First Segment Unequalled

Hello All,

I almost suffered an abdominal rupture from laughter when first viewing this gem over 30 years ago, on late-night TV. The first half is brilliant.
When they depart on the auto trip, the quality level declines ever-so-slightly, but it remains a masterpiece.

And why is this? Nagging wives, over-crowded bathrooms, kumquats, irritating salesmen and the demanding disabled; these are all standard elements
of slapstick (Vaudeville) comedy. But here Fields raised them--somehow--to a higher level, for TALKING flicks; would the Carl LaFong scene be such a hoot if we had to read it off dialogue cards? The only sound-era rival was Chaplin (talk about elite company!) Don't mean to start a fuss but, IMHO, the Marx Bros. have always been over-rated.

One poster says he prefers "Bank Dick", because "Gift" is "unpleasant to
watch." Yes---it's about a little man constantly oppressed by the forces of
nature & society. And the little man cuts ethical corners here-and-there, to get through the daily grind. He's developed a sarcastic outer shell for protection, 'cause in this world those who care are quickly destroyed without
protection. He's not Evil---just spiritually worn-down. He dreams of the liberating "Big Score" in Sunny California.
We should all remember Harold Bissonette when we buy a Lotto ticket.

And the Little Man DOES LOVE his wife & kids, but SWEET JESUS---CAN'T THEY
LET-UP ONCE-IN-AWHILE?

Some of you will remember Vincent Canby, for many years the film critic of
The N.Y. Times. On his personal list of Ten Favorite Films, guess what was
included . . . "It's A Gift".

Gary In Arizona