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.


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EmilSitka.com / What's New?


What's new on EmilSitka.com?

10/20/2012

Emil Sitka's List of Movies #49
HIS BAITING BEAUTY (1950) starring Harry Von Zell

Page updated with details and images, including some great stills and a bunch of slides. Emil portrays a "lover/wolf" playboy!

9/30/2012

Emil Sitka's List of Movies #48
SLAPHAPPY SLEUTHS (1950) starring The Three Stooges

Page updated with details and images

9/25/2012

Emil Sitka's List of Movies #47
HUGS AND MUGS (1950) starring The Three Stooges

Page updated with details and images

9/22/2012

Emil Sitka's List of Movies #46
PUNCHY COWPUNCHERS (1950) starring The Three Stooges

Page updated with details and images

9/15/2012

Emil Sitka's List of Movies #45
VAGABOND LOAFERS (1949) starring The Three Stooges

"My role is that of Mr. Norfleet, a millionaire whose wife (played by Symona Boniface) purchases another painting for $50.000.00. The Three Stooges enter this mansion as plumbers, and foul up the plumbing with the electric system!"  - Emil Sitka's diary, 1/26/1949

9/9/2012

Emil Sitka's List of Movies #44
DIZZY YARDBIRD (1950) starring Joe Besser

Prior to joining The Three Stooges as Shemp's replacement, Joe Besser starred in his own series of comedies at Columbia Pictures. This is the first of three in which Emil had a role. Our page for it has just been updated with images and details.

9/3/2012

I drove into Hollywood yesterday for Cinecon 48 and picked up this lobby card at the Memorabilia Show. It's a great card showing the stars and several other familiar faces, including Hugh Herbert (2nd from right) from THE BEAUTIFUL BLONDE FROM BASHFUL BEND (1949) starring Betty Grable and Cesar Romero

9/1/2012

The page is still under construction but we've added the full set of eight lobby cards to the Image Gallery for GOBS AND GALS (1952) starring George and Bert Bernard. It was another small role for Emil and he doesn't appear in any of the lobbies but they are interesting and amusing.

8/26/2012

Emil Sitka's List of Movies #43
THREE HAMS ON RYE (1950) starring The Three Stooges: Larry Fine, Moe Howard and Shemp Howard

Page updated with details and images including eight slides found in my father's collection. I'm not sure how or why he had these slides but they do depict some of his scenes. There are also some nice stills and posters, and a press clipping my father cut out and preserved in his scrapbook.

8/18/2012

THE BEAUTIFUL BLONDE FROM BASHFUL BEND (1949)
starring Betty Grable and Cesar Romero

Page updated with details and images."A surprise call of my life stunned me this afternoon. It was from 20th Century Fox..." -from Emil's diary after getting the call to work in a major Technicolor feature film directed by Preston Sturges.

8/12/2012

CACTUS CUT-UP (1949) starring Leon Errol

Page updated with details and images. "R.K.O. Radio Pictures studio calls me today! Surprise, surprise, surprise! ... and with my favorite comedian." See what else Emil had to say about portraying a "heavy" in his role as "Butch the Gangster."

8/4/2012

BLONDIE HITS THE JACKPOT (1949) starring Arthur Lake and Penny Singleton

Page updated with details and images. This was the second of three "Blondie" movies Emil appeared in, this time playing a "Swedish plasterer" with some funny flops into a vat of plaster.

7/29/2012

HAREM GIRL (1952) starring Joan Davis, Peggy Castle and Arthur Blake

Added eight stills acquired through eBay with funds donated by Emil Sitka Fan Club supporter Rich Gallo. Thanks again, Rich!

7/28/2012
PRIVATE EYES (1953)
starring Leo Gorcey and Huntz Hall
The page is unfinished but I added a small recently acquired collection of stills. If there was a list of "Emil Sitka Essentials," this title would be on it. His role as a wheelchair patient who's always in the way is hilarious.

7/25/2012
In an effort to keep up with modern social media (hey, come on, I am over 50 years old so it's not easy), I've created a Twitter account. If you would like to hear about updates to EmilSitka.com, follow @SitkaFanClub by clicking below.

7/21/2012
HE'S IN AGAIN (1949) starring Gus Schilling and Richard Lane
Added poster image and some details from the Archives
This is the last of four shorts Emil worked in with the comedy team of Schilling & Lane, who made a total of 11 two-reelers between 1945 and 1950.
7/14/2012
I've created a Facebook page for the Emil Sitka Fan Club, which you can find at
http://www.facebook.com/Emil-Sitka-Fan-Club/
I'm still new to FB and haven't figured it out yet, so please be patient. I'll be posting updates to this website so fans can keep up with the latest progress. Or just check in here now and then.

