Profiles in Toxic Masculinity, Part 17 – W.C. Fields
Appearances Can Be Deceiving
Fell in love with a beautiful blonde once. Drove me to drink. And I never had the decency to thank her.
Fellow on the right looks like a respectable young man from, oh, the early twentieth century, yes? A charming fellow, well dressed, well turned out, with an amiable smile on his face. But the truth about this young man and who he turned out to be is something else entirely. This is William Claude Dukenfield, better known as W.C. Fields, a juggler, Ziegfeld Follies performer, cynical comedian, movie star, probably a high-functioning alcoholic and the subject for our latest Profile in Toxic Masculinity. The italicized bits initiating each section here are quotes from the man himself.
His Maculate Origin
I spent half my money on gambling, alcohol and wild women. The other half I wasted.
Fields was born on January 29, 1880, to James Lydon Dukenfield, a Civil War veteran, English immigrant and apparently short-tempered prick, and Kate Spangler Felton. There is little information about Fields’ parents other than that his father was listed in the 1876 Philadelphia City Directory as a “clerk” which could encompass several occupations.
While Fields liked to portray himself later in life as having had a youth that could have been written by Charles Dickens at his most pessimistic, by all accounts his relationship with his family was good. While he argued regularly with his father and ran away from home several times, he always returned and later supported his family. Fields encouraged his siblings to learn to read and write, and later helped his father financially, allowing the elder Fields to retire. William Claude was ill-educated, as he did not proceed past elementary school. But he had talent and drive, and that was to serve him well in life. His first step into what would be his lifelong career involved teaching himself to juggle.
His Adventurous Career
Always carry a flagon of whiskey in case of snakebite, and furthermore, always carry a small snake.
In 1898, William Claude entered the world of vaudeville as a “tramp” juggler, using the name W.C. Fields for the first time. He initially did not speak on stage, until he had trained himself out of a childhood problem with stuttering. By the early 1900s Fields was touring in North America, Europe, Australia and South Africa. He quickly learned to spice up his juggling act with sarcastic comments, which would become one of his trademarks. In 1913 he toured with Sarah Bernhardt and performed (among other venues) for King George V and Queen Mary. Sarah Bernhardt reportedly described Fields as “an artiste who could not fail to please the best class of audience.”
From 1915 to 1922, Fields was a regular performer in the Ziegfeld Follies, where he also developed his billiards sketch, which would later be reproduced in several movies. During that time he also established the persona that he would carry though his career: The gravelly-voiced, hard-drinking, cigar-chomping, sarcastic, misanthropic, slightly shady character, always looking for the main chance but rarely finding it.
Also in 1915, Fields made his first film appearances, starring that year in two silent films, Pool Sharks and His Lordship’s Dilemma. However, Fields remained a bit player even after signing with Paramount, until the 1933 “talkie” film International House propelled him into stardom. The rest, as we say, is history.
His impressive filmography follows:
- September 19, 1915 Pool Sharks
- October 3, 1915 His Lordship’s Dilemma
- October 27, 1924 Janice Meredith
- August 2, 1925 Sally of the Sawdust
- October 7, 1925 That Royle Girl
- May 24, 1926 It’s the Old Army Game
- October 26, 1926 So’s Your Old Man
- January 31, 1927 The Potters
- August 20, 1927 Running Wild
- October 17, 1927 Two Flaming Youths
- March 3, 1928 Tillie’s Punctured Romance
- May 7, 1928 Fools for Luck
- August 22, 1930 The Golf Specialist
- October 26, 1931 Her Majesty, Love
- July 8, 1932 Million Dollar Legs
- October 2, 1932 If I Had a Million
- October 9, 1932 The Dentist
- March 3, 1933 The Fatal Glass of Beer
- April 21, 1933 The Pharmacist
- June 2, 1933 International House
- June 24, 1933 Hip Action
- July 28, 1933 The Barber Shop
- September 8, 1933 Hollywood on Parade No. B-2
- October 13, 1933 Tillie and Gus
- October 22, 1933 Alice in Wonderland
- February 9, 1934 Six of a Kind
- April 6, 1934 You’re Telling Me!
