It's a Gift (1934)

The Worst Film Ever

Simply A Masterpiece

Good concept, poorly executed.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Despite the fact that it's rather peculiar in its construction, this is one of Fields' best comedies. Unfortunately, it runs out of steam about halfway through. And it's not as if the story runs out of plot. On the contrary, it suddenly gains one-and this is just the trouble. In fact, the more formless the movie is, the funnier it seems. Opening with an agreeable domestic hassle that introduces the characters, the screenplay quickly proceeds into the celebrated shop scene which everyone ranks as one of the most hilarious in Fields' entire repertoire. The whole scene is beautifully timed and acted by Fields, Charles Sellon, Tammany Young and Morgan Wallace. Fields' bustling bits of business and his facial expressions are truly inspired. Now I wonder why that particular scene has never been imitated and appropriated by lesser comedians? Answer: It's a real no-no, censorship wise. A man who is almost totally deaf and blind is made the butt of some astoundingly hair-raising sight gags and a couple of delicious verbal thrusts. And then it's topped by the truly extraordinary sequence co-ordinated by Johnny Sinclair in which the blind man innocently walks across the street, unknowingly exposing himself against every imaginable vehicular obstacle. The following episode in which Fields attempts to sleep on the verandah, is almost as funny. To my mind, however, it's allowed to run just a trifle too long-even though brought to an abrupt and hilarious conclusion! The next sequences, like the invasion of the private picnic ground, are not a quarter as amusing. And alas, by the time the plot reaches California, it has run out of steam. Nonetheless, it's still a great Fields outing. As noted, our comedian always enjoys excellent support, including some timely interventions from Kathleen Howard as his nagging wife. The screenplay makes two or three perfunctory attempts to work up a bit of romantic interest involving Jean Rouverol and Julian Madison, but this will worry no-one. It's a Gift is virtually one hundred proof Fields.AVAILABLE on DVD through Universal. Quality rating: Ten out of ten.

Considered One of the Best, If Not The Best of Fields Films. It is a Comedy of Annoyance and W.C. Never Really Gets Aggravated Despite the World Conspiring Against Him. It is a Lesson in Tolerance and Restraint. Fields Never Lets the Situation or the Onslaught of Circumstance Get to Him. He Maintains Self-Respect While Never Achieving Any of That from the People in His Life.A Blind Man Who Shows No Regard for Anything but Himself (he orders a pack of gum and can't be bothered to take it with him, he wants it delivered, Fields delivers), a Nagging Wife Who Never Stops Insulting Him, Calling Him an idiot and Berating His Very Being ("you've gotten mighty familiar with the upstairs neighbor."), or His Self-Involved children (the daughter commandeering the bathroom mirror, or the son leaving his roller skate at the top of the stairs).None of This Phases W.C. in the Slightest. He Continues to Pursue His Dream of an Orange Orchard. The Movie is a Non-Stop Set-Piece for Fields to Showcase His Athletic and Acrobatic Gracefulness and His Dry Wit While it Continues to Rain On Top of Him. There is Some Subtle Underlying Commentary. With WWI and its Onslaught on Humanity Still Very Much in the Public Mind, Fields Opening a Can of Tomatoes with an Axe, "I'll show you how we did it in the Army.", and the can of tomatoes explodes all over his white shirt. Many Famous W.C. Comedy Bits are Present Here, Carl LaFong, the Back Porch Swing, and the Aforementioned Blind Man Sequence. It's Truly a Comedy Masterpiece and Holds Up Very Well Today. The Ending is Unexpectedly Poignant. After the Old Car that traveled across country collapses, Fields Mutters Under His Breath. "Well at least it got us here."That Sums Up the Likability of W.C. Fields, Forever Forgiving in the Era of the Depression. He Survives and is Grateful for His Gin and Orange Juice as the Family Goes Off to do Some Shopping. He Waves and Smiles.

I profess this film to be the very first W.C. Fields film that I have ever viewed in it's entirety.The verdict? While I don't view W.C. Fields to be among the funniest comedians I have ever seen,his work in this film left an overall good impression on me.The film contains a good mixture of sight gags and one liners,and I found all of them to be the comedy equivalent of home runs,or at the least,triples.About the only thing I didn't laugh at in this film was Mr. Fields' interaction with the children.Overall I find the film to be a winner,and would view again should I come across it on television and were finding myself in need of laughs.

there isn't much to add here that hasn't already been commented on. this is an absolute spot-on perfect comedy. from the acting to the writing, there isn't one scene that isn't tailored to him perfectly, from fields having breakfast with his family, going to work ("where are my kumquats?") or trying to sleep on the porch with a baby dropping grapes on his head ("shades of Bacchus!"), among other annoyances. those who say fields was at his best here are absolutely correct. no one, absolutely no one says "i hate you" better than fields to his assistant in the store after he allows baby leroy to spill molasses all over the floor.