Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysToronto Int'l Film FestivalHispanic Heritage MonthIMDb Stars to WatchSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

Grips, Grunts and Groans

  • 1937
  • Approved
  • 19m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
772
YOUR RATING
Moe Howard, Larry Fine, and Curly Howard in Grips, Grunts and Groans (1937)
SlapstickComedyShortSport

Although circumstances force an over-matched Curly into a wrestling ring against a superior opponent, a spectator's perfume proves to be his secret weapon.Although circumstances force an over-matched Curly into a wrestling ring against a superior opponent, a spectator's perfume proves to be his secret weapon.Although circumstances force an over-matched Curly into a wrestling ring against a superior opponent, a spectator's perfume proves to be his secret weapon.

  • Director
    • Jack White
  • Writers
    • Clyde Bruckman
    • Searle Kramer
    • Herman Boxer
  • Stars
    • Moe Howard
    • Larry Fine
    • Curly Howard
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.7/10
    772
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Jack White
    • Writers
      • Clyde Bruckman
      • Searle Kramer
      • Herman Boxer
    • Stars
      • Moe Howard
      • Larry Fine
      • Curly Howard
    • 17User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos13

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 8
    View Poster

    Top cast25

    Edit
    Moe Howard
    Moe Howard
    • Moe
    • (as Moe)
    Larry Fine
    Larry Fine
    • Larry
    • (as Larry)
    Curly Howard
    Curly Howard
    • Curly
    • (as Curly)
    Bob Callahan
    Bob Callahan
    • Cornerman
    • (uncredited)
    Chuck Callahan
    • Waiter #3
    • (uncredited)
    Tony Chavex
    • Kid Pinkie
    • (uncredited)
    Casey Colombo
    • Tony
    • (uncredited)
    Lew Davis
    • Henchman
    • (uncredited)
    Billy Engle
    Billy Engle
    • Man in Restaurant
    • (uncredited)
    Budd Fine
    • Man in Railyard
    • (uncredited)
    Harrison Greene
    • Ivan Bustoff
    • (uncredited)
    Jack Hill
    • Man in Restaurant
    • (uncredited)
    Sol Horwitz
    • Spectator
    • (uncredited)
    William Irving
    William Irving
    • Waiter #1
    • (uncredited)
    Johnny Kascier
    • Spectator
    • (uncredited)
    Sam Lufkin
    Sam Lufkin
    • Man in Railyard
    • (uncredited)
    Betty Mack
    Betty Mack
    • Woman with Carriage
    • (uncredited)
    Eva McKenzie
    • Woman with Carriage
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Jack White
    • Writers
      • Clyde Bruckman
      • Searle Kramer
      • Herman Boxer
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews17

    7.7772
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    8bkoganbing

    Anarchy In The Ring

    Although the chaotic ending of Grips, Grunts, and Groans is pretty much stolen from the Marx Brothers Animal Crackers it still works well. The Three Stooges throughout their career always were using stuff that other comics did and adapting for themselves. I think part of the reason is that they were not feature film comics like the Marx Brothers or Abbott& Costello, nor did they have the creative freedom that Laurel&Hardy did with Hal Roach. They worked fast and cheap and ground out the product and Harry Cohn at Columbia loved them for that.

    The boys become trainers of a contending wrestler whom they accidentally knock out and Curly with false beard has to take his place. Curly has a phobia about the perfume wild hyacinth, some painful memories associated with same. It works on him the same way that the phrase Niagara Falls works in that famous 'Slowly I Turn' burlesque routine that Abbott&Costello use.

    If you remember how Harpo demolished the entire cast of Animal Crackers than you know how this one ends. Grips, Grunts, And Groans I'd like to think is the Stooges homage to the Marx Brothers.
    dozanddoz

    The Boys take on the WWF: Nothing short of Hilarious

    In 1937, the Stooges were coming into their prime, and though this one is not the best entry, it's close. The Trio is suppose to watch over the wrestler "Bustoff." But when they get him drunk and then drop dump-bells and a locker on his head, Curly is forced to take Bustoff's place in the ring. But once Wild Hyicene purr-fume gets on Curly, he goes nuts, and tears the joint apart. Great sound effects, goofs, and a great rousing ending. This one will have you laughing out loud.

