In 1959, following the retirements or passing of Jerome “Curly” Howard, Shemp Howard, and Joe Besser, Joe DeRita stepped into the spotlight as the new third Stooge, joining the enduring duo of Moe Howard and Larry Fine. This marked a significant shift for the group, with DeRita—affectionately known as “Curly Joe”—becoming a key part of the legacy. By that time, the Three Stooges had already produced close to 200 comedy shorts over twenty-five years, building a loyal fanbase. As their classic shorts gained renewed popularity through TV syndication, the demand for fresh content grew. That’s when the revamped trio, now featuring mainstays Moe and Larry alongside DeRita, embraced a wave of low-budget feature films. These movies capitalized on their slapstick charm and brought the main players into wild new adventures. In these lighthearted flicks, the main trio tangled with mythological figures like Hercules, crossed paths with Snow White, faced off against Western outlaws, and even got launched into outer space more than once. Though the plots were silly and often over-the-top, they kept the spirit of the Stooges alive, with DeRita fitting snugly into the role. Through it all, the main focus remained on delivering fast-paced, physical comedy that fans had come to love, proving that the main formula still worked—even in a changing entertainment landscape.
Well, when it comes to Joe DeRita’s career highlights, things get a bit interesting — and maybe a little confusing. You see, Joe DeRita’s highest rated movie is actually listed as The Bravados (1958), which might come as a surprise to some fans. But here’s the twist: the same film, The Bravados (1958), also shows up as Joe DeRita’s lowest rated movie. Yeah, that’s right — the exact same title holds both the top and bottom spots in terms of ratings. It’s kind of odd, isn’t it? Maybe there’s a mix-up somewhere, or perhaps the data isn’t fully accurate. Still, when we look at Joe DeRita’s body of work, this particular Western from 1958 definitely stands out — for better or worse. So whether you’re a longtime admirer of Joe DeRita or just digging into his filmography, The Bravados is definitely a name that comes up. And speaking of Joe DeRita, it’s clear this moment in his career sparks more than a few questions.