Joe DeRita

Born: 12 July 1909, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Died: 3 July 1993, Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA

Joe DeRita began his career acting on stage with his parents. As a stage comedian he entered into the world of burlesque in the 1920s. Joe's film career took off in 1943 with an uncredited appearance in 'Thank Your Lucky Stars' and then 'The Doughgirls' in 1944. After these two films and several more Joe settled into comedy shorts for Columbia where he could bring some of his stage persona to the big screen.

Joe DeRita is probably most famous for being in the Three Stooges late in their career. He was offered the part as a 'stooge' around the time that Curly Howard had his stroke, in 1946, eventually dying in 1952. Shemp Howard only wanted to be a temporary replacement. Joe refused the part and Shemp continued until his own untimely death in 1955. Joe Besser was then brought in as the third stooge, but when Columbia shut down their short film comedies section, Joe Besser quit the act. Joe DeRita was asked again to join the Three Stooges and this time he accepted working with them in films from 1959 to 1970 when the act was finally retired.

Jitter Bughouse (1948) as Joe

Have Rocket -- Will Travel (1959) as Curly-Joe

Frankie Carr

Born: 29 November 1923, Ohio, USA
Died: 20 March 1986, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Jitter Bughouse (1948) as Nov-Elites Member (Credited as The Nov-Elites)

Joe Mayer

Born: unknown
Died: unknown

Jitter Bughouse (1948) as Nov-Elites Member (Credited as The Nov-Elites)

Art Terry

Born: unknown
Died: unknown

Jitter Bughouse (1948) as Nov-Elites Member (Credited as The Nov-Elites)

William Smith

Born: 24 March 1933, Columbia, Missouri, USA

William Smith played a main character in the 1960s television series 'Zero One (1962)' and 'Laredo (1965)'. He went on to have a long career in films and television.

Uncle Sam (1996) as Major

Virginia Rappe

Born: 7 July 1891, New York City, New York, USA

Died: 9 September 1921, San Francisco, California, USA

 

Died from her injuries after a party for which 'Fatty' Arbuckle was charged with her murder, but eventually found not guilty.

 

His Wedding Night (1917) as Woman in Car (uncredited)

 

Virginia is apparently one of the ladies in the car, probably the one furthest from the camera. Fatty Arbuckle is on the right.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paradise Garden (1917) as Marcia Van Wyck

 

A studio still. With Harold Lockwood.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wild Women and Tame Lions (1918) (A Lost Film)

 

This is a studio still. The film is considered to be lost. The male actors are Ford Sterling and Jimmie Adams.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

His Musical Sneeze (1919) as Lucy Butts

With Madame Sul-Te-Wan.

 

An Adventuress (1920) as Vanette