7/7/2012
A MILLIONAIRE FOR CHRISTY (1951) starring Fred MacMurray and Eleanor Parker
Added the full set of eight lobby cards, recently obtained with funds donated by Emil Sitka Fan Club supporter Edward Watz.
Thanks, Ed!

7/1/2012
SOUND OFF (1952) starring Mickey Rooney
Added lobby cards, a half-sheet and an insert poster, recently obtained with funds donated by Rich Gallo. Thanks, Rich!

6/28/2012
Film #38 CLUNKED IN THE CLINK (1949)
Another obscure Columbia comedy short starring former radio star Vera Vague. I haven't seen this one yet but tried to describe Emil's role from the script.

6/17/2012 Father's Day
"The Viper's Fang" or "The Virgin's Dilemma" by Symona Boniface
On this Father's Day I wanted to present a tribute to the play that launched my father's film career. Emil performed in dozens of plays for ten years but had no luck breaking into films. That changed after a performance as "Jasper, slave to the Viper" back in October 1944, when Emil was approached by talent scouts from several studios including Columbia Pictures.

5/19/2012
Film #37 THE LOST TRIBE (1949)
"Ray (Corrigan) dressed me in a real Gorilla outfit, to play it legitimately. Imagine!"
So says Emil's diary for September 13, 1948. That and a few more things, about his role in this Sam Katzman action adventure movie starring Johnny Weissmuller as "Jungle Jim."
5/06/2012
Film #36 MICROSPOOK (1949) You will like this one if you're a gorilla fan (and who isn't?). There are more posters, stills, slides, and stories than usual for this four-day job in another Harry Von Zell Columbia short, and this one features Ray "Crash" Corrigan as a man-killer ape named "Congo." So step back in time to 1949 and join Emil as he experiences another day on the job as a Hollywood actor.
4/30/2012
Film #35 RADIO RIOT is one of eight Columbia shorts starring Harry Von Zell, a popular radio personality who went on to co-star with Gracie Allen and George Burns on television for many years. Emil plays "Joe, the Waiter" and appears in several stills and posters, and the new slide converter came to good use again as well.
4/15/2012
Got my taxes done, finally, so I went back to the archives and got to work on Film #34 A PINCH IN TIME, another two-reeler for Columbia Pictures starring Hugh Herbert. Added a poster and the script cover to go with Emil's comments about his day on the set and meeting Del Lord for the first time.
4/15/2012
I obtained a slide converter and was able to add some slides from my father's collection to WHO DONE IT? (1949). I don't know how he ended up with these slides but there are some candid shots and some funny scenes from the short.
4/14/2012
Today our website set a new record for visits in one day! Wow! Was it the release of the movie? Not sure, especially after getting wind of a New York Times article that appeared in print and on-line today. Check it out: Even the Three Stooges Needed Second Fiddles
4/13/2012
The new Three Stooges movie was released today. Let's hope it's funny.
4/10/2012
As mentioned before, I've switched from a pc to a mac and while the mac is excellent, it has still been a minor ordeal getting things set up and working. It's been a while since progress has been made, but BLONDIE'S SECRET (1948) has finally been filled in. We've got some nice posters, lobby cards, and stills, including one with Emil in a bit part as a "grocer." And Emil had quite a bit to say about his experiences. I hope it doesn't take as long to get the next one done. This is only #33 and there's over 200 in all!

3/23/2012
It's been quite a while since getting anything done, at least anything that can be seen. Actually I've switched over to an Apple computer and by now the issues seem to be working themselves out. A short time ago I added the first additional images in months, to THE LOST TRIBE (1949). There is now a lobby card showing some gorillas, one of which might be Emil Sitka. The second image is a very rare item, an actual Call Sheet showing Emil listed in the role of "Gorilla," along with Ray Corrigan.

1/22/2012
Happy New Year! In an effort to make the Films section lists more friendly, they've been broken down by year of release and small images added. They still allow for browsing the titles with the ability to click them for further information, but they should be easier to use and maybe even a little more fun. Take a look and let me know. Start with Films 1946.
12/24/2011
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of Emil Sitka's fans and friends! Emil was known for sending out hundreds of greeting cards each year and we at the Emil Sitka Fan Club have continued this tradition. If you'd like to get on the Fan Club's Holiday Card list, just send us your mailing address with the Contact Us form.

