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Shemp begs a mobster to kill him. Then his ex wants him back. Oops.
TMDB
73

Off Again, On Again (1945)

slapstick chaosromantic misadventureshort & sweet

Overview

Comedy

Good samaritan Shemp rescues a girl from an accident, and a newspaper photographer snaps a picture of her thanking Shemp. The paper mixes up the caption, implying that Shemp and the girl are lovers. This doesn't sit well with Shemp's fiancee, who breaks off their engagement, leaving him so heartbroken he asks the rescued girl's gangster boyfriend (Dick Curtis) to kill him. When Shemp's intended returns and apologizes, he realizes that his days are numbered unless he can find the gangster and call off the hit.

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Content warning

Standout Aspects

Acting

Shemp's pathetic desperation is genuinely hilarious.

Direction

Jules White crams three acts into 16 minutes flat.

Best for:Solo: Coffee break comedy when you need a quick laugh.·Friends: Group viewing for vintage slapstick appreciation.·Rewatch: Spotting all the physical gags you missed.
Jules White

Director

Jules White

ReleasedFeb 16, 1945
Runtime16m
StatusReleased

Vibe

Pacefast
Intensitymedium
Tonelight
Feellight
Columbia Pictures

Top Cast

Shemp Howard

Shemp Howard

Woodcock Q. Strinker

Dick Curtis

Dick Curtis

Louie Derringer

Christine McIntyre

Christine McIntyre

Edith

Bobby Burns

Bobby Burns

Customer (uncredited)

Heinie Conklin

Heinie Conklin

Man Going Hunting (uncredited)

Budd Fine

Budd Fine

Policeman (uncredited)

Bud Jamison

Bud Jamison

Hotel Detective (uncredited)

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Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Trivia

This was one of 77 shorts Shemp made for Columbia after rejoining the Stooges in 1946, though he's flying solo here.

Cultural

The 'misunderstood photo in the newspaper' plot was a comedy staple in the 1940s—see also The Awful Truth and His Girl Friday.

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