    Bottom Line: One of the top 10 Stooge Shorts. 9/10
    10Maniac-9

    One of the best stooges film

    This is the Three Stooges short where they accidentally stumble into wrestling gym and to get money for a meal Curly volunteers to be a sparring partner. The champ Bustoff who trains at the gym happens to be watching nearby and finds the stooges hysterical. So he takes them out for a big meal but the stooges get him drunk and he can't go for his big match. So the Stooges have to dress Curly up as him. But Curly can only fight if Curly smells the perfume Wild Hyacinth and can only be stopped by tickling his feet.

    The movie came out in the prime of the Three Stooges the Curly era. Not that Shemp isn't good in his own right it's just that the Stooges lineup is best with Curly in addition to the main stays of Moe and Larry.
    8Captain_Couth

    The pro wrestling stooges!

    Grips, Grunts and Groans (19370 was another classic short form the team of Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curley Howard. The three lovable losers are traveling hobos who make an unscheduled last stop. A couple of engineers chase the vagrants away. Whilst hiding in the nearest building "The Hangover Gym", the boys are giving a gig as sparing partners for one of their prize fighters. The poor boxing skills with comedic end results amuse a local pro wrestler named Bustoff. He takes an immediate liking to the three and wants them to party with him. That doesn't seem like a good idea considering Bustoff has a big match tonight.

    Can the boys keep Bustoff from enjoying himself too much? Will they get their promised sparring partner money? To find out what happens next you'll just have to watch GRIPS, GRUNTS & GROANS. One of their most famous shorts.

    Highly recommended.
    8elo-equipamentos

    The powerful Wild Hyacinth perfume!!!

    Just as information Grips, Grunts and Groan was between those chosen shorts that were on seven volumes DVD release here in Brazil, they are running and hide a wrestling gym, there the owner invites Curly to be a sparring to get 5 dollars, without a penny to buy food they agree, but they were knockout on first punch, however accidentally Curly smell a specific perfume Wild Hyacinth from Bustoff's girlfriend and becomes wild on fight, due it the Boss is willing to pay 100 hundred dollars to the Stooges take care the champion until the night, where he will fight for high money, sadly they didn't get and Bustoff was drunk at night, at arena trying recover the sleeping and drunk champion, Curly once more puts everything to lose, he dropped weights on his head, knockout him for good, then trapped, they decides disguise Curly as Bustoff with a fake bear, he goes to fight, certainly the highlight when he is losing, somehow saves by the wild Hyacinth smell, one the most funniest episode from the classic Stooges's line up!!!

    Resume:

    First watch: 1971 / How many: 4 / Source: DVD / Rating: 8.5

    More like this

    A Pain in the Pullman
    7.6
    A Pain in the Pullman
    Dizzy Doctors
    7.6
    Dizzy Doctors
    3 Dumb Clucks
    7.2
    3 Dumb Clucks
    Slippery Silks
    7.5
    Slippery Silks
    Disorder in the Court
    7.9
    Disorder in the Court
    Cash and Carry
    7.5
    Cash and Carry
    Goofs and Saddles
    7.4
    Goofs and Saddles
    Playing the Ponies
    7.4
    Playing the Ponies
    The Sitter Downers
    7.5
    The Sitter Downers
    Tassels in the Air
    7.6
    Tassels in the Air
    Termites of 1938
    7.5
    Termites of 1938
    Flat Foot Stooges
    7.1
    Flat Foot Stooges

    Related interests

    Leslie Nielsen in The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)
    Slapstick
    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Benedict Cumberbatch in The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023)
    Short
    Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill in Moneyball (2011)
    Sport

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The Wild Hyacinth that drove Curly crazy is a real fragrance made from the plant of the same name. There was a perfume created in the early 1800's named Wild Hyacinth Floris, but the production Is now discontinued. However, Wild Hyacinth fragrances can be purchased as a perfume, oil or cologne for men.
    • Goofs
      Obvious stunt doubles for Moe, Larry, and Curly during chase scene near beginning of film.
    • Quotes

      Moe: Listen, Bustoff you can't drink that. That's alcohol.

      Ivan Bustoff: That's not alcohol. That's just a little tequila, vodka and cognac.

      Curly: Oh, that's different go ahead.

    • Connections
      Referenced in The Flintstones: Little Bamm-Bamm (1963)

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 13, 1937 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • YouTube - Video
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Golpes, quejidos y gemidos
    • Production company
      • Columbia Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 19m
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.