- April 27, 1934 Hollywood on Parade No. B-10
- July 13, 1934 The Old Fashioned Way
- October 19, 1934 Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch
- November 30, 1934 It’s a Gift
- October 13, 1935 David Copperfield
- March 22, 1935 Mississippi
- July 26, 1935 Man on the Flying Trapeze
- June 19, 1936 Poppy
- February 18, 1938 The Big Broadcast of 1938
- February 17, 1939 You Can’t Cheat an Honest Man
- February 9, 1940 My Little Chickadee
- November 29, 1940 The Bank Dick
- October 10, 1941 Never Give a Sucker an Even Break
- October 30, 1942 Tales of Manhattan
- May 5, 1944 Follow the Boys
- June 21, 1944 Song of the Open Road
- June 30, 1944 Sensations of 1945.
Interestingly, throughout his early career Fields was teetotal, although he often kept a bottle of whiskey in his dressing room for guests. But during his time in the Ziegfeld Follies he began drinking, which habit increased after his portrayal of the beer-swilling Professor Henry R. Quail in International House. In 1941’s Never Give a Sucker an Even Break, his character “The Great Man” confessed “I was in love with a beautiful blonde once, dear. She drove me to drink. That’s the one thing I am indebted to her for.”
Fields played this role to the hilt, to the point where he was rarely sober during filming. While filming Tales of Manhattan in 1942, co-star Phil Silvers said of Fields, “One day the producers appeared on the set to plead with Fields: ‘Please don’t drink while we’re shooting—we’re way behind schedule’… Fields merely raised an eyebrow. ‘Gentlemen, this is only lemonade. For a little acid condition afflicting me.’ He leaned on me. ‘Would you be kind enough to taste this, sir?’ I took a careful sip—pure gin. I have always been a friend of the drinking man; I respect him for his courage to withdraw from the world of the thinking man. I answered the producers a little scornfully, ‘It’s lemonade.’ My reward? The scene was snipped out of the picture.”
But while his drinking was real and badly affected his health from the late Thirties onward, limiting his performance after about 1936, his fabled misanthropy and dislike for children and dogs was not. Fields was known to have kept dogs from time to time, and his David Copperfield co-star Freddie Bartholomew later stated that Fields was very attentive to his young co-star, describing him as “grandfatherly” and always attentive to the boy actor’s personal well-being while on the set. Fields was also devoted to his grandson, Bill Fields III.
Throughout all this Fields married once, to a chorus girl named Harriet Hughes, which marriage lasted from 1900 to 1907, as Harriet wanted Fields to give up touring, which he was unwilling to do. They had a son, William Claude Fields Junior, in 1904.
Fields also carried on several affairs, including one from 1916 until 1926 with fellow Ziegfeld performer Bessie Poole; during this time Poole had a son, William Rexford Fields Morris, but Poole denied repeatedly that Fields was the boy’s father, although Fields did support the boy financially.
The last affair Fields had was with Carlotta Monti, with whom Fields took up a relationship in 1933, which lasted until Fields’ death in 1946.
His One-Man War
Always smile first thing in the morning. Might as well get it over with.
Throughout his career, Fields fiercely protected what he considered to be his trademark acts. He referred derisively to people he saw as encroaching on his performances as “Nibblers” and often threatened legal action against them. In 1919 Fields took out an ad in Variety:
Notice to Nibblers
Some indiscreet burlesque and picture players have nibbled at bits of my various acts. I am therefore compelled to notify them, that all my acts (and business therein) are protected by United States and international copyright.
I intend to vigorously prosecute all offenders in the future and have so instructed my attorneys.
W.C. Fields.
Fields registered his sketches and comedy scripts with the Copyright Office of the Library of Congress. Following this, other performers began to do likewise.
It is unclear, however, whether Fields pursued any legal action against a “nibbler.”
His Golden Years
Never give a sucker an even break.
