| Cash and Carry | |
| Director: | Del Lord |
| Producer: | Jules White |
| Screenplay: | Clyde Bruckman Elwood Ullman |
| Story: | Clyde Bruckman |
| Starring: | Moe Howard Larry Fine Curly Howard Sonny Bupp |
| Music: | Louis Silvers |
| Cinematography: | Lucien Ballard |
| Editing: | Charles Nelson |
| Distributor: | Columbia Pictures |
| Language: | English |
| Country: | United States |
Cash and Carry is a 1937 short subject directed by Del Lord starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly Howard). It is the 25th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who released 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.
Upon their return to their humble abode in the city dump following six months of fruitless prospecting, the Stooges stumble upon an orphaned young woman and her incapacitated younger brother, Jimmy, who have taken up residence in their shack. Despite initial reservations, the Stooges demonstrate compassion upon realizing Jimmy's physical challenges, with Curly even offering assistance with his studies.
During a tireless search for a replacement for their deflated car tire, Curly's serendipitous discovery of a can brimming with coins sparks excitement. This cache of coins, termed "canned coin" by Curly, leads to a frenzied search through discarded cans in pursuit of further treasures. However, upon learning of Jimmy and his sister's financial plight and their earnest quest to procure funds for Jimmy's crucial operation, the Stooges' hearts soften.
Moved by empathy, the Stooges embark on a mission to augment the funds required for Jimmy's surgery. Initially, they explore the possibility of accruing interest on their modest sum in a bank account, only to be disillusioned by the prolonged timeframe it would necessitate. Their predicament worsens when they fall victim to two confidence men who abscond with their meager $62 worth of savings and their automobile under the guise of providing a treasure map. Undeterred, the Stooges embrace their newfound quest and venture to the indicated location marked on the map. Following a series of misadventures, they inadvertently breach the walls of the United States Treasury. Mistakenly believing they have struck gold, they begin to unearth stacks of currency, only to find themselves swiftly apprehended by the authorities.
Their escapade ultimately leads them into an unexpected encounter with President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who, upon learning of Jimmy's plight, extends a presidential pardon to the Stooges and offers to cover the expenses for Jimmy's much-needed surgery.
Involving the Stooges as miners helping a crippled orphan get money for his leg surgery, this film is notable for showing an uncharacteristically sentimental side to the comedy team.[1] Filmed on May 4–8, 1937,[2] the title Cash and Carry was a popular saying of the era. From 1942 to 1945, during the marriage of actor Cary Grant and heiress Barbara Hutton, tabloid newspapers referred to Grant and Hutton as "Cash and Cary".[1]
Writer Clyde Bruckman's story was later adapted for comedian Andy Clyde in his short films A Miner Affair (1945) and Two April Fools (1954).[3]
Nick Copeland and Lew Davis would reprise their roles as con men who swindle the Stooges in the next entry, Playing the Ponies.[1]