A Pain in the Pullman
A Pain in the Pullman is a 1936 short subject directed by Preston Black starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. It is the 16th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.
Plot
The Stooges are struggling actors embroiled in a sequence of challenges during their journey aboard an overnight train to meet a theatrical commitment. This voyage is beset by financial difficulties and complicated further by the inclusion of their pet monkey, Joe. Initially instructed to stow Joe in the baggage car due to regulations prohibiting animals in passenger compartments, the Stooges' attempts are thwarted when the door closes prematurely. Consequently, they surreptitiously bring Joe aboard the Southern Pacific railway train, inadvertently setting the stage for chaos.As Joe roams freely around the train, the Stooges struggle to locate him, inadvertently causing disruptions and perturbations among their fellow passengers, including figures such as vain actor Paul Payne and stage manager/boss Mr. Johnson. The escalating tumult reaches a climax when Joe, seized by fear, activates the train's emergency brake, abruptly halting its progress. Facing the ire of both passengers and the conductor, the Stooges are summarily ejected from the train.
Cast
Credited
- Moe Howard as Moe
- Larry Fine as Larry
- Curly Howard as Curly
Uncredited
- Bud Jamison as Johnson
- James C. Morton as Paul Payne
- Eddie Laughton as Train Conductor
- Anne O'Neal as Mrs. Hammond Eggerly
- Jesse De Vorska as O'Brien
- Phyllis Crane as Girl Kissed by Curly
- Bobby Burns as Man in Berth
- Hilda Title as Crab Dinner Companion
- Ethelreda Leopold as Show Girl
- Blanche Payson as Woman with Hat
- Wilna Hervey as Large Woman
- Al Thompson as Pedestrian
- George Gray as Workman with Ladder
- Ray Turner as Pullman Porter
- Al Herman as Drunk
- Gail Arnold as Show Girl
- Loretta Andrews as Show Girl
- Elaine Waters as Show Girl
- Mary Lou Dix as Karen
- Johnny Kascier as Train Passenger
- Bert Young as Train Passenger
- Joe the Monkey as Monkey
Production notes
A Pain in the Pullman is the longest short film the Stooges made at Columbia Pictures, running at 19 minutes, 46 seconds; the shortest is Sappy Bull Fighters, running at 15 minutes, 19 seconds. Filming was completed between April 29 and May 4, 1936.This is the first short in which Moe, Larry, and Curly are actually referred to as "The Three Stooges" in the dialogue.
The closing shot of the Stooges leaping over a bush, and landing on a trio of bucking steers was reused at the end of A Ducking They Did Go. The same gag was used in the end of The Ren and Stimpy Show episode "Rubber Nipple Salesmen".
The plot device of performers traveling via rail and enduring sleeping hardships was previously used by Laurel and Hardy in 1929's Berth Marks. Female comedy team ZaSu Pitts and Thelma Todd also borrowed the plot device for their 1932 short Show Business. Gus Schilling and Richard Lane remade the film in 1947 as Training for Trouble.
The name "Johnson" was shouted a total number of 10 times.