50 Years of American Comedy
This website is made possible, in part, by displaying a few online advertisements to our visitors.
Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker for this site.
Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker for this site.
Released July 13, 1934
Featuring Moe, Larry and Curly
Featuring Moe, Larry and Curly
Columbia
17.5 min. (Short Subject)
17.5 min. (Short Subject)
Moe, a boxing manager, discovers that when Larry plays "Pop Goes the Weasel" on his violin, Curly goes berserk and punches any available target. Moe offers to manage Curly as the ring's newest boxing sensation and hires Larry to play his violin ringside. At the championship fight, Larry's violin is broken and he frantically searches the streets for an alternate source of music.
Opening title music is "I Thought I Wanted You," by Archie Gottler and Edward Eliscu; see The Three Stooges Journal # 87 (Fall 1998).
PUNCH DRUNKS is the only Stooges film to credit the Stooges for the story; Moe actually wrote the treatment, and added Curly's and Larry's names to it.
In the original treatment, Curly turns boxer and wins every fight when 'Fuzzy' (Larry) plays "Stars and Stripes Forever." According to director Lou Breslow, the song was changed to "Pop Goes the Weasel" because it was the funniest song available that was royalty-free!
This film was adapted in The Three Stooges # 6 comic book, St. John Publications 1954.
Avg. Rating: 
[9.05/10]
[9.05/10]
Jerry Howard
Curly
Moe Howard
Moe
Larry Fine
Larry
Chuck Callahan
Mr. McGurn
Dutch Hendrian
Spokesman mug
Frank Moran
3rd mug in restaurant
Dorothy Granger
Girlfriend
Al Hill
Killer Kilduff
William J. Irving
Kilduff manager
Chet Brandenburg
1st Kilduff corner man
Ray Jones
K. O. corner man
Jack Kenney
K. O. corner man
Harry Keatan
K. O. corner man
Billy Bletcher
Ring announcer
Larry McGrath
Referee
Arthur Housman
Timekeeper
Harry Watson
Gumball throwing boy
Jack 'Tiny' Lipson
Spectator next to girlfriend
Arthur Rowlands
Spectator next to boy
Don Brodie
Spectator behind boy
Charles King
Man on truck
Ed Brandenburg
Pedestrian
Unidentified PUNCH DRUNKS 1
2nd mug in restaurant
Unidentified PUNCH DRUNKS 3
2nd Kilduff corner man
Unidentified PUNCH DRUNKS 4
Spectators
Jules White
Producer
Lou Breslow
Director
Larry Fine
Story
Jerry Howard
Story
Moe Howard
Story
Jack Cluett
Screenplay
Henry Freulich
Photography
Robert Carlisle
Film Editor
Harold Arlen
Music
Archie Gottler
Music
Ted Koehler
Music
Edward Eliscu
Music
Louis Silvers
Music
| Working Title(s): | (A) SYMPHONY OF PUNCHES |
| Prod. No.: | 116 |
| Shooting Days: | 4 days From: 1934-05-02 To: 1934-05-05 |
No audio files are available for this episode.
Transcription by xraffle: 
[The short opens up with Moe and three mugs sitting in a table at a restaurant]
MUG #1: [to Moe] And you call yourself a fight manager. Where’s our cut from last night’s show?
MUG #2: [to Moe] Yeah, the only cut I got so far is this one over my eye. [points to the band-aid on his forehead]
MOE: So help me, boys. After taking out expenses, there ain’t enough left to feed a mouse.
MUG #1: Now, get this Moe. We’re quittin’ you see.
MOE: Now, wait a minute, gentlemen! You mugs can’t do that to me. I’ll be left without any fighters.
[Curly enters the restaurant. He removes his hat and gloves. He puts his gloves in his hat. He dumps his hat and cane out the window. Mr. McGurn, the manager, approaches Curly]
McGURN: Hello, Beau Brummel.
CURLY: How are you, Mr. McGurn?
[Curly takes off his jacket and dumps it out the window. Curly untucks his uniform and gets ready to get to work. Mr. McGurn stops Curly]
McGURN: Wait a minute. Where have you been?
CURLY: Out to lunch.
[Mr. McGurn slaps Curly twice]
McGURN: Get over there and wait on those customers.
CURLY: Yes, sir. Mr.----
[Mr. McGurn kicks Curly in the rear. Curly walks up to Moe and the three mugs]
CURLY: What’ll you have, gentlemen?
[The three mugs start talking at the same time]
MUG #1: Give me the biggest steak on the house.
MUG #3: Ham and eggs
[Talking simultaneously]
MOE: Hold on! Hold on! [The mugs stop talking] I ain’t had my dessert yet. [to Curly] Four slices of burnt toast and a rotten egg.
CURLY: Burnt toast and a rotten egg?
MOE: Yeah!
CURLY: What you want that for?
MOE: I got a tape worm and it’s good enough for him.
CURLY: I know how you feel. [lightly taps Moe on the back]
CURLY: [to the mugs] What’ll you gentlemen have?
[The three mugs start talking at the same time]
MUG #1: I want the biggest steak on the house
MOE: Wait a minute!!!
[The mugs stop talking]
MOE: [to Curly] Three hamburgers for the mugs.
CURLY: Three hamburgers. [writes it down on his pad and leaves the table]
[Larry enters the restaurant carrying a violin case. He approaches Mr. McGurn]
LARRY: Pardon me, stranger. I’m a musician.
McGURN: So what?
LARRY: Well I thought if you had some music around the place, you might increase business.
McGURN: How much dough do you generally get?
LARRY: Well I get $250, but for you I’ll take 200.
McGURN: I’ll give you a bowl of soup.
LARRY: I’ll take it.
McGURN: If you’re good.
LARRY: [says quietly to himself] I hope the soup’s good.
[Larry walks to the other end of the restaurant]
LARRY: [as he opens his violin case, he says to Mr. McGurn] You’ll never regret this, mister.
[Mr. McGurn just nods his head]
[Larry starts playing the violin. As he plays, a bird ends up standing on the end of the bow chirping.]
LARRY: [sticks the bow out the window] Scram!
[Curly walks up to Moe and the three mugs]
CURLY: I’m sorry, gentlemen. You can’t have any hamburger. The meat’s too fresh.
MOE: [stands up] The meat ain’t the only thing that’s fresh around here, is it? [slaps Curly in the head]
[The mugs starts attacking Curly]
CURLY: Oh. Aw, give us a break, will ya fellas? I’m a citizen, ain’t I? Wait, stop it. Fellas, I didn’t mean---
MOE: [eyepokes Curly] Don’t try that stuff around here. Now, you’re gonna bring the boys the food?!
[Larry starts playing “Pop Goes The Weasel” on the violin. Curly starts panting, he wipes his face with his hands rapidly and starts woo-wooing. He then starts punching the mugs and he knocks them out]
MOE: You can’t do that!
[Curly punches Moe in the face. Larry stops playing. Moe gets up, holding his face in pain]
MOE: [sees the mugs on the floor knocked out] Say! You’re a born champ!
CURLY: Did I do that?
MOE: Sure, what’s eatin’ ya? Don’t ya remember?
CURLY: No. Every time I hear that weasel tunes, something pops inside of me, then everything goes black.
[Mr. McGurn grabs Curly by the ear]
McGURN: Hey! What’s the idea? You’re trying to ruin my business? [slaps Curly]
CURLY: I’m sorry!
