My Little Chickadee (1940) | THE Classics

I'm pleased to launch a brand new video series that will be used to showcase more classic films! First up is My Little Chickadee, a Western farce from 1940 that pairs two of the biggest stars of the era - Mae West & W.C. Fields!
Written, Presented & Compiled by Joe Ramoni
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[@politicalfoolishness7491]

"You're Telling Me" and "It's A Gift" are two of my favorite W.C. Fields movies. Quality entertainment, thoughtful perspectives, and many laughs.

[@HHH-ye1ro]

Yes. It’s a Gift is a true classic. Still funny.

[@GoatHeadWalletProdt]

“Bringing up Baby” is an amazing classic that I hardly hear anyone talk about it. Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn, and a leopard. What’s not to love?

[@JeonardShadby505]

Love that movie, it's a breed of comedy that is sadly gone now but which that movie perfects.

[@sugreev2001]

It’s spoken about a lot among classic movie fans. It’s one of the most famous movies known in it’s genre and that genre is pretty much dead now. I’m speaking about the screwball comedy genre, of course. Also if you love that movie, I hope you’ve seen the Philadelphia Story, which also stars Jimmy Stewart.

[@seanodonnell5868]

Yes, Great movie! That would be perfect for this channel

[@GoatHeadWalletProdt]

@@sugreev2001 I have seen parts of it and I do need to watch all of it. My mom loves that movie

[@GoatHeadWalletProdt]

@@sugreev2001 Have you seen the screwball comedy “Unfaithfully Yours” starring Rex Harrison? Another decent screwball, but I personally think it relied too much on the antics and goofy sounds like a real life Looney Tunes Cartoon.

[@teddyfurstman1997]

Cool new series on Classic Film. Thanks.

[@wstine79]

I like how you show off classic films/ TV series and forgotten gems. I was exposed to Mae West snd W.C. Fields through the impressions of them on Bugs Bunny and Tom & Jerry cartoons.

[@ZNKChannel]

And the Amazing Mumford from Sesame Street.

[@Great_White_Shork]

'We're No Angels' is one of my favorite movies. I never hear anyone talk about it. I think it's very funny.

[@flash2672]

Easy on the ears and a banquet on the eyes. The perfect description of her. I need to start watching old movies like this one. I know of them but only seen clips of them.

[@JordanCarlson1]

I strongly recommend to you the Olsen & Johnson film 'Hellzapoppin'. It seems like the zany kind of wacky comedy this channel was made for. As somewhat of a lesser celebrated Abbott and Costello, a majority of the Olsen & Johnson filmography probably fit more along the lines of Almost Cult Classics... but Hellzapoppin' certainly has its fans. A classic of its time but forgotten by many.

[@jamesa.romano8500]

This was my introduction to both West and Fields as a kid, and I loved it, and have come to love them both in their own right. And that was apparently the case for a lot of people as it was "vindicated by television" and aired incessantly during the 50s and 60s - which is why so many people associate them with this film and sometimes mistakenly think they made more than one film together, which apparently was much to Mae West's annoyance in her later years. It reminds me a little of Whatever Happened to Baby Jane in that its iconic for pitting two stars together who had a history of feuding and were different in so many respects but had some unifying commonalities that made it "work." And like Baby Jane, the stars never worked together again (like with Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte, there were plans to make more West/Fields movies but while Fields was receptive Mae wouldn't have any of it). It does have some dated elements, sure, but for what it is I love it. And you also have Margaret Hamilton (the perfect foil to both) and Donald Meeks (fresh off of Stagecoach) to add to the fun. Easily one of my favorite romantic Western comedies lol EDIT: And going off that point, I WOULD recommend Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? for a future vid!

[@masonrose6754]

I love to hear you talk about The Egg and I (1947), and the Ma and Pa Kettle movies that followed it.

[@michaelmanning5379]

Stalwart second banana, the aptly named Donald Meek, plays against type in this film as a card sharp mistaken as a preacher. In "Stagecoach" he played the whisky drummer mistaken for a preacher.

[@wannabeanimator1997]

I've bought just about every movie you've recommended. Haven't been disappointed yet!

