Never Give a Sucker an Even Break

Never Give a Sucker an Even Break. 1941 Universal Pictures.
Starring: W.C. Fields, Gloria Jean, Leon Errol, Butch & Buddy, Margaret Dumont, Franklin Pangborn
Director: Edward F. Cline
Available as part of the W.C. Fields Comedy Collection, Volume 2.

This is the final starring role for the Great Man, as alcoholism and illness had taken its toll on him. Fields has long wanted to make a movie his way, with his own script, and his choice of supporting players. Universal Pictures gave him that chance, and this is what he delivered. The finished product was so surreal that the studio edited and reshot a few scenes, before quietly releasing it, as well as releasing Fields from his contract.

Fields plays himself, as he makes his way to the studios of Esoteric Films, intending to read and sell a script to Mr. Pangborn (also playing himself). His niece Gloria Jean is also headed there to rehearse some songs. The script contains several surreal scenes, which we see acted out, as Fields and Gloria fly to Russia, run into strange characters on and off the "plane" (which looks more like a sleeper car on a train), and back out of two impromptu marriages at the last minute. Pangborn tells Fields to leave the studio, which prompts Gloria Jean to quit if her film uncle is fired. They make plans to travel the world, but get sidetracked when an older woman asks for their assistance in getting to a hospital where her daughter's about to give birth.

Cue the slapstick chase scene through Los Angeles, which ends after Fields wrecks his car upon arrival at the hospital. He tells the arriving Gloria Jean that it's a good thing he had an accident, or he would never have arrived there safely.

There's some funny stuff here. Recommended movie.