Rating: - A tartuffle, eh? What kind of a tarfuffle?
If Fields were alive and could rate this film, he would probably give it one star. He was very unhappy at the final result, in which most of his main story ideas were thrown out, he went through three directors although one extra stayed on and worked only with Edgar Bergen.
I'm sure most people who made this movie would be astounded that anyone would still be watching these movies seventy years later. In those days, it was strictly the business of selling the tickets and popcorn and using radio stars like Bergen and Eddie "Rochester" Anderson to draw in the customers.
At times, Fields may have gone overboard in his role as an inept scoundrel, but when he is good, he is terrific. There are so many hilarious bits in the movie that make you forget that it is a silly mishmash. It baffles science.
Once again there is the running gag on the Field's character's name: "It's ... Read More
Rating: - Barely mediocre Fields comedy
"You Can't Cheat an Honest Man" was a disappointing effort due to the fact that rather than featuring W.C. Fields director George Marshall chose to allow Edgar Bergen and protege Charlie McCarthy to hog the screen. I was under the impression that ventriloquists were not supposed to move their lips. This was a condition that was lost on Bergen. I'm at a loss as to understand what the captivation was with his tired act.
Fields playing perpetually indebted traveling circus owner Larson E. Whipsnade was given too few opportunities to perform his particular style of hijinks. One notable exception was the scene in the ticket booth where he used his excellent comedic tools.
The widowed Fields' kids Victoria and Phineas played by Constance Moore and John Arledge are being supported by him as they attend a prestigious college. Arledge aware of Fields' monetary plight is encouraging his sister ... Read More
Rating: - Old Time Radio stars brought to the screen!
I've been a long time Edgar Bergen fan, and was delighted with his performance in this comical movie, "You Can't Cheat an Honest Man". I had never seen W.C. Fields on the screen before, and was also pleasantly surprised by his outragous antics (his hat bit is wonderful). For anyone looking for a good laugh, or a movie for the whole family (litterally-Grandpa & Grandma will remember them, and the children will be introduced to them), this is a great movie to buy or rent.
Rating: - A True Classic, Honest
This is a truly classic comedy featuring W.C. Fields and Edgar Bergen. Fields plays circus proprietor Larson Whipsnade. His circus is not a blazing success, and Whipsnade and company are on the run from the law and on the lam from creditors. Despite all, Whipsnade has managed to keep his son and daughter in college. As the story begins, Whipsnade's son is urging his sister to marry a fellow student who is wooing her. The suitor is from a wealthy family and Whipsnade Jr. sees the marriage as a way to improve the Whipsnade family fortune. Unfortunateley, sis isn't in love with the boy. Instead, she falls for Bergen, who works in dad's circus.
I suppose, if you like Fields but not Bergen, you might think there is too much Bergen & company in this movie and not enough of Fields. Then, again, a Bergen fan might make the opposite argument. Personally, I find them both hilarious. The plot here is rather thin, ... Read More
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- A tartuffle, eh? What kind of a tarfuffle?
- Barely mediocre Fields comedy
- Old Time Radio stars brought to the screen!
