Horses' Collars


Horses' Collars is a 1935 short subject directed by Clyde Bruckman and starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges.
It is the fifth entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 short films for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

Plot

The Stooges are detectives in the Old West. They have been sent out to recover an IOU from Double Deal Decker, a ruthless killer who plans to take possession of a ranch that is rightfully owned by Nell. After an unsuccessful attempt at a saloon, the Stooges head to Decker's hideout, where they find an IOU, and Curly manages to defeat the killers.

Production notes

Horses' Collars was filmed on November 23–27, 1934. The opening theme song is titled "At the Races," composed by Louis Silvers.
Curly has a violent reaction to the sight of a live mouse at any time, going into a fit while demanding, "Moe! Larry! The Cheese!". The only cure is for someone to feed him cheese, with Curly telling them which kind. The reason for this is explained by Moe & Larry, stating that Curly's father was a rat. The kind of cheeses that Curly calls for are roquefort, camembert, and limburger; all three of which are known to have highly pungent aromas.
An external stimulus — as with Curly spotting the mouse — that causes him to go bonkers was also used as a plot element in Punch Drunks, Grips, Grunts and Groans, and Tassels in the Air.
Horses' Collars was the first of 17 Western-themed films the Stooges would make. It is also the first short where the Stooges sing "You'll Never Know What Tears Are" in barbershop music style. This song would make an appearance in future shorts Half-Shot Shooters and A Ducking They Did Go.