Book excerpt: Arguably the most recognizable and influential comedy team of all time, The Three Stooges have been making the world laugh since 1930. For four decades, beginning in the '30s, The Three Stooges were kings of the box office-first in a series of legendary comic shorts for Columbia and later in a string of successful feature films. In all, they made over 200 films! Half a century later, the act is still knocking them dead. Demand for The Three Stooges is so strong that their films can currently be seen every day of the week on cable TV-bringing the manic comic genius of Moe, Larry, and Curly to a whole new generation of delighted fans. These two new books pair vintage black and white photos from The Three Stooges's incredible film archive with short and snappy text that celebrates fathers and birthdays. "Why, I Oughta . . ." is an encouraging little reminder that getting older doesn't have to be so painful. ("Even if some of us aren't as curly as we used to be"), and Pop, You're "Poifect" pays tribute to dear old dad. Written to be given as a gift to dad, it offers an apology for the trials kids put parents through ("I know that there were nights when I kept you awake with worry, and days I probably made you pull out your hair in frustration-especially grade card days.") and words of thanks ("So thanks for all the times you've bailed me out-not literally, of course-not yet"). The words work in perfect tandem with the slapstick shots of The Three Stooges in action-and the net result is two books sure to delight Stooges fans new and old. So, will these books be a hit? "Soitenly!"