McGURN: Look at my customers! [slaps Curly]
CURLY: I’m a victim of circumstance.
McGURN: What do you think this is? A joint? [slaps Curly]
CURLY: It’s that pop the weasel.
MOE: [to Larry] Hey Fiddler! Give us that weasel tune again!
[Larry plays “Pop Goes The Weasel” on the violin. Curly starts panting, he wipes his face with his hands rapidly and starts woo-wooing. He gives Mr. McGurn a good punch in the face and he flies up in the air. Larry stops playing]
CURLY: What happened?
MOE: Look! [points up]
[We see Mr. McGurn lying on top of the ceiling fan unconscious.]
CURLY: How’d he get up there?
MOE: It worked! Shake hands with your new manager. [shakes hands with Curly and kisses him on the forehead] Boy, we’re gonna make a lot of money. Come on.
[Moe and Curly start walking towards the door. Moe grabs Larry by the hair]
MOE: I need you too. From now on we’re a corporation.
LARRY: Where are we going?
MOE: We got a lot of training to do. [drags Larry out of the restaurant by the hair]
[Curly flips the switch on the wall and the ceiling fan turns on. Mr. McGurn is now spinning around as he lies on the fan. The scene ends.]
[A new scene begins outside. Curly is rowing a wagon. He is dragging Moe and Larry. Larry is standing on top of his wagon as he plays the violin.]
MOE: [as Curly is rowing] Stroke! Stroke! Stroke! Stroke! Stroke! Stroke! Stroke! Stroke!
[Larry loses his balance while standing on his wagon, so he falls on Moe]
MOE: What’s going on around here? [slaps Larry] What’s the idea?
LARRY: I lost my ba-lance.
MOE: Oh, you lost your ba-lance, eh?
LARRY: Yeah.
MOE: Well go find it. [pushes Larry’s face and he lands on the water]
[Moe approaches Curly]
MOE: Take it easy. I know you had a tough day, kid.
[Moe takes a drink of water]
MOE: How do you feel now? [touches Curly’s stomach] Oh, you’re in great shape, K.O.
[A lady calls out to Moe and Curly. She is sitting in a car and one of the rear tires is stuck in a ditch]
LADY: Yoo-hoo, gentlemen!
[Moe and Larry see the lady and they notice how attractive she is]
LADY: I’m having a little trouble. I wonder if you can help me.
[Curly stands up but Moe bonks him on the head]
MOE: Sit down, lug. Didn’t you hear the lady? She said “gentlemen.” Besides I always told you, boxing and women don’t mix. [slaps Curly]
[Moe approaches the lady]
MOE: Now, what can I do for you, toots?
LADY: I’m in a terrible dilemma.
MOE: Yeah, I don’t care much for these foreign cars either.
LADY: You don’t understand. I’m stuck.
MOE: On me? That’s funny. That’s what they all tell me.
LADY: I mean in the ditch. [points to the rear tire on her car to show that it’s stuck]
MOE: The ditch. [looks at the tire that’s stuck] Haha. Yeah. [yells out to Curly] Hey, K.O. Don’t sit there like a dummy. Come over here!
[Curly walks up to Moe]
MOE: Give me a hand.
CURLY: [extends both hands] Which one?
MOE: [slaps Curly] Get on the bumper. Wait a minute. We need more help. Where’s Larry?
CURLY: [looks off-camera and points] Look!
[Larry is stuck in the water. Moe and Curly run up to him. Moe helps him up]
MOE: Get right here. Come here. Alright kid. Take it easy. Take it easy kid. What’s wrong with you?
[Larry gets up]
LARRY: Wait a minute. Wait, look at this. Look at this here.
MOE: What’s the matter?
[Larry grabs a live fish from his jacket pocket and shows it to Moe]
LARRY: Oh. Look at that!
MOE: Yeah, it’s a fine time to go fishing. [slaps Larry]
[Moe slaps Curly and starts dragging him and Larry to the lady’s car]
LARRY: Wait a minute. You don’t know how it happened. I was standing--- You--- It’s your fault sometimes.
MOE: We got work to do. Come on. [to Curly] Curly get on that mudguard there. [to Larry] Hey you! Help me here.
MOE: Wait a minute. I got a better idea than this. In music, there’s strength.
LARRY: Yeah
MOE: Give K.O. a couple of bars of weasel.
[Larry picks up his violin and starts playing “Pop Goes The Weasel.” Curly does his woo-woo and wipes his face rapidly. He lifts up the back of the car. Larry stops playing. Curly loses his strength and the car falls on Moe’s foot.]
MOE: Ow, my foot! Hey Curly, get it off.
CURLY: [tries to lift the car, but can’t] I can’t budge it.
MOE: Well, do something.
[Curly walks up to Moe and stares at his foot that’s stuck]
MOE: [hits Curly on the head] What are you standing around for? Do something!
[Larry is about to play the violin again, but Curly calls him]
CURLY: Hey Larry!
LARRY: [to the lady] Pardon me. I’ll be with you in a minute, my sweet! [walks up to Moe] Come on, we’ll take care of this guy.
[Larry starts yanking Moe’s foot out]
LARRY: Heave.
MOE: Oh!
[Larry yanks again]
MOE: Oh!
[Larry yanks again]
LARRY: Heave!
MOE: Oh!
LARRY: Wait a minute.
[Moe gets his foot free. Larry takes his violin and starts playing “Pop Goes The Weasel.” Curly does his woo-woo and wipes his face rapidly with his hands. He lifts the car out of the ditch. The lady starts the car and Curly climbs in. The lady and Curly drive away in the car. The scene ends.]
[A new scene begins inside a fighting ring where we see a fighter get knocked out. A newspaper appears on the screen with the headline that reads: “Stradivarius Stops Gitlitz!”]
[Dissolve to Larry who is playing “Pop Goes The Weasel” on the violin. Cut to Curly who is in the fighting ring. He hears the song and starts his woo-woo. The audience starts cheering. A newspaper appears on the screen with the headline that reads: “Stradivarius Wins Again By K.O.” We see a fighter get knocked out in the fighting ring]
[Dissolve to Larry who is playing “Pop Goes The Weasel” on the violin. Cut to Curly who is in the fighting ring. He hears the song and starts his woo-woo. A newspaper appears on the screen with the headline that reads: “Stradivarius To Meet Champion!”]
[Dissolve to a sign that reads: “Boxing- K.O. Stradivarius vs. Killer Kilduff. Worlds Championship Tonight”]
[Dissolve to the outside of the Olympic Auditorium. We see a crowd of people outside]
[Cut to a room where Curly and the Lady, whose car was stuck in the ditch before, are talking]
LADY: I’m so afraid you’ll get hurt, honey.
CURLY: Don’t worry about me, dear. I’m a man without feelings.
[Moe walks in, sees the two talking and he slaps Curly in the head]
MOE: What’d I tell you about mixing fighting with women? [slaps Curly] Get upstairs.
[Curly stops and waves at the Lady]
MOE: [slaps Curly again] Go on upstairs.
MOE: [to the lady] See you after the fight. Don’t worry now. I won’t get hurt. See ya, toots. [leaves]
[Larry comes out from behind the door. He starts playing the violin and serenades to the lady. Moe enters with a bucket of water and dumps it all on Larry’s head]
MOE: Get upstairs!! [drags Larry out of the room]
[Cut to the fighting ring]
REFEREE: In this corner, the champion, Killer Kilduff.
