After a series of strokes, Curly had recovered enough to play a bit part in one of the 3 Stooges shorts. The short Hold That Lion featured Moe, Larry and Shemp.
Curly (with hair) played a train passenger. When Larry removes (8:38) the hat from a sleeping passenger’s face, there’s Curly. I’ve seen that short before, but never in a million years recognized Curly.
The three really played it as pros as it didn’t seem to bother them to see their poor brother sitting there only able to play a bit part.
Curly filmed a second cameo for the short Malice in the Palace in 1949, but because of his illness, his performance was deemed subpar and his scene was cut. So his appearance in Hold That Lion! was indeed his final appearance on screen.
I recently watched all 9 episodes of Hey Moe! Hey Dad!, a documentary by Paul Howard, Moe’s son, and I recommend it to all Stooge fans. Even if you’re well-versed in Stooges history, you’ll learn a few things and see footage you haven’t seen before. Plus a lot of the old bits you already love.
