IT CAME FROM THE BOTTOM SHELF!

Let me extend a hearty handclasp to Kino Lorber Studio Classics for the best Blu-ray news of the year! Today, they announced the planned Blu-ray releases of six classic comedies by W.C Fields. Here’s the announcement from the Kino Lorber Studio Classics Facebook page:

Coming this Fall!
Three Classics Starring Comedy Legend W.C. Fields!

• The Old Fashioned Way (1934) Directed by William Beaudine
• It’s a Gift (1934) Directed by Norman Z. McLeod
• The Bank Dick (1940) Directed by Edward F. Cline

Coming in 2022!
Three More Classics Starring Comedy Legend W.C. Fields!

• You’re Telling Me (1934) Directed by Erie C. Kenton
• Man on the Flying Trapeze (1935) Directed by Clyde Bruckman
• You Can’t Cheat an Honest Man (1939) Directed by George Marshall

Fields isn’t only my favorite movie comedian; he’s my favorite film actor, period. If you love classic film comedy, you need all of these titles in your collection. Here are my quick thoughts on each of these titles.

The Old Fashioned Way (1934) — This is the best of Fields’ huckster roles. Plus, the filmed recreation of a large portion of his classic vaudeville juggling act is magical.

It’s a Gift (1934) — If you want to introduce someone to Fields’ brand of comedy, this is the best film to start with. It contains Fields’ two longest sustained comedy set pieces — the general store scene and the front porch scene.

The Bank Dick (1940) — My favorite. This is pure comedy gold. It is a delight from start to finish with no slow spots.

You’re Telling Me (1934) — Fields’ first solo starring film of the talkie era is not his best. However, it contains a magnificent drunk scene and his classic golf routine.

Man on the Flying Trapeze (1935) — This movie deserves to be in the conversation, along with It’s a Gift and The Bank Dick, as “the Great Man’s” greatest. The film was Fields’ most personal, and he even took over the direction (uncredited).

You Can’t Cheat an Honest Man (1939) — The feud between W.C. Fields and ventriloquist dummy Charlie McCarthy worked better on radio, but Fields still draws lots of laughs in this weird movie pairing with the puppet.

By the way, don’t forget that Kino Lorber previously released a Blu-ray of Fields’ Never Give a Sucker an Even Break (1941), and My Little Chickadee (1938) is due on June 30th.