This W.C. Fields comedy and drama takes place in or near Green Meadows, in 1883. Pop(W.C. as Prof. McGargle) and his daughter Poppy(Rochelle Hudson), adopted when small, when a circus orphan, are walking along a country road. W.C. sums up his persona as a sort of Robin Hood, who fleeces the rich and gives to the poor, namely, themselves. A hay wagon full of happy, singing, couples passes them. W.C. picks up a curious dog, and takes him to a rural tavern. He demonstrates to the tavern keeper how 'his' dog can talk(through ventriloquism), impressing the keeper enough to offer $10. for it.
Two gentlemen race their carriages along the road. Poppy happens to be on a small bridge over a stream. The passing carriages cause her to fall over backwards to get out of their way. One, Billy Farnsworth, son of the mayor of Green Meadows, returns to take a 2nd look and see if she is hurt. She's put off by his brashness and he leaves. But later, she won't be so dismissive. A carriage picks them up and takes them to the carnival at Green Meadows. After an unpleasant initiation, they are offered a concession at the carnival, which they accept.
As W.C. plays the zither, Poppy sings the Ralph Rainger and Leo Robin song: "Rendezvous with a Dream", followed by a group sing of the same. Billy F. was in the audience and was impressed by her singing and beauty, making himself known again... W.C. then touts his Purple Frog Sarsaparilla, at $1. per bottle. One customer gives him a $5. bill, but he won't give him change. Instead, he gives him 4 more bottles. He follows this with a brief shell game.
The mayor of Green Meadows(Billy's father) shakes hands with W.C.. The countess Maggi(Catherin Doucet), the wealthiest person in town, also makes her acquaintance, inviting W.C. to visit her mansion. "What a charming little lean-to" he remarks upon seeing it. He is invited to play Croquet with the ladies. However, he has many problems, including tripping over a wicket, keeping the hammer on the rod of the mallet, and a dog stealing his ball.
W.C. claims he owns a mine producing silver, gold and platinum, trying to impress the countess. He learns that she inherited her mansion from a Mr. Putnam, but stands to lose it if Putnam's wife or daughter should appear. Thus, W.C doctors a marriage license implying that he married Putnam's wife 20 years ago, hoping this will convince that Poppy is the daughter they are looking for. Poppy gets news that the mayor has decided she is the daughter, thus should own the countess's mansion. But during a lavish reception, she feels snubbed by the town elite, complaining to W.C. that she wished she could go back to her old life. She almost gets her wish when the attorney Whiffen(Lynne Overmann), in league with the Countess, declares W.C.s marriage certificate a fraud, since it claims they were married in 1863, but the watermark is 1883. But Sarah Tucker finds an old photo of Kathy Putnam and notes the striking resemblance to Poppy. Also, W.C. announces that Poppy is not his biological daughter. She was adopted from a circus when very young. Thus, Poppy could be Kathy's daughter. The mayor again declares (on pretty flimsy evidence) that the mansion belongs to Poppy, causing the countess to faint. The mayor also announces that he gives approval for a wedding between son Billy and Poppy. W.C. packs up his things and says goodbye, as he is a wanderer through and through. Before he leaves, he gives the advice "Never give a sucker an even break), which would be the title of a subsequent W.C. film.
"Poppy" had been a stage show in 1923-4, and a silent movie called "Sally of the Sawdust", in 1925. Fields had starred in each. Unfortunately, he now was in poor health, with much pain. Thus, Johnny Sinclair, Field's usual double, actually was W.C. in most takes, using a rubber mask. Fields also broke a vertebra falling off that high wheel bicycle.
I liked this film. Unlike many of his films, there was no bossy wife to slow him down. As in several other films, he doted on his marriageable daughter, who is his best friend.
Two gentlemen race their carriages along the road. Poppy happens to be on a small bridge over a stream. The passing carriages cause her to fall over backwards to get out of their way. One, Billy Farnsworth, son of the mayor of Green Meadows, returns to take a 2nd look and see if she is hurt. She's put off by his brashness and he leaves. But later, she won't be so dismissive. A carriage picks them up and takes them to the carnival at Green Meadows. After an unpleasant initiation, they are offered a concession at the carnival, which they accept.
As W.C. plays the zither, Poppy sings the Ralph Rainger and Leo Robin song: "Rendezvous with a Dream", followed by a group sing of the same. Billy F. was in the audience and was impressed by her singing and beauty, making himself known again... W.C. then touts his Purple Frog Sarsaparilla, at $1. per bottle. One customer gives him a $5. bill, but he won't give him change. Instead, he gives him 4 more bottles. He follows this with a brief shell game.
The mayor of Green Meadows(Billy's father) shakes hands with W.C.. The countess Maggi(Catherin Doucet), the wealthiest person in town, also makes her acquaintance, inviting W.C. to visit her mansion. "What a charming little lean-to" he remarks upon seeing it. He is invited to play Croquet with the ladies. However, he has many problems, including tripping over a wicket, keeping the hammer on the rod of the mallet, and a dog stealing his ball.
W.C. claims he owns a mine producing silver, gold and platinum, trying to impress the countess. He learns that she inherited her mansion from a Mr. Putnam, but stands to lose it if Putnam's wife or daughter should appear. Thus, W.C doctors a marriage license implying that he married Putnam's wife 20 years ago, hoping this will convince that Poppy is the daughter they are looking for. Poppy gets news that the mayor has decided she is the daughter, thus should own the countess's mansion. But during a lavish reception, she feels snubbed by the town elite, complaining to W.C. that she wished she could go back to her old life. She almost gets her wish when the attorney Whiffen(Lynne Overmann), in league with the Countess, declares W.C.s marriage certificate a fraud, since it claims they were married in 1863, but the watermark is 1883. But Sarah Tucker finds an old photo of Kathy Putnam and notes the striking resemblance to Poppy. Also, W.C. announces that Poppy is not his biological daughter. She was adopted from a circus when very young. Thus, Poppy could be Kathy's daughter. The mayor again declares (on pretty flimsy evidence) that the mansion belongs to Poppy, causing the countess to faint. The mayor also announces that he gives approval for a wedding between son Billy and Poppy. W.C. packs up his things and says goodbye, as he is a wanderer through and through. Before he leaves, he gives the advice "Never give a sucker an even break), which would be the title of a subsequent W.C. film.
"Poppy" had been a stage show in 1923-4, and a silent movie called "Sally of the Sawdust", in 1925. Fields had starred in each. Unfortunately, he now was in poor health, with much pain. Thus, Johnny Sinclair, Field's usual double, actually was W.C. in most takes, using a rubber mask. Fields also broke a vertebra falling off that high wheel bicycle.
I liked this film. Unlike many of his films, there was no bossy wife to slow him down. As in several other films, he doted on his marriageable daughter, who is his best friend.