Ep 1. You Nazty Spy

Moe, Larry, and Curly are back in the third season of their classic comedy series, The Three Stooges Collection. In the first episode of the season, titled "You Nazty Spy!", the trio takes on a political satire in which they brilliantly lampoon the fascist regime of Adenoid Hynkel, a fictional dictator of the Tomainian Republic.

Set in the height of the Axis powers' rule, the Stooges' episode revolves around the adventures of Hynkel, played by Moe, as he rises to power in Tomainia and subsequently brings about his misgivings with his allied neighbors, Bacteria and Amnesia. The episode plays out as Hynkel comes to power, aided by his allies who are equally ruthless as him - Goering (Curly) and Himmler (Larry). The Stooges' rendition of Hynkel's rise to power involves several hilarious incidents, as they unintentionally ridicule the fascist ideology with their physical humor.

As Hynkel gains authority over the nation, he introduces several absurd laws to control the citizens. The laws are ridiculous, ranging from forbidding people to use towels or soap to mandatory goose-stepping. The Stooges' satire exposes the farcical nature of fascism and dictatorship where the leaders impose absurd laws without any logic behind them, just to dominate the population.

In one hilarious scene, Hynkel, Goering, and Himmler are shown in a Nazi war room, planning their next move. However, their maps and plans are on upside-down boards, leading to a lot of confusion and low humor. The Stooges' portrayal of the dictators' inability to plan a war operation amusingly challenges the viewer's perception of the real-life political crisis of World War II.

As the episode progresses, the Stooges take advantage of Hynkel's ineptitude and create an outrageous scheme to disrupt his regime. Their plan involves stealing Hynkel's uniform and impersonating him to give out nonsensical orders, successfully confusing the other officers and causing chaos in Tomainia. Moe's portrayal of Hynkel's egotistical personality, mixed with his embarrassment in front of his army, showcases the Stooges' ability to create hilarious scenarios in a political climate.

Moreover, the three comedians take on a new level of wit by including clever wordplay in their dialogues. In one such scene, Hynkel, in his speech, confuses his words, pronouncing 'Concentration Camps' as 'Constipation Cramps,' which leads to laughter from the audience. The jabs at Hynkel's dictatorship are unmissable and add a new layer to the Stooges' comedy.

"You Nazty Spy!"; the episode acts as a true-to-life portrayal of the political scenario of the early 1940s but has not aged a day. The Stooges' ability to caricature the fascist regime of that era has become one of the most iconic of their acts. Their comical expressions and exaggerated gestures generate laughs, evoking the audience to appreciate their mastery of physical comedy.

In conclusion, the first episode of the third season of The Three Stooges Collection, "You Nazty Spy!", is a splendid display of comedy, satire, and wit. It serves as proof that humor knows no boundaries and can be used to tackle sensitive and difficult topics. The trio of Moe, Larry, and Curly creates an ambiance of laughter and happiness for viewers, reminding us of simpler times when life was more innocent but not less challenging.