Fields last appeared on Edger Bergan’s radio show in March of 1946. Later that year he recorded an album, which included his pieces The Temperance Lecture and The Day I Drank A Glass of Water. Complications of his intemperance, meanwhile, were taking an ever-increasing toll on his health. He spent his last 22 months in the Las Encinas Sanitorium in Pasadena, where his mistress Carlotta Monti would use a garden hose to spray water on the roof of Fields’ room, noting that his favorite sound was falling rain.
On Christmas Day of 1946, Fields smiled and winked at a nurse, put his finger to his lips, and died. There’s an old saw about the text on Fields’ gravestone, which is reputed to read “On the whole, I’d rather be in Philadelphia.” This is unfortunately false; his marker in the Forest Lawn cemetery in Glendale, California, contains only his name and years of birth and death.
Thus ended the career of one of America’s great entertainment icons. His image is still found everywhere today; even now, in the internet era, he is a popular subject for memes. Few American entertainers can claim to have achieved the immortality of William Claude Dukenfield, aka “Bill” Fields, aka W.C. Fields.
I don’t know or remember ever seeing a movie of WC’s. I suppose it was “too grownup” for a young 1/2 Score. Certainly I was aware of him though. His visage was one of a kind and in the magazines.
Thanks, Animal, for the memories
I see the names/faces of the various entertainers, I don’t know any since I’m not a movie goer or concerned about the music of today. After Dale Evans married Roy my life was over. I don’t like sitting still for a couple hours, as a younger person it was OK if there was some companionship involved.
He was amazing.
On Christmas Day of 1946, Fields smiled and winked at a nurse, put his finger to his lips, and died.
Gotta remember that.
If that’s true, it’s remarkable.
The Day I Drank A Glass of Water.
Water is for washing.
Fish fuck in it.
Worse, many fish are broadcast spawners…
Skeet, skeet, skeet!
There is a wonderful sequence where he is served a shot of liquor and a glass of water as a chaser. After a bit of ceremony he drinks the shot, dips his fingers into the water to wash them, dries his fingers off with the cocktail napkin, which he rolls into a ball and throws over his shoulder, and kicks the napkin ball back into his hands.
Glorious.
Many years ago a friend gave me a poster with WC and the caption, “Some weasel took the cork out of my lunch”.
And great article, thanks!
Whiskey is for drinking, water is for fighting.
It is the water of life.
Some people prefer to drink little water.
Da!
His toxicity was limited to his liver, and perhaps spleen.
66 years, not bad for a man of his habits.
I wonder what his actual intake was.
I just turned 54 and I drink a fair bit but… will it carry me to 66 – or beyond?!
I get the impression he spent most of the day drinking – I’d wager you’re a tea-totaler by comparison.
I don’t day-drink so I guess there’s that.
What’s the point of working from home if you can’t have a couple of martinis with lunch?
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t tempted.
But that is a rule I have set for myself and I don’t intend to break it.
I did day-drink for a year or so a couple decades ago and it wasn’t something I wanted to continue.
I found out years ago that even a single beer at lunch is death on my productivity.
No day drinking while I’m on the clock.
That’s a good rule @rhywun.
BTW, I saw your avatar in person two days ago.
😮 I don’t even know where it is. ISTR there are multiples.
Here is another day drinker.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrbwvG0XeUQ
Hah, I’d not seen that before, though I was familiar with Winnie’s routine.
Great article.
Nice piece, Animal.
For a hard drinking man born in 1880, 66 years was probably better than average.
I’ve read many of his quips in compilations of quotations, but never actually seen any of his movies. Some day I should correct that.
Agreed, that’s not a bad run, all things considered.
Flip Wilson talked about his uncle that enjoyed life and was cremated.
“Fire didn’t go out for three days”
Brilliant
Nice article, Animal. In the end, his masculinity was truly toxic.
Was he the first Glib? Certainly a Proto-Glib. Wonderful article on a great man.
How is your ping pong?
Hilarious. My favorite Fields film is probably “It’s a Gift.”
LOL! Great stuff.
Good times indeed.
Simpler, more clever times.
Awesome!
