Lee Mannering
Film God
Posts: 3216
From: The Projection Box
Registered: Nov 2006
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posted October 05, 2015 07:10 AM
I have a small pile if Super 8 films in a special corner of my own collection which are those films which hold extra special memories for me and this 1930 gem, in fact W.C.Fields first talkie is in the pile..
I so remember projecting this to my parents as a teenager and we not only laughed like mad when watching it we continued to rein act sections of it throughout the weekend. Turn the clock back some!
Part of the charm is perhaps that this is so basically filmed being probably limited by the camera and sound equipment it does not fail to capture the genius of Will with his name in the film being J Bellweather also putting me into fits back then.
The film has a nice opening sequence set in hotel lobby then W.C enters wearing the legendary moustache as can be seen in some of his silent films to great effect. A little girl appears with suitably annoying shrill voice and he reacts suitably. Eventually we get to the legendary game of golf with a ludicrous caddy plus W.C saying endlessly 'Stand clear and keep your eye on the ball'. Its still all too much for me and I enjoy it every time.
The routine actually goes way back to early days of variety and certainly well known in the UK with the likes of Daniel Young using it in a mid 30's film and even Sid Field regularly performing it, but no one really got to grips with it like W.C.Field, at least for me.
Mr Field rein acted it on screen in another film 'You're Telling Me' and slightly updated perhaps and equally as good all over again.
Super 8 wise it was issued by a few distributors including Collectors Club and more but I found the Niles issue to be the best, still holding up very well and a superb visual record of a master at work.
Around 20 minutes Super 8 Sound B&W.
A decent print from Niles.
The loss of a great Christmas day 1946.
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