W.C. Fields Never Looked So Good

W C. Fields is arguably the most popular comedian of the early sound-film era and MCA, owner of the Universal film library, is issuing many of his best films in pristine black-and-white laser video editions, infinitely superior to the faded 16-millimeter prints long seen on broadcast television.

The misanthropic, bulbous-nosed, eccentric ruffian never looked or sounded so good.

Of all his films, “The Bank Dick” (1940, 73 minutes, CLV extended play on one side, CAV standard play on the other side) was his favorite. In it, he created a larcenous rogue who triumphs over everyone around him to end up rich and respectable. Fields is Egbert Souse and the insane script written by “Mahatma Kane Jeeves” (one of Fields’ pseudonyms) offers one hilarious bit after another: Fields’ first day on the job grabbing a cap pistol away from a kid; his family’s initial reaction to his heroics; the wild car chase in which the car drives over a trench filled with workers. But as with many other comedies of the era, offensive racism plagues this film and leaves a foul taste.

Probably the film Fields hated the most was “My Little Chickadee” co-scripted by Mae West (1940, 84 minutes, with the theatrical trailer). The sum doesn’t equal the parts. West and Fields made up their own dialogue and the result is two different films being seen at the same time. Fields’ saloon scenes, however, are terrific.

“Never Give a Sucker an Even Break” (1941, 71 minutes) was Fields’ last starring film. He plays himself in a movie without any plot, but there are some funny scenes, especially the often repeated climactic chase.

Fields also appeared in a crazy 1933 film called “International House” (70 minutes) in which an early television experiment brings people from all over the world to a large hotel. Besides Fields, there is George Burns and Gracie Allen, Cab Calloway (singing “Reefer Man”), Rudy Vallee, Bela Lugosi and Baby Rose Marie. It’s a dated curiosity, but the all-star cast is often quite funny.