Excellent article.
Thanks, Animal!
Fields made a cameo in “The Rocketeer”.
If Animal asks nicely, I may allow him to sit with me to draft my own profile for this series.
Just don’t ask me to teach you how to First.
Speaking of alcoholic beverages, has anyone posted the new Bud Light commercial, with the horse?
https://youtu.be/B6PYN50oE1s
Is it about bestiality?
One of the more famous quotes of W.C.Fields was actually about him, not by him.
Fields was the guest of honor at a roast hosted by the Masquers Club in Hollywood. The first fellow asked to say a few words about the star was a then-unknown comic named Leo Rosten, whom, having no notes or preparation and being put on the spot, quipped “Any man who hates babies and dogs can’t be all bad.”
Update on the kiddo’s competition at the Tucson Airplane Build and Fly Competition. His team placed fifth out of 81 competitors. Which is pretty awesome, I’m glad he got to attend. From what he’s said there’s a covid gap between the current seniors and the rest, so the seniors are trying really hard to get the current freshmen, including my kid, ready to take over.
For general Glib interest, I see Alfred U in the list that turned in materials but it looks like they didn’t actually go to Tucson.
Interesting factoid is that a team from Slovenia placed second and a different team from there was top 50, so apparently (aircraft) engineering is big in Slovenia. Only other Europeans were Austria, Germany, UK, and the team from Toulouse which must be the Airbus feeder school.
Good stuff. I miss doing engineering competitions.
Locally were having the same problem, but the seniors are not involved so the teams are rebuilding from scratch. The kids are really lost.
oh no, that’s sad the whole program has to start over. Fuck all those people who kept our kids out of school. It still makes me so angry.
Animal, this post got me thinking – if Fields is an exemplar of toxic masculinity, would his one-time co-star Mae West be similarly considered as exhibiting toxic femininity? Or is there a better term for the XX counterpart?
Happily heterosexual woman?
Gender traitor?
💃🏼😁
Morning.
Good morning, U! How are you today?
I’m awake, I guess.
I recommend only being as awake as is absolutely necessary. Happily, if this is a WFH day, that threshold should be significantly lower.
Great article Animal. It appears I was badly misinformed about Fields.
Mark: Is this a game of chance?
Fields: Not the way I play it, no..
MIN v. DAL and LAK v. EDM in OT….great night for hockey.
LAK win, min and dal still at it. Playoff hockey is where it is at.
And in 2OT, MIN wins.
Woot! Screw Dallas.
In my attempt to become Washingtonian, I’m wearing my brand new Krakens jersey tomorrow.
Fave Fields quote:
“ “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Then quit. No use being a damn fool about it.”
Good morning to the Glibberatti.
That’s a word, right?
☕
*Gliberati
/anal
Mornin’.
I (mostly) concur with limey. I’m flexible re: either one or two “b”s, but definitely just one “t.”
Good morning, Sean, limey, homey, and Stinky!
So a single Glib would be a Gliberato?
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/pizza-delivery-driver-thwarts-suspect-running-police-philadelphia-rcna80114
Lulz.
suh’ fam
whats goody
At this time, the covfefe is goody. Mornin’, or goodnight. Whichever applies to Tres 🌞/🌛
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6epzmRZk6UU
🎶🎶
*points at your avatar*
“I intend to vigorously prosecute all offenders in the future and have so instructed my attorneys.”
Drunken, ornery, AND litigious? He must have been such a joy to work with.
“Your primary care provider was bribed to suggest you should take the COVID vaccine.”
https://twitter.com/RepThomasMassie/status/1646696738013454336?cxt=HHwWgICxoa39ntotAAAA
I’m not surprised I reckon but ain’t that some shit?
At least the pills the pharmaceutical salesfolks push have presumably been through the full testing and approval process – and, as one Twitter commenter points out, aren’t shielded from malpractice liability.
I understand incentive programs but the docs receiving it should have disclosed their benefiting to the patients in an unambiguous manner as a matter of ethics. Could you imagine how the people dismissing this as nothing would wail if the docs were accepting incentive payments for, say, OxyContin or Adderall prescriptions?
