TCM Star of the Month: W.C. Fields

We had fun working on this classic comedy icon for TCM's Star of the Month narrated by Monty Python's John Cleese! Guillotine editor Michael Koepenick worked with TCM writer/producer Jeanne Franz to create this hilarious micro doc. There was so much great materiel to pull from that we were not able to use. Often the scenes build up for anywhere from 2 to10 minutes so they are not as funny as a clip when seen out of context of the build up, but watching them unfold on screen is priceless. We encourage you to check out more films by the master, W.C. Fields!

[@jbrown1384]

W C Fields was one of a kind. I’ve never tired of watching him

[@dcxxx6850]

“Looking for loopholes “ … Brilliant!

[@cliffchristie5865]

"Don't let the posie fool ya". Just subtle enough.

[@delmarpete1171]

Two of history's greatest comedians - one narrating, the other performing.

[@JACKnJESUS]

W.C. was my grandmothers' favorite comedian. I did not understand it when she told me at first. I had to grow up a bit to see that she was right...and is still right. The best comedian that ever was. His juggling is also simply amazing to watch.

[@bradprather6749]

Wow, I'm so glad you shared this! Thank you! Basil Faulty did a great job too.

[@jerrywatt6813]

Here in LA in the early 70's on channel 11 I think it was Friday nite from ten to midnight it was two wc fields movies 'as a young teen I was floored how funny this guy was 'good times indeed !

[@keithmcardle1775]

He was a comic genius 😂

[@michaelburke5907]

My favorite scene was one in which he encounters his ex wife at the train station in Seattle. Upon seeing him , she reaches into her handbag for a pistol, but he hooks her wrist with tha handle of his umbrella, draws her closer and says "The passing years have made you slower on the draw, my dear". Absolutely brilliant.

[@johnwright291]

How interesting it was in seattle. Can you tell me what movie it was in?

[@karenfranz5451]

I never get tired of watching It’s A Gift. He was a genius.

[@stevenwilgus5422]

His work improves with time like a great whisky. I enjoy watching him across many decades. The comedy is timeless because human foibles really don't change.

[@CharlieOkeson]

6:44, well said, John Cleese.

[@richmotroni]

A true original in every sense of the word. And there have been no others like him since.

[@tombasye1016]

Set In Time W.C. Fields Will Always Be Remembered Such A Great Comedian !!

[@LenHummelChannel]

It's so obvious that W.C.Fields was an absolute comedic genius. one of a kind. a very hysterical absurdist, ... and ever "the clever con-artist" in trouble and getting OUT of trouble.

[@gungfurick1]

Thank you !!!! He was One of The Great Ones !!!!!

[@johnhead7433]

If am having a bad day bummed over the evening news WC is who I look up. The man was a true spirit lifter.

[@thetacticalninja9423]

"Looking for loop holes " I just fell out of my chair!

[@thewanderingamerican5412]

Oh thanks. That was nearly unintelligible with that poor imitation of him. I suspect he actually was not an atheist, especially not at the end. Few people were back then. They knew better. Today might be different, so many have never really heard the world of God in America. That's why the missionaries need to stay HERE instead of travel abroad!

[@brianthomas2434]

@@thewanderingamerican5412 they knew better than to be PUBLIC about atheism. So many Bap Finkels around then.

[@libertyresearch-iu4fy]

@@brianthomas2434 You knew Fields then? You must be at least 100 by now! Jack ass.

[@brianthomas2434]

@@libertyresearch-iu4fy my feelings about Fields' Atheism have as much validity as Bap Finkel. Or do you think he/ she/ it has genuine first hand knowledge, my genteel fellow traveler?

[@libertyresearch-iu4fy]

@@brianthomas2434 No I think you are a presumptuous dweeb.

[@marclayne9261]

John Cleese, has ruffled the feathers of the PC Mob.......I love him....

[@jiwbink]

Marc, WHY NOT RUFFLE THEIR FEATHERS,IT'S THE DUMBEST OF ISSUES EVER PUT UPON MANKIND... IMAGINE,STORMING NORMANDY,BUT HAVING TO BE P.C. NOT SMOKE AS WELL AS NOT OFFEND ANYONE AT ALL! I TELL YOU OUT PARENTS,GRANDPARENTS AND BREATHE AND PARENTS ARE ROLLING THEIR GRAVES,AS THEY WELL SHOULD BE! AND WOULD BE BUSTING OUT ASSES WERE THEY HERE TO SEE WHAT WE'VE ALLOWED WHAT THEY FOUGHT,SACRIFICED AND BLED FOR ,BECOME! GOD HELP US!!

