The Memory Expert (1935)
"Man on the Flying Trapeze" (original title)

Hard-working, henpecked Ambrose Ambrose Wolfinger takes off from work to go to a wrestling match with catastrophic consequences.

Director:

Clyde Bruckman

Writers:

Ray Harris (screenplay), Sam Hardy (screenplay),

Stars:

W.C. Fields, Mary Brian, Kathleen Howard

Cast

Complete credited cast:
W.C. Fields	...	Ambrose Wolfinger
Mary Brian	...	Hope Wolfinger
Kathleen Howard	...	Leona Wolfinger
Grady Sutton	...	Claude Neselrode
Vera Lewis	...	Mrs. Cordelia Neselrode
Lucien Littlefield	...	Mr. Peabody
Oscar Apfel	...	President Malloy
Lew Kelly	...	Adolph Berg
Tammany Young	...	'Willie' the Weasel
Walter Brennan	...	'Legs' Garnett
Edward Gargan	...	Patrolman No.1
James Burke	...	Patrolman No.2
Carlotta Monti	...	Ambrose's Secretary

Storyline

Ambrose Wolfinger wants the afternoon off (his first in twenty-five years) to go to a wrestling match. He tells his boss that he must attend his mother-in-law's funeral. The afternoon is no joy. He tries to please a policeman, assist a chauffeur, chase a tire, and ends up getting hit by the body of a wrestler thrown from the ring. A series of mishaps leads his boss to send floral tributes to the house and notify the papers of the death (due to poisoned liquor). His shrewish wife, judgmental mother-in-law, and good-for-nothing brother-in-law add to his burdens. In the end he enjoys their fawning loyalty, a raise in pay, and his first vacation.

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Plot Keywords:

mother in law | wrestling match | policeman | brother in law | loyalty | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 August 1935 (USA)

Also Known As:

L'homme sur le trapèze volant

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

66 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Mr Wolfinger's secretary is played by Carlotta Monti, who in real life was the mistress of W.C. Fields.

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Quotes

Ambrose Wolfinger: The more haste the less speed.

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Connections

Featured in W.C. Fields: Straight Up (1986)

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Soundtracks

"On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away"
(1897) (uncredited)
Music and lyrics by Paul Dresser
Sung a cappella by W.C. Fields, Walter Brennan, Tammany Young and Lew Kelly

User Reviews

A Great Comedy

Without a doubt a comedy classic. The last and only time I saw it was over twenty years ago and the laughs still stay with me. Does anyone know of any way to get this movie on video? Will it ever be available? What's the reason for the holdup???

UPDATE: May 2007 -- Great news -- this gem is now available on DVD. It is as funny now as when I saw it decades ago. I don't remember it being so short -- it is only 65 minutes -- but those are hilarious minutes. WC Fields is a genius! The entire cast is perfect. The interaction with his family is just terrific. I especially like the scenes with Fields and the woman playing his daughter -- they were very touching. This is a MUST SEE film!