'W.C.FIELDS, BY HIMSELF'

by Ronald J. Fields, Ronald J. Fields (Editor)

Light wear to boards. Content is clean and bright. Good DJ with some light edge wear

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Autobiography, Media Tie In, Humor, Plays

1 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1974

Reviews

[Tony · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this book was ok, but dragged a little when it gave entire sketches/ routines in detail, page after page, which didn't really work for me. But the rest of the book, letters, etc. did give a pretty good picture of the man himself. Just a pity I had to skip the comedy routines, because I hate doing that, but they were just too long (although thankfully not that numerous).

[Rob Smith, Jr. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a predecessor to the more recent volumes of notable volumes full of various reproductions of materials of their time periods. This appeared as large paperback books were appearing with printed reproductions of mostly those of the film era. One even of Fields. That one and others by Richard J. Anobile. I review this with all of those in mind.

Considering the publication date and the effort, this is a volume chock full of Fields items. Mostly letters and images of his advertising of his early performances. The images are very interesting and insightful. The letters tell much of who Fields was and mindset. For a Fields fan, this is an essential volume. I am glad grandson Fields ventured this as it seems it would not have otherwise been collected and published.

For those looking for a biography of Fields, this book is severely lacking. Though grandson Fields begins the book by claiming that which follows will clear up and correct earlier biographies, this book never actually does that. Having a firm grasp of Fields life is essential to trying to check one volume from another.

Grandson Fields has little written beyond the documents presented. Some of that writing is hard to connect to that which it is to connect. Many of the letters of Fields lead to more questions as to whys and what-happeneds. More of this would make sense if the layout wasn't broken up in sections involving the areas of life and entertainment he was part of. These aren't in timely order.

Bottom line: I do not recommend this book, except for real Fields fans. 5 out of ten points.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

As his grandson, Ron Fields had access to every movie script, letter to his wife, letter to a creditor, reviewer, or studio head, or radio script W.C. Fields ever wrote. But rather than editing these, so letters and scripts from the same period went together, he separated them. It didn’t tell the story of W.C. Fields’ life as well as I would have preferred it, but I am glad it exists and that I have a copy of it. And it made me want to see again his movies, so I call that a win. Autographed copy from 12/17/17 from my friend Gigi.

[John Kennedy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book contains a hodgepodge of 500 pages of unpublished diary entries, personal letters, film script ideas, and notes by the great comedian as relayed by a grandson who never knew him. Much of it, such as W.C's thoughts on alcohol and dogs, isn't all that interesting. The bottom line is that Fields wasn't such a bad guy and he didn't really hate kids. Watching his movies would be a better investment of time.

[Woody Woodrum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read, if you are into W.C. Fields. Stories, scripts, notes and letters from William Claude Dunkenfield, better known as WC Fields.

[Ronald · Rating 3 out of 5]

read during summer 1974

[Evan]

I've only nibbled at my copy of this over the years, mainly because I've read four other Fields biographies and this just seemed redundant. The "by himself" thing is kind of misleading; this is a cobbled-together compilations of letters and such wrenched into book form by Fields' grandson, Ronald, which hardly constitutes a genuine autobiography. The closest Fields ever came to anything like one, "Fields for President," is pretty godawful.

[Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book. Highly recommend it. I've read and reread it as I've worked on my show W.C. Fields By Himself!, a play that I've staged in San Diego and hope to take on the road. It was written by his grandson Ronald and based entirely on W.C.'s own writings, and other documents he left behind. facebook.com/dale.aswcfields

[Cws]

791.09