Sing a Song of Six Pants

Plot

The Three Stooges operate a struggling tailor shop and are desperately behind on their payments to the Skin & Flint company. When they learn that a notorious burglar known as 'The Midnight Butcher' is in their area with a $5,000 reward on his head, they see an opportunity to save their business. The burglar unexpectedly visits their shop to get a suit altered, leading to a series of chaotic attempts by the Stooges to capture him while dealing with their trademark incompetence. The situation escalates with classic slapstick mayhem as they try to subdue the criminal, accidentally handcuff themselves together, and ultimately succeed through sheer luck rather than skill.

Historical Background

This film was produced during the post-World War II era when American audiences were seeking light-hearted entertainment after years of global conflict. The film industry was transitioning from wartime to peacetime production, with short subjects like the Three Stooges comedies remaining popular theater programming. In 1947, the Hollywood Blacklist was beginning to form, and the House Un-American Activities Committee was conducting hearings that would significantly impact the entertainment industry. Despite these tensions, comedy shorts provided escapism for audiences dealing with post-war economic adjustments and the emerging Cold War. The film's release coincided with the early days of television, which would soon challenge the dominance of theatrical shorts, though the Stooges would successfully transition to TV in the following decade.

Making Of

The production of 'Sing a Song of Six Pants' marked a significant transition period for the Three Stooges. Shemp Howard was still readjusting to the group dynamic after a 14-year absence, and the comedy timing had to be recalibrated to accommodate his different style compared to Curly's. Director Jules White, who had worked with the Stooges since their Columbia debut in 1934, had to modify his directing approach to suit Shemp's more verbal comedy style versus Curly's physical pantomime. The filming was completed in just two days, with the cast and crew working on Columbia's short film soundstages alongside other productions. Vernon Dent, playing the burglar, was a seasoned veteran of Stooges films and could anticipate their improvisational tendencies, often contributing to the comedy with his reactions.

Visual Style

The cinematography, handled by Benjamin H. Kline, was straightforward and functional, designed primarily to clearly capture the physical comedy without distracting from the performances. The camera work followed the standard Columbia Pictures short film style, with static medium shots for dialogue sequences and following shots for chase scenes and physical gags. The lighting was bright and even, typical of studio comedies of the era, ensuring that all the slapstick action was clearly visible. The film used standard 35mm black and white film stock, with the cinematography focusing on capturing the timing of the physical comedy rather than artistic flourishes. The camera positioning was carefully planned to accommodate the Stooges' particular physical comedy style, often using wider shots to capture their coordinated movements and chaotic interactions.

Innovations

While not technically innovative, the film demonstrated the efficiency and polish of Columbia Pictures' short film production system. The studio had perfected the art of producing quality comedy shorts on tight schedules and budgets, with 'Sing a Song of Six Pants' exemplifying this streamlined approach. The film used standard editing techniques for comedy, including quick cuts during slapstick sequences and match cuts for visual gags. The sound recording was clean and clear, important for capturing the Stooges' distinctive vocal performances. The film's technical aspects were designed for reliability and repeatability rather than innovation, reflecting the industrial approach to short film production at major studios during the golden age of Hollywood.

Music

The musical score was composed by John Leipold, who provided music for numerous Columbia shorts. The soundtrack featured typical comedy short music of the era, with upbeat, jaunty themes during opening credits and chase sequences, and more dramatic stings for moments of physical comedy. The film included no original songs beyond the title reference, though incidental music helped punctuate the comedic timing. Sound effects were prominently featured, with exaggerated impacts, crashes, and boings enhancing the physical comedy. The audio mixing was designed to emphasize the Stooges' distinctive voices and their rapid-fire dialogue exchanges. The soundtrack followed the Columbia Pictures house style for comedy shorts, using a library of musical cues that could be quickly assembled for efficient production schedules.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening sequence where the Stooges desperately try to hide from the Skin & Flint collection agent, culminating in them pretending to be mannequins. The chaotic handcuff scene where the Stooges accidentally cuff themselves together while trying to capture the burglar, leading to classic three-person coordinated comedy. The final chase sequence through the tailor shop with sewing machines, fabric, and clothing racks becoming obstacles and weapons in the slapstick mayhem.

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics generally dismissed Three Stooges shorts as lowbrow entertainment, with reviews often focusing on their violent slapstick rather than their comedic timing or performances. The New York Times and other major publications rarely reviewed short subjects individually. However, trade publications like Variety recognized their commercial value, noting their consistent popularity with theater audiences. Modern critics and film historians have reassessed the Stooges' work, recognizing their influence on American comedy and their sophisticated understanding of physical comedy timing. The film is now appreciated as a solid example of the Shemp era of the Three Stooges, with particular praise for the chemistry between the three performers and the efficient direction of Jules White.

What Audiences Thought

The film was well-received by theater audiences in 1947, who appreciated the familiar formula and reliable laughs provided by the Three Stooges. The shorts were particularly popular with children and working-class audiences who attended double features and newsreel programs. Audience feedback cards collected by theaters consistently showed positive responses to Stooges shorts, which helped maintain their production schedule throughout the late 1940s. The film gained renewed popularity when it entered television syndication in the late 1950s, reaching a much broader audience and helping to create new generations of Stooges fans. Today, the short maintains a strong following among classic comedy enthusiasts and continues to entertain audiences through home video releases and streaming platforms.

You Might Also Like