Blu ray review: WC Fields in three of his best, from Kino Lorber

One of the true greats of screen comedy, W.C. Fields enjoyed a massive resurgence in popularity during the late 1960s and early 1970s when his films were shown on TV, on college campuses, and in high school auditoriums. Young people of the era connected with his Everyman character and underlying iconoclasm, making him a bigger star than he had been when actually filming those movies. Well, more time has passed from his resurgence to now, than had passed from the release of those movies until their latter-day popularity. The culture has changed, how the mainstream looks at older films has changed, and Fields is sadly, maddeningly, forgotten.

IT’S A GIFT

This is the quintessential Fields picture, with him playing a put-upon Everyman who dreams of success and tranquility despite all opposition. A grocer, Fields wants to spend an inheritance on his own orange grove. His life is beset by a nagging wife, an ungrateful daughter, and a bratty son, as well as a business he can’t seem to control. Through a series of hilarious comic situations, he comes out on top in a film that stands alone as a true comic masterpiece. Kino’s blu ray is taken from a 2017 4K scan, and includes a commentary track by…..me! I wrote the book, The W.C. Fields Films.

Here is the link to purchase: It’s a Gift

THE OLD FASHIONED WAY

This brilliantly funny comedy has Fields playing The Great McGonigle who runs a small time theater troupe in 19th century America. This film is historically significant for including a good look at Fields’ juggling act, as well as a performance of the melodrama The Drunkard. The laughs are consistent throughout, while the movie benefits from direction by William Beaudine. This Kino blu ray is also taken from a 2017 4K scan, and also includes commentary by ----me! Along with the aforementioned Fields book, I also wrote one of this film’s director.

Here is the link to purchase: The Old Fashioned Way

THE BANK DICK

Made after leaving Paramount for Universal, Fields is older and a tad less spry in The Bank Dick, but it ranks alongside It’s a Gift as his masterpiece. When a small town man accidentally foils a robbery, he is rewarded with the job as a bank guard. The car chase at the end is riotously funny and the film is filled with hilarious moments. This includes an audio commentary by film historian Michael Schlesinger.

Here is the link to purchase: The Bank Dick

Each of these three films is available separately and all are recommended to libraries, research centers, and comedy fans.