"Үш дос пен арыстан"

1947 film by Jules White

Hold That Lion! is a 1947 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Shemp Howard). It is the 100th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

The Stooges are the sole heirs to a grandiose inheritance, which has fallen into the clutches of the duplicitous broker, Icabod Slipp, who has taken control of the funds. Engaging in a series of confrontations with Slipp in his office, the Stooges are subjected to false accusations of being the culprits responsible for the misappropriation of funds. Consequently, Slipp absconds with the inheritance, prompting the Stooges to pursue him. Their pursuit leads them onto a train, where they navigate a series of misadventures. Dodging a vigilant conductor, the Stooges seek refuge in a crate within the baggage car, unaware that it harbors an unexpected occupant — a lion. As chaos ensues, the Stooges find themselves entangled in a slapstick sequence of events, inadvertently revealing their presence to the train's passengers. Amidst the confusion, the Stooges must contend with the lion's unwelcome presence, leading to an exchange of mishaps and misunderstandings. As they navigate the perilous situation, the Stooges ultimately confront Slipp in a climactic showdown within the confines of the baggage car. Through a combination of wit and physical prowess, the Stooges emerge victorious, overcoming Slipp's machinations and reclaiming their inheritance.

Hold That Lion! was filmed on January 28–31, 1947, the first film produced after the new year. The film premiered the final version of "Three Blind Mice" as the Stooges' theme music, an updated, faster version arranged by Spud Murphy in the key of F major (the Curly period featured versions in G major, making it easy to differentiate between the two eras). With minor variations (all in F), this version was used through the end of Stooges' short subject releases in 1959. Although Hold That Lion! was the third film released featuring Shemp after his return to the Stooges, it was filmed after Squareheads of the Round Table and The Hot Scots, both which still utilized the "sliding strings" version of "Three Blind Mice" featured in the previous Shemp entries Fright Night and Out West, and in the final 12 entries starring Curly. This was the final Three Stooges film (excluding Booty and the Beast) to feature Tanner the Lion, who had previously appeared in You Nazty Spy!, Three Missing Links, Wee Wee Monsieur, and Movie Maniacs, as well as his last film appearance in general, before the lion's death in 1952. Whenever Tanner was required to growl or act angry, he was filmed by himself, while when he was onscreen with other people, he was filmed in a tame state. The FAO Schwarz lion plush served as a stand in for Tanner for when the Stooges see him sitting at the foot of their bed. The film also recycled gags from Tanner's previous appearances (breathing from behind and licking the Stooges' feet). Shemp Howard (a man of many phobias) was reportedly so frightened of lions that he insisted a glass plate be placed in between him and Tanner while filming the scene in the crate, and the Stooges' reflection in the glass can be seen as they are hastily exiting the crate. Apparently, though, Columbia Pictures hired Tanner who was currently in his elder years. Emil Sitka later commented that the feline was "so sickly, he would fall asleep in the middle of a take." There is an audio goof in the film during a scene that featured Dudley Dickerson reacting to the lion. The laughing of a crew member can be heard in the background. When the Stooges enter the berth, Larry's stunt double can briefly be seen.