[@Earthneedsado-over177]

Let us remember that most of the censorship in movies and TV was initiated by conservatives and conservative religious types.

[@TheDoctor1225]

@@Earthneedsado-over177 Let us remember that that is a load of hogwash, and easily disproved by history. Civic, political and other organizations were also against a lot of the risque movies and scandals that pre-dated the Hayes office codes and the like. "Religious types" is as tired a cry as "racist" has become.

[@Earthneedsado-over177]

@@TheDoctor1225 What history is that, the history you pulled out of your butt? It sure as hell wasn't liberals that wouldn't let a pregnant woman be shown on TV or let married couples be shown in the same bed or interracial couples. And yes, before Hays there were movie production codes introduced by, guess who, priests. I guess you don't call priests religious types. And I know, racists hate being called racist. What euphemism do you use? Trump supporters?

[@Earthneedsado-over177]

@@TheDoctor1225 and Hays was a Presbyterian Elder.

[@michaelmelen9062]

And no mention of "Million Dollar Legs", "Man on the Flying Trapeze", and "The Fatal Glass of Beer", which I feel are three of his most brilliant comedies. This isn't a flaw in the presentation here, but an acknowledgement that W.C. Fields was a brilliant, funny man. There has been no one like him. Bless you, sir! Thank heavens for film.

[@greenacresfan768]

Million Dollar Legs is my favorite hands down. In my youth I would check tv guide on Sunday to plot my sleeping around W.C.Fields, the Marx Brothers and the talk shows for Don Rickles. That was my routine for several years.

[@johnfraraccio99]

My effective introduction to Fields was by way of The Bank Dick. I had to collect myself afterwards.

[@tomhaskett5161]

Funny film! Look out for Shemp Howard as the barkeep in the cafe.

[@the4seasons4ever]

BILL FIELDS,AS HIS FRIENDS CALLED HIM !THE GREAT ONE AS I CALL HIM!

[@sclogse1]

There's a lion taming sequence in one of his films that is jaw dropping. He's not in the scene. He runs the carnival, sells the tickets. You will never forget it. No effects.

[@TRRyan]

The film is "You Can't Cheat an Honest Man."

[@nealdaleyjr7625]

Now I see where Monty python gets their style of humor.

[@mfranssens]

I like John Cleese and WC Fields. I’d give this 2 thumbs up.

[@ssppeellll]

Cleese was a perfect choice for narrator for this.

[@photo161]

What especially distinguished Field's comedy was that his comedic endeavors always involved an attack on people of privilege, the pompous, authoritarians, etc... He represented the little man cutting the powerful down to size.

[@ffggddss]

Much the same could be said of that other comedic genius of the era, Groucho Marx. Fred

[@johnnymarcello1385]

My man Godfrey was a perfect example of the rich and making fun of the society types

[@carolemurphy6205]

Brilliant! Imagine living in a place called "WOOHOO!"

[@pyrog.c.c89]

The greatest comedian and juggler of all times.

[@josiahquincy2744]

He could do it all ,writing etc as this says , in any era an a- number- one who the others learn and lift from. Being an elite juggler gave him his timing.

[@brucebyrnes5996]

A long time fan !

[@bartram33]

A great comedian, with a nose like a blind cobblers thumb.

[@09ericthered]

Is that you Roy ?

[@bartram33]

@@09ericthered No, Roy’s out at the moment lighting the gas street lamps.

[@davidmcleod7757]

I always loved wc great comic mind

[@angeliquenomade4353]

Love this man !

[@shanedarden369]

One of the greatest artist, the world has every had the pleasure of witnessing....

[@Steacy783NUTS]

All stop at , 4:28 ! Now I know , where the Clampet's got their truck :) or lol.

[@FranssensM]

Love that John Cleese, a comedy icon. Appreciates WC just as much as I do. All is right in the world when those who should be offended are so.

[@LoisCandler]

Cleese's imitation of fields at the end, "looking for loopholes" is priceless!! ❤😉

[@marylawson6060]

The Golf Specialist is hilarious.

[@threepot]

Love the ducks laughing at his golf shots in 'The Dentist'

[@marycanfield8654]

I luv that! Thank you.

[@phaedrabacker2004]

Wonderful.

[@user-jw9kl4qd9t]

He's still screamingly funny now, amost 100 years after the movies were made.

[@cuntreeful]

My King my man the greatest comic of all time😂

[@bbbvvhk]

Thanks

[@jackvoss175]

Ahhh yass, my little chickadee dee dee. We must dally sometime. You do dally - don’t you? A character with whom we can dawdle for a while, and whose wit we can admire in public. Old double you see.

