Phony Express (1943): Cast & Plot
Phony Express is a 1943 short comedy western directed by Del Lord, starring Moe Howard as Moe, Larry Fine and Curly Howard. It runs 17 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 17 min
- Director
- Del Lord
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Columbia Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Phony Express About?
The premise of Phony Express without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In an Old West town, three vagrant tramps become heroes when a printed proclamation mistakenly names them lawmen sent to clean up Peaceful Gulch. Assigned to guard the bank, they scare the gang, but the gang discovers their true identities and robs the vault. They track the thieves, find the hideout, subdue the bandits and recover the money.
Phony Express Themes & Keywords
· 34 tags- slapstick comedy
- phony
- pony express
- two reeler
- express
- western town
- pun in title
- comedy short
- columbia featurette
- featurette
- bank
- cigar smoking
+22 more Show fewer
- police shootout
- opening action scene
- booby trap
- cabin in the woods
- leg hold trap
- hiding place
- break door in
- mothball
- bank robber
- explosion off camera
- target shooting
- saloon
- dancing
- covered wagon
- wanted poster
- shootout
- mixing chemicals
- medicine show
- lumbago
- slingshot
- skunk
- the three stooges
Phony Express Cast & Characters
Moe Howard leads the cast as Moe, with Larry Fine as Larry and Curly Howard as Curly. Directed by Del Lord; 9 actors are credited in all.
- Director Del Lord
- Moe Howard as Moe
- Larry Fine as Larry
- Curly Howard as Curly
- Harry 'Snub' Pollard as Sheriff Hogwaller (uncredited)
Also Starring in Phony Express
· 5 more- Bud Jamison Red Morgan
- Ernie Adams The Banker (uncredited)
- Blackie Whiteford Red's Henchman (uncredited)
- Rex Lease Red's Henchman
- Shirley Patterson Lola (bargirl)
More from Del Lord
More films directed by Del Lord: Paradise for Buster, Shivering Sherlocks, In Fast Company and Booby Dupes.
Phony Express Plot Summary
What happens in Phony Express from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In the besieged town of Peaceful Gulch, a looming threat from a marauding band of brigands keeps the streets on edge. To deter the encroaching danger, the town’s mayor hatches a crafty plan: heists of courage and deception converge as a fake report is spread, announcing the imminent arrival of three stern marshals. The identities are drawn from a wanted poster depicting vagrants, a ruse meant to turn the tide in the townsfolk’s favor. The supposed marshals are the trio of Moe Howard, Larry Fine, and Curly Howard, a well-known act mistaken for the law by those who see only the poster.
Full summary
The whole story of Phony Express, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Phony Express?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which three actors portray the fake marshals in the film?
Seen Phony Express?
Movies Like Phony Express
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Phoney Baloney, Out West and Frontier Pony Express.
Phony Express FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Phony Express, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Phony Express?
Phony Express runs 17 minutes.
When was Phony Express released?
Phony Express was released on November 18, 1943.
Who directed Phony Express?
Phony Express was directed by Del Lord.
More films by Del Lord Who is in the cast of Phony Express?
Phony Express stars Moe Howard as Moe, Larry Fine as Larry and Curly Howard as Curly, among 9 credited actors.
Does Phony Express have a post-credit scene?
No. Phony Express has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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