[@Charles53412]

The list is long of favorites ! From the silent film days of Chaplin and Keaton to the days of Fields, The Little Rascals to the Three Stooges, and I'll go even further by saying Martin and Lewis movies, like "Money From Home". Such a time of pure comedy at it's finest ! Great Video !

[@coreychilders9238]

"A plumber's idea of Cleopatra" sounds like a pretty good compliment actually.

[@ydcee3123]

Yeah. Backhanded. May was a beauty.

[@zipperpillow]

@@ydcee3123 Thick and brawny. Suited for Moose and plumbers. A hippo in a Halsey.

[@josephblumenberg6574]

“You Can’t Take It With You” would be a fun one to talk about! It’s honestly one of my favorite Jimmy Stewart films!

[@tenebrousoul9368]

It's not my birthday. But I'm going to enjoy this like it's a gift!

[@loginregional]

Ramoni knocks another one out of the park! As for suggestions to look at, *My Man Godfrey* and *Earthworm Tractors.* There's a lot to be said for ARCHIVE org, where these classics reside.

[@JaredGriffiths2000]

I'll have to check it out. I'll look forward to more videos in The Classics series!

[@jakerobbins314]

Definitely looking forward to more of this series, Joe! You always roll out the classics.🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿

[@hunterwyeth]

Total five-bagger

[@harryfeuerbach6472]

W.C. Fields gets an oscer every year

[@Hawkman220]

Topper with Cary grant is a classic I think is overlooked and deserves some recognition.

[@jasonblalock4429]

So I just searched your back catalog - how is it you've never talked about the Marx Brothers? I'd assumed you already had, before checking. Anyway, Duck Soup would be an excellent one to cover for this series. (And the depressing thing is how relevant it still is today...)

[@briansays2286]

Duck Soup♥️

[@shinyagumon7015]

He covered a movie called "Brain Donors" that was inspired by the Marx Brothers, but you're right he never covered the genuine thing before.

[@mikefetta6796]

A Day at the Races was ahead of its time. You should look into that Marx Bros. Film.

[@davidmeyer3795]

@@mikefetta6796 ahead of its time until the blackface dance number. Still one of my favorite movies though

[@wavesofwoodenlegs]

@@mikefetta6796 What makes you say this besides the Lindy Hop number?

[@robert2430]

Hellzapoppin and Sh! the Octopus are both rarely discussed classic comedies. They don’t feature any of the memorable comedians we’re all familiar with but I think they’re hilarious and in many ways ahead of their time.

[@ValleyWestCinemasPodcast]

“I Am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang” (1932) never gets any attention and it’s great.

[@beardblanket8311]

Very underrated channel

[@christianhansen2569]

Please please please cover The Thin Man series! One of me and my wife’s favorites, the chemistry between WillIam Powell and Myrna Joy is unreal!

[@bdavis24fan]

I have a couple of underrated John Wayne movies you could feature. One is "The Fighting Kentuckian" where he costars with Oliver Hardy. Another is "Trouble Along the Way" where Wayne plays a college football coach and its sort of a comedy mixed a classic sports underdog theme. And John Wayne has a romance with Donna Reed. It's a very underrated and unique film in John Wayne's filmography.

[@mjemigh3304]

Wow, I completely forgot about "Trouble." I've got to see if Amazon has that one. Being a Laurel & Hardy nut, I'm very familiar with the other one. Thanks for the reminder!

[@alasdairnisbet5170]

1953 movie Stalag 17 has to be a classic Christmas (non-Christmas) movie just one of those ones you watch and forget it black and white

[@t.michael6534]

This is such a great idea for true film fans. Thanks dude, keep it up please.

[@wayneoneill5265]

This is great, I love older movies. I look forward to the next review.

[@ryanbutcher8357]

thanks for starting this series! I've been looking to get into these old films with my folks

[@ced-1-B]

Great idea for a series. Being french, I didn't grew up at all with that kind of movies but I'm really curious about movies from that period. Please continue.

[@neilaitken3318]

Maybe you could cover some of the Ealing Studios films like The Ladykillers, The Lavender Hill Mob, The Man in the White Suit, or Kind Hearts and Coronets

[@AlejandroFlores-Ibarra]

The Titfield Thunderbolt’s my personal favorite Ealing film of that era.

