Born William Claude Dukenfield in Philadelphia, W.C. Fields cut a colorful figure in movie shorts and features, earning a singular place in the annals of film comedy. Fields was never sentimental, rarely stuck to the written scripts, and used every part of himself to create comedy, most notably his raspy voice and drinker's nose (as a woman in one of his films says, with a knowing glance, "he didn't get that nose from playing ping pong"). Narrated by the late Dudley Moore, this documentary illustrates how Fields got his start juggling on the vaudeville circuit, before moving to the young movie capitol of Hollywood, where he made silent films (such as Sally of the Sawdust by the legendary D.W. Griffith). But it took the advent of sound to complete Fields' comic persona, and audiences delighted in seeing him henpecked and outwitted by wives, children, and traveling salesmen. On the personal side, Fields' career ambitions led to an estrangement between himself and his wife and son, but he used his pain as inspiration for comedy--in fact, in the search for laughs, nothing was sacred to Fields, and perhaps this is what gives his comedy an edge and his films a timeless quality. Co-workers, friends, and critics remember a man who hid behind self-created myths (and pseudonyms such as "Mahatma Kane Jeeves" on writing credits for his films), while generous clips from movies both famous and obscure, remind us why Fields was a master. Hopefully, this will introduce a new generation to his comic genius. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (S. Rees)
W.C. Fields Straight Up
(2001) 93 min. Individuals: $29.95, institutions: $99.95 (w/PPR). Direct Cinema Limited. Color cover. ISBN: 1-55974-649-1. Volume 17, Issue 4
W.C. Fields Straight Up
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