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I Stooged to Conquer: The Autobiography of the Leader of the Three Stooges
by
Moe Howard
Telling the full story of the head Stooge, this work reveals the life-long career of a legendary funnyman. Born into a working-class family in Brooklyn, Moe Howard transformed his real-life experiences of getting into mischief with his brother Shemp into the plots that would have millions rolling in the aisles. From childhood, Moe s ambition was to perform whether it was p
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ebook
,
256 pages
Published
July 1st 2013
by Chicago Review Press
(first published January 1st 2013)
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Synopsis: "Telling the full story of the head Stooge, this work reveals the life-long career of a legendary funnyman. Born into a working-class family in Brooklyn, Moe Howard transformed his real-life experiences of getting into mischief with his brother Shemp into the plots that would have millions rolling in the aisles. From childhood, Moe’s ambition was to perform—whether it was plucking a ukulele on the beach, or playing a halfwit on a Mississippi showboat. But he only found success when he
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Am I a knucklehead for enjoying this book? Soy-tan-lee…NOT! Moe Howard (Moses Horwitz), the head Stooge with the pre-Beatles haircut, completed this autobiography just before he passed away in 1977. It's a loving and informative journey recalling his private life and career that took him from Vaudeville and Broadway to films and unexpected superstardom (yes, it's true fans) when the baby boomer generation went slapstick crazy over the trio when their short films were featured on kid's television
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What a story! If it's more about Moe's life than about the Stooges, that seems reasonable enough for an autobiography, which the author did not live to see finished and in print. Moe's life certainly did not begin with the Three Stooges, although clearly, much of the best of his life was spent with them. He seems to have been more of a softie on the inside than most people perceived, due largely to his abrasive character as a Stooge, and not least of all because of his rather harsh childhood, an
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Great read for diehard fans of the Three Stooges. Moe Howard—the leading Stooge, and usually known as "the mean one"—reveals the story behind the most popular slapstick act of all times, including childhood stories of himself and his two "stooge" brothers, Shemp and Curly, and Larry Fine who completed the trio. The autobiography includes some interesting trivia about many of the antics often seen in their comedy, and also includes the heartbreaking details of the tragic and untimely deaths of Cu
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Very quick and easy read, and fairly straightforward. Moe was certainly a self-made man with a lot more patience (letting himself be taken advantage of by Ted Healy for so long) and forgiveness than you would think considering the abuse he heaped upon the other Stooges in their short films. My grandpa has some 8mm Three Stooges reels that he used to show us from time to time and it was fun getting the background on why Shemp left, Curly joined, Curly left, Shemp returned, Shemp left, different C ...more
This is such a lovely story even though there was some sad times as well. It was very interesting hearing Moe's side of the story especially since he was such a legend and it was nice to hear a real stooge say the story for once, instead of reading inaccurate biographies. Even though the dates were wrong at times because of Moe's mind becoming older durning the time he wrote the book I still think it was very well written, I think this is defiantly a must have for any major stooge fan ! Over all
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Awash with incredible photographs and handed forward through the decades, the seminal act that revolved around the Howard brothers is lovingly recalled by their leader Moe Howard. Tripping and eye-poking from the early parts of the 20th Century through wartimes and into the late 1970s Howard kept the laughs and the dream alive for generation after generation of fans and this is his story.
Quick and easy read. Very, very direct - the stories from Moe's life are told in about the most straightforward manner possible; Cesar would have been proud. It left me with a little bit of an impersonal feeling, as if he were recounting the facts without really relating the experience.
No faces were slapped in the writing of this review.
No faces were slapped in the writing of this review.
A biography, yes, but also a collection of Stooge stories, told as stories. The latter half of the book is a compilation of these stories, not particularly tied together. I believe I read he worked on this book several years before he died, never quite completing it. It does read like a collection of stories pasted together.
A nice walk down memory lane for fans as well as some behind the scenes information we never knew. Moe was, according to this book, a swell guy...and I must agree. He seemed like he was a genuinely nice guy. He certainly cared about his craft. This is a must read for fans of the Stooges.
Absolutely wonderful. The Three Stooges have always been a favorite of mine. I became more interested when I learned how Hollywood did their best to rob them. Moe is a very good writer and the photos in this book are amazing.
