Cash and Carry

Cash and Carry

Year: 1937

Runtime: 18 mins

Language: English

Director: Del Lord

Comedy

The Stooges discover a crippled boy and his sister living in a dumpyard shack. To fund the boy’s operation they buy a bogus treasure map from a con man. Believing the loot is buried under an old house, they dig and end up in a U.S. Treasury vault, where they are arrested. President Franklin D. Roosevelt gives them amnesty and arranges the boy’s surgery.

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Cash and Carry (1937) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Cash and Carry (1937), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Upon their return to their humble abode in the city dump after six months of fruitless prospecting, the Stooges—Moe, Moe Howard, Curly, Curly Howard, and Larry, Larry Fine—stumble upon an orphaned young woman and her incapacitated younger brother, Jimmie, Sonny Bupp who have taken up residence in their shack. Despite initial reservations, the Stooges demonstrate compassion upon realizing Jimmie’s physical challenges, with Curly even offering assistance with his studies.

During a tireless search for a replacement for their deflated car tire, Curly, Curly Howard discovers a can brimming with coins. This cache of coins, nicknamed “canned coin” by Curly, sparks a scramble as they rummage through discarded cans in hopes of finding more treasure. Their excitement is tempered by the stark reality of Jimmy and his sister’s financial hardship and their earnest quest to raise funds for Jimmy’s crucial operation, which tugs at the Stooges’ sense of empathy.

Moved by their plight, the trio resolves to help fund Jimmy’s surgery. They first consider earning interest by tiding the money away in a bank account, only to be disappointed by how long the wait would be. Their optimism is crushed when they fall victim to two confident con men, who steal their modest savings—about $62—and also snatch their car under the guise of delivering a treasure map.

Undeterred, the Stooges commit to following the map to its indicated destination. A string of comic misadventures leads them to an accidental breach of the United States Treasury, where they mistakenly believe they’ve struck gold and begin digging through stacks of currency. Their bold intrusion ends abruptly, and they are swiftly apprehended by the authorities.

In a surprising turn of events, their misadventure brings them face-to-face with President Franklin D. Roosevelt. When he learns of Jimmy’s need for surgery, the President graciously grants a pardon to the Stooges and pledges to cover the medical costs, ensuring Jimmy’s operation can proceed. This unexpected intervention ties a bow on a tale of kindness, luck, and a few chaotic capers—showing that even a misfit trio can rally to help a family in need, guided by a blend of stubborn humor and genuine generosity.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 10:43

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Hilarious Misadventures with Heart like in Cash and Carry

Bumbling heroes cause chaos while trying to do the right thing.Explore more movies like Cash and Carry where bumbling heroes create delightful chaos. If you enjoyed the Stooges' good intentions and comic blunders, you'll love these similar stories of slapstick misadventures fueled by genuine heart and an optimistic spirit.

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These stories typically follow a simple arc: characters are motivated by a noble goal (often helping someone) but are utterly inept. Their attempts to solve the problem lead directly to a series of escalating, comedic failures, usually involving physical humor and misunderstandings, before culminating in an unexpectedly happy resolution.

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Misfits band together through hilarious mishaps to form an unlikely family.Find more films similar to Cash and Carry that feature found families formed through comedy. These movies share the theme of unlikely groups coming together amid hilarious misadventures, perfect for fans of lighthearted stories about connection and helping others.

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The narrative centers on an improvised family unit—often a trio or group of misfits—who take on a project or come to the aid of someone more vulnerable. Their collective incompetence or bizarre methods creates the comedy, but their loyalty and shared purpose are what ultimately define the story and lead to a positive outcome.

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This thread groups films based on the specific dynamic of a found family whose primary interactions are comedic. The focus is on the lighthearted, chaotic process of bonding rather than heavy emotional drama, emphasizing optimism and the joy of unlikely friendships.

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Cash and Carry

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