One of the most refreshingly silly films that ever came out of Hollywood. It's just a bit sad to note that it's W.C.'s last, but his acerbic wit and inventiveness is always on display. Note that very funny exchange with him and the over-sized waitress (Jody Gilbert), his foil in timing and delivery. "There's something very big about you." "Why, thank you, my dear". Her retort: "It's your nose!". His sotto voce response, when she turns around and starts cleaning the counter: "There's something very big about YOU, too!" Gloria Jean is sweet as his niece who takes him, foibles and all. Her style is much like Deanna Durbin's (another teen actress/singer of the time), and perhaps she was being groomed to be her rival. Her scenes with the prissy producer (portrayed by prissy actor), Franklin Pangborn, show some normalcy in the midst of the chaos on the set. And anyone who ever thought that the regal Margaret Dumont, the Marx Brothers' favorite comic target, never had a sense of humor, need only see her as Mrs. Hemoglobin, living in a mythical country without men. Made up with a severe hairstyle and Groucho-esquire eyebrows, she allows herself to look and act silly with the best of them, and has fun doing so. If you enjoy Fields (and I always have), as a one-of-a-kind talent - as versatile in drama (ie: "David Copperfield"), as in comedic mayhem, then you're bound to enjoy this film for its sheer silliness as a much-needed stress breaker.
Review of Never Give a Sucker an Even Break