[@wavesofwoodenlegs]

I would love for him to review those, especially "The Ladykillers" and "The Lavender Hill Mob." I've been watching those lately, and while I like Sir Alec Guinness in the Star Wars films, I enjoy him more during this phase of his career.

[@chukzombi]

Buster Keaton's Steamboat Bill Bill Jr, The General, Seven Chances or Sherlock Jr. all of them major classics and must see comedies.

[@scottnotpilgrim]

Love this idea and series already!

[@MsLeenite]

Thanks, Joe. Judge: "Young lady, are you trying to show contempt for this court?" Flowerbelle: "No. I'm doing my best to hide it." That still makes me laugh out loud, every time. By the way... for a dip into The Classics, you could do a lot worse than the original (1949) Mighty Joe Young. Starring sweet Terry Moore, brash Robert Armstrong, and handsome Ben Johnson. And of course, Joseph Young himself, who was built and animated by the legendary genius Ray Harryhausen at the beginning of his career. Your viewers and subscribers who haven't yet had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Young and thrilling to his exciting adventures will be in for a real treat. It's been one of my favorite movies since I was scarcely older than little Jill Young, and watched it on channel 9's Million Dollar Movie in NYC.

[@cableroyson9992]

Good idea for a series

[@Domdrok]

Great video! I'll have to check this out.

[@geoffreypiltz271]

Two of the most distinctive voices ever recorded. Still recognisable by millions today.

[@OTOss8]

I'd love to see more of these. Cheers bud.

[@ianmillerdevilsfan1223]

This channel continues to be great and underappreciated, also please give Johnny Dangerously a Almost Cult Classic!

[@jamestyler7697]

7:37 - I don't know if I would say that Chickadee is "more humorous" than Mae's 1930s comedies per se, but its definitely more family friendly than her earlier work - or for that matter her two 1970s romps (Myra Breckinridge and Sexette). Some of Mae's witticisms in She Done Him Wrong or I'm No Angel come off as risque even by today's standards. Chickadee also has double entendres but they're more G-rated ("Are you trying to show contempt for this court?" "No, I'm doing my best to hide it") or if they were to be interpreted sexually they came in a more roundabout way ("I'll take you. I'll take you and how"). Apparently Mae had a draft for the script that was much raunchier, which hinted at her having a fling with Cuthbert's Indian sidekick, and which allegedly included the "gun in your pocket" line that eventually made its way into Sexette.

[@travishiltz4750]

If you are looking for suggestions: Any of the universal monster movies The Thin man The early Marx Brothers films Wheeler and Woolsey: Not sure if they count as classics, but they are alot of fun and deserve more love and attention

[@Trialwolf]

You're channel has really encouraged me to check out more classic films, I've been diving into the silent movie era and really enjoying the finds. The Kino Classic line has really helped here as well, great to see a company help get more exposure to the classics, just picked up The Golem and Battleship Potemkin today.

[@MrDevin1125]

I adore W.C Fields' work. Man on the Flying Trapeze is my personal favorite and the one I would recommend to anyone wanting to start checking out his work. For no other reason than the fact that he plays a completely sympathetic character devoid of the abrasiveness he's known to portray. It just feels a bit more relatable. I'd love to see a video in this series on the old Carey Grant film Arsenic and Cyanide. My girlfriend chose it for family movie night without telling us much about it, so I thought it was just going to be a charming romantic comedy. Lord knows I was floored when it turned out to be one of the absolute GREATEST black comedies every committed to celluloid! Absolutely everyone should check it out. Btw I recently discovered your channel over the last two or three weeks and it's quickly becoming one of my absolute favorites on KZbin. You do truly great work from one comedy film nerd to another lol

[@dylanmcartoonell1536]

Please do a video on Hellzapoppin! That movie’s a masterpiece! The closest thing there ever was to Tex Avery directing live-action

[@deementia6796]

I was actually coming here to the comments to ask if he'd work on something involving Olsen and Johnson. They were very interesting as a team.

[@mjemigh3304]

From what I've read as well as my father's recollection, the live show was absolutely nuts! The film is hilarious, but I kinda wish I had a time machine that would get me into the audience for that show.

