While we may think of Moe, Larry, and Curly as the core Three Stooges, the third role was in flux on several occasions. And, for this reason, we can also often enjoy variations on the trio, such as Moe, Larry, and Shemp.
Shemp was the brother of Moe and Curly. While he was part of the trio on stage, he also spent a fair amount of his career performing without his brothers. However, when health issues arose for Curly, he found himself working with Moe and Larry on screen and fully immersed in the slapstick antics of the Stooges.
Burt Kearns’ Shemp!: The Biography of The Three Stooges’ Shemp Howard, The Face of Film Comedy is a much-needed undertaking that explores the life, career, and legacy of my favorite Stooge. The book is exceptionally well-researched and fills a massive void in the literature about this crucial Stooge who also fared well as a solo actor, working alongside the likes of Jimmy Stewart, Abbott & Costello, and more. Likewise, he also made his mark as one of the Three Stooges and certainly deserves credit for his work during the beginnings of the Stooges act and–though reluctantly–on to its continuation as a replacement for Curly.
This book is highly recommended to fans of the Three Stooges and early comedy.
Hometowns to Hollywood 