Week 7. It’s a Gift (1935)

3½ STARS - GOOD SHOW!

“I felt sorry for him, and no wonder why he seemed to drink in many scenes.”--Kenz

The Film:  A classic W. C. Fields’ sight gag comedy.  A henpecked shopkeeper dreams of chucking it all, moving to California and buying an orange grove.  Each scene is a mini-comedy unto itself, rivaling many an SNL skit.  Several are painfully funny classics--the shaving scene, blind man crossing the street, sleeping on the porch, picnic on the mansion lawn.  Do you have QUMQUATS?!!!

The Society:  We were uncertain what to expect with this one.  Among our other choices was Alfred Hitchcock’s “The 39 Steps,” but Our Movie Expert thought the girls should experience at least one W. C. Fields’ movie.  If for nothing else they would know this classic American character.  Still, doubts crept in.  Would it all be corn and cheese?  Would it seem old-timey and outdated?  

But at the opening scene The Expert’s fears were instantly allayed.  Fields is shaving at the bathroom mirror (with a straight razor, no less!).  His teenage daughter barges in and takes over the mirror (it was well before the 2 ¾ bathroom age).  Meekly Fields slides aside, but warily continues shaving, trying valiantly to avoid his own unnecessary bloodshed.  We watched expectantly, fearing the fatal slice, as the scene proceeds hilariously through his increasingly crazy solutions to the problem.  The movie’s only real downer is his wife’s constant, hammering nagging--hard even for us to take.  Dad joked that it felt like home.   But even he knew better to make clear he was only joking! 

The Family Vote: 

Syd - 5 Stars - I liked it because it has a good sense of humor.  I felt bad for the poor man because he got bossed around.  He got hurt, he couldn’t get to sleep.  That lady was annoying.

Kayla - 3 Stars - The wife was annoying!  The dog was the only one who stayed with him.  The noise was loud.  He’s [W. C. Fields’ character] like Michael Scott [from The Office].

Kenzie - 3 Stars - Funny, but his wife really got on my nerves.  His son was ill-mannered and his daughter was a wimp and spoilsport.  I felt sorry for him, and no wonder why he seemed to drink in many scenes.

Stacy - 2.5 Stars - W. C. Fields’ character was one I couldn’t help but feel sorry for--his wife was always nagging him and his children never listened.  Perhaps it was too close to my childhood experience.   I had real anxiety when the family is on the mansion’s lawn, thinking it was a park--so MESSY!!  I was amazed at the end that he was smart enough to hold out for more money than originally offered…and surprise…I cried!

Ladd - 4 Stars - This is W. C. Fields, an American classic, at his best.  Each scene is a mini-drama unto itself with sight gags and physical comedy.  And several are unforgettable.  The movie, like other of Fields’, is not so much about the storyline, as the internal tension of each painfully funny scene.   “Painful” being the operative word.  Fields the actor deserves more credit for slyly amusing, low-key performance.

Thanks for Dinner, Mom!

Theme - California (fresh produce), oranges, molasses

Salad bar

Dessert:  sliced oranges sprinkled with sugar, and fresh, homemade ginger snap cookies