[@BrianKishreviews]

THE Classics. That's my kinda title!

[@thelastdictator482]

I've always loved the Thin Man series of films and would love to have more people hear about them.

[@modjohnsenglishdisco]

1945s "Dead of Night" from the UK's Ealing Studios with Michael Redgrave. This film caused me weeks of anxiety. Bruce Kawin presented it in his horror film. We watched it all, "Nosferatu", Universal horror, Hammer horror, "I Spit On Your Grave". But for some reason "Dead of Night" really got me. I actually went to university with a grandson of Michael Redgrave. I told him, "Your Grandfather really messed me up for a while!"

[@chancep4050]

OK Classic I reccomend ,All Through The Night ,a comedy thriller starring Humphrey Bogart,Jane Darwell ,Peter Lorre and Conrad Veidt (With small roles for Phil Silvers and Jackie Gleason ) ,its a comedy thriller that I dare not spoil

[@Dench999or911]

Looking forward to this series, love the work Joe!

[@brianbooker8724]

YouI ought to do a whole separate video on Mae West. She had a very interesting life and career, as well.

[@TerenceCover]

I'd like to suggest "The Long, Long Trailer". It's been a favorite of mine since childhood and it seems to never get brought up.

[@hulotati]

Danny Kayes The Court Jester needs a look. In fact any of Kayes films need introducing to todays viewers.

[@Vincentplustwo]

The 1939 film “On Borrowed Time” is honestly one of my favorite movies, and it’d be a dream if you ever covered it here haha Either that or 1955’s “Marty” with Ernest Borgnine. Keep up the great work man, you’re one of the few channels I have to watch every release when it comes out.

[@heisensaul5538]

when I was a kid, I seem to remember this being on TMC every so often. I think they would have a WC Fields marathon or something like that. I never watched this, but I remember it from that time. I think this is going to be a fun series. I would like to know about some stuff from the 20s to the 50s. I dont know a lot about hidden gems from that time period.

[@JohnnyBurnes]

Really appreciate this idea! Hats off good sir!

[@TheTrainFan9]

Now this is a series I can get into! I have to recommend the 1933 James Cagney film "Picture Snatcher." James Cagney plays a mob guy fresh out of prison that decides to go straight, becoming a photographer for a low rent New York tabloid paper, using a lot of his experience from his former line of work to get pictures the other papers can't. Now, this is far from Cagney's best performance and movie he's been in, but more than an other, it exemplifies just what made him such a magnetic personality for depression era audiences.

[@reddykilowatt]

One I watched several times with my friends as a kid was 1953’s “The Wild One” starring Marlon Brando. While not a comedy, it had some humorous moments and was based on the real life 1947 Hollister motorcycle rally.

[@weirdproq]

I love this new series. I can recommend: - The Gold Rush (1925) - The Phantom of the Opera (1925) - Bride of Frankenstein (1935) - A Night at the Opera (1935) - The Flying Deuces (1939) - Strangers on a Train (1951) - The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T (1953) - It's Always Fair Weather (1955)

[@postmodernrecycler]

There's many great Marx bros. films, but *A Night at the Opera* is their definitive statement of purpose and just a perfect movie.

[@sugreev2001]

One of my absolute favorite movie of all time is the oft forgotten Cary Grant flick - Mr Blandings Builds His Dream House. I hope you’ve seen it. Also, the Thin Man series starring William Powell and Myrna Loy (also in Blandings) is one of the best movie series ever made. Hollywood has been trying to remake them for decades, but it’s never gotten beyond pre-production stage. Anyway, one of my wishes is to see a retrospective done on that amazing series, that many people nowadays don’t seem to talk about.

[@artanisknarf]

You should check out George Washington Slept Here (1942) with Jack Benny, actually pre-dates Blandings with roughly the same story. When I first saw it, I thought the Money Pit was more a remake of that than Blandings.

[@anthonyrebro9520]

You’ve got to include “Murder He Says” from 1945. It deserves more attention and you would do a great job. Your channel is one of my favs.