And here are a few recently acquired items, two very rare lobby cards from another obscure non-Stooge Columbia short.
#26 SILLY BILLIE (1948)
A Columbia short starring Billie Burke of WIZARD OF OZ fame
Added: lobby card featuring Ruby Dandridge (Dorothy Dandridges' mother) singing as Billie Burke and Virginia Hunter cover their ears; and a second lobby card featuring Myron Healy, Tim Ryan, Billie, and Virginia Hunter
12/10/2011
As has been the case for several weeks, most of the work done to the website has been to make it more informative and easier to use, and this means re-formatting and additional links. Adding new material, meaning images or text, has moved to the back-burner for now, but I do obtain new items occasionally. Since this stuff hasn't yet be archived, time can be saved by scanning and uploading now without having to go back later and dig it out. So the newly acquired material will be added as it is acquired, and here's what's new...
#155 SHADOW ON THE WINDOW (1957)
Starring Phil Carey and Betty Garrett
Added: three newly acquired lobby "scene" cards including one showing a pre- Leave It To Beaver Jerry Mathers facing serious questions from a group of serious men
12/05/11
 Most of the recent work has been reformatting some of the basic film pages so you might see small changes here and there. But today we added a couple recent acquisitions from a William Castle horror flick in which Emil's character is murdered! And a title card featuring Shemp Howard.
#181 13 FRIGHTENED GIRLS (1963)
Starring Murray Hamilton and Kathy Dunn
Added: two genuine vintage, previously unseen lobby-card stills featuring Emil (always a very exciting find for a collector). The first one shows Emil as Ludwig the school caretaker watching over a teenaged girl as she drives a school bus. The second still has Emil collapsing in front of the same young girl with a knife sticking out of his back, victim of a hidden murderer! This is one of very few times Emil played a character that gets killed off.
#2 ONE EXCITING WEEK (1946)
Starring Al Pearce and Shemp Howard
Added: Lobby "title" card featuring the film's stars
11/27/11
 We haven't been adding new material lately, but we have been doing some re-designing. All four Three Stooges pages have been re-written and reformatted with images to illustrate Emil's unique position in the group's history.

Also, we've added the year of release to each of the productions listed in the Films section. This should make it more interesting as well as more useful for research.

Lastly, we've been adding more Emil Sitka-related material to the EmilSitka.com Amazon Store. Although a search of "Emil Sitka" turns up only so many titles on Amazon, under closer scrutiny we've found there are really quite a few items of interest available. We've identified a lot already and are finding more all the time. Please take a look - there are some great gift ideas for the holidays!
11/19/11
Today is a milestone for the website. With the additions below, we now have at least one image for each of Emil Sitka's 200+ film roles. Some are simple title frames, some are colorful posters, some are studio stills and some are rare images from the Archives of the Emil Sitka Fan Club.
#190 - #212 THE NEW 3 STOOGES (1965)
Combined live-action/animated TV series starring Larry, Moe and Curly-Joe
Added: series title frames, YouTube videos including Emil's scenes
From the Fan Club Archives: Cover page of Emil Sitka's script
11/17/11
#189 A PLAGUE ON BOTH THEIR HOUSES (1965)
An episode of the TV series THE FARMERS DAUGHTER starring Inger Stevens and William Windom
Added: title frame, pic of Stevens, and a YouTube video of the series opening sequence
11/16/11
 #188 THE RED SKELTON HOUR - An episode of one of the longest running TV series ever, co-starring for this one is Pat Boone
Added: title frame of the series
From the Fan Club Archives: cover of Emil's script and a still featuring Emil with Red Skelton and Joyce Jameson
11/14/11
Our goal of placing at least one image on each one of the 200+ individual Film pages is nearing completion.
#187 THE OUTLAWS IS COMING! - Starring The Three Stooges in their last feature film, and co-starring Adam West before his Batman days.
Added: half-sheet poster and the film's title frame
The Amazon Store is getting loaded up with relevant items like DVDs, books, posters, and gift items. Purchases made through these links contribute a small percentage to the Emil Sitka Fan Club and is used to fund this free-access website, so please consider making a selection or two. It is truly appreciated!