I know very little about the Three Stooges--I watched exactly one short and, true to the cliche, did not find it funny. But I can say that having read this book, I really like Moe Howard. There are times where I thought I ought to consider whether he was giving himself credit for things that weren't all his idea, but it's quite possible he was telling the truth since he does definitely seem like the brains behind the Stooges. He loves his children, his wife and his brothers, and I'm glad he had
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I wanted to read a bit of this to decide where to put it in the TBR list, and ended up putting it in the Reading Now list! I couldn't put it down. :)
Just as you'd expect, a fun autobiography, with not a lot of depth to it. To be fair to Moe Howard as an autobiographer, he died while working on this, making what we get a work in progress. It's anyone's guess what parts he might have revised or expanded had he time. The chapters on his childhood are too short for my taste, for example. I feel like I know him a little better now as a fellow human, but not overwhelmingly so. A must read for fans of The Three Stooges or of classic Hollywood comed
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Think you know all about the Stooges? Well, I didn't and this autobiography by Moe Howard tells all the unanswered questions I had. Who knew Shemp was one of the original Three Stooges? I also knew nothing about Ted Healy and their falling out or the stories behind Curly's 'replacements'. I grew up watching & loving The Three Stooges in the 1960's and I still love them today!
The autobiography of Moe! Any stooges fan must read it. More interesting when Moe describes his youth and his post 1960 career, however, than when he recounts the glory years of the stooges (which has been better documented by others, by the way).
WOW!
This was an amazing read. As a three stooges mega-fan it was great reading how the stooges began. Moe takes the reader on a rollercoaster of emotions in this book. I gladly give it 5 stars.
This was an amazing read. As a three stooges mega-fan it was great reading how the stooges began. Moe takes the reader on a rollercoaster of emotions in this book. I gladly give it 5 stars.
I especially enjoyed reading about his childhood which had some nice fleshed out stories. But wish there had been more about family life w/ his wife and kids. The behind the scenes w/ the Stooges also offered some nice insights, especially the transitions between Curly and Shemp in their deaths.
Amazing ride
This book is straight forward. Moe recalls several stories of his youth. Sadly he gives little insights about the stooges and their personal life.
It's a nice reading, thought.
This book is straight forward. Moe recalls several stories of his youth. Sadly he gives little insights about the stooges and their personal life.
It's a nice reading, thought.
The three stooges hold a special place for boys from my generation and many others. The structure of this book was a little loose and was more a series of anecdotes than anything else, but still a pleasure to read. Moe and the boys worked very, very hard to achieve the success they had. Moe was more then the head stooge. He really did keep the group together and supported them emotionally and financially. He was a great husband and father. Viva La Stooges!
The complete stooge history
Not the best writing ever and not especially deep in really personal stories, it's a brisk run through the long history off the Stooges.
Not the best writing ever and not especially deep in really personal stories, it's a brisk run through the long history off the Stooges.
Wonderful autobiography/memoir. I enjoyed them growing up (in reruns, thank you) and it's nice to take a peek behind the curtain.
Very interesting book. I have a new found appreciation of Moe and the "mean Stooge" is now my favorite Stooge.
I loved this book!
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Moses Horwitz was the most active founding member of the Three Stooges comedy team. He began working with Ted Healy in vaudeville with his brother Shemp and the trio later became a foursome when they recruited violinist Larry Fine. They replaced Shemp with brother Curly and ditched Healy when they began making their famous shorts for Columbia. Moe was the driving force behind keeping the Stooges t
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More about Moe Howard...
“Curly for a couple of hours, and talked to the doctors about him. They told me that in about six months his instep and ankle bones should be broken and put in a cast so that he would be able to bend his ankle. Curly decided against this, and although it gave him much pain and he limped his way through life, he never let it interfere with his work … or, for that matter, his play.”
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“My Wish The talents which the Lord gave me, Not great or many are But what he gave I know I’ll save, By spreading them afar. And should great riches come to me, At some bright future hour, T’would be my call with man to share, My fortune and my power. I could not be a happy man, Nor have a peaceful soul, Should I retain each thing I gain, Within my small control. If fame a distant happy goal, Should ever be my fate, The golden crown would bear me down, Should I not share its weight. My wish is ever to divide, The good things that I gain, Could I not give, I would not live, I could not stand the pain. If I should have a king’s great power, I’d have to share my throne, I’d give you most, no idle boast, Of everything I own. Good health has blessed me all my life, So conscious of that gift, I’ll use that strength throughout life’s length, My sweetheart’s cares to lift. Mosey”
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