This is one of the earlier Three Stooges shorts, and one of the funniest. It opens on an exclusive restaurant where two wealthy gents are having an argument -- what really makes the man, heredity or environment? They wager ten thousand dollars and take off in search of three men to use in their experiment. They haven't far to go -- right outside the establishment they are pelted with garbage flung by none other than Larry, Moe and Curly. But when the pair offer to make gentlemen of the boys, they aren't interested -- "I'll disgrace us!" bemoans Larry. Reluctantly they finally agree to go along with the plan and spend three months at the home of one of the men while he tries to teach them some manners. After two months, they are little better than when they started -- in fact their benefactor resorts to slapping them! Dancing lessons are even less effective when a bee flies into the instructor's cleavage and the boys try to imitate her St. Vitus dance. Nevertheless, the Stooges make their debut in society, and it is predictably manic. The highlight is Curly's dance with a extra-large maiden. -- a couch spring has affixed itself to his behind, so whenever his partner knocks him down with her heft, he bounces right back up. Although the Stooges' benefactor loses the bet, there apparently is something to be said about the effects of environment because by the end, everyone at this fancy dress party is gleefully knocking each other about, Stooges-style. The idea for this short came from Moe Howard and his wife, Helen. Helen was offered either screen credit or money -- she went for the cash.
by Janiss Garza
synopsis
