In 1969, the Three Stooges began preparing for a run on television with production of a TV pilot. The planned series featured Moe Howard, Larry Fine and “Curly” Joe DeRita as the retired Stooges taking a trip around the world with their dog, Moose. Eventually, due to an unfortunate circumstance, the footage was made into what would be the final film featuring the Three Stooges, “Kook’s Tour.”
The unfortunate event was that Larry Fine had a severe stroke on January 9, 1970 while the pilot was still being made. The stroke paralyzed the left side of Fine’s body. Fine’s condition meant that they had to drop any plans for a TV series.
Director Norman Maurer, however, cut the footage into a 52-minute film. Producers marked the film in 1975 in Super 8 Sound home movie format.
Below is Maurer’s edit of the film, “Kook’s Tour.” Check out the last film from the Three Stooges.
Fine survived the stroke for several years, eventually dying on January 24, 1975. The original Curly, Curly Howard, had also had a stroke many years earlier, dying on January 18, 1952. Moe died less than four months after Larry on May 4, 1975 of lung cancer. Curly Joe lived until 1993.
Leave your two cents in the comments.
(Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)
I really loved the 3 stooges, I looked at them in such a different light. What interesting men. Very talented.