SIX OF A KIND (1934). Director: Leo McCarey.
"According to you everything I like to do is illegal, immoral, or fattening." -- W. C. Fields.
A bank employee, "Pinky" Whinney (Charlie Ruggles), and his wife (Mary Boland) advertise for another couple to share expenses as they go on a second honeymoon and drive all the way from the east coast to California. Who shows up but George (Burns) and Gracie (Allen), an unmarried couple with a humongous, if lovable, dog. The foursome and the beast have assorted, funny misadventures as they travel westward, especially in a small town where John Hoxley (W. C. Fields) is sheriff, Mrs. Rumford (Alison Skipworth) is the hotel proprietress, and "Pinky" is accused of stealing $50,000 from the bank where he works -- and of having a mistress! Fields gets to perform his famous pool routine as he explains how he got the nickname of "Honest" John, and it's a delight to see the formidable Boland squaring off against him. One of the funniest bits has Boland falling off a cliff onto a tree. Everyone in the cast is in top form!
Verdict: This will put you in a good mood if nothing does! ***.
Brilliant. My best friend has all the WC Fields films in a dvd collection, and I tell you, I never laughed so hard in my life. Just thinking about his snide asides and double takes is making me smile and laugh right now! I think my fave of his early films is Its a Gift.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week, Bill!!!!
- Chris
You have a great week as well, Chris. Thanks, as always, for your comments.
ReplyDeleteIt's a Gift is great!