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“Extreme Fields”
By Raymond Benson
If you’ve never seen what is essentially the last starring film appearance by W. C. Fields, Never Give a Sucker an Even Break (1941), then you’re missing the most extreme, surreal, and ridiculous motion picture featuring the boozy misanthropic comedian ever made.
Fields (William Claude