[Kilduff stands up and the crowd cheers]
REFEREE: In this corner, the challenger, K.O. Stradivarius.
[Curly is sitting on his stool asleep. Moe hits Curly in the head.]
MOE: Take a bow, dummy.
[Curly waves to the crowd. Moe slaps Curly on the head]
[The referee signals to Curly to come over. Kilduff and Curly walk up to the referee. Curly gives the referee an apple. He takes it and takes a bite out of it]
REFEREE: [talking with his mouth full] Now, I want you boys to make a good, clean fight. No holding and hitting and no dirty tactics.
[Larry enters the auditorium with his violin. He takes a seat in the front row. He tunes his violin and plays a few notes]
[Cut to Curly in the ring]
CURLY: [to Moe] Who am I fighting?
MOE: [points to Kilduff] That guy sitting on the chair.
[Curly sees Kilduff, he gets scared and attempts to climb out of the ring. Moe grabs him]
MOE: Come here. [slaps Curly] Sit down!
[Curly sits down. His right leg starts shaking and it makes a clattering sound]
MOE: What’s the matter? You nervous, toots?
CURLY: No, only in that leg. [points to his right leg]
[The lady, whom Curly was flirting with earlier, waves at Curly. Curly blows a kiss at her. Moe sees this. Moe hits Curly in the stomach]
CURLY: Ooh! [Moe hits Curly in the head] Ooh!
MOE: What, are you flirting?
[The timekeeper looks at his clock and rings the bell with the hammer. Curly and Kilduff start fighting. Kilduff punches Curly a few times. Larry starts playing “Pop Goes The Weasel on his violin. Curly does his woo-woo, but Kilduff throws a big punch at Curly. Curly flies out of the ring and lands on Larry. When Curly gets up, Larry sees that his violin is broken. Moe sees this and he looks upset. Curly gets back in the ring and starts getting beat up by Kilduff. Larry sees this and he quickly runs out of the auditorium]
CURLY: [stops Kilduff from punching him] Wait a minute! Your shoe’s untied.
[Kilduff looks down at his shoes and Curly punches him, but the punch wasn’t strong enough and Kilduff didn’t get hurt]
KILDUFF: Oh, so it is. Thanks pal! [punches Curly]
[Curly falls and the referee starts counting]
REFEREE: One, two, three…
[Curly grabs the referee’s arm and pulls himself up. Kilduff punches Curly]
[Cut to the outside where we see Larry running down the block]
[Cut back to the fighting ring. Kilduff punches Curly]
CURLY: Oh!
[Curly walks away and gets ready to get out of the ring. Moe walks up to him]
MOE: Where you going?
CURLY: This is getting on my nerves!
MOE: Get back in there or I’ll tear your tonsils out. [slaps Curly in the head]
[Cut to the outside where we see Larry still running]
[Cut back to the fighting ring]
KILDUFF: [to Curly] Put up your hands!
[Curly raises his hands and Kilduff punches him in the stomach]
CURLY: Oh!
[Kilduff punches Curly in the face]
CURLY: Oh!
[Cut to the outside where we see Larry running. He runs past a radio store and there is a radio in front of the store playing “Pop Goes The Weasel.’ Larry hears this and he stops running. He grabs the radio and runs back to the auditorium. As he runs and crosses the street, he almost gets hit by a car]
[Cut back to the fighting ring. Kilduff punches Curly a couple of times and he falls to the floor. The referee starts counting]
REFEREE: One, two, three
[Curly gets up.]
[Cut to Larry who is still running back to the auditorium with the radio in his hand. As he is running, he accidentally knocks a person down.]
[Cut back to the ring. Kilduff grabs Curly and starts punching him]
CURLY: Hey Moe! Where’s Larry?
REFEREE: Come on, break!
[Moe sees the timekeeper asleep. He walks up to a boy who is eating hard candy]
MOE: [to the boy] How’s for a piece of candy, red?
BOY: Sure!
[Moe takes a piece of hard candy and throws it at the bell. The bell rings and the timekeeper wakes up]
[Curly walks back to the end of the ring. The boy throws a candy at the bell and it rings. The timekeeper gets startled]
[Moe slaps Curly. Curly walks back to the center of the ring]
[The timekeeper looks at the boy and the boy quickly looks away. The timekeeper has a smile on his face because he knows that the boy threw the candy]
[Kilduff punches Curly a few times.]
[Cut to Larry who is still running back to the auditorium. As he runs across the street, he almost gets hit by a car again.]
[Cut back to the fighting ring. Curly starts losing control of himself and he accidentally hits his hand on the post at the end of the ring. He hurts his hand. He walks back to the center of the ring.]
[The boy turns his head to look at the timekeeper. The timekeeper quickly turns his head and spots the boy. The boy turns his head away. The timekeeper smiles.]
[Kilduff punches Curly a few times. Kilduff grabs Curly and punches Curly in the rear a few times. On Curly’s pants are some musical notes. Kilduff hits Curly in the rear where the notes are located. As he punches Curly in the rear, we hear a cling sound.]
CURLY: Oh!
[Kilduff punches Curly and he falls down. Curly gets up and Kilduff blows on him. Curly falls down again]
[The boy gets ready to throw a candy at the bell. The timekeeper sees this. As soon as the boy throws his candy at the bell, the timekeeper quickly hammers on the bell at the same time the candy hits it.]
[Curly is still lying down in the center of the ring. Moe drags him to the corner.]
MOE: Now get up! What’s the matter with you?
[Three men help Moe get Curly up on the stool. The men start rubbing Moe]
MOE: Get outta the way! [points to Curly] He’s the guy who needs rubbin’.
[Moe and the three men start rubbing Curly]
[The timekeeper looks at his clock. The boy throws a candy at the bell and it rings. The timekeeper gets startled.]
[Curly and Kilduff begin fighting. Kilduff punches Curly]
[Larry quickly runs into the auditorium with the radio, which is still playing “Pop Goes The Weasel.”]
LARRY: Hey! I got it! I got it!
[Larry runs up to Moe and places the radio at the end of the ring. Moe taps Larry in the head]
[Curly hears the Weasel song and starts his woo-woo. Suddenly, the Weasel song stops and a radio announcer starts talking.]
RADIO ANNOUNCER: And now, little kiddies, Uncle Dan will tell you how Fuzzy Bear met Jerry Porcupine under the old hollow tree stump in the woods, right next to Peter Rabbit’s gingerbread house.
[Kilduff punches Curly a couple of times. Moe grabs the radio and breaks it on Larry’s head. Larry falls backwards and lands at the back of the auditorium. He runs out of the auditorium]
[Kilduff punches Curly a few times. The boy gets ready to throw a candy at the bell. The timekeeper sees this. As soon as the boy throws his candy at the bell, the timekeeper quickly hammers on the bell at the same time the candy hits it. The timekeeper sticks his tongue out at the boy]
[Curly sits on the stool at the corner of the ring. Kilduff gargles on some liquid and spits it out on a funnel connected by a hose. When Moe puts the funnel in front of Curly, Curly just talks into it]
CURLY: [talking into the funnel] Hello ma. Doing the best I can. But I’m afraid it’s not good enough. Have you seen Larry, Ma?
[Moe slaps Curly in the head]
MOE: What’s the matter with you?
[Curly slaps one of the men next to him]
[Cut to the outside where we see Larry running]
[Cut to the auditorium. The boy throws a candy at the bell. The timekeeper catches the candy and rings the bell with his hammer.]
