Cash and Carry 1937

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.