The DC Traveler

When you think of the best in American comedy, one name that must be included on the list is The Three Stooges. Whether you remember watching their slap-stick TV program on Sunday mornings or seeing their silly and often violent physical comedy in one of their movies on late-late-night television, they are an American treasure.  But no matter how hard they punched, smacked, poked or slapped their fellow Stooge, the pain magically and instantly disappeared.

Who can’t remember the classic eye-poke or the double face slap? Or a few of their classic lines lines heard over and over — “Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk!”, “Why I oughta…”, “Wise guy, eh?” And the ever-popular, “Soitenly!”

Some of their shtick and phrases blended into popular culture such as “I’m a victim of soicumstance!” which even made it into a Bugs Bunny cartoon.

Six men played Stooges over the years, the most notable of the knucklehead trio were Moe Howard, Curly Howard and Larry Fine.

Just 20 miles north of Philly is the largest collection of Three Stooges memorabilia, The Stoogeum, which holds countless items for stooge fans - comic books and toys, movie memorabilia, costumes  and props, and personal items such as Army discharge papers and Larry’s driver’s license. There’s even the flying submarine from the Stooge movie “The Three Stooges in Orbit” and a few bottles of Three Stooges Lager Beer.  With over 2,500 items, the museum is the largest collection of Stooge memorabilia in the world. 

Gary Lassin, the owner of the museum described the Stoogeums as “It’s basically one-third tax shelter, one-third real estate investment and one-third a complete waste of money.”

I remember as a little kid growing up singing the songs of the Three Stooges.  My father, a professional trumpet player, was one of the studio musician on “The Three Stooges” album recorded in 1959 (shown below).  It included a couple of their more popular tunes (at least to me as a young kid), “Three Little Fishes“, “The Alphabet Song” and “The Aba Daba Honeymoon“.  I’m sure my mother will be happy if she never, ever, ever hears me sing any of these tunes again. 

Stoogeum
904 Sheble
Spring House, PA (map it)

Dates and Times - The museum is open by appointment only and advanced reservations are required. E-mail the curator at  [email protected] to request an appointment. There are also periodic open-houses, so check here for dates.

Tickets - Admission is free but a donation to The Friends of the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House is appreciated. 

Images - Headshot photos courtesy of the official website of The Three Stooges.

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