddy, Ed Stevens. The problem is when they arrive at his apartment, Ed is missing. His mail has been taken and someone has broken into the apartment looking for something. Something important.
Battle for Saipan (2022)
In World War II, a surgeon and an assorted group of patients and trained personnel face off with an attack from the other side while under-equipped and under-prepared.
The Bootleg Files: Lambeth Walk – Nazi Style
BOOTLEG FILES 809: “Lambeth Walk – Nazi Style” (1942 short that riffs on “Triumph of the Will” with a soundtrack featuring an instrumental version of “The Lambeth Walk”).
LAST SEEN: On YouTube.
AMERICAN HOME VIDEO: In public domain anthologies.
REASON FOR BOOTLEG STATUS: Unauthorized use of Leni Riefenstahl’s film coupled with music clearance issues.
CHANCES OF SEEING A COMMERCIAL DVD RELEASE: It is out there, rights clearance be damned.
Some humor is timeless – think of Shakespeare’s comedies, Mark Twain’s novels and the Three Stooges’ knockabout. But with some humor, time is not an ally and it can difficult for later generations to appreciate what their predecessors were laughing about.
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