Former Tillsonburg News editor pens book on the original Stooge
Shemp Howard joined brother Moe and friend Larry Fine in the original Three Stooges
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Former Tillsonburg newspaper editor Geoff Dale has claimed a stake on a slice of comedy history, having just written the first book on Shemp Howard, the original member of world-famous slapstick trio The Three Stooges.
The October release of the book by American entertainment publisher BearManor Media marks the 100th anniversary of vaudeville comedian Ted Healy planting the roots for the zany troupe in 1923.
Dale formerly worked as a journalist at the Tillsonburg News and Woodstock Sentinel-Review.
Entitled Much More Than a Stooge: Shemp Howard, the book celebrates the talents of Moe and Curly’s older brother as a uniquely diverse physical and ad-libbing comedic actor. Sadly, over the years, while recognized as a gifted performer, he was nonetheless tagged as the Forgotten Stooge.
“I couldn’t believe, of the 40-plus books written about the group, there was not one on Shemp,” said Dale. “A century ago, Healy was seeking stooges to complement his vaudeville act with wife Betty. He chose childhood buddy Moe and older brother Shemp. Larry Fine joined in March 1928.”
Born Samuel Horwitz on March 11, 1895, and recognized as the Howard family’s natural comedian, Shemp was initially Healy’s most sought-after Stooge. Dale’s 396-page book follows Shemp from his early years to his career with The Three Stooges to his solo career of 105 films. The book then details Shemp’s return to save the troupe following the paralyzing strokes of his replacement Stooge, Curly, and then Horwitz’s own untimely passing in 1955.
While Shemp was respected by contemporaries like Bud Abbott – one the greatest straight men of all time– he’s still admired by many of the comedy stars of today. Cable stations routinely run Stooge marathons on holidays and during early morning TV runs.
In the chapter Stars Love Shemp, interviews with famous personalities like Shemp fan Penn Jillette of Penn & Teller, comedic legend Shecky Greene, wisecracking Gilbert Gottfried, talk-show giant Dick Cavett, quick-witted comedic monologist Paula Poundstone and actor/stand-up comic Robert Klein reveal why Shemp is admired more than 120 years after his death.
Also striking a chord with academics, the book spotlights Shemp’s solo career, where he appeared on the big screen with John Wayne, James Stewart (his debut in a Shemp short), Abbott & Costello, W.C. Fields, William Powell (The Thin Man), Sidney Toler (Charlie Chan), Martha Raye, Marlene Dietrich, pre-Wizard of Oz stars Bert Lahr, Jack Haley and more.
An introspective look at Shemp with peeks at his personal life with wife Babe and son Mort, the book also features personal and professional photos, marvellous illustrations by famed American cartoonist Drew Friedman, and original artwork from Tristan Yonce and Darin McGowan.
Well received by longtime and new Stooge fans, Much More Than a Stooge: Shemp Howard is available through BearManor Media, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, other retail outlet and, shortly, Shop Knuckleheads, the official Three Stooges store.
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