- published: 16 Jan 2017
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Emil Sitka (December 22, 1914 – January 16, 1998) was a veteran American actor who appeared in hundreds of movies, short films, and television shows, and is best known for his numerous appearances with The Three Stooges—nearly 40. He is one of only two actors to have worked with all six Stooges (Shemp Howard, Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard, Joe Besser, Joe DeRita) on film in the various incarnations of the group (Harold Brauer was the other). He is remembered mostly for a line of dialogue he repeated several times in the Three Stooges short, Brideless Groom, where he appears as the justice of the peace attempting to marry Shemp and Dee Green: "Hold hands, you lovebirds!"
Sitka, whose numerous appearances with the Three Stooges earned him the nickname "the Fourth Stooge," was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania in 1914. He was the oldest of five children, born of Hungarian immigrant parents. His father, Emil Sitka, a coal miner, died of black lung disease when Sitka was 12 years old, and his mother, Helena Matula Sitka, was hospitalized, unable to take care of the children. His siblings were placed in foster homes, but Sitka went to live in a church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with a Catholic priest for the next few years. At this time, he became an altar boy and made plans to enter the priesthood, and had his first acting opportunity in the church's annual Passion Play. At the age of 16, he and one of his brothers traveled across the U.S.A., riding the rails hobo-style, looking for work. After a year, they returned to Pittsburgh, where Sitka found a job working in a factory. He stayed there until the great St. Patrick's Day Pittsburgh Flood of 1936, after which he departed to pursue his dream of acting in Hollywood, California.
During the 1980's I wrote letters to popular Three Stooges supporting actor Emil Sitka. He replied to every single one and even autographed a number of photos for me. While Emil had roles in many other films it was The Three Stooges that captured my attention. In December 2015 I finally visited his final resting place.
This video is only available on VHS and is a great piece of Stooge history, so I'm uploading it to share with all you knuckleheads out there. It was originally a made for TV documentary in 1984 called, "Stooge Snapshots." Later, it was release on video as "Love Those Stooges: 50 Years with the Funniest Guys in the World." It features interviews with people who knew the Stooges, including cast and crew as well as some nice rarities. Narration is by Steve Allen. Hope you enjoy.
(1955) A quick clip of Emil Sitka, (who was contracted to replace Larry and is technically the last living stooge, although Moe died before any films were made), showing his slapstick Stooge-worthiness.
Interview with Three Stooges actor Emil Sitka done in 1997. Eventually I wrote him a letter and got a nice response. A true gentleman, sad he could not make the trip to Chicago as I was sincere in flying him out to an event at a theatre where he would be surrounded by fans watching his old movies.
Interviews with Joe Besser, Emil Sitka, Director Ed Bernds and Larry Fine's wife (Lyla Budnick) with her husband... a sound technician for the Stooges. Broadcasted on WTAF-TV 29 Philadelphia on Memorial Day 5-28-84 Larry Fine lived in Philadelphia at 606 South 3rd Street above his fathers Jewelry Store. He learned the violin to help exercise his injured left hand. Show Host Grover Silcox. This video was transfered from a 27 year old Beta Max tape so the quality suffers because the tape was falling apart and getting jammed as I dubbed the show. Luckily the interviews survived. Emil Sitka was a young man when he played the character of the old cranky guy.
"The New Three Stooges" was produced in 1965. It featured the animated adventures of Moe, Larry, & Curly Joe. The cartoons were introduced by live-action inserts with the real Stooges. These inserts were some of the only Stooges material ever filmed in color, and they also feature long-time Stooge collaberator Emil Sitka. "The Three Stooges - Color Craziness" is an hour feature comprised of these rare color Stooge comedy bits. You'll see the Stooges as wacky chefs, clueless contractors, zany dentists, and many more. They feature Moe Howard, Larry Fine, & "Curly" Joe Derita.
Emil Sitka utters his most famous Stooges line: "Hold hands, you lovebirds!"
Emil Sitka utters his most famous Stooges line: "Hold hands, you lovebirds!"
Columbia two-reel comedy with Billie Burke and Emil Sitka.
This video is only available on VHS and is a great piece of Stooge history, so I'm uploading it to share with all you knuckleheads out there. It was originally a made for TV documentary in 1984 called, "Stooge Snapshots." Later, it was release on video as "Love Those Stooges: 50 Years with the Funniest Guys in the World." It features interviews with people who knew the Stooges, including cast and crew as well as some nice rarities. Narration is by Steve Allen. Hope you enjoy.
Interview with Three Stooges actor Emil Sitka done in 1997. Eventually I wrote him a letter and got a nice response. A true gentleman, sad he could not make the trip to Chicago as I was sincere in flying him out to an event at a theatre where he would be surrounded by fans watching his old movies.
Interviews with Joe Besser, Emil Sitka, Director Ed Bernds and Larry Fine's wife (Lyla Budnick) with her husband... a sound technician for the Stooges. Broadcasted on WTAF-TV 29 Philadelphia on Memorial Day 5-28-84 Larry Fine lived in Philadelphia at 606 South 3rd Street above his fathers Jewelry Store. He learned the violin to help exercise his injured left hand. Show Host Grover Silcox. This video was transfered from a 27 year old Beta Max tape so the quality suffers because the tape was falling apart and getting jammed as I dubbed the show. Luckily the interviews survived. Emil Sitka was a young man when he played the character of the old cranky guy.
Joe DeRita talks about working with the Three Stooges etc.
During the 1980's I wrote letters to popular Three Stooges supporting actor Emil Sitka. He replied to every single one and even autographed a number of photos for me. While Emil had roles in many other films it was The Three Stooges that captured my attention. In December 2015 I finally visited his final resting place.
(1955) A quick clip of Emil Sitka, (who was contracted to replace Larry and is technically the last living stooge, although Moe died before any films were made), showing his slapstick Stooge-worthiness.
Mike Cerrone co-wrote the new screenplay for the new The Three Stooges movie with Peter and Bobby Farrelly. Mike is from Rhode Island and grew up with the Farrelly Brothers. He played Hockey with Bobby Farrelly in High School, and later went on to play for Yale University, where he graduated. Mike has collaborated with the Farrelly Brothers on many of their movies, including Me, Myself and Irene which he co-wrote and appeared in as Officer Stubie. He has also appeared in Hallpass, Kingpin, The Ringer and Stuck on You. Mike wrote and directed Homie Spumoni starring Whoopi Goldberg.
Our three part interview with the new The Three Stooges Movie co-writer Mike Cerrone continues with Part 2. In this edition, Mike talks about coming up with the story line for the new movie, as well as the origin of The Three Stooges, and staying true to the classics.