The Fatal Glass of Beer (1933)

The prodigal son of a Yukon prospector comes home on a night that "ain't fit for man nor beast."

Director:

Clyde Bruckman

Stars:

W.C. Fields, Rosemary Theby, George Chandler

Cast

Complete credited cast:
W.C. Fields	...	Mr. Snavely
Rosemary Theby	...	Mrs. Snavely
George Chandler	...	Chester Snavely the Wastrel Son
Richard Cramer	...	Officer Posthlewhistle (as Rychard Cramer)

Storyline

Mr. Snavely, a Yukon prospector, lost his only son years ago to the temptations of the big city; now the prodigal Chester, released from prison, comes home to Ma and Pa. A parody of Yukon melodrama; includes the famous looking-out-the-door routine.

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Plot Keywords:

prodigal son | elk | canadian northwest | canada | temperance | 

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Genres:

Short | Comedy

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 March 1933 (USA)

Also Known As:

It Ain't a Fit Night Out for Man or Beast

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mack Sennett Comedies

Technical Specs

Runtime:

21 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Photophone System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In Fields' first sound film, The Golf Specialist there is a wanted poster of Fields which shows him in his "Fatal Glass of Beer" costume. It evidently was taken from an earlier stage presentation of the classic Fields sketch.

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Quotes

Mr. Snavely: I think I'll go milk the elk.

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Connections

Referenced in George Washington Slept Here (1942)

User Reviews

Bring back Fields!

I was driving to visit my cousin recently, & passed very close to the birthplace of W C Fields, a native Philadelphian like myself. It reminded me that W C has somehow gotten out of vogue. WHY?? Back in the 1960's & 1970's there was a huge revival of interest in his anti-establishment ways. We used to have birthday parties for him every Jan. 29th (I won the child-insulting contest one year). His films were on TV constantly.

It's time to get old William Claude back where he belongs! He was the greatest, & we need more of his brand of humor now. (Plus, he inspired me to learn how to juggle - a hobby I've now enjoyed for almost 40 years)

Best short: Fatal Glass of Beer

Best Feature: It's a Gift