[Kilduff punches Curly. Curly punches Kilduff. The lady that Curly was flirting with earlier starts getting excited]
LADY: Get in there with that left!
[Kilduff grabs Curly and punches him in the face several times. Curly bites the side of Kilduff’s stomach. Kilduff punches Curly a couple of times.]
[Cut to the outside where we see Larry still running]
[Cut back to the fighting ring. The referee tries to break the fight between Curly and Kilduff. Curly grabs the referee and uses him as a shield.]
REFEREE: You can’t do that. Let go! No!
[Kilduff throws a punch, the referee ducks, and Curly gets hit. Curly taps the referee hard. Curly tries to climb out of the ring, but he gets tangled up with the ropes]
REFEREE: What’s the matter here?
CURLY: Time out! Time out!
MOE: I suppose you want the afternoon off.
[Cut to the outside. Larry hears a truck playing “Pop Goes The Weasel.” He runs inside the truck and drives away with it. The man standing on the back of the truck falls off.]
[Cut back to the fighting ring. Kilduff punches Curly a couple of times.]
[Cut to Moe who is eating a sponge as he watches Curly get beat up.]
[Cut to the outside where we see Larry driving the truck recklessly]
[Cut back to the fighting ring. Kilduff punches Curly a couple of times.]
[Cut to the outside where we still see Larry driving the truck recklessly]
[Cut back to the fighting ring. Kilduff throws a big punch at Curly and he falls on the floor. The referee starts counting.]
REFEREE: One, two…
[Larry crashes the truck into the auditorium. Curly hears the Weasel song playing. He gets up]
REFEREE: …Five
[Curly does his woo-woo. He punches Kilduff several times]
LADY: Oh, that’s it, K.O.! Come on!
[Curly punches Kilduff several more times and he gets knocked out. The crowd cheers.]
LADY: Boy! Whoo!!
[The Weasel song stops playing. Larry gets out of the truck and climbs into the ring to join Moe and Curly]
CURLY: What happened?
MOE: Why, you’re the new champ!
LARRY: I knew we’d do it.
[Moe and Larry shakes hands]
MOE: We put it over.
LARRY: Oh, we came through!
[The “Pop Goes The Weasel” song starts playing again. Curly starts panting. He does his woo-woo and he gives Moe and Larry one good punch. They fall to the floor. The crowd cheers. Curly walks towards the camera as he continues to do his woo-woo. The scene fades out]
--THE END--
MUG #1: [to Moe] And you call yourself a fight manager. Where’s our cut from last night’s show?
MUG #2: [to Moe] Yeah, the only cut I got so far is this one over my eye. [points to the band-aid on his forehead]
MOE: So help me, boys. After taking out expenses, there ain’t enough left to feed a mouse.
MUG #1: Now, get this Moe. We’re quittin’ you see.
MOE: Now, wait a minute, gentlemen! You mugs can’t do that to me. I’ll be left without any fighters.
[Curly enters the restaurant. He removes his hat and gloves. He puts his gloves in his hat. He dumps his hat and cane out the window. Mr. McGurn, the manager, approaches Curly]
McGURN: Hello, Beau Brummel.
CURLY: How are you, Mr. McGurn?
[Curly takes off his jacket and dumps it out the window. Curly untucks his uniform and gets ready to get to work. Mr. McGurn stops Curly]
McGURN: Wait a minute. Where have you been?
CURLY: Out to lunch.
[Mr. McGurn slaps Curly twice]
McGURN: Get over there and wait on those customers.
CURLY: Yes, sir. Mr.----
[Mr. McGurn kicks Curly in the rear. Curly walks up to Moe and the three mugs]
CURLY: What’ll you have, gentlemen?
[The three mugs start talking at the same time]
MUG #1: Give me the biggest steak on the house.
MUG #3: Ham and eggs
[Talking simultaneously]
MOE: Hold on! Hold on! [The mugs stop talking] I ain’t had my dessert yet. [to Curly] Four slices of burnt toast and a rotten egg.
CURLY: Burnt toast and a rotten egg?
MOE: Yeah!
CURLY: What you want that for?
MOE: I got a tape worm and it’s good enough for him.
CURLY: I know how you feel. [lightly taps Moe on the back]
CURLY: [to the mugs] What’ll you gentlemen have?
[The three mugs start talking at the same time]
MUG #1: I want the biggest steak on the house
MOE: Wait a minute!!!
[The mugs stop talking]
MOE: [to Curly] Three hamburgers for the mugs.
CURLY: Three hamburgers. [writes it down on his pad and leaves the table]
[Larry enters the restaurant carrying a violin case. He approaches Mr. McGurn]
LARRY: Pardon me, stranger. I’m a musician.
McGURN: So what?
LARRY: Well I thought if you had some music around the place, you might increase business.
McGURN: How much dough do you generally get?
LARRY: Well I get $250, but for you I’ll take 200.
McGURN: I’ll give you a bowl of soup.
LARRY: I’ll take it.
McGURN: If you’re good.
LARRY: [says quietly to himself] I hope the soup’s good.
[Larry walks to the other end of the restaurant]
LARRY: [as he opens his violin case, he says to Mr. McGurn] You’ll never regret this, mister.
[Mr. McGurn just nods his head]
[Larry starts playing the violin. As he plays, a bird ends up standing on the end of the bow chirping.]
LARRY: [sticks the bow out the window] Scram!
[Curly walks up to Moe and the three mugs]
CURLY: I’m sorry, gentlemen. You can’t have any hamburger. The meat’s too fresh.
MOE: [stands up] The meat ain’t the only thing that’s fresh around here, is it? [slaps Curly in the head]
[The mugs starts attacking Curly]
CURLY: Oh. Aw, give us a break, will ya fellas? I’m a citizen, ain’t I? Wait, stop it. Fellas, I didn’t mean---
MOE: [eyepokes Curly] Don’t try that stuff around here. Now, you’re gonna bring the boys the food?!
[Larry starts playing “Pop Goes The Weasel” on the violin. Curly starts panting, he wipes his face with his hands rapidly and starts woo-wooing. He then starts punching the mugs and he knocks them out]
MOE: You can’t do that!
[Curly punches Moe in the face. Larry stops playing. Moe gets up, holding his face in pain]
MOE: [sees the mugs on the floor knocked out] Say! You’re a born champ!
CURLY: Did I do that?
MOE: Sure, what’s eatin’ ya? Don’t ya remember?
CURLY: No. Every time I hear that weasel tunes, something pops inside of me, then everything goes black.
[Mr. McGurn grabs Curly by the ear]
McGURN: Hey! What’s the idea? You’re trying to ruin my business? [slaps Curly]
CURLY: I’m sorry!
McGURN: Look at my customers! [slaps Curly]
CURLY: I’m a victim of circumstance.
McGURN: What do you think this is? A joint? [slaps Curly]
CURLY: It’s that pop the weasel.
MOE: [to Larry] Hey Fiddler! Give us that weasel tune again!
[Larry plays “Pop Goes The Weasel” on the violin. Curly starts panting, he wipes his face with his hands rapidly and starts woo-wooing. He gives Mr. McGurn a good punch in the face and he flies up in the air. Larry stops playing]
CURLY: What happened?
MOE: Look! [points up]
[We see Mr. McGurn lying on top of the ceiling fan unconscious.]
CURLY: How’d he get up there?
