Dudley Henry Dickerson Jr. (November 27, 1906 â€" September 23, 1968)
was an American film actor. Born in Chickasha, Oklahoma, he appeared
in nearly 160 films between 1932 and 1952, and is best remembered for
his roles in several Three Stooges films.Given the era in which
Dickerson performed, he was usually cast in stereotypical roles that
were common in films of the time. His boundless energy can be seen in
what are rather restrictive roles, and was a master at what has become
known as "scared reaction" comedy. One of his early screen credits was
the Our Gang comedySpooky Hooky (1936), as a bemused caretaker.
Dickerson also appeared in Soundies musical films with Dorothy
Dandridge and Meade Lux Lewis; Big Joe Turner had recorded three
numbers for Soundies but was not present for the filming, so Dickerson
stood in for him and mouthed his vocals.Modern viewers will remember
Dudley Dickerson for his portrayals of startled cooks, quizzical
orderlies, frightened porters, and apprehensive watchmen in such Three
Stooges films as They Stooge to Conga, A Gem of a Jam, and Hold That
Lion! In Hold that Lion, he played a lovable train conductor who
memorably bugged out his eyes and shrieked, "He'p, he'p, ah'm losin'
mah mahnd!" when a lion attacked him and ripped the seat of his pants
while he was shining a pair of shoes. This gag had been used by Moe in
a previous short, but Dickerson’s portrayal of the scene was so
funny that the crew (and Dickerson himself) could hardly contain their
laughter, as one can hear in the final release.Probably Dickerson's
most memorable role was that of the hapless chef in the Stooges' A
Plumbing We Will Go, in which he uttered in bewilderment, "This house
has sho' gone crazy!" He was also able to show the range of his acting
talent in this role, able to raise a laugh from the audience by just
giving a suspicious, sideways look to a kitchen appliance that had
previously acted up. The footage would be recycled twice more in
future Stooge comedies: 1949's Vagabond Loafers and 1956's Scheming
Schemers. Both films included a newly filmed scene of a raincoat-clad
Dickerson informing guests that "dinner's postponed on account of
rain" (a turn of phrase usually used to describe the cancellation of a
baseball game due to inclement weather).
was an American film actor. Born in Chickasha, Oklahoma, he appeared
in nearly 160 films between 1932 and 1952, and is best remembered for
his roles in several Three Stooges films.Given the era in which
Dickerson performed, he was usually cast in stereotypical roles that
were common in films of the time. His boundless energy can be seen in
what are rather restrictive roles, and was a master at what has become
known as "scared reaction" comedy. One of his early screen credits was
the Our Gang comedySpooky Hooky (1936), as a bemused caretaker.
Dickerson also appeared in Soundies musical films with Dorothy
Dandridge and Meade Lux Lewis; Big Joe Turner had recorded three
numbers for Soundies but was not present for the filming, so Dickerson
stood in for him and mouthed his vocals.Modern viewers will remember
Dudley Dickerson for his portrayals of startled cooks, quizzical
orderlies, frightened porters, and apprehensive watchmen in such Three
Stooges films as They Stooge to Conga, A Gem of a Jam, and Hold That
Lion! In Hold that Lion, he played a lovable train conductor who
memorably bugged out his eyes and shrieked, "He'p, he'p, ah'm losin'
mah mahnd!" when a lion attacked him and ripped the seat of his pants
while he was shining a pair of shoes. This gag had been used by Moe in
a previous short, but Dickerson’s portrayal of the scene was so
funny that the crew (and Dickerson himself) could hardly contain their
laughter, as one can hear in the final release.Probably Dickerson's
most memorable role was that of the hapless chef in the Stooges' A
Plumbing We Will Go, in which he uttered in bewilderment, "This house
has sho' gone crazy!" He was also able to show the range of his acting
talent in this role, able to raise a laugh from the audience by just
giving a suspicious, sideways look to a kitchen appliance that had
previously acted up. The footage would be recycled twice more in
future Stooge comedies: 1949's Vagabond Loafers and 1956's Scheming
Schemers. Both films included a newly filmed scene of a raincoat-clad
Dickerson informing guests that "dinner's postponed on account of
rain" (a turn of phrase usually used to describe the cancellation of a
baseball game due to inclement weather).
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