11/13/11
#186 GAMBIT BY THE GOLDEN GATE - An episode of the TV series THE ROGUES starring Gig Young, David Niven, and Charles Boyer
Added: title frame, TV Guide cover, and a YouTube video of the opening sequence of the series
#185 THE ATOM MISERS - An episode of the TV series MY FAVORITE MARTIAN starring Ray Walston and Bill Bixby
Added: title frame and TV Guide cover circa 1963
#184 DAY IN COURT #257 - An episode of the original television courtroom reality series, which ran from 1963 to 1965
From the Fan Club Archives: Emil's call sheet and a "Note to Actors" that accompanied the script explaining the live reality-based nature of the show

11/12/11
#183 THE THREE STOOGES GO AROUND THE WORLD IN  DAZE - Starring Larry, Moe and Curly-Joe
Added: half-sheet poster, title frame, dvd cover
#182 GRAND OL' OPRY - An episode of the TV series MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON starring Fess Parker and Jim Nabors
Added: Publicity pic of Fess Parker, and a YouTube video of an episode (does not include Emil's scenes)
Today we also added a new page called Amazon Store that will take the visitor to an Amazon-based storefront dedicated to the work of Emil Sitka. So far, the EmilSitka.com Amazon store is still almost empty, but it should build-out very soon. Please check back and consider making a purchase, as a percent of sales is used to support the Fan Club's effort, including this website.

11/6/11
#181 13 FRIGHTENED GIRLS! - A horror flick directed by William Castle in
which Emil's character is killed off
Added: Half-sheet, 3-sheet, 1-sheet, and insert poster images, a lobby card showing Emil with a knife sticking out of his back, a YouTube video of the film's trailer that shows Emil's knife-stabbing scene, and a TCM video of the first five minutes of the movie showing some of Emil's less violent scenes
#180 PUSH BUTTON HONEYMOON - Starring Aubri Martin and Roy Thinnes
From the Fan Club Archives: cover of Emil's script, two trade paper clippings, and Emil's contract with Le Camp Productions
#179 THE THREE STOOGES IN ORBIT - Starring Larry, Moe and Curly-Joe
Added: A lobby card, one-sheet and insert posters, a dvd cover image, and a YouTube video of Emil's first sequence of scenes
From the Fan Club Archives: a photo of me, Saxon Sitka, on the set moments after watching my father and the Stooges shooting the sequence in the YouTube video

11/5/11
#178 THE STUBBORN STUMBOS - An episode of the TV series BUS STOP starring Marilyn Maxwell and guest star Claude Akins
Added: title frame and pic of Maxwell, YouTube video of a typical episode opening sequence

11/4/11
#177 VIVE LA CREDIT CARD - An episode of TV series THE NEW BOB CUMMINGS SHOW
Added: series title frame and a YouTube link to the CBS 1961 Fall Season Preview Show
11/3/11
#176 HAMBURG SHAKEDOWN - An episode of the television series THE THIRD MAN starring Michael Rennie and Jonathan Harris
Added: title frame, dvd cover image, picture of the stars, and a YouTube link to The Harry Lime Theme by Anton Karas
11/2/11
#175 THE THREE STOOGES MEET HERCULES - Starring Larry, Moe and Curly-Joe
Added: images of the title card, daybill, and half-sheet poster
11/1/11
#174 POLICY OF MURDER - An episode of the TV series THE CASE OF THE DANGEROUS ROBIN starring Rick Jason
Added: two TV guide ad images, YouTube video of series intro

October 2011
It's been about a year since I gained full control over the website and began re-building it (that's a whole 'nother story), and some pages are now more or less complete: Home, Biography, About Us, and Contact Us, are done.

Others are far from complete. The Stage section is bare-bones, Fans Contributions and News and Events have very little to offer so far, and I've got to add more links to Links. All in due time. The Films section has been getting most of the attention lately.

Films, which includes The Three Stooges, links to individual pages for each of Emil's 200+ film roles, including over 70 with the Stooges. All of these pages now have images and some even include behind-the-scenes stories. You can spend a lot of time going through my father's films one by one, starting with No. 1 HISS AND YELL and clicking the --> navigation buttons at the top or bottom of each page.

Despite this mass of material, there's much more to come as we add images, videos and other items of interest. And that brings us to the purpose of this What's New? page. With so much being added and improved, it can be hard to find the most recent additions to the site. Therefore I'll put in a short note now and then to direct repeat visitors to the latest additions and improvements, with links to find them. So here goes, in reverse order...

EmilSitka.com / What's New?