You Can't Cheat an Honest Man (1939)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

George Marshall

Writers:

W.C. Fields (story)
Everett Freeman (screenplay)

Release Date:

18 February 1939 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Larson E. Whipsnade runs a seedy circus which is perpetually in debt. His performers give him nothing but trouble...

Plot Keywords:

Circus | Elephant | Con Trick | Ventriloquist | Racial Slur

Cast

W.C. Fields	...	Larson E. Whipsnade
Edgar Bergen	...	The Great Edgar
Charlie McCarthy	...	Charlie McCarthy
Constance Moore	...	Victoria Whipsnade
John Arledge	...	Phineas Whipsnade
James Bush	...	Roger Bel-Goodie
Thurston Hall	...	Mr. Archibald Bel-Goodie
Mary Forbes	...	Mrs. Bel-Goodie
Edward Brophy	...	Corbett
Arthur Hohl	...	Burr
Princess Baba	...	Princess Baba, The Great Edgar's Assistant
Blacaman	...	Blacaman - The Lion Tamer
Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson	...	Cheerful (as Eddie Anderson)

Runtime:

76 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Certification:

USA:Approved

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

W.C. Fields and Edgar Bergen were paid $100,000 each. Fields was paid an additional $25,000 for writing the script.

Quotes:

Whipsnade: This way, ladies and gentlemen, this way. Right up on this platform. The world's greatest novelty. The Pronkwonk Twins! Elwood and Brentwood. Elwood is ten minutes older than Brentwood and has been in a hurry ever since. Ladies and gentlemen, Brentwood is the smallest giant in the world, whilst his brother, Elwood, is the largest midget in the world. They baffle science.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Hollywood Screen Tests: Take 1 (1999) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Chicken Reel

W.C. Fields in the Sawdust

In yet another variation of his "Poppy" role from his Broadway hit of the 1920s, Fields here plays Larson E. Whipsnade, owner of a circus. He has 2 children who have been off at school. The daughter, Constance Moore, feels compelled to marry for money. The son has no role.

At the circus, among Fields' attraction are Edgar Bergen and his dummies. Fields and Bergen had a solid chemistry and the radio "fued" between Fields and the dummy Charlie McCarthy were hugely popular. Their banter here is quite funny.

The plot is thin and revolves around the daughter's marriage and the financial troubles of the circus. But it's enough for Fields to build some hilarious routines around. The climactic ping pong game at the home of the groom's parents is very funny. Also funny is Fields dressed up as circus star, Buffalo Bella, the sharp-shooter.

Moore and Bergen have zero chemistry as the "lovers." But good support is provided by Eddie Anderson, Mary Forbes, Thurston Hall, James Bush, Grady Sutton, and especially Jan Duggan as Miss Sludge, the woman who starts the ping pong match. Duggan memorably co-starred with Fields in THE OLD FASHIONED WAY.

The Fields universe rarely goes well but there is a happy ending.