Would anyone else agree that this is perhaps the finest talking comedy produced? The Marx Bros. DUCK SOUP would also come close. I'm not referring to films such as THE PHILADELPHIA STORY or HIS GIRL FRIDAY here, but strictly to comedian comedies, films starring comedians already well-established in another medium. I personally can't think of any more perfectly constructed sound comedy than IT'S A GIFT.
Matt
It's certainly the best of Fields' feature films, which puts it at or near the top of all comedies. The classic porch scene (which runs about 8 minutes, if I remember correctly) is hilarious - 1 great line after another!
BTW, later today I will be passing very close to W.C.'s birthplace in Southwest Philadelphia. The site was occupied by a movie theater for many years (some coincidence)but is now a wig salon. I'll be sure to tip my hat to W.C.'s spirit as I go by.
If you notice a lot of the older houses in Philadelphia look exactly like the ones in this film, with the levels of back porches creating a rather distinct style. It's clear that Fields (who basically had complete creative control over these films)suggested that the art directors base the set designs in this film on the houses he had grew up around in his youth in Philadelphia.
Matt
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Yes, I agree 100 %. THE FUNNIEST MOVIE I HAVE EVER SEEN !
I have seen a LOT of funny ones, but this is in a class by itself.
I liked It's a Gift, but I think The Bank Dick is funnier because it doesn't have the incessantly nagging wife and that obnoxious kid.
It’s a Gift is a purposely annoying movie: the man yelling for Cumquats, the porch scene, every scene with his wife. Albeit funny (because of W.C.), it was generally unpleasant to watch, which is why I prefer The Bank Dick, although I say Animal Crackers is my favorite ‘talking comedy.’ Who other than W.C. Fields matches the Marx Brothers … Laurel and Hardy? Never was a big fan.
Duck Soup is great. My favorite part: at the end, Groucho’s head gets stuck in a large vase. Then, in the next shot, Groucho’s face is crudely drawn on the vase. I’m a sucker for that kind of comedy.
On my list, I have "Duck Soup" rated as my favortie comedy, but I am dying to watch "It's A Gift" again - I don't own a copy. This is the only WC Fields comedy I have seen, and it's pure comedy gold! It's certainly among my very favorite comedies.
shareIt's a Gift has some of Fields' funniest scenes but the overall film doesn't really add up to much. As in it seems like a series of 3 different 2 reelers stitched together with the shred of a plot (going to CA, orange grove). And really, I think the film loses most of its momentum once the actual plot gets going and they go to CA. The road trip bits aren't especially memorable.
And really, the plot is very much of its time and as such is dated. It's a very Depression Era sort of film with the whole "Let's take a chance on an orange grove in CA" plot.
I personally think The Bank Dick is a more sustained film where everything adds up. Man on the Flying Trapeze is also better than It's a Gift...it's essentially the same film with a more sustained pace and plot, even Kathleen Howard is back as his wife.
You're Telling Me is another Fields movie I enjoy more than It's a Gift. It's not as outright funny, but it's much better natured and makes for better repeat viewings. After I see It's a Gift I can't help but feel exhausted and it's only 68 mins. long.
Interesting...
I'll have to check out some of the other W.C. Fields films that you mentioned.
I just saw The Old Fashioned Way last night at a screening at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, hosted by Leonard Maltin, and Jean Rouverol, who played his Daughter in It's A Gift, spoke. She had very warm memories of working with the Great Man. I'd say this is his best film, therefore the best ever, with Man On the Flying Trapeze second and The Old Fashioned Way third.
"The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions." ~Confucius~
I have considered It's A Gift the funniest film in history ever since I first saw it when I was a kid. I have never seen anything to equal that back porch scene, and the actress playing the wife is pretty hilarious, too.
shareone of the best
shareThere is no way to deny that "It's a Gift" is one of the funniest film ever made. It's right up there with "Way Out West," "Duck Soup," "Some Like It Hot," "The Lady Eve" and a few others.
shareIt's Fields' greatest film to me and that's saying alot right there. I would definately put it in the top five sound comedies of alltime with SOME LIKE IT HOT, A NIGHT AT THE OPERA, MIDNIGHT, and RED HEADED WOMAN.
Remembering JANE WYMAN (1917-2007), BETTY HUTTON (1921-2007), YVONNE DE CARLO (1922-2007)
I haven't seen this film in decades, and can't actually remember if this is the one that made me laugh so hard: Is this the one where they set off for California and have a picnic in a park which turns out to be a wealthy family's estate? That picnic scene, where the family turns an idyllic parkland area into chaos and mess in moments, reminds me of every open-air family event - which is why I so rarely take any photos of them! Can someone please confirm if this is the right film?
shareI haven't seen this film in decades, and can't actually remember if this is the one that made me laugh so hard: Is this the one where they set off for California and have a picnic in a park which turns out to be a wealthy family's estate? That picnic scene, where the family turns an idyllic parkland area into chaos and mess in moments, reminds me of every open-air family event - which is why I so rarely take any photos of them! Can someone please confirm if this is the right film?
This is a great Fields film, one of his best. I would include on the list of great American comedies from the "golden age" the grossly underrated comic masterpieces "Sons of the Desert" (1933) and "Way out West" (1937).
shareI re-watched it last night after a couple of years, or so, and once more I laughed really hard (and I'm certainly not a person that would laugh when watching movies, not even comedies). This movie is truly THE BEST and FUNNIEST ever. Moreover, I'm feeling like watching it again today!
Animal crackers in my soup
Monkeys and rabbits loop the loop