For a Three Stooges fan, The Three Stooges Collection: Volume 1 1934 - 1935 (phew...) is like being quick enough to block an eye gouge. Billed as a "Fan Requested" Collectors Set, it features the trio's earlier shorts and introduces a number of their well-known comedy routines, including their first pie fight and the one of the few skits that were actually written by the Stooges themselves.

Although all of the shorts featured in the set are presented in order, there's no logical "plotline" to any of it. Of course, if you're looking for a plot to tie in all the shorts, you're better off not bothering with the Stooges since you probably don't get it - especially when they showcase the ability to move through time and, on one occasion, defy death. The only real development that is noticeable between shorts is how experimental some of them are. Since these are the group's first routines, you'll notice that they try things in episodes that never appear again. For example, in the short "Woman Haters," the three sing their way through most of the script. This doesn't work and is something you'll never see again.

The set also plays home to some of the trio's real classics, mostly because Curly is still around. Even some of the cheesier plots are great due to his child-like antics. This is something that becomes more apparent as the "third stooge" begins to rotate out in later years. I'm as big a Shemp fan as the next guy, but when Curly is in the group, you know you're in for a good time.

One of the featured shorts in the collection is Oscar-nominated "Men in Black," which has the boys playing surgeons. This is easily one of the more classic and memorable Stooge shorts, especially when it comes to Curly's numerous medical problems. Another highlight is "Three Little Pigskins," where the guys are famous football players. This is one of the collection's weaker episodes, though it does feature Lucille Ball, which is a bit of a novelty. The collection also contains "Restless Knights," which features the first Stooge triple-slap and "Pardon My Scotch," which was the first time the Stooges' memorable theme song was used.

Of course, you wouldn't know any of this stuff unless you did a little research or had a family member who was a Stooges' fanatic. The only major downside to the collection is the lack of special features. The Stooge's personal background is one of the more interesting early Hollywood stories, so some sort of background material would have been more than welcomed. Even a simple menu that forced me to read would have been good.

Although it isn't the flashiest of releases, The Three Stooges Collection: Volume 1 1934 - 1935 is a must own for Stooges fans.