Emil Sitka ~

The Fourth Stooge

        "The most important actor in most Stooges films, besides the Stooges themselves, was the sharp-nosed, wide-eyed Emil Sitka... His presence was such a mainstay of the operation that many thought of him as an undeclared 'fourth Stooge.'"

                                       -Moe Feinberg, Larry Fine's brother

                                         Larry The Stooge In the Middle


 

EMIL SITKA FAN CLUB MISSION STATEMENT:

To communicate with friends and fans of Emil Sitka, share information about his life and career, preserve the cultural heritage of the Hollywood productions in which he participated, and promote his legacy as The Fourth Stooge.


EmilSitka.com is an on-line informational resource serving the mission of the Emil Sitka Fan Club.


EMIL'S FILM #27:

TWO NUTS IN A RUT

Released Feb. 10, 1948

Producer - Hugh McCollum

Director - Edward Bernds

CAST
Gus Schilling
Richard Lane
Christine McIntyre
Dick Wessel
Claire Carleton
Lynne Lyons
Symona Boniface
Vernon Dent
Emil Sitka
Ted Stanhope
Johnny Kascier


BOOK
A great book that discusses all of Columbia's short subjects and their stars

(#26) <-- | --> (#28)

EmilSitka.com / Films / #27

TWO NUTS IN A RUT
(1948)
That's Emil standing on the left, playing an old dignified foot doctor.


Emil Sitka's List of Movies - No. 27

DATE:
PICTURE:
STUDIO:
DAILY SALARY:
STAR:
DIRECTOR:
ROLE:
TYPE:
PROD. NO.:
Nov. 17, 1947
TWO NUTS IN A RUT
Columbia
$ 75.00
Gus Schilling & Dick Lane
Ed Bernds
Chiropodist
old, dignified
4124


Films of Emil Sitka: TWO NUTS IN A RUT (1948)
by Saxon E. Sitka

          TWO NUTS IN A RUT was Emil's third film with the comedy team of "Schilling and Lane," composed of Gus Schilling and Richard Lane. It was also his twenty-fourth acting job at Columbia Pictures since beginning his film acting career two years earlier. Besides Emil, it also features many of the other supporting cast "regulars" that routinely appeared with the Three Stooges, including Christine McIntyre, Dick Wessel, Symona Boniface, Vernon Dent, and Johnny Kascier.
          This role in TWO NUTS IN A RUT as a chiropodist, or foot doctor, was another small bit part for Emil, and once again he was playing an "old man." By comparing the script to the actual film, there's evidence of Emil's penchant for expanding a small role as well as his tendency to ad-lib. For instance, in his first scene, Emil is playing a "dignified bearded" foot doctor carrying three plaster foot models up to a young lady sitting at a table, and the script has him say, "Miss Warren, I have to make a phone call. Would you please watch my feet for a minute?" She agrees and he thanks her.
          Not in the script is what Emil does next. He turns and walks away, but he mutters loudly to himself, "My shoes are killing me." Funny thing for a foot doctor to say! Although it's possible Emil planned it in advance, it is an example of what ad-libbing can add to a scene.
          A few scenes later, Emil (the old man foot doctor) takes a big direct hit from Gus Schilling and the script describes the action like this: "Gus turns and bumps into the doctor, knocking him for a loop." And that's the end of Emil's role in the script. Emil however could never be satisfied with such a simple conclusion to his part. So, when he gets knocked "for a loop" he flies onto his back and scatters a sheaf of papers into the air. Staggering back to his feet, he shouts, "Ran right through a red light!"
          Still not done, he gathers himself together and says, "I'm all right," takes a step and collapses in a heap onto the floor. It's a lot of funny action and additional screen time for simply being knocked for a loop and demonstrates Emil's determination to make the most of every role he enacted.

THE END

Copyright, Saxon Emil Sitka. All rights reserved.
Reproduction of any portion of this article in any form is prohibited.




EmilSitka.com Image Gallery:
TWO NUTS IN A RUT (1948)


The book shown below is a wonderful source of rare information about the “comedy factory’ that produced The Three Stooges and other comedians of the day, including Schilling and Lane. Highly recommended reading!


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