One Fine Stooge: Larry Fine's Frizzy Life In Pictures

by Stephen Cox, Jim Terry

The Three Stooges defied nearly every law of show business there was. In a career that spanned forty years, they made more than two hundred films, entertained generations of fans, and ultimately became an integral part of American popular culture. One Fine Stooge, the poignant life story of Larry Fine—the frizzy-haired member of the classic comedy offers a behind-the-scenes look at these manic high priests of low comedy.  Discovered and dusted off thirty yers after Larry Fine's death, his personal notes, clippings, interviews, and career memorabilia provide a portrait of his life and the lives of the other Stooges. The result is an unparalleled visual history of the most prolific comedy trio in entertainment annals. Like them or not, the Three Stooges remain unique motion picture icons of the greatest renown. This is their story as revealed by Larry, in his own words, augmented by fascinating anecdotes from family members and friends. Behind his comic mask was a life that blended fame and fortune, bad luck and tragedy. This tumultuous trip through Larry Fine's years in film is based on his memoirs, now published for the first time, along with his astonishing collection of rare photographs—including fifty images in full color.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

288 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2006

Reviews

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the fourth Stooge biography that I've read recently, and is in the running for the best of the bunch. (I'm not very good at picking a single favorite of anything, but it's a bit easier to declare a tie.)

The title is somewhat misleading, in that it suggests that this is just a book of photos, and contains little else. Not an accurate description! Neither is it entirely about Larry, as it would be impossible to write a complete biography about Larry without bringing the other 5 Stooges. (Yes, 5: Moe, Curly, Shemp, Joe and Curly-Joe.)

This book brought me closer to Larry the person than any of the others, and filled in most of the historical events of significance too. It's clear from the portrait of Larry that is painted in this book that Larry was far and away the most likeable Stooge, and it isn't hard to see why. He loved the fans, and they could tell. Even when he was in declining health and forced to give up his career as a performer, he would visit schools, show films, give talks and answer questions, not to mention doing much the same for fans who came to visit him after his forced retirement. Moe, always the businessman, was doing similar appearances for significant fees at colleges and other venues, but Larry usually appeared for the benefit of the school, or to promote some other worthy cause.

This was also well-written, with fewer grammatical slips or typos than the others. But let's come back to the photos, now that we've covered the prose.

The photos in this book comprise the best collection of any one of the Stooges books I've read. (Excluding the "Scrapbook", which may be the other exceptional Stooges book I have yet to read.)

Very good... and appropriately for Larry, perhaps the most personal book about the most personable Stooge.

[Keri-Ann Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is well worth the read for any Three Stooges fan. This is the memoir that Larry (according to people who had spent time with him) originally wanted to release. It is more about The Stooges themselves but does go into some of Larry's back story and life. Some good personal stories about behind the scenes with the boys and their family life. It does spend more time on the Curly-Joe years as opposed to the early years but with age and fighting the affects of the stroke we don't know how much he might have been able to recall. The ending had me almost in tears. From the interviews of people who would visit him in The Motion Picture home, for someone who brought such joy to us to be so sad is heartbreaking. In the end even Curly still have Valerie.

I really enjoyed a bit more of a look into his real personality as far as we can go atleast.

[Terry Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just when you think there is nothing new to write about The Three Stooges ... another lovingly produced book comes along -- this time, with a focus on the wild-haired Stooge in the middle, the late, great, Larry Fine. Filled with unseen photographs from Larry's own archives (gifted to one of the writers by Larry himself) for another take on Fine's memoirs after a disastrous first attempt, the text comes from Fine's own writing and interviews, along with memories by friends and family. Of course, attention is also given to Moe, Curly and Shimp ... along with the final two members, Joe Besser and Joe DeRita (aka "Curly-Joe").

[Timothy Rucinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually, a very good book about Larry Fine. If you are looking for a more overall history of the Stooges, this book isn't it. But if you want a little insight into Larry, it's worth the ride. Plus the photos are quite extensive so if you decide to pick it up, I'd recommend you get the hardback rather than an electronic version. My only reservation about the book is that it occasionally becomes repetitive as incidents mentioned previously are introduced as if not mentioned previously. But if you love the Stooges, pick up a copy for a few nyucks.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty cool book although it focused less on Larry and more on the Stooges as a whole than I originally thought...not that I'm complaining.

[Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice look at The Three Stooges from the Larry perspective.

[Edmund Kubiak · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice biography of Larry Fine of the Three Stooges. Loads of pictures and some interesting interviews (I was surprised by one with the late Bob Saget, for example.) Unfortunately, some of these were positioned in the middle of the narrative and made the reading a little disjointed. Otherwise, a good book.

[Brett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess the tricky thing about doing a bio for most of the Three Stooges (particularly Moe and Larry) is most of their story is about the group. That’s certainly the case here. There’s probably about 20 pages devoted purely to Larry and that’s the part of interest to me seeing as I’ve read other books about the Stooges.

[Rebalioness · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the corrected memoir of Larry and the rest of the Stooges, and includes many photos and stories. The author actually worked with Larry's brother to start the national fan clue, and then to help compile a large part of the material.

[Rick Segers · Rating 3 out of 5]

All in all, a pretty good book that presented a much wider look at the Stooges. It's not just Larry.

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

No kind of structure to this book- it's all over the place. Some interesting stories about a genuine legend that are hampered by having absolutely no direction.