It can be stated that "Sweet and Hot" is arguably the most unusual Three Stooges comedy. In fact, it does not even resemble a Stooge film, largely because of Moe's uncharacteristic role as a German psychiatrist named Hugo Gansamacher, complete with slicked-back hair (Joe Besser had suggested that Moe and Larry wear their normal hairstyles in some of their shorts with him so that they appear more like gentlemen), thick glasses, and a German accent. As some folks have pointed out, if you ever show somebody this particular short with the hopes of getting that person to like the Stooges, he/she would probably think you're nuts. I think the most embarrassing scene in "Sweet and Hot" is that of Joe's portly sister Tiny (Muriel Landers) singing fractured versions of "Yankee Doodle" and "Three Blind Mice" with a screechy voice.
But, as I believe that every film has its highlights (and this is the first of hopefully many commentaries that I will submit), I would like to state that some of the funnier moments in this short are Larry's attempts at dancing and Joe's few bits of clumsiness during the opening farm scene. And during the closing nightclub scene, as Tiny sings "The Heat is On," Larry plays his violin and Joe tears a newspaper in time to the music (as Curly would have done to tablecloths) and does a little tap dance. This is all enjoyable, too.
As a professional musician myself, I am sure that "The Heat is On" is virtually unknown. Conversely, "Let's Fall in Love," sung by Tiny during the opening farm scene, has become something of a jazz standard and is featured in two other Three Stooges shorts with Curly ("Punch Drunks" [1934] and "Rhythm and Weep" [1946]).
So in conclusion, I would say that even if most folks consider "Sweet and Hot" to be one of the Stooges' worst, give it a chance. It has its highlights.
But, as I believe that every film has its highlights (and this is the first of hopefully many commentaries that I will submit), I would like to state that some of the funnier moments in this short are Larry's attempts at dancing and Joe's few bits of clumsiness during the opening farm scene. And during the closing nightclub scene, as Tiny sings "The Heat is On," Larry plays his violin and Joe tears a newspaper in time to the music (as Curly would have done to tablecloths) and does a little tap dance. This is all enjoyable, too.
As a professional musician myself, I am sure that "The Heat is On" is virtually unknown. Conversely, "Let's Fall in Love," sung by Tiny during the opening farm scene, has become something of a jazz standard and is featured in two other Three Stooges shorts with Curly ("Punch Drunks" [1934] and "Rhythm and Weep" [1946]).
So in conclusion, I would say that even if most folks consider "Sweet and Hot" to be one of the Stooges' worst, give it a chance. It has its highlights.