Main Cast: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Joe DeRita, Carol Christensen, Edson Stroll
Release Year: 1962
Country: US
Run Time: 87 minutes
MPAA Rating: NR
Plot
Moe Howard, Larry Fine, and Curly-Joe DeRita are out of this world as The Three Stooges In Orbit. The veteran comedy trio defends a secret weapon invented by Professor Danforth (Emil Sitka) from falling into the hands of scheming Martians. Following his success as the villain in "The Three Stooges Meet Hercules", George N. Niese returns to play the role of villain, this time a malevolent Martian named Ogg. Of course, Zogg (Raymond Barnes) isn't far behind as the two conspire to steal the new invention that combines the features of a submarine, a tank, and a rocket ship. The Stooges prove their patented brand of slapstick comedy and sight gags work with or without gravity. This is the second Three Stooges film produced by Norman Maurer, who was Moe Howard's son-in-law. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
Emil Sitka - Prof. Danforth; George Neise - Ogg; Rayford Barnes - Zogg; Norman Leavitt - Williams; Nestor Paiva - Chairman; Peter Dawson - Gen. Bixby; Peter Brocco - Dr. Appleby; Don Lamond - Col. Smithers; Maurice Manson - Mr. Lansing; Jean Charney - WAF Sergeant; Duane Ament - Personnel Clerk; Bill Dyer - Col. Lane; Roy Engel - Welby; Jane Wald - Bathing Girl; Cheerio Meredith - Tooth Paste Old Maid
Credit
Don Ament - Art Director, Pat Page - Costume Designer, Ted Tetrick - Costume Designer, Edward Bernds - Director, Edwin H. Bryant - Editor, Paul Dunlap - Composer (Music Score), Frank McCoy - Makeup, Wm. Whitley - Cinematographer, Norman Maurer - Producer, Richard Mansfield - Set Designer, Elwood Ullman - Screenwriter
The Three Stooges In Orbit was the fourth feature film to star the Three Stooges after their 1959 resurgence in popularity. By this time, the trio consisted of Moe Howard, Larry Fine, and Curly Joe DeRita. Released by Columbia Pictures, The Three Stooges In Orbit was directed by long-time Stooge director Edward Bernds. Over the years, Moe would cite Bernds as the team's finest director.
The Stooges are down and out actors who are trying to sell ideas for their animated TV show The Three Stooges Scrapbook. Unfortunately, their producer does not like any of them. He gives them ten days to come up with a gimmick, or their show will be cancelled.
A Professor Danforth (Emil Sitka), who is convinced that the Martians will soon invade Earth, persuades the boys to help him with his new military invention—a land, air and sea capable vehicle (tank cum helicopter cum submarine). In return, Danforth will create a new "electronic animation" machine for the Stooges to use in their TV show.
The Martians, meanwhile send two malevolent alien spies named Ogg and Zogg to Earth to prepare for the invasion. When Moe accidentally sends a television transmission through the Martian's communication device, they are offended and call off the invasion, opting instead to destroy Earth.
Meanwhile, the vehicle is given a test run by the Stooges. In one scene, they enter a nuclear test area, and it so happens that the engine malfunctions. They are in the vicinity of a test rig where a nuclear depth bomb is undergoing a test. The Stooges grab the bomb, thinking it is a carburetor, and fasten it to the engine. Water comes out of the rig, which would have detonated the bomb, and splashes onto Curley. The testers were bewildered by the non-explosion, but the vehicle performs beyond exceptions, even going into space.
However, the Martians steal the vehicle, mount a ray gun on it, and begin destroying selected targets (including Disneyland). The boys sneak onto the craft to stop them, with also the whole US Navy and Air Force determined to stop them with force as well. The Stooges are able to use one of the Martians' ray guns to separate the conning tower from the body of the vehicle. The body, with Ogg and Zogg in it, goes down, and they are killed in the nuclear explosion that followed as the charge detonates when it hits the ocean. Clinging to the auto-rotating helicopter section, the Stooges survive, crashing straight through the roof into the television studio where they work.
