Hat Tips To Edward Bernds and the Columbia Shorts Department

Today we conclude Columbia Shorts Department with a tribute to director Edward Bernds. Finishing an extended plunge into the slapstick of The Shorts Department, the spotlight shines on the guy who cranked out numerous Three Stooges shorts in the latter 1940's and early 1950's, longtime Columbia Studio soundman Edward Bernds.Chicago-born Edward Bernds was a pioneering soundman who worked with Frank Capra and Howard Hawks who ultimately became a prolific director of comedy films, television series and psychotronic B-films. He lived to be 95 and thus gave numerous interviews.Edward Bernds was known for comedy short subjects series that featured some very unconventional headliners. For example, Billie Burke, ubiquitous character actress known for, among numerous parts, Glinda The Good Witch from The Wizard Of Oz, starred in Columbia 2-reelers.One we find very entertaining is THE CHAMPS STEP OUT starring MAX BAER AND SLAPSIE MAXIE ROSENBLOOM. Bernds directed several short subjects starring…