All Gummed Up

1947 American short film by Jules White

December 18, 1947 (1947-12-18) (U.S.)

Running time

18:17CountryUnited StatesLanguageEnglish

All Gummed Up is a 1947 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Shemp Howard). It is the 103rd 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 operate a local drugstore whose landlord, the cantankerous Amos Flint, informs them their lease is about to expire. Larry protests that the trio have had their establishment for a decade, and do not want to leave. However, their bickering takes a poignant turn when they encounter Flint's elderly wife, Cerina, who is subjected to his harsh treatment.

Moved by Cerina's plight, the Stooges offer her shelter in their store's spare room, igniting a chain of events driven by Shemp's inventive idea to create a "Fountain of Youth" serum. The trio fervently concoct the serum in their lab, aiming to restore Cerina's youthfulness. Despite initial setbacks, their efforts eventually yield success as Cerina undergoes a remarkable transformation.

With Cerina rejuvenated, the Stooges navigate a comedic exchange with Amos, who is astounded by his wife's newfound beauty. In a surprising turn, Amos rescinds his eviction threat and even transfers the store's deed to the Stooges in exchange for a dose of the serum. However, their jubilation is short-lived when Amos inadvertently regresses into infancy due to the serum's effects.

Amidst the chaos, Cerina celebrates her youthfulness by preparing a Marshmallow Jumbo layer cake, leading to a whimsical mishap involving marshmallows and bubble gum. The ensuing festivities culminate in a scene where the Stooges and Cerina indulge in bubble-blowing antics.

Cast

Credited

Moe Howard as Moe
Larry Fine as Larry
Shemp Howard as Shemp
Emil Sitka as Amos Flint
- Norman Ollestad as Baby Amos
Christine McIntyre as Cerina Flint
- Florence Lake as elderly Cerina Flint

Uncredited

Cy Schindell as Man with prescription
Victor Travers as Bubblegum customer
Symona Boniface as Woman who loses her dress
Al Thompson as Fountain pen customer
Judy Malcolm as Light bulb customer
Michael Towne as Fishing rod customer
Dian Fauntelle as Unnamed woman (deleted scene)

Production notes

All Gummed Up was filmed from April 23–24, 1947. It was remade in 1953 as Bubble Trouble, using ample recycled footage from the original. Although Stooge critic Jon Solomon contends that the remake has a better story flow than the original, that sentiment is not shared by fans.^[1]

This entry is one of the few to present the trio as competent and respectable professionals, as opposed to incompetent blue-collar laborers.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b Solomon, Jon (2002). The Complete Three Stooges: The Official Filmography and Three Stooges Companion. Comedy III Productions, Inc. ISBN 0-9711868-0-4.