[@michaelhinz7043]

The Great Man, himself!

[@jiwbink]

"LOOKIN' FOR A LOOPHOLE" QUINTESSENTIAL W.C. FIELDS!!

[@josephdodd5770]

What a funny and talented guy

[@Mritalicsmine]

7:07 when W.C. was discovered one day at the end of his life reading the Bible, a friend was stunned: "you, Bill, reading the good book?" ""looking for loopholes"". But the CC translates it as "reading the Good Book fields glanced up looking from the pole".

[@GuillotineATL]

CC can be pretty funny what it thinks it hears sometimes!

[@johnwright291]

I was a fan of his from the age of 10. I was born in 1956 so its kind of unusual. I thought it was strange that he was on tv so much and he was dead. I have heard about a scene in one of his movies where he throws a boot through a TV screen.

[@ronslaughterandalice1018]

I think pretty much that Luck didn't fall in the lap of the Great W.C. I think he was a genius and manufactured his on . Have always said if I had Dad, I would have wanted him to be exactly like the Great W.C Fields . He took everything as it was thrown at him.

[@Bill-jc1fy]

you've got the order turned around

[@HAM-sb2ns]

Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think modern TCM would honor W.C Fields like this again

[@Rog5446]

Fields, I'm fond of children, girl children aged 18-20. I never drink anything stronger than gin...................before breakfast. I'm free of all rejudices, I hate everyone equally. Fields to barman, did I spend a twenty dollar bill in here last night? Barman: Yes. Fields, thank goodness for that, I thought I lost it.

[@waynedaley7048]

Mr fields what a class act 🏆🥇

[@199gonzo]

Pure genius..... and mr Cleese

[@mainmast8955]

he sat on sets juggling plates behind his back. very smooth juggler.

[@curaeus007]

WC was the GOAT!

[@09ericthered]

Is the greatest of all time. And I should know I’ve followed a few.

[@oliveroneill1388]

Thanks john . Respecting a classical hero .

[@bluegtturbo]

I'd loved to have seen Benny Hill do a biopic of Fields..he's have nailed it!

[@thomasbunner5214]

He did. And he truly "nailed it".

[@josephcalderon906]

The second funniest of the classic comedians of the early sound period .(behind L&H)

[@charlywobershalek7142]

Second that! L&H - WCF - MB.

[@rackinfrackin]

Third that! And BK for the silent period.

[@LenHummelChannel]

@@murphynapoleon Starting with Charlies Chaplin, W.C.Fields, Laurel & Hardy, and then the Three Stooges with Shemp & Curly. - this group will never be topped.

[@josephcalderon906]

rackinfrackin' buster wasn't the funniest of that period. the most inventive,but not the funniest though.

[@jamesvickers9476]

W.C. was funnier then all mentioned here...without a doubt...

[@tphvictims5101]

Back in the day you had to have TALENT. Boy did he ever.

[@ericgreathouse5701]

Still the Greatest actor of all time.

[@joesphgallo5534]

He was too funny 😂

[@felixsheldon2707]

Awesome funny good! =)

[@harryschaefer5887]

"looking for loopholes", that gives me ideas...

[@Astinsan]

Driving scenes are the best

[@mikecrawford73]

good stuff

[@lelandwilson3802]

He drove me to laugh

[@mikeycee1947]

In the Golf Specialist he used the term at the desk...."Television"! Oh man he was a doozy.

[@M21L35]

Nuthin' about Carl LaFong here........'Capital L, small a, Capital F, small o, small n, small g......LaFong.......Carl Lafong.'

[@danielstanwyck2812]

my hero

[@jamesvickers2026]

Lookn for a loophole😂😂😂😂

[@theallseeingmaster]

Fields deeply respected Dickens ergo he deeply respected the Dickens' characters; as written.

[@mikelmart]

I dare every PC minded individual to watch this and not laugh.

[@sylviatina4228]

Again, again again!

[@joshuakane3689]

What is the song in the beginning of the video ?

[@darrelltalbott4830]

Thanks y’all

[@NickCooper74]

Looking for loopholes.

[@wotdoesthisbuttondo]

Benny Hill was his biggest fan doing a brilliant impression, weird how Cleese avoids that.

[@JACKnJESUS]

Don't let the Posey fool you.

[@daveclose4935]

he is very very funny

[@jesseprice3577]

Is this a game of chance? WC responds- Not the way I play it.

[@blaws6684]

I once met a woman who drive me to drink That’s the only thing I’m grateful to her for.

[@TRRyan]

I don't think that's the punchline. I believe it's "I never got a chance to thank her."

