Oil's Well That Ends Well

Oil's Well That Ends Well
Directed by Jules White
Produced by Jules White
Written by Felix Adler
Starring Moe Howard
Larry Fine
Joe Besser
Cinematography Irving Lippman
Edited by Edwin H. Bryant
Distributed by Columbia Pictures
Release dates
  • December 4, 1958 (1958-12-04) (U.S.)
Running time
 16:09
Country United States
Language English

Oil's Well That Ends Well is the 188th short film released by Columbia Pictures in 1958 starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Joe Besser). The comedians released 190 short films for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

Plot

The Stooges have lost their jobs. Adding insult to injury, they received a letter from Dad with the news that he requires surgery. To help pay for the operation, the father suggests the boys search for uranium on his mining property. The boys locate the uranium, but run afoul of a load of dynamite. Then, when they are trying to fix the water pump, it starts gushing oil. Joe tries to cork it by sitting on it, but he is sent flying into the air. When he wishes it would stop, it does, much to Moe and Larry's dismay. Joe manages to get the oil started again, and the boys are in the money.

Production notes

Though technically a reworking of Oily to Bed, Oily to Rise, none of the original plot is featured in this short. In addition, the only recycled footage utilized in Oil's Well That Ends Well is the shot of Curly Howard riding the oil gusher up into the sky. In addition, the concept of Joe wishing for things that come true was borrowed from Oily to Bed, Oily to Rise.[1] The film was shot over two days on August 26–27, 1957.[2] It is also one of two Stooge films that does not have a supporting cast, the other being 1950's Self-Made Maids.[1]

Oil's Well That Ends Well contains a rare instance where the Stooges break the fourth wall, and directly address the camera audience. Joe, after being chastised by Moe and told to sit down, turns around to the camera and mouths "I hate him!" to the audience before walking off-screen.[3] In addition, when Joe pulls the rope out from under Larry's feet and knocks him over, Larry's hat falls off his head. But in the next shot when Moe pulls him up to his feet, Larry is still wearing his hat.[1]

The title Oil's Well That Ends Well is a pun of "all's well that ends well."[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Solomon, Jon (2002). The Complete Three Stooges: The Official Filmography and Three Stooges Companion. Comedy III Productions, Inc. pp. 316, 376. ISBN 0-9711868-0-4.
  2. ↑ Pauley, Jim (2012). The Three Stooges Hollywood Filming Locations. Solana Beach, California: Santa Monica Press, LLC. p. 186. ISBN 9781595800701.
  3. ↑ Besser, Joe; Jeff Lenburg; Greg Lenburg (1984). Not Just A Stooge. Orange, California: Excelsior Books. p. 266. ISBN 978-0918283009.
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