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In You're Telling Me (1934) W. C. Fields serves up his usual witty humor as Sam Bisbee, an inventor whose projects include a nose lifter-upper and a keyhole finder for drunks. Unfortunately Sam's inventions have not brought him prosperity.
Tired of his late nights and drunken stumbling about when trying to sneak in, his wife Bessie (Louise Carter) continually nags at him. While his approach to the house in the opening scene is not very funny, Fields shows off his brilliant comedic talents once he's inside. The scenes where he continually forgets where he's putting his shoes until Bessie yells at him, and how he gets tangled up in the ropes hanging from their drapes, are both quite humorous.
W. C. Fields and Louise Carter
© Universal Home Entertainment
W. C. Fields and Joan Marsh
© Universal Home Entertainment
One thing that is no joke to both Bisbees is their pretty daughter Pauline (Joan Marsh). Bessie is worried because she's in love with Bob (Larry "Buster" Crabbe), the son of the town snob, Mrs. Edward Quimby Murchison (Kathleen Howard). When the snob makes a visit to inform Bessie that Pauline is not good enough for her son, she's soon shown the door.
Joan Marsh and Larry "Buster" Crabbe © Universal Home Entertainment
W. C. Fields © Universal Home Entertainment
Meanwhile, Sam's bullet-proof tire presentation to a tire company backfires, and he has no more hopes of financial success. Down in the dumps he takes a train trip intent on ending his life. When he meets the lovely Princess Lescaboura (Adrienne Ames), he doesn't realize she's a real princess, but the way she turns his life around is surely for real.
The older black and white film looks good for its age, but this DVD is more about a celebration to iconic early actor and a change to see yet another of his incredible films. The dialogue is short and nothing profound but fits the story, made entertaining by a fine cast.
You're Telling Me is not available individually but is part of 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. More about the collection.
Director: Erle C. Kenton
Writers: Walter DeLeon, Paul M. Jones, J.P. McEvoy (dialogue), Julian Street (story of the princess)
Cast: W. C. Fields, Joan Marsh, Louise Carter, Larry "Buster" Crabbe, Kathleen Howard, Adrienne Ames
Rating: Not Rated
Classic Movie Guide Rating: 3.5 our of 5 stars
DVD Release Date: March 20, 2007
Run Time: 67 minutes
Studio: Universal Home Entertainment
Format: Black & White
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