MOE: It worked! Shake hands with your new manager. [shakes hands with Curly and kisses him on the forehead] Boy, we’re gonna make a lot of money. Come on.
[Moe and Curly start walking towards the door. Moe grabs Larry by the hair]
MOE: I need you too. From now on we’re a corporation.
LARRY: Where are we going?
MOE: We got a lot of training to do. [drags Larry out of the restaurant by the hair]
[Curly flips the switch on the wall and the ceiling fan turns on. Mr. McGurn is now spinning around as he lies on the fan. The scene ends.]
[A new scene begins outside. Curly is rowing a wagon. He is dragging Moe and Larry. Larry is standing on top of his wagon as he plays the violin.]
MOE: [as Curly is rowing] Stroke! Stroke! Stroke! Stroke! Stroke! Stroke! Stroke! Stroke!
[Larry loses his balance while standing on his wagon, so he falls on Moe]
MOE: What’s going on around here? [slaps Larry] What’s the idea?
LARRY: I lost my ba-lance.
MOE: Oh, you lost your ba-lance, eh?
LARRY: Yeah.
MOE: Well go find it. [pushes Larry’s face and he lands on the water]
[Moe approaches Curly]
MOE: Take it easy. I know you had a tough day, kid.
[Moe takes a drink of water]
MOE: How do you feel now? [touches Curly’s stomach] Oh, you’re in great shape, K.O.
[A lady calls out to Moe and Curly. She is sitting in a car and one of the rear tires is stuck in a ditch]
LADY: Yoo-hoo, gentlemen!
[Moe and Larry see the lady and they notice how attractive she is]
LADY: I’m having a little trouble. I wonder if you can help me.
[Curly stands up but Moe bonks him on the head]
MOE: Sit down, lug. Didn’t you hear the lady? She said “gentlemen.” Besides I always told you, boxing and women don’t mix. [slaps Curly]
[Moe approaches the lady]
MOE: Now, what can I do for you, toots?
LADY: I’m in a terrible dilemma.
MOE: Yeah, I don’t care much for these foreign cars either.
LADY: You don’t understand. I’m stuck.
MOE: On me? That’s funny. That’s what they all tell me.
LADY: I mean in the ditch. [points to the rear tire on her car to show that it’s stuck]
MOE: The ditch. [looks at the tire that’s stuck] Haha. Yeah. [yells out to Curly] Hey, K.O. Don’t sit there like a dummy. Come over here!
[Curly walks up to Moe]
MOE: Give me a hand.
CURLY: [extends both hands] Which one?
MOE: [slaps Curly] Get on the bumper. Wait a minute. We need more help. Where’s Larry?
CURLY: [looks off-camera and points] Look!
[Larry is stuck in the water. Moe and Curly run up to him. Moe helps him up]
MOE: Get right here. Come here. Alright kid. Take it easy. Take it easy kid. What’s wrong with you?
[Larry gets up]
LARRY: Wait a minute. Wait, look at this. Look at this here.
MOE: What’s the matter?
[Larry grabs a live fish from his jacket pocket and shows it to Moe]
LARRY: Oh. Look at that!
MOE: Yeah, it’s a fine time to go fishing. [slaps Larry]
[Moe slaps Curly and starts dragging him and Larry to the lady’s car]
LARRY: Wait a minute. You don’t know how it happened. I was standing--- You--- It’s your fault sometimes.
MOE: We got work to do. Come on. [to Curly] Curly get on that mudguard there. [to Larry] Hey you! Help me here.
MOE: Wait a minute. I got a better idea than this. In music, there’s strength.
LARRY: Yeah
MOE: Give K.O. a couple of bars of weasel.
[Larry picks up his violin and starts playing “Pop Goes The Weasel.” Curly does his woo-woo and wipes his face rapidly. He lifts up the back of the car. Larry stops playing. Curly loses his strength and the car falls on Moe’s foot.]
MOE: Ow, my foot! Hey Curly, get it off.
CURLY: [tries to lift the car, but can’t] I can’t budge it.
MOE: Well, do something.
[Curly walks up to Moe and stares at his foot that’s stuck]
MOE: [hits Curly on the head] What are you standing around for? Do something!
[Larry is about to play the violin again, but Curly calls him]
CURLY: Hey Larry!
LARRY: [to the lady] Pardon me. I’ll be with you in a minute, my sweet! [walks up to Moe] Come on, we’ll take care of this guy.
[Larry starts yanking Moe’s foot out]
LARRY: Heave.
MOE: Oh!
[Larry yanks again]
MOE: Oh!
[Larry yanks again]
LARRY: Heave!
MOE: Oh!
LARRY: Wait a minute.
[Moe gets his foot free. Larry takes his violin and starts playing “Pop Goes The Weasel.” Curly does his woo-woo and wipes his face rapidly with his hands. He lifts the car out of the ditch. The lady starts the car and Curly climbs in. The lady and Curly drive away in the car. The scene ends.]
[A new scene begins inside a fighting ring where we see a fighter get knocked out. A newspaper appears on the screen with the headline that reads: “Stradivarius Stops Gitlitz!”]
[Dissolve to Larry who is playing “Pop Goes The Weasel” on the violin. Cut to Curly who is in the fighting ring. He hears the song and starts his woo-woo. The audience starts cheering. A newspaper appears on the screen with the headline that reads: “Stradivarius Wins Again By K.O.” We see a fighter get knocked out in the fighting ring]
[Dissolve to Larry who is playing “Pop Goes The Weasel” on the violin. Cut to Curly who is in the fighting ring. He hears the song and starts his woo-woo. A newspaper appears on the screen with the headline that reads: “Stradivarius To Meet Champion!”]
[Dissolve to a sign that reads: “Boxing- K.O. Stradivarius vs. Killer Kilduff. Worlds Championship Tonight”]
[Dissolve to the outside of the Olympic Auditorium. We see a crowd of people outside]
[Cut to a room where Curly and the Lady, whose car was stuck in the ditch before, are talking]
LADY: I’m so afraid you’ll get hurt, honey.
CURLY: Don’t worry about me, dear. I’m a man without feelings.
[Moe walks in, sees the two talking and he slaps Curly in the head]
MOE: What’d I tell you about mixing fighting with women? [slaps Curly] Get upstairs.
[Curly stops and waves at the Lady]
MOE: [slaps Curly again] Go on upstairs.
MOE: [to the lady] See you after the fight. Don’t worry now. I won’t get hurt. See ya, toots. [leaves]
[Larry comes out from behind the door. He starts playing the violin and serenades to the lady. Moe enters with a bucket of water and dumps it all on Larry’s head]
MOE: Get upstairs!! [drags Larry out of the room]
[Cut to the fighting ring]
REFEREE: In this corner, the champion, Killer Kilduff.
[Kilduff stands up and the crowd cheers]
REFEREE: In this corner, the challenger, K.O. Stradivarius.
[Curly is sitting on his stool asleep. Moe hits Curly in the head.]
MOE: Take a bow, dummy.
[Curly waves to the crowd. Moe slaps Curly on the head]
[The referee signals to Curly to come over. Kilduff and Curly walk up to the referee. Curly gives the referee an apple. He takes it and takes a bite out of it]
REFEREE: [talking with his mouth full] Now, I want you boys to make a good, clean fight. No holding and hitting and no dirty tactics.
[Larry enters the auditorium with his violin. He takes a seat in the front row. He tunes his violin and plays a few notes]
[Cut to Curly in the ring]
CURLY: [to Moe] Who am I fighting?
