WCFIELDS Reviews

Live Wires and Love Sparks (1916)

A Wild And Funny Film

[6/10 · 24 February 2015]

Billie Ritchie is a blast in this early silent comedy. He shows great acrobatic skills and able to take a pratfall with the best of them. It is also notable that we get to see a VERY young and fit Eugene Palette. He is the one chasing Billie with that mysterious envelope. Which turns out to be full of cash. The usual marital complications are also fun to watch. His kids especially the two with the thick black eyebrows are a scream. The film isn't a world beater. But it's a pleasant way to pass a few minutes of time. Whether Chaplin copied him or vice versa. It doesn't affect the entertainment value of this film. Give the film a try. I think you'll like it.

Mama Behave (1926)

A harbinger of what's to come in "Mighty Like A Moose"

[9/10 · 3 June 2008]

I rated this a 9 out of 10. Because this film is just as funny or maybe just a little bit shy of the hilarity you find in "Mighty Like A Moose." Charley Chase is screamingly funny as he once again portrays dual roles in this film. Vivien Oakland is delightful as she is once again Charley's wife, whom he decides to teach a lesson. Mildred Harris ( a former Mrs. Charlie Chaplin ) plays the neighbor across the hall, who is a man chasing Flapper Good Time Girl. An honorable mention must be given to veteran supporting actor Syd Crossley as the Chase's butler. This delightful farce was directed by Leo McCarey, who directed so many wonderful comedies both silent and sound. This film is definitely worth seeking out if you are a Charley Chase fan and also if you want to introduce someone to the comedy genius of the sadly under appreciated Charley Chase.

I Like Mountain Music (I) (1933)

Another fun cartoon from Harmon - Ising

[8/10 · 6 January 2008]

This cartoon is included in the "Flying Down To Rio" DVD. It is a nice little cartoon with good music and gags. A bonus is spotting the celebrity caricatures. I rated this an 8 out of 10. It is also a little naughty with one of the girls in silhouette and you can see she is quite anatomically correct. :-) All of the celebrities utter a quote that is more or less instantly identifiable with them. It would be great if more of the Harmon - Ising cartoons were available as an individual DVD. They contained some memorable early animation characters as well as some very snappy musical arrangements. This cartoon is definitely worth watching. I highly recommend it.

Chasing Choo Choos (1927)

A thrill a minute!

[10/10 · 27 November 2004]

I first saw a segment of this movie forty-some years ago as part of Robert Youngson's movie " The Days of Thrills and Laughter." This segment was longer than all the others. I saw the complete short the other day on a Kino Video titled " The Race Is On. " Which is part of the Slapstick Encyclopedia collection.

This movie is loaded with action and Monty Banks and Virginia Corbin are excellent. Monty did his own stunts in this film which were both daring and very dangerous. The scenes on the runaway train passing through Carizzo Gorge are particularly breath taking! This is also mentioned at the San Diego Railroad Museum's website. There a railroad crew member said that he was amazed at the stunts that Monty Banks performed. This film puts Monty right up there with Harold Lloyd and Buster Keaton in the " Thrill Comedy " genre.

As the previous poster stated. This film is an abridgment of the full length film, " Play Safe." This film will not leave you disappointed!

A Song a Day (1936)

One of Betty's better post-code cartoons

[8/10 · 16 May 2000]

This is a nice little cartoon, with some real snappy music. The music was done by the Hoosier Hot Shots, though they were not credited. The name of the song is called " San ". In my opinion it is also one of her better cartoons after the Hays Office ordered Paramount to tone down Betty's sexuality.

Glorifying the American Girl (1929)

The film is a recorded history.

[8/10 · 16 January 1999]

This film may be a bit creaky, but still it is very satisfying to watch. I DID NOT need the fast forward button. To see a filmed performance of a probably pared down Ziegfield Show was an enjoyable experience overall. The music and the dance scenes were excellently executed and are a treat. Many of the principals had very limited film exposure afterwards, especially Mary Eaton and Dan Healy The specialties by Cantor and Vallee were also good, But, it was a pure thrill to see Helen Morgan singing, "What Wouldn't I Do for That Man"!!

Slipping Wives (1927)

Above average L & H comedy

[7/10 · 30 December 1998]

Viewed the above titled movie recently. This was one of the films Stan & Ollie made before they were teamed officially. It shows some bits of "business", that would become trademarks of theirs in later films. ie: Oliver being the know-all who constantly corrects and intimidates Stan. Also, the plot of their being used to make a husband jealous was used some years later in another film where they were greeting card salesman, and no less than Charles Middleton was the supposedly neglectful husband. This shows the early development of a pair of classic comedians. That is why I gladly give it a 7.

Million Dollar Legs (1932)

The return of a comedy gem.

[10/10 · 13 October 1998]

On this date Oct 13, Universal released this film on video. Besides WC Fields there are a host of well-known comedians who contribute to the merriment found in this film. Susan Fleming (the future Mrs Harpo Marx) plays WC Fields' daughter. Also there is Lyda Roberti A very sexy Femme Fatale. This film has many laughs packed into its short 62 minute length. Guaranteed well over a laugh a minute. this film is not to be missed by anyone who is a fan of The Great Man.

The Battle of the Century (1927)

Funniest pie fight of all time

[9/10 · 1 October 1998]

I viewed a restored version of "The Battle of The Century", put out on video by Nostalgia Archives. Prior to this I had only seen a sequence of a few minutes from the Robert Youngson compilation, "When Comedy Was King". This is a truly funny film, for it shows Laurel and Hardy at their best. The pie in the face was kind of old hat even for 1928. But Hal Roach using Laurel and Hardy created the funniest pie fight of all time. All the different scenarios that were used to deliver the pies as well as a generous helping of laughs has an almost ballet rhythm to it. There was of course to help the madness along, both Charley Hall and Anita Garvin a couple of Hal Roach Regulars. As I said, this film was considered "lost" however the first reel was found and the film is complete except for a couple of minutes of film that are still missing from the start of the second reel. However this was compensated for by a combination of still photos that are intercut with the continuity script. I was very pleased with the film and I am sure any person interested in the silent comedy shorts would also enjoy this fine film that has been carefully reconstructed.