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Grips, Grunts and Groans
Grips, Grunts and Groans
Directed by	Preston Black
Screenplay by	Clyde Bruckman
Story by	Searle Kramer; Herman Boxer
Produced by	Jules White
Starring	Moe Howard; Larry Fine; Curly Howard; Harrison Greene; Chuck Callahan; Casey Columbo; Tony Chavez; Herb Stagman; William J. Irving; Cy Schindell; Blackie Whiteford; Elaine Waters; Lew Davis;
Cinematography	Benjamin H. Kline
Edited by	Charles Nelson
Distributed by	Columbia Pictures
Release date	January 15, 1937 (U.S.);
Running time	18:44
Country	United States
Language	English

Grips, Grunts and Groans is a 1937 short subject directed by Preston Black starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly Howard). It is the 20th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedians, who appeared in 190 shorts for the studio between 1934 and 1959.

Plot

Following their evasion of railroad authorities, the Stooges forge an acquaintance with Ivan Bustoff, a renowned wrestler embroiled in a high-stakes match orchestrated by his mob-affiliated trainers. Despite the trainers' wager on Bustoff's victory, his predilection for revelry leads to an inebriated stupor, jeopardizing his performance. In a bid to salvage the situation, the mob coerces the Stooges into managing Bustoff and ensuring his sobriety for the impending bout.

However, a mishap in the locker room ensues, resulting in Bustoff's incapacitation and necessitating an impromptu substitution with Curly. Leveraging Curly's susceptibility to Wild Hyacinth perfume-induced aggression, Moe and Larry devise a strategy to exploit this peculiarity to their advantage. Yet, Curly's performance in the ensuing wrestling match falls short of expectations. Amid mounting pressure from the mobsters, who threaten the Stooges with dire consequences for Curly's failure to secure victory, Moe seizes an opportunity to acquire Wild Hyacinth perfume from a spectator. Subsequently applying the fragrance to Curly, the resulting chaos sees Curly inadvertently incapacitating himself and the challenger, triggering a chain of comedic mishaps culminating in Curly's own knockout.

Cast

Moe Howard as Moe
Larry Fine as Larry
Curly Howard as Curly
Harrison Greene as Ivan Bustoff
Chuck Callahan as Tony
Casey Columbo as Ironhead
Cy Schindell as Waiter
William J. Irving as Waiter
Tony Chavez as Kid Pinky
Herb Stagman as Referee
Blackie Whiteford as Mugg
Elaine Waters as Girl with perfume
Lew Davis as Tony's henchman
Everett Sullivan as Policeman on telephone
Ella McKenzie, Al Thompson, Pat West, Johnny Kascier, Betty McMahon, Solomon Horwitz as Spectators^[1]

Production notes

The filming of Grips, Grunts and Groans took place from October 30 to November 5, 1936.^[2] Its title parodies the expression "gripes, grunts and groans."^[3]

An external stimulus that causes Curly to go berserk was also used as a plot element in Punch Drunks, Horses' Collars, and Tassels in the Air.^[3]

A production still shows that Solomon Horwitz — father to Moe, Curly and Shemp Howard — appeared as a spectator during the wrestling scenes.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b "Grips, Grunts and Groans at threestooges.net". Archived from the original on 2019-07-19. Retrieved 2020-01-05.
^ Pauley, Jim (2012). The Three Stooges Hollywood Filming Locations. Solana Beach, California: Santa Monica Press, LLC. p. 130. ISBN 9781595800701. Archived from the original on 2023-01-05. Retrieved 2014-01-03.
^ ^a ^b Solomon, Jon (2002). The Complete Three Stooges: The Official Filmography and Three Stooges Companion. Glendale, California: Comedy III Productions, Inc. p. 99. ISBN 0971186804.