Good Morning:
Also PCP’s mostly care about money, not necessarily your health.
Baby lamb count at 10. 2nd one needs to go to vet for a foot problem.
They are so dang cute while they eat me out of house and home.
Glibs can get a sheep cheap in OK.
Wait, were all your ewes pregnant?
That’s what happens when a male sheep hangs around a herd.
(intentionally)
The last update I saw you’d only had three lambs, now there’s a whole flocking mess of them.
Been a busy weekend, +10 right now.
Wild turkeys seem to be afflicted with the same problem. Big Tom took on a challenger, one emerged as the victor. Hate to say it but they all look the same to me. The girl turkeys seem to think so as well.
This past winter (which we are still in) there was 15 turkeys mooching at Fourscores, it was a race between the deer and turkeys but the turkeys hung around close by, the deer a little farther out. Since the freebies ended most have moved on but still Tom and a couple ladies friends show up every day.
Can’t help you with an entire sheep, but now that my literal spinster* sister is retired, I could inquire to see if she’s up for a fleece or raw wool in any form, if you’re looking for buyers come shearing time.
*she’s married – she ackshually spins and weaves
Its kinda sad, wool is to expensive to ship. I am sure she can get her preferred flavor of wool cheaper than it would cost to ship.
However, if anybody is near the Norman OK area, i am more than happy to give wool to them.
I am starting to use it as mulch in my garden beds.
She’s active in the Society for Creative Anachronism (particularly in their “Arts & Sciences” groups,) so it’s possible she knows fiber folks in other parts of the country. I’ll inquire if she happens to know any SCA spinners in your area.
I love the idea of SCA, when i had free time, i wanted to join them.
Then i ran out of free time.
🙂
Well, you were the one who decided to raise livestock, they require a lot of attention.
Hope you are nowhere near this shitshow in OK.
https://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news/mccurtain-county-community-idabel-mayor-demand-resignations-of-county-officials
I am not. People are stupid in large groups.
Probably not an isolated case, politicians being politicians
Idabell is not as cute of a place as you might think from the name. Last time I was there (late 20th Century) they hadn’t legalized bars yet.
Next time, tell the ram to get to work earlier so you have them ready for Easter.
Now I’m wondering, do some herders use hormones to artificially start estrus?
we moved him into the herd later so we would have the lambs know rather than earlier
Damn, that is something. $125 per vaccinated member? Where is Anthem getting the funds for that? (Narrator: printing press go brrrrr.)
Now you see why the PCP’s were so hot and heavy about the shot.
I wonder if a lawyer out there is thinking about a class action medical fraud kind of lawsuit.
Well, apparently it’s Anthem’s Medicaid program, so….us.
Man, there is some derp in the replies.
You can fool all the people some of the time and apparently there’s a sizable subset of people you can fool all of the time…we’re doomed. That presumes good faith though, I tend to go with the less charitable interpretation that a lot of these people are malevolent.
Remember the words of that eminent philosopher, Bart Maverick: “You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time…and those are pretty good odds.”
No duh.
Mornin’, reprobates!
Good morning, ‘patzie! I don’t know about your neck of the woods, but it’s too daggone chilly here! Only 34 at the moment – I might have to scrape frost off my windshield. 😒
GM, GT. Mid 40’s hereabouts, not too shabby.
Youngest Patzer scored his summer internship. I’m looking forward to his take on commuting across the Hudson River. Exposure to reality is a crucial component of a complete education.
Hooray for Jungpatzer! 😃 Welcome to Adulting 101! 😉
Wait, they give classes on this shit? Why can’t I find them?
I can tell you right now it sucks. 45 minute delays into Penn.
He’ll be driving to White Plains, across the
Mario CuomoTappan Zee bridge. Also great fun.21 but at least on the plus side.
Mornin’ all. 32 here, headed to a balmy 47 ;-\
He was a snappy dresser, that’s for certian.
FWIW, I am related to old W.C. Not terribly closely, but related.