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3.0 out of 5 stars
Very Entertaining DVD, Dec 26 2003
Of course growing up I knew who W.C. Fields was, but, I have to admit, he was not one of my favorites. When I was younger I loved watching Laurel & Hardy, the Marx Brothers, Charlie Chaplin, Bob Hope, and Harold Lloyd, but W.C. Fields was an acquired taste. I had seen him in movies such as "You Can't Cheat an Honest Man", "The Bank Dick" (often thought of as his best), and "My Little Chickadee" (with Mae West). But I think I was too young too appreicate his style of humor. I should point out I was only 4 or 5 when I was watching these comedians, so a lot of the humor was "too much" for me. The same way Groucho making jokes about wanting to marry women for their money went over my head. But now that 15 or 16 years have past I've come to think more fondly about Fields. This DVD set contain 6 shorts, five of which were made by Mack Sennett. I will review each short individually. "THE POOL SHARKS" (1915) - The oldest of the shorts in the collection is actually Fields first! The piece runs 11 minutes so as you can guess the piece is built around two or three gags. Think in terms of the shorts Chaplin or Keaton made. They are fun to watch because of how silly they are but, that's the problem. They are so silly, they make absolutely no sense. These one-reelers just offer you a quick sample of the comedians talents. "The Pool Sharks" is fun to watch, but, the other shorts on here make this one look pale. Also, Fields' humor is more suited for sound. ** 1\2 out of ***** "THE GOLF SPECIALIST" (1930) - Perhaps Fields' most popular short, is actually the only one in the collection I've seen before. Now my opinion of this short is not the majority opinion. As I explained with "The Pool Sharks", these shorts were just excuses to showcase the talent involved, whoever it may be. So they place the comedian in odd situations and let him or her "go to work". "The Golf Specialist" is just about plot-less but it's a "pot-boiler" to show off Fields, but the piece is repetitious. I'm not saying there aren't any inspired moments, there are, but it doesn't go anywhere. So much more could have been done. Funny but slight. ** 1\2 out of ***** "THE DENTIST" (1932) - Like all the shorts on here they revolve around two or three gags and some quirky one-liners from Fields. They are light diversions, and this one I liked. At first it starts off as a golf comedy (i.e. the above comedy) and then goes into Fields playing a dentist. Has plenty of choice moments. *** out of ***** "THE FATAL GLASS OF BEER" (1933) - At first mention you'd think it was Fields who would drinks that "fatale glass of beer", but it isn't. The story revolves around Fields' son. Has a funny reoccuring gag concerning snow when ever a certain sentence is said by Fields. Not my favorite in the collection, but over-all I liked it. *** out of ***** "THE PHARMACIST" (1933) - One of my favorites on the DVD. Basically a lot of non-sense, but it's funny. Fields gets in a few nice biting remarks. *** out of ***** "THE BARBER SHOP" (1933) - This is actually my favorite off the DVD. Fields plays the barber and yet you never see him give anyone a haircut or shave. Instead he plays his bass, flirts with his co-worker, and causes nothing but havok. My favorite scene has Fields actually trying to give someone a shave. Catch what he says concerning "a mole". *** out of ***** So what are my thoughts concerning Fields now after seeing this DVD? It has really turned me into a strong admirer of his work. I can't wait to buy more stuff. If your a W.C. Fields fan this will turn out to be a treat. *** 1\2 out of ***** Bottom-line: Funny collection of W.C. Fields shorts. Shows him often at his best displaying his gifts for one-liners and his comedic timing. Fans will love it.
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