THE BOWERY BOYS go to London, actually a cardboard prop studio-- but it works!
10 Stars.
The difference between the 1950s episodes compared to the 1940s episodes is that Sach was allowed to get into more goofy situations. Here, his great, great grand uncle comes from royalty.... so the gang gets to go overseas to check on the old gent, who presumably does not have long to live?
Interesting stuff. Edward Bernds, who long directed the THREE STOOGES, added a bit of Stooge-mania to this episode, replete with a haunted castle. This was an old gimmick since the Stooges were at their best in haunted house stories. This was also Bernd's first film with the Bowery Boys. Leo Gorcey and Huntz Hall wanted to try out a new director with new ideas. However, the story goes Gorcey was not one to be told what to do. He did his schtick his way. In later years, Bernds commented that Gorcey was right. If he followed the script line by line, and without ad libs and malaprops, the stories would fall flat.
The film also has a good supporting cast, lead by veteran Walter Kingsford (as Sir Percy), who especially takes a liking to crazy ole Sach. Also Norma Varden is always fun to watch as the grande dame. She has a hilarious line, commenting on the gang... "They come from the Bowery --wherever that is!" believing its some neighborhood for rich trash!
Got to be seen, especially the sword fight sequence -- with rubber swords! Remastered by Warner Brothers in several box sets, generally including 6 to 8 episodes. Thank you TCM for rerunning the series, like the old days.
10 Stars.
The difference between the 1950s episodes compared to the 1940s episodes is that Sach was allowed to get into more goofy situations. Here, his great, great grand uncle comes from royalty.... so the gang gets to go overseas to check on the old gent, who presumably does not have long to live?
Interesting stuff. Edward Bernds, who long directed the THREE STOOGES, added a bit of Stooge-mania to this episode, replete with a haunted castle. This was an old gimmick since the Stooges were at their best in haunted house stories. This was also Bernd's first film with the Bowery Boys. Leo Gorcey and Huntz Hall wanted to try out a new director with new ideas. However, the story goes Gorcey was not one to be told what to do. He did his schtick his way. In later years, Bernds commented that Gorcey was right. If he followed the script line by line, and without ad libs and malaprops, the stories would fall flat.
The film also has a good supporting cast, lead by veteran Walter Kingsford (as Sir Percy), who especially takes a liking to crazy ole Sach. Also Norma Varden is always fun to watch as the grande dame. She has a hilarious line, commenting on the gang... "They come from the Bowery --wherever that is!" believing its some neighborhood for rich trash!
Got to be seen, especially the sword fight sequence -- with rubber swords! Remastered by Warner Brothers in several box sets, generally including 6 to 8 episodes. Thank you TCM for rerunning the series, like the old days.