Shot in the Frontier

Shot in the Frontier is a 1954 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Shemp Howard). It is the 157th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

Shot in the Frontier
Directed by	Jules White
Written by	Felix Adler
Produced by	Jules White
Starring	Moe Howard Larry Fine Shemp Howard Diana Darrin Vivian Mason Ruth Godfrey Emmett Lynn Kenneth MacDonald Joe Palma Emil Sitka
Cinematography	Ray Cory
Edited by	Edwin Bryant
Distributed by	Columbia Pictures
Release date	October 7, 1954 (1954-10-07) (U.S.)
Running time	15:52
Country	United States
Language	English

Plot

Following their matrimonial ceremonies, the Stooges are confronted with an unsettling revelation: the Noonan brothers, during the Stooges' recent absence, have developed an affection for the newlywed wives and sworn to exact vengeance upon our protagonists should the weddings transpire. Subsequently, in the aftermath of the Justice of the Peace's departure, the Stooges find themselves pursued by the Noonan brothers, leading to a comedic skirmish involving firearms and ultimately devolving into a physical altercation.

Amidst the chaos, an elderly individual named Lem inadvertently exacerbates the tension by persistently serenading both factions with an off-key rendition of "Red River Valley". Moe, reaching his threshold of patience, resorts to destroying Lem's guitar in frustration. Unperturbed, Lem promptly produces a miniature guitar and resumes his discordant performance, adding an element of absurdity to the escalating conflict.

Cast

Credited

• Moe Howard as Moe
• Larry Fine as Larry
• Shemp Howard as Shemp

Uncredited

• Diana Darrin as Bella
• Vivian Mason as Ella
• Ruth Godfrey as Stella
• Emmett Lynn as Lem
• Kenneth MacDonald as Bill Noonan
• Joe Palma as Jack Noonan
• Emil Sitka as Justice of the Peace
• Mort Mills as Dick Noonan
• Wanda Perry as Wedding witness
• Harold Breen as Wedding witness
• Harriette Tarler as Mandy

Production notes

Shot in the Frontier was filmed on October 26–28, 1953, nearly one year prior to its release.^[1] It is a parody of the 1952 Stanley Kramer Western High Noon.^[2]

In 1954, two shorts were released with entirely new footage: Income Tax Sappy and Shot in the Frontier. In both productions, Shemp Howard did not slick down his long hair due to his recent commencement of hair dyeing, which initially precluded the use of pomade.^[2]