Customer Reviews

The Films of W.C. Fields

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I have read many of "the Films of...." books and really didn't enjoy too many of them because they didn't go much beyond what the movie was about, which in most cases, I already knew.

This book tells something about the time and the circumstances of the actor's life that may have helped (or hindered) the performance that he turned in.I found this book to be a good companion to any of the biographies out there about W. C. Also, perhaps the most entertaining aspect, were the inclusion of reviews that came out at the time. Many reflecting how W. C. Fields made a mundane movie something special and therefore worth the time to watch and in some cases rewatch to make sure you didn't miss any of his under-his-breath muttering which was a hallmark of his mastery.

This book not only describes the movies, but takes it further to reveal certain sexual innuendo and alcoholic behavior which not only adds to the humor of the movies but reflects the morals of the day. The sexual humor is hidden behind much double entendre while the alcoholic humor (much like the "Thin Man" movies) is very obvious and never attempts to be "politically correct".

It is a truly enjoyable book which explains the man but also his effect on his time period.