Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch (1934)

Director:

Norman Taurog

Writers:

Alice Hegan Rice (novel)
Anne Crawford Flexner (play) ...

Release Date:

28 October 1934 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

The Wiggs family plan to celebrate Thanksgiving in their rundown shack with leftover stew, without Mr...

Plot Keywords:

Based On Novel | Based On Play

Cast

Pauline Lord	...	Mrs. Elvira Wiggs
W.C. Fields	...	Mr. C. Ellsworth Stubbins
Zasu Pitts	...	Miss Tabitha Hazy, Spinster
Evelyn Venable	...	Lucy Olcott
Kent Taylor	...	Bob Redding, Masonville Newspaper Editor
Charles Middleton	...	Mr. Bagby
Donald Meek	...	Mr. Hiram Wiggs
Jimmy Butler	...	Bill Wiggs
George P. Breakston	...	Jimmy Wiggs (as George Breakston)
Edith Fellows	...	Australia Wiggs
Virginia Weidler	...	Europena Wiggs
Carmencita Johnson	...	Asia Wiggs
George Reed	...	Julius, Olcott's Servant
Mildred Gover	...	Priscilla, Olcott's Maid
Arthur Housman	...	Dick Harris, Drunk

Runtime:

80 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #133)

Filming Locations:

Paramount Ranch - 2813 Cornell Road, Agoura, California, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

One of over 700 Paramount Productions, filmed between 1929 and 1949, which were sold to MCA/Universal in 1958 for television distribution, and have been owned and controlled by Universal ever since.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Peeks at Hollywood (1945)

Heart Warming Tale Of Mother's Courage

With her husband in the Klondike searching for gold, MRS. WIGGS OF THE CABBAGE PATCH (the poor part of town) valiantly strives against heavy odds to care for her five children.

Based on the book by Helen Hegan Rice, this is a wonderfully sentimental look at a bygone era of Americana. While it is easy and perhaps even fashionable to scoff at films which touch the emotions, there is absolutely nothing wrong with sentimentality if the sentiment expressed rings honest & true. There are no false notes here.

Noted stage actress Pauline Lord (1890-1950), in the first of only three film appearances, is heartrending in the title role. Gentle & patient, she is the very epitome of loving motherhood. ZaSu Pitts (1898-1963), with vague voice & fluttering fingers, gives a noteworthy performance as the Wiggs' spinster neighbor. Had events proceeded differently and her contributions to von Stroheim's GREED justly appreciated, Miss Pitts would have been recognized as one of the screen's greatest tragediennes. Instead, she orbited into comedic roles, constantly portraying a nervous, scatterbrained female, a sort of living, breathing, Olive Oyl.

Following the film's most sorrowful sequence, director Norman Taurog wanted to introduce a light touch to the succeeding scenes. The inimitable W. C. Fields was brought in for one week's work to play Miss Pitts' gustatorial suitor. Although in much pain from a torn ligament, he is splendid, delivering what is almost a dress rehearsal for his subsequent characterization of the marvelous Micawber. His scenes with Miss Pitts are a special delight, mixing blustery braggadocio with humor & pathos.

The romantic angle is nicely underplayed by Evelyn Venable & Kent Taylor, portraying upper echelon protectors of the Wiggs family. Charles Middleton does well as the obligatory villainous landlord. Young George P. Breakston is especially good as the ethereal Jimmy; and Donald Meek scores in his tiny role as Mrs. Wiggs ineffectual husband.

Movie mavens will recognize Arthur Housman in his typical role of an inebriate & Dell Henderson as the theater manager, both unbilled.

Tender & charming, here is a film which the receptive viewer should cherish.