Man on the Flying Trapeze (1935)

User Rating:

8.0/10   

Director:

Clyde Bruckman

Writers:

W.C. Fields (story)
Sam Hardy (story)

Release Date:

3 August 1935 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Wrestling Match | Mother In Law | Loyalty | Wrestler | Policeman

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 #1
James Burke	...	Patrolman #2
Carlotta Monti	...	Ambrose's secretary

Also Known As:

The Memory Expert (UK)

Runtime:

65 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

This was the last film directed by Clyde Bruckman. Although Bruckman's name appears on the credit, this film was actually directed by W.C. Fields, who took over after Bruckman had to quit early in the shoot due to the effects of his alcoholism. This is the only film on which Fields technically worked as his own director.

Quotes:

Homicidal maniac in cell: I had three wives.
Ambrose Wolfinger: Oh, yes.
Homicidal maniac in cell: But this is the first one I killed in all my life!
Ambrose Wolfinger: Oh, that's in your favor, yeah.
Homicidal maniac in cell: [Groans]
Ambrose Wolfinger: They have no more case against you than a sheep has against a butcher.

Movie Connections:

Remade as Andy Plays Hookey (1946)

Great stuff

W.C. Fields is funnier than any contemporary Hollywood comedian because he doesn't try to be funny. DVD review.

Attempting to get a half day off work to see a wrestling match Fields claims his mother-in-law has died.

Typical Fields movie - mother-in-law, nagging wife, devoted daughter, trouble at work, alcohol, fights, police, car accident, easy going attitude no matter what happens, and an ability to get through any crisis. Good introduction to this actor's movies. Smooth one-track picture where each extended scene is really one short film. Memorable scenes include: the flowers arriving at the house, jobless Grady Sutton lying down after breakfast with a water bottle, Fields trying to get into the wrestling stadium, and the fine sharp ending. Far funnier than any comedy I've had to endure at my local multiplex this year.

The Man On The Flying Trapeze is great stuff.