MOE: [points to Kilduff] That guy sitting on the chair.
[Curly sees Kilduff, he gets scared and attempts to climb out of the ring. Moe grabs him]
MOE: Come here. [slaps Curly] Sit down!
[Curly sits down. His right leg starts shaking and it makes a clattering sound]
MOE: What’s the matter? You nervous, toots?
CURLY: No, only in that leg. [points to his right leg]
[The lady, whom Curly was flirting with earlier, waves at Curly. Curly blows a kiss at her. Moe sees this. Moe hits Curly in the stomach]
CURLY: Ooh! [Moe hits Curly in the head] Ooh!
MOE: What, are you flirting?
[The timekeeper looks at his clock and rings the bell with the hammer. Curly and Kilduff start fighting. Kilduff punches Curly a few times. Larry starts playing “Pop Goes The Weasel on his violin. Curly does his woo-woo, but Kilduff throws a big punch at Curly. Curly flies out of the ring and lands on Larry. When Curly gets up, Larry sees that his violin is broken. Moe sees this and he looks upset. Curly gets back in the ring and starts getting beat up by Kilduff. Larry sees this and he quickly runs out of the auditorium]
CURLY: [stops Kilduff from punching him] Wait a minute! Your shoe’s untied.
[Kilduff looks down at his shoes and Curly punches him, but the punch wasn’t strong enough and Kilduff didn’t get hurt]
KILDUFF: Oh, so it is. Thanks pal! [punches Curly]
[Curly falls and the referee starts counting]
REFEREE: One, two, three…
[Curly grabs the referee’s arm and pulls himself up. Kilduff punches Curly]
[Cut to the outside where we see Larry running down the block]
[Cut back to the fighting ring. Kilduff punches Curly]
CURLY: Oh!
[Curly walks away and gets ready to get out of the ring. Moe walks up to him]
MOE: Where you going?
CURLY: This is getting on my nerves!
MOE: Get back in there or I’ll tear your tonsils out. [slaps Curly in the head]
[Cut to the outside where we see Larry still running]
[Cut back to the fighting ring]
KILDUFF: [to Curly] Put up your hands!
[Curly raises his hands and Kilduff punches him in the stomach]
CURLY: Oh!
[Kilduff punches Curly in the face]
CURLY: Oh!
[Cut to the outside where we see Larry running. He runs past a radio store and there is a radio in front of the store playing “Pop Goes The Weasel.’ Larry hears this and he stops running. He grabs the radio and runs back to the auditorium. As he runs and crosses the street, he almost gets hit by a car]
[Cut back to the fighting ring. Kilduff punches Curly a couple of times and he falls to the floor. The referee starts counting]
REFEREE: One, two, three
[Curly gets up.]
[Cut to Larry who is still running back to the auditorium with the radio in his hand. As he is running, he accidentally knocks a person down.]
[Cut back to the ring. Kilduff grabs Curly and starts punching him]
CURLY: Hey Moe! Where’s Larry?
REFEREE: Come on, break!
[Moe sees the timekeeper asleep. He walks up to a boy who is eating hard candy]
MOE: [to the boy] How’s for a piece of candy, red?
BOY: Sure!
[Moe takes a piece of hard candy and throws it at the bell. The bell rings and the timekeeper wakes up]
[Curly walks back to the end of the ring. The boy throws a candy at the bell and it rings. The timekeeper gets startled]
[Moe slaps Curly. Curly walks back to the center of the ring]
[The timekeeper looks at the boy and the boy quickly looks away. The timekeeper has a smile on his face because he knows that the boy threw the candy]
[Kilduff punches Curly a few times.]
[Cut to Larry who is still running back to the auditorium. As he runs across the street, he almost gets hit by a car again.]
[Cut back to the fighting ring. Curly starts losing control of himself and he accidentally hits his hand on the post at the end of the ring. He hurts his hand. He walks back to the center of the ring.]
[The boy turns his head to look at the timekeeper. The timekeeper quickly turns his head and spots the boy. The boy turns his head away. The timekeeper smiles.]
[Kilduff punches Curly a few times. Kilduff grabs Curly and punches Curly in the rear a few times. On Curly’s pants are some musical notes. Kilduff hits Curly in the rear where the notes are located. As he punches Curly in the rear, we hear a cling sound.]
CURLY: Oh!
[Kilduff punches Curly and he falls down. Curly gets up and Kilduff blows on him. Curly falls down again]
[The boy gets ready to throw a candy at the bell. The timekeeper sees this. As soon as the boy throws his candy at the bell, the timekeeper quickly hammers on the bell at the same time the candy hits it.]
[Curly is still lying down in the center of the ring. Moe drags him to the corner.]
MOE: Now get up! What’s the matter with you?
[Three men help Moe get Curly up on the stool. The men start rubbing Moe]
MOE: Get outta the way! [points to Curly] He’s the guy who needs rubbin’.
[Moe and the three men start rubbing Curly]
[The timekeeper looks at his clock. The boy throws a candy at the bell and it rings. The timekeeper gets startled.]
[Curly and Kilduff begin fighting. Kilduff punches Curly]
[Larry quickly runs into the auditorium with the radio, which is still playing “Pop Goes The Weasel.”]
LARRY: Hey! I got it! I got it!
[Larry runs up to Moe and places the radio at the end of the ring. Moe taps Larry in the head]
[Curly hears the Weasel song and starts his woo-woo. Suddenly, the Weasel song stops and a radio announcer starts talking.]
RADIO ANNOUNCER: And now, little kiddies, Uncle Dan will tell you how Fuzzy Bear met Jerry Porcupine under the old hollow tree stump in the woods, right next to Peter Rabbit’s gingerbread house.
[Kilduff punches Curly a couple of times. Moe grabs the radio and breaks it on Larry’s head. Larry falls backwards and lands at the back of the auditorium. He runs out of the auditorium]
[Kilduff punches Curly a few times. The boy gets ready to throw a candy at the bell. The timekeeper sees this. As soon as the boy throws his candy at the bell, the timekeeper quickly hammers on the bell at the same time the candy hits it. The timekeeper sticks his tongue out at the boy]
[Curly sits on the stool at the corner of the ring. Kilduff gargles on some liquid and spits it out on a funnel connected by a hose. When Moe puts the funnel in front of Curly, Curly just talks into it]
CURLY: [talking into the funnel] Hello ma. Doing the best I can. But I’m afraid it’s not good enough. Have you seen Larry, Ma?
[Moe slaps Curly in the head]
MOE: What’s the matter with you?
[Curly slaps one of the men next to him]
[Cut to the outside where we see Larry running]
[Cut to the auditorium. The boy throws a candy at the bell. The timekeeper catches the candy and rings the bell with his hammer.]
[Kilduff punches Curly. Curly punches Kilduff. The lady that Curly was flirting with earlier starts getting excited]
LADY: Get in there with that left!
[Kilduff grabs Curly and punches him in the face several times. Curly bites the side of Kilduff’s stomach. Kilduff punches Curly a couple of times.]
[Cut to the outside where we see Larry still running]
[Cut back to the fighting ring. The referee tries to break the fight between Curly and Kilduff. Curly grabs the referee and uses him as a shield.]
REFEREE: You can’t do that. Let go! No!
[Kilduff throws a punch, the referee ducks, and Curly gets hit. Curly taps the referee hard. Curly tries to climb out of the ring, but he gets tangled up with the ropes]
REFEREE: What’s the matter here?
