The Old Fashioned Way

Waters down Fields' grouchy persona to make him more palatable. There are a few good scenes, but it reeks of studio interference.

Well, it's not tasteless like so many modern comedies, and you know that Fields's juggling couldn't possibly be CGI-enhanced, but it seems like every Fields movie is 82 variations on the same basic joke: "W.C. is a b.s.'er and a drunkard who somehow muddles through". The traditional Hollywood contempt for the audience makes its presence felt fairly early

Period comedy tailored for its star and incorporating fragments of _The Drunkard_. Not so funny as it might be

The more features I see of W.C. Fields, the more I think he's a genius. While he has a fairly set character, he knows it to perfection and it's surprising to see this seemingly dizzy person accurately knowing exactly what he's doing. A professional clown in a suit and here he shows his tricks as the ringleader of a traveling troupe of actors. He delivers brilliant subtle insults like no other. He even juggles cigar boxes which was a pure joy to watch. A movie that plain and simple made me happy.