[@Louie_The_Dago]

Eddie Cantors "Whoopee" and "The Kid From Spain" are must sees

[@igloocookie]

I've always had a soft spot for International House (1933) which features W.C. Fields, George Burns and Gracie Allen, and host of classic film stars that are pretty obscure today. It's even got Bela Lugosi and Cab Calloway.

[@Aidenkong523]

This will (Hopefully) be a great series! I'm a big fan of classic films, especially comedies

[@AlejandroFlores-Ibarra]

Do some classic 50's British comedies like "Genevieve" (1953) and "The Ladykillers" (1955).

[@Calcifrizzle]

Nice video! I'm liking this new series, can't wait to see more!

[@GodzillasaurusJr]

I’m looking forward to seeing more from this series!

[@Hsvxnhdisjzzbjwodjcfu]

The 1933 film Babyface is super relevant but forgotten in its own right, it’s super interesting because there is multiple versions of this film I’m pretty sure due to the film code changing at this time

[@timhulsizer]

Love it! Can't go wrong with The Thin Man series, especially the first movie

[@patrickwilson1834]

Here are some old movies I loved watching, but don't here much people talking about. 1. Boys Town or Captains Courageous. My dad introduced my to Spencer Tracy when I was little had me watch these 2 movies. Captains Courageous is a classic and a great coming to age movie with some laughs and heart felt stuff. Boys Town is another one I love. I really love the story and it keeps you entertained all the way. 2. Any Marx brothers movies. All the marx brothers movies I love, but I don't here much people talking about is at the circus. I feel like I watch that movie more times then any other marx brothers movie. 3. Topper: stars Cary Grant and is the story of a man who is haughted by ghost to make his life better. I don't want to get in to much detail, but I own this movie and is one of my favorites

[@pattyoconnell1950s]

What the world needs now Laughter I had a good laugh watching your video.

[@GrumpySanta76]

We loved the Egg and I and the Ma and Pa kettle series growing up. Not many know about them

[@Tadicuslegion78]

I could nominate a bunch, but I'll keep it to a few...by actor Errol Flynn: 1939's Dodge City, that movie is a great Western in its own right, often forgotten...and might have one of the most out of control bar fights I've ever seen. James Cagney: 1931 The Public Enemy, I think this is one that's sorta still remembered but when I watched it, I was blown away at what they got away with for a 1931 Gangster movie before the Hays Code Clark Gable: It Happened One Night 1934 (only one of 3 films to win all 5 of the big Oscars) yet never discussed and Mutiny on the Bounty 1935, Mutiny on the Bounty was one of those movies that for years was used when spoofing Charles Laughton...and yet it's barely remembered because it got over shadowed by Marlon Brando's Munity on the Bounty in the 1960s and The Bounty with Mel Gibson and Anthony Hopkins in he 1980s

[@thefanwithoutaface8105]

For me the Classics are the Universal Monster movies of the 30s, 40s and 50s. Dracula, Frankenstein, The Wolfman, The Mummy and Creature from the Black Lagoon. My dad and I loved watching these when they appeared on AMC's Monsterfest back in the early 2000s and they've become a big part of my life, helping me get into horror. Any chance to showcase or celebrate them I happily take.

[@joerogers9413]

Agreed. The Universal Monsters and Val Lewton's horror movies would make great Halloween videos.

[@mjemigh3304]

I hope your series is happening. I'm just discovering your channel. I recently got a bunch of West and Fields films on Blu-Ray. This is one of them. It's not the best from either of the two stars, but it's better than anything you'll see today. The fact that I'm a fan of westerns doesn't hurt, either.

[@mj7den]

"We're No Angels" 1955 Classic comedy. Bogart, Aldo Ray, Peter Ustinov and Basil Rathbone. These actors worked very well together. Film format, stage play.

[@robertpierce6436]

That Uncertain Feeling (1941) by Ernst Lubitsch. It’s a comedy about a woman bored with her “perfect” marriage and meets an artsy tormented soul piano player played by a very young Berguss Meredith. I don’t want to give too much away, but there were some plot turns I did not expect from the 1940s.

[@Tyrannicus]

I’d love it if you some day did a video on the two part 1985 CBS Alice in Wonderland special. It’s a childhood favorite of mine, not just for the catchy songs and plethora of celebrities, but also for the traumatizing Jabberwocky scenes! It’s also a rare adaptation that doesn’t randomly mix together Wonderland and Looking Glass characters like the Disney and 1999 Hallmark version. I’m always surprised how many people have never even heard of the 1985 version.

