1934  The first Three Stooges Film is Released

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In 1934, the first Three Stooges film, "Woman Haters," debuted, marking the beginning of a comedy legacy.

Columbia Contract  In 1934, the Three Stooges signed a contract with Columbia Pictures for comedy shorts at $600 per week, eventually rising to $7,500 per film.

Rise in Popularity  Columbia leveraged the Stooges' popularity to push other films. The Stooges remained unaware of their value due to deceptive tactics by studio head Harry Cohn.

Contract Deception Cohn used scare tactics to prevent the Stooges from asking for a better deal, resulting in 23 years without a salary increase.

Missed Opportunities After leaving Columbia, Moe realized the Stooges' true value and how much more they could have earned for the studio.

Production Schedule The Stooges had a tight schedule, filming eight shorts per year with a 40-week period dedicated to shooting.

Directorial Contributions Del Lord, Jules White, and others directed Stooge films, with many considered classics, including "Disorder in the Court" and "A Plumbing We Will Go".

World War II Era Films  During the war, the Stooges released films mocking Axis powers, like "You Nazty Spy!", while maintaining their slapstick style.

Decline in Quality  Rising production costs during the war led to fewer elaborate gags and outdoor sequences, affecting the quality of the films.

Curly's Decline  Curly's health deteriorated due to his wild lifestyle, leading to a stroke in 1946 and ultimately ending his career.

Legacy  Curly's stroke marked the end of an era for the original Stooges, but their influence persisted through their films and occasional appearances.

Audrey Hepburn in Tea-Length Wedding Dress: "Funny Face" (1957)