[@blaws6684]

Tom O'Rion Now that depends on when he said it and who to. I e heard it a number of ways. “A woman drove me to drink and I didn't even have the decency to thank her.” Or “I once fell in love with a beautiful blonde. Drove me to drink. I didn't have the decency to thank her.”

[@maxwaller2055]

wow

[@jamesvickers9476]

Come down an ride piggy back on the buzz saw...

[@satanstrilogy2288]

W.O.W.

[@TheSib]

“I’m very fond of children. Girl children. ‘Bout 18 to 20.” LMAO!!!!! (What’s not so funny is that my only children are ‘girl children’ and they’re those exact ages.)

[@waynebaird3539]

He also commented in one movie: " I like children... Boiled" . lol

[@M21L35]

Who better but the star of "Fawlty Towers" to narrate.....

[@kevins.butler3402]

I'm not a fan of Bill Fields' film comedies..but..I do enjoy his screen performance as"Mr.Wilkins McCawber" in"David Copperfield".

[@johnpaulnash8144]

WC genuinely funny. Unlike the funless majority of comics these days.

[@robertmurphy440]

Nice post...wish they would colorize all the old clips and re- release. Classic

[@t8r507]

My dad used to always watch W.c.fields on turner classic when they would spotlight him, we would talk about how bad WC Fields and J P Morgan both had the horrible Rosacea nose, i think morgans was worse, but both men had it bad, in some of the old pics of J Morgan his nose was like a big red half of a kosher dill pickle hanging off his face, guess back then thier was no treatment cause im sure all the money JPMorgan had hed have done something, sure looked painful too

[@CLASSICALFAN100]

Drinking like a fish + huge stress = Rosacea...

[@r.blakehole932]

Cleese's last line is garbled. Key line by W. C. Fields is, when found reading the Bible, "I'm looking for loopholes." There aren't any.

[@frankdenardo8261]

I'm as busy as a pickpocket at a nudist camp, anything I do is either illegal, immoral, or fattening, you are a walking ad for black coffee. I don't know if prohibition will come back.

[@mrdanforth3744]

It's already back, didn't you hear they shut down all the bars restaurants etc? We already had a stock market crash a pandemic and prohibition and the twenties barely got started. Wonder when the Charleston and the Model T will come back.

[@cyclingtj]

This would be great...........if tcm didn't raise their prices so comcast dropped them.

[@abrokenandacontriteheart1308]

One of my favorite comedians. I read he had rosacea Rynophyma a skin condition that caused the large red nose he was handsome when he was young alcohol kills vitamins and havocs the liver. They said it was caused by one or the other alchol or rosacea but I think rosacea was cause by wrong diet drinking rosecea is linked to autoimmune disease I think alcohol played a part in it. His nose was normal when he was young. Info on rosacea While drinking may play a role in causing rosacea, people who never drink alcohol can develop this common skin condition. Research suggests that drinking alcohol may increase a person's risk of getting rosacea. ... Risk of developing rosacea increased with the amount of alcohol drank He was very funny, when he was young he didnt drink because he started out as a juggler to bad he became an alcoholic Wrong diet alot of diabetics get rosecea sugar kills b vitamins there is a lot of sugar in alcohol. I am glad he was reading the bible at the end hope God saved him.

[@mrdanforth3744]

I read recently that Fields never drank until he was nearly 40 years old. He was a juggler in Vaudeville from the age of 13 and would not risk his timing and reflexes. When he went to work for Ziegfeld he changed from juggling to comedy and only then began to relax his rule against drinking. It would be very unusual for someone to develop a drinking problem at that age. This supports the theory that rosacea was the reason for his red nose and that his joking about drinking had no more truth to it than Jack Benny's stinginess or Gracie Allen's dizziness.

[@davidgarris2513]

What "god" would you suggest to invoke ?

[@MARKETMAN6789]

You would be arrested if you kicked a child in a movie today

[@threepot]

Doesn't get the credit he deserves? Ahead of his time.

[@therealpinoyhapa]

Homophobic insult by WC Fields

[@doloresmyatt9737]

monty python a rip off of spike milligan's work yet mentioned here as if it was the equal of w c fields work.

[@kkjhn41]

Using a tribute to Fields in order to demonstrate how little you know. Class with a capital K.

[@11calman]

For some reason, I never ever found this guy to be funny, Maybe one of you out there can point the way to a funny joke of his

[@tomhaskett5161]

Supposed to be true story. Fields has taken out a girl to a bar, dialogue as follows: "Well, my dear, what'll you have to drink?" "I guess I'll have champagne" (Pause) "Guess again..."

[@11calman]

@@tomhaskett5161 Yep, like that one.