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While practically any movie fan over the age of 9 has heard the name of the legendary comedic actor W. C. Fields, there are still a zillion fans that have not seen the classic movies of this comic genius. A headliner who left audiences begging for more of his sharp-tongued one-liners, biting wit and slapstick shenanigans, his art comes to life again in Universal Home Entertainment's W. C. Fields Comedy Collection Volume 2. The five classics in the collection offer plenty of opportunity for laughs and a chance to experience some of his brilliant work and include You're Telling Me!, The Old Fashioned Way, Man on the Flying Trapeze, Poppy and Never Give A Sucker An Even Break.
W. C. Fields as Sam Bisbee - Photo Courtesy A.M.P.A.S.
You're Telling Me (1934)
Sam Bisbee is an inventor whose works such as a nose uplifter and keyhole finder for drunks have not brought him prosperity. His wife (Louise Carter) continually nags at him, and his daughter Pauline (Joan Marsh) is in love with Bob (Buster Crabbe), the son of the town snob, Mrs. Edward Quimby Murchison (Kathleen Howard). When Sam's bullet-proof tire presentation backfires, he's down in the dumps and takes a train trip where he meets the lovely Princess Lescaboura (Adrienne Ames) who turns his life around.
Classic Movie Guide Review of You're Telling Me
The Old Fashioned Way (1934)
Fields takes center stage as a manager of The Great McGonigle's traveling theatrical troupe. While preparing for their production of The Drunkard, McGonigle is always one step ahead of the law and one step behind the bills. When the wealthy widow Cleopatra Pepperday puts up money for the show in return for a part, things look up. But then Little Albert Wendelschaffer (Baby LeRoy) adds to McGonigle's (Fields) problems, and sheriffs are always in pursuit. The film also stars Joe Morrison, Judith Allen and Jan Duggan.
Man On The Flying Trapeze (1935)
Ambrose Wolfinger (Fields) is a memory expert and businessman whose only wish is to forget his overbearing in-laws. Hoping to attend a much-anticipated wrestling match, Wolfinger tells his boss that he needs the day off to attend his mother-in-law's funeral, although she hasn't really died. Returning home he faces the deluge of flowers and a furious mother-in-law. It's a family reunion of fast flying quips and hilarious double takes in this classic Fields' comedy. The film also stars Mary Brian, Kathleen Howard, Grady Sutton, Vera Lewis and Walter Brennan.
W. C. Fields as Poppy - Photo Courtesy A.M.P.A.S.
Poppy (1936)
In this rollicking musical comedy of carnivals and con men Fields is trickster Professor McGargle (Fields). When Poppy (Rochelle Hudson), his daughter, falls in love with the Mayor's (Granville Bates) son (Richard Cromwell), McGargle sets out to ensnare his estate. Countess Maggie Tubbs DePuizzi (Catherine Doucet) has something to say about that, and there are surprises for everyone. The film also stars Lynne Overman and Maude Eburne.
Never Give a Sucker an Even Break (1941)
Fields plays himself in this art/real life scenario when he goes to Esoteric Studios to pitch a movie idea. From adventure in a Russian colony in Mexico to wooing a wacky mountaintop millionaire, Fields is up to his craziest antics yet in his presumptuous film pitch. Until he's shown the door instead of the green light. Fields takes off with his niece on a red real slapstick adventure that's even wilder than anything he could have imagined. The film stars W. C. Fields, Leon Billy, Gloria Jean, Billy Lenhart and Kenneth Brown.
Universal Home Entertainment release date: March 20, 2007
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