The organization said the movie remake is different from its original TV series which they thought was respectful of religion.
- Apr 13, 2012
AceShowbiz - Catholic League said "The Three Stooges" gave them a reason to think that Hollywood glorifies jokes on Catholicism. On Thursday, April 12, the organization slams the new 20th Century Fox movie for including a scene where swimsuit model Kate Upton, playing Sister Bernice, wears a "nun bikini".
The organization's president Bill Donohue said in a statement, "In the 1950s, Hollywood generally avoided crude fare and was respectful of religion. Today it specializes in crudity and trashes Christianity, especially Catholicism. Enter 'The Three Stooges'. The movie is not just another remake: It is a cultural marker of sociological significance, and what it says about the way we've changed is not encouraging."
Upton's character, who also wears a large rosary over her neck, is not the only problem that Catholic League has an issue on. The organization also criticizes the name of Larry David's character, Sister Mary-Mengele, which is a nod to the late Nazi Josef Mengele.
Furthermore, Donohue criticized David's comments during his Wednesday appearance on "Conan". Donohue said, "He said to Conan O'Brien that dressing as a nun in the film makes it easy to understand why nuns are 'so mean'. He explains: 'You know, the outfits might have something to do with that. Forget about the fact that they never have sex. If you give me a chance of no sex or having to wear that outfit the rest of my life, I would definitely take the no sex.' "
Fox has responded through its rep, saying, "The movie, in keeping with the spirit of the original TV show and its stars, is a broad, slapstick comedy. As the Stooges have proved over time, laughter is a universal medicine. The nuns that Mr. Donohue alludes to, are in fact, caring, heroic characters in the movie, albeit within the framework of a very broad comedy."
The spokesperson continued, "And as far as the nun attire, I think we did the audience a favor by letting Kate Upton wear the nun-kini rather than Larry David - it could have gone either way. We invite you to see the movie and decide for yourselves." The movie opens in U.S. on Friday, April 13.
