Joe Besser and Jim Hawthorne try to breathe new life into an old script.

This short takes it's storyline from an old Three Stooges film and re-does it with the new comedy duo of Joe Besser and Jim Hawthorne.  Director Jules White tries to give it the old stooge treatment, but it just doesn't quite work.  Joe Besser does his usual shtick, but the real treat (for me anyway, a diehard Hawthorne fan) is seeing a young Jim Hawthorne at the height of his fame in the 50's.  Hawthorne was a popular Los Angeles radio and TV personality in the 40's and 50's, and these shorts are just a hint of what he could have achieved had Columbia not stopped all production of short subjects in the mid 50's.  Teaming Besser with Hawthorne was an odd choice, but they work well together by each doing his own style of zany physical comedy to compensate for the flimsy plot.  Hawthorne's pop-eyed double takes alone make it worth a look.  Sadly since no footage exists of Hawthorne from his TV shows, these shorts are all we have to give a glimpse of him from his era.  I recommend this and all the Besser-Hawthorne shorts for that alone.

The farce subgenre features exaggerated situations, slapstick humor, mistaken identities, and chaotic, rapid-fire events. Farces are known for their absurd and over-the-top comedic elements, often involving misunderstandings, physical comedy, and improbable scenarios.

Leslie Nielsen, Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty, and Lorna Patterson in Airplane! (1980)

The slapstick comedy subgenre, a term that originates from a type of wooden paddle with a hinged flap that was used in early comedic performances to create slapping noises during comedic actions, is a form of physical comedy characterized by exaggerated, boisterous, and often absurd actions, situations, and physical interactions. Slapstick humor relies on visual gags, physical stunts, and exaggerated movements to create laughs.

Leslie Nielsen in The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)

The comedy genre refers to a category of entertainment that aims to amuse and entertain audiences by using humor, wit, and comedic situations. Comedies are created with the primary intention of eliciting laughter and providing lighthearted enjoyment. They encompass a wide range of styles, tones, and themes, appealing to various tastes and audiences.

Will Ferrell, Angela Grillo, and Lap-Gei Cheung in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

The crime genre features criminal activities, investigations, law enforcement, crimes, and the pursuit of justice. Crime stories often revolve around the planning, execution, and consequences of criminal acts, as well as the efforts to solve and prevent such acts. They explore various aspects of criminal behavior, motives, and the moral dilemmas faced by both perpetrators and those seeking to uphold the law.

James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)

The short form refers to creative works characterized by their brevity and concise storytelling. Unlike full-length feature films, short films have a running time of less than 45 minutes, while TV shorts have a running time of less than 22 minutes.

Benedict Cumberbatch in The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023)

actor shares first and last name with character

Joe Besser and Jim Hawthorne are detectives trying to recover stolen jewels. They see a necklace on a furry arm, and deduce that a man wearing a fur coat was the thief. They, instead, encounter a gorilla.

Barbara Bartay, Joe Besser, Lela Bliss, and Jim Hawthorne in Hook a Crook (1955)

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Joe Besser and Jim Hawthorne in 'Fraidy Cat (1951)

Joe Besser and Jim Hawthorne in Hook a Crook (1955)

Hook a Crook

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