[@Gappasaurus]

I’ve always been a big fan of early films featuring decidedly offbeat humor: screwball comedies, black comedies, absurdist comedies, horror comedies, and the like. Some faves i’d LOVE to see you cover are: Soup to Nuts (1930) My Man Godfrey (1936) Hellzapoppin' (1941) King of the Zombies (1941) The Boogie Man Will Get You (1942) Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) Murder, He Says (1945) The Fuller Brush Man (1948) …but i’ll certainly enjoy whatever you cover in this series. Looking forward to what’s next! 😁

[@bradleywalker8468]

Second on Murder, He Says, which I saw paired with Where Do We Go From Here? Also with MacMurray, from the same year. Also Bachelor Mother, starring Ginger Rogers (1939) and Easy Living, starring Jean Arthur (1937),

[@lisabrown844]

Even though it came out in 1964, you might include "Dr. Strangelove," it's shot in black and white and totally defines dark comedy.

[@IvanovIvanAKrutoi]

I think this is a good idea for the new series, and this movie serves as a great starting point. Not just for this series, but also talking about movies starring Mae West. Speaking of Mae West, I hope you'll eventually cover her final film, Sextette, as part of Forgotten Failures.

[@ieuanbriers]

I love this episode. And there are so many old fashioned black and white films I adore which I think will be great episodes. I love the Cayman Horror Films in particular 'The Bat', 'The Fatel Hour' and 'Attack of the Crab Monsters'. There is the comedy 'Ghosts on the Loose' too. And I have always had a soft spot for the musical comedy 'High Society'.

[@harryfeuerbach6472]

A true popcorn classic, and and even BIGGER classic has to be “Oh, God!

[@HarvestStore]

Great video.

[@shinyagumon7015]

Are animated films ok? Because the only old films I grew up on where old public domain cartoons. So I nominate the old Fleischer Superman Shorts for this series, because they are both technologically impressive and are a great showcase for the Fleischer Studios as a whole.

[@oz_jones]

This channel is so wonderful

[@gnbman]

I didn't know you took suggestions for movies to cover. I suggest Baby's Day Out, Good Burger, George of the Jungle, and Dumb and Dumberer (the direct-to-video sequel).

[@Thedrakefenlon]

Please please please talk about the Don Knots catalog of films: Ghost and Mr Chicken, Reluctant Astronaut, etc

[@DavidLeeAndrews]

Great film and great review. Class

[@uzetaab]

They are probably not obscure enough for this series, but Arsenic And Old Lace and African Queen are some of my favourite classic movies.

[@dale9724]

Sullivan’s Travels. The ending is brilliant.

[@gabe_s_videos]

"It literally throws these two performers together." Gently, I hope.

[@CinnamonGrrlErin1]

I'd love it if you did a deep dive into "March of the Wooden Soldiers"!

[@jimw.4161]

Genius! And funny as hell!!! 🤣

[@aschrodinger7700]

awesome idea

[@SirTimmy7]

I think my favorite black and white movie is Seven Samurai

[@jacobopelaez9147]

The third man is one of my favourites, i would love for you to talk about it

[@EdwardTravels]

A forgotten comedy series was the Thelma Todd and Zasu Pitts series by Hal Roache. Those would be a fun to do a video about

[@iamamaniaint]

Hell yeah! This is exciting. Love your channel :)

[@thebeasthatfeasts]

I welcome this series. Your videos are always well edited and informative, and I appreciate the hard work you must put into these. The Docu-minis are my favorite of the videos you do. "Stairway to Heaven" aka "A matter of Life and Death" is a movie I'd enjoy you doing an essay on. "Wuthering Heights" is another.

[@SirCoughsalot]

Great idea.

[@strictlysega]

ok,, not quite as old as you were asking, but a couple of years ago i started picking up gene kelly musicals.. after getting pretty much all of them i was looking at what other movies he did later on. I came upon Inherit the wind, and if there was ever a classic movie that is topical atm in America,.also,, awesome director.