CURLY: Time out! Time out!
MOE: I suppose you want the afternoon off.
[Cut to the outside. Larry hears a truck playing “Pop Goes The Weasel.” He runs inside the truck and drives away with it. The man standing on the back of the truck falls off.]
[Cut back to the fighting ring. Kilduff punches Curly a couple of times.]
[Cut to Moe who is eating a sponge as he watches Curly get beat up.]
[Cut to the outside where we see Larry driving the truck recklessly]
[Cut back to the fighting ring. Kilduff punches Curly a couple of times.]
[Cut to the outside where we still see Larry driving the truck recklessly]
[Cut back to the fighting ring. Kilduff throws a big punch at Curly and he falls on the floor. The referee starts counting.]
REFEREE: One, two…
[Larry crashes the truck into the auditorium. Curly hears the Weasel song playing. He gets up]
REFEREE: …Five
[Curly does his woo-woo. He punches Kilduff several times]
LADY: Oh, that’s it, K.O.! Come on!
[Curly punches Kilduff several more times and he gets knocked out. The crowd cheers.]
LADY: Boy! Whoo!!
[The Weasel song stops playing. Larry gets out of the truck and climbs into the ring to join Moe and Curly]
CURLY: What happened?
MOE: Why, you’re the new champ!
LARRY: I knew we’d do it.
[Moe and Larry shakes hands]
MOE: We put it over.
LARRY: Oh, we came through!
[The “Pop Goes The Weasel” song starts playing again. Curly starts panting. He does his woo-woo and he gives Moe and Larry one good punch. They fall to the floor. The crowd cheers. Curly walks towards the camera as he continues to do his woo-woo. The scene fades out]
--THE END--
COLUMBIA : Three Stooges, The Volume VI
Published by RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video (1983)
Released on:
Published by RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video (1983)
Released on:
- VHS
- Laser Disc
- Beta
COLUMBIA : Three Stooges, The Volume III
Published by RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video (1984)
Released on:
Published by RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video (1984)
Released on:
- CED
COLUMBIA : Three Stooges Comedy Classics, The
Published by Columbia TriStar Home Video (1995)
Released on:
Published by Columbia TriStar Home Video (1995)
Released on:
- Laser Disc
COLUMBIA : Goofs on the Loose
Published by Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment (2004)
Released on:
Published by Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment (2004)
Released on:
- DVD
COLUMBIA : Three Stooges Collection, The Vol. 1: 1934 - 1936
Published by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2007)
Released on:
Published by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2007)
Released on:
- DVD
COLUMBIA : Three Stooges Blu-Ray Collection, The
Published by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2024)
Released on:
Published by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2024)
Released on:
|
Face Slaps: 30
Eye Pokes: 1
Head Bonks: 0
Pastry Thrown: 0
|
|
|
Re: PUNCH DRUNKS
Posted 2002-01-29 23:23:00 by Shemp_Diesel
Edited 2014-11-28 16:40:37 by Shemp_Diesel
Reviewer's Rating: (7)
Posted 2002-01-29 23:23:00 by Shemp_Diesel
Edited 2014-11-28 16:40:37 by Shemp_Diesel
I've always felt that if this same script had been turned in 3 or 4 years later under the direction of Jules, Del, or even Preston Black this would've been a classic. In a way I think Grips, Grunts, & Groans kind of proves it. As it is, this short is good but has a very slow pace to it. You can see that the boys have a ways to go as far as perfecting their personas & besides that some of the scenes here just seem thrown in to eat up minutes (The prolonged scene w/ Dorothy Granger & her car stuck in the mud). Punch Drunks is certainly viewable but there was better to come.7 pokes
Reviewer's Rating:
(7)
Re: PUNCH DRUNKS
Posted 2010-07-15 11:56:55 by Final Shemp
Reviewer's Rating: (10)
Posted 2010-07-15 11:56:55 by Final Shemp
One of the Stooges earliest Columbia
Reviewer's Rating:
(10)
Re: PUNCH DRUNKS
Posted 2010-03-30 13:05:39 by Gritto RhumBoogie
Reviewer's Rating: (9)
Posted 2010-03-30 13:05:39 by Gritto RhumBoogie
A great Stooge short. Not perfect, but most definitely in the upper fourth of their shorts. Curly having a trigger that makes him go nuts is reused in Horse's Collars, Tassels in the Air, and Grips, Grunts, and Groans. 3.5 stars.
Reviewer's Rating:
(9)
Re: PUNCH DRUNKS
Posted 2010-02-10 00:03:13 by [Deleted Member]
Posted 2010-02-10 00:03:13 by [Deleted Member]
This is the ultimate stooge short. You have the three greastest stooges and Curly going insane beating eveyone in his sight as soon as he hears pop goes the weasel
Re: PUNCH DRUNKS
Posted 2009-04-23 22:10:36 by Carrie The Canary
Posted 2009-04-23 22:10:36 by Carrie The Canary
Very, very good.Their first success. Woman Haters was a misfire, but this was spot on.I played this short to my three kids. Curly going nuts when hearing "Pop Goes The Weasel" had them in stitches, but when the radio stopped playing the song and Moe brought it down over Larry's head, my kids went into hysterics.
Re: PUNCH DRUNKS
Posted 2008-08-20 21:39:20 by DocWatson
Reviewer's Rating: (10)
Posted 2008-08-20 21:39:20 by DocWatson
This one I remember not viewing until I was in 6th or 7th grade. I loved this one although sometimes I end up forgetting it when I'm thinking of my favorite shorts. Curly is in top form here, even though I wouldn't call this one of the best, it's certainly memorable.
Reviewer's Rating:
(10)
Re: PUNCH DRUNKS
Posted 2007-11-08 00:46:26 by skeit
Posted 2007-11-08 00:46:26 by skeit
Great short. All three are at the top of their game. So many of the standard stooge gags were first seen here which makes me think that the Stooges should have gotten writing credits more often than they did. Arthur Houseman almost steals the film, though, as the timekeeper.
The only thing missing about this short is the lack of the standard supporting cast members who, at leas to the die hard fans, were as much a part of these shorts as the Stooges themselves.
I can't hear Pop Goes the Weasel without thinking of this film.
3.5 pokes
Re: PUNCH DRUNKS
Posted 2007-09-02 23:54:00 by Army
Reviewer's Rating: (10)
Posted 2007-09-02 23:54:00 by Army
This is one of the most funniest three stooges episodes I have ever seen. Curly going mad whenever he hears Pop Goes The Weasel. I showed my little brother and he cracked up.
Reviewer's Rating:
(10)
Re: PUNCH DRUNKS
Posted 2007-08-31 13:28:44 by andrei54
Edited 2007-08-31 13:38:00 by andrei54
Reviewer's Rating: (5)
Posted 2007-08-31 13:28:44 by andrei54
Edited 2007-08-31 13:38:00 by andrei54
Looking at all the good reviews, I feel a little odd saying this is not one of my favorites by a long shot. It's rather boring, and the only good bits are of Curley's fight with the champion. The "Pop Goes The Weasel" song gets incredibly tired by the end of the short, but Curley once again keeps the excitement alive with his antics.A good part away from the ring is when Curley punches the restaurant owner up into the fan, and when Larry gets water dumped on him as he tries to play the violin for the woman.2 Pokes
Reviewer's Rating:
(5)
RE: PUNCH DRUNKS (1934)
Posted 2004-01-17 18:54:00 by [Deleted Member]
Edited 2004-01-18 00:17:00 by [Deleted Member]
Posted 2004-01-17 18:54:00 by [Deleted Member]
Edited 2004-01-18 00:17:00 by [Deleted Member]
I love this short another great they made plus the stooges only short they wrote and its a good one. plus my favorite part were larry driveing the truck and he keeps the hitting curve. I don't know if he a bad driver or he's trying to save time for Curly it doesn't matter it's a great and a very funny short
Re: PUNCH DRUNKS
Posted 2001-09-04 02:14:00 by [Deleted Member]
Edited 2003-12-31 10:13:00 by [Deleted Member]
Posted 2001-09-04 02:14:00 by [Deleted Member]
Edited 2003-12-31 10:13:00 by [Deleted Member]
"Punch Drunks" definately deserves more credit than it gets. The writing skills of Howard, Fine and Howard also definately deserves more credit than it got (and stil gets). To me, it makes more sense to have somebody go crazy because of a certain tune than because of a perfume (wild hyacinth- in "Grips, Grunts and Groans") or a tassel (in "Tassels in the Air"). I guess I can understand going crazy because of the sight of a mouse (in "Horses Collars"), but only if you have a fear of them. One thing I've noticed about these "Curly goes nuts" shorts is that they usually give a reason for him going nuts. Here, when Moe asks Curly about it, all Curly says is "Whenever I hear that Weasel tune, something pops inside me." That's a fact, not a reason. But PLEASE, don't let that take away from your enjoyment of this early masterpiece. I'm sure that it was the best they could do without having fully developed their Stooge personalities. Their "best" was excellent in my opinion. I cracked up when Larry snuck out from behind the door and attempted to flirt with the lady by playing "Let's Fall in Love" (A good song choice for the era they lived in- Larry also played the song earlier in the short in the "stroke" scene, just before he lost his ba-LANCE!) That lady looked like Larry had her in the palm of his hand until Moe literally threw cold water on the deal! GREAT short! It's one of my all-time favorites.ISLIPP-2001
RE: PUNCH DRUNKS (1934)
Posted 2003-11-05 18:03:00 by AndrewRB
Reviewer's Rating: (9)
Posted 2003-11-05 18:03:00 by AndrewRB
Curly was great here as the boxer. The restaurant mayhem set the stage, Curly's training helped the plot, and the fight completed the package. Fighting over the girl was completely ridiculous, and helped PUNCH DRUNKS a lot. Larry's entrances into the arena were great too. "I lost my ba-lance."
Reviewer's Rating:
(9)
Re: PUNCH DRUNKS
Posted 2003-10-27 01:33:00 by LarryFan
Posted 2003-10-27 01:33:00 by LarryFan
It's hard to believe that only their second Columbia short is considered a classic today. But I guess that just goes to show how extraordinary the boys were. I like that Larry also plays a significant role in this film, too. He's not the star of the short, but watching him run in fast motion looking for anything playing "Pop Goes the Weasel" cracks me up everytime. "I lost my ba-lance!"
Re: PUNCH DRUNKS
Posted 2003-08-03 02:37:00 by [Deleted Member]
Reviewer's Rating: (10)
Posted 2003-08-03 02:37:00 by [Deleted Member]
A leading candidate for one of the funniest comedy films ever made by [i]anyone,[/i] "Punch Drunks" is a runaway starring role for Curly, but Moe, Larry, and all of the supporting players are so good that everyone involved contributes to making this short a true classic. Beautifully paced, and with a great premise ("Every time I hear that Weasel tune, something [i]pops[/i] inside of me!"), this short established the Stooges' characters for the next decade and a half, until Curly's retirement. A must-see for anyone who loves great physical comedy (the "voibal" stuff ain't so bad, either).
Reviewer's Rating:
(10)
Re: PUNCH DRUNKS
Posted 2000-07-27 18:02:00 by Stooge
Edited 2003-06-30 00:07:00 by Stooge
Reviewer's Rating: (9)
Posted 2000-07-27 18:02:00 by Stooge
Edited 2003-06-30 00:07:00 by Stooge
A very good film, and a big improvement over WOMAN HATERS. This also has a significant importance because it explores each Stooge's personality probably better than any other short. Curly, playing the "wild" character as the person who goes fighting mad when hearing the "Pop Goes the Weasel" tune. Larry, the "middleman" playing the person set to play the "Weasel" tune, and Curly and Moe are not able to go on without his assistance. Moe, playing the usual "bossy" character, as Curly's boxing manager. The Stooges being the scriptwriters of this (and only this one) short probably has something to do with this "character development". This would have been a much better choice for the first Stooge short, plus they first meet each other at the beginning, so that would've also been a good way to start the Stooges off.
Reviewer's Rating:
(9)
Re: PUNCH DRUNKS
Posted 2001-05-18 17:05:00 by Nicole
Posted 2001-05-18 17:05:00 by Nicole
When I first saw this, I didn't know what to make of it (at that time, I had only seen five Stooge shorts and didn't quite know what to make of the Stooges). After seeing it a second time I grew to like it. Then, after the third time, I loved it! When I first saw this, Curly going nuts just by hearing some song seemed just silly, but after watching the Stooges for a couple of months, this is much more funnier! Just one thing, the film slowed a tiny bit after the first scene. What I think is the best part of this short: LARRY PLAYING HIS VIOLIN!!!!!
Re: PUNCH DRUNKS
Posted 2001-03-28 18:46:00 by sickdrjoe
Posted 2001-03-28 18:46:00 by sickdrjoe
I wouldn't be surprised if the boys unofficially wrote more shorts than they were credited for. Like most of the earliest Columbia 2-reelers the boys did, it's less a 'short' and more of a 'little movie'. Compared to the later Curlies, which perfected the 'hit each other with hammers till we run out of film stock' formula that helped the Stooges conquer the world, sometimes these first dozen or so play a bit oddly. But they're equally great...just a little different, that's all. Larry crashing the truck into the arena is one of those stamped-on-the-retina childhood memories for me as well.
Re: PUNCH DRUNKS
Posted 2001-02-19 02:30:00 by Mike Holme
Reviewer's Rating: (6)
Posted 2001-02-19 02:30:00 by Mike Holme
This is an improvement over Woman Haters. This is the second short that the stooges made and the first short that Curly goes crazy when he hears, sees, or smells something! Good Short about boxing.
Reviewer's Rating:
(6)
Re: PUNCH DRUNKS
Posted 2000-12-26 22:26:00 by [Deleted Member]
Posted 2000-12-26 22:26:00 by [Deleted Member]
I absolutely love "Punch Drunks"! It's different from the standard short subjects in that the Stooges start out not knowing one another in the beginning of it. Still, I thought it was absolutely wonderful! Something about Larry running back and forth with Pop Goes The Weasel music that cracks me up! The theme of Curly being set off by some offbeat trigger would be the premise of numerous short subjects to come as well as at least one full length movie with Joe DeRita. Great stuff!
Re: PUNCH DRUNKS
Posted 2000-09-16 01:41:00 by Ichabod Slipp
Posted 2000-09-16 01:41:00 by Ichabod Slipp
Fascinating as the only Stooges' story credit. These early films had a more languid pace to them then the more frantic later shorts, but this short is still a classic.
FAIR USE NOTICE: This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We make such material available in an effort to advance awareness and understanding of the issues involved. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information please visit: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission directly from the copyright owner.
