Sunday 1 December 2019

Man on the Flying Trapeze (1935 Clyde Bruckman, W.C. Fields)

Don't expect to find one in the film, which is about a man's unsuccessful attempt to go and see a wrestling match (the closest he gets is one of the wrestlers lands on him), typical Fields madness, a perfect end to a Sunday.

It's consistently hilarious, starting from where two burglars (one of whom is a young Walter Brennan) get drunk in his cellar on Applejack, joined by a policeman, then Fields himself, who ultimately is the one jailed for illegally brewing said drink. His daughter Mary Brian bails him out. Then there's a scene with a car and a traffic cop... Well, you get the idea. It's very funny.

Written by Ray Harris and Sam Hardy, from a story by 'Charles Bogle' (Fields) and Sam Hardy. Photographed by Alfred Gilks (shared Oscar for An American In Paris).

Inspired (single take) monologue about J Farnsworth Wallaby, the Australian sheep man, which ends up being about Fields' employer's wild night out.

Must watch You're Telling Me next, 1934 vintage. Paramount.



Fields became successful after 1933's International House. His last film in a starring role was Never Give a Sucker an Even Break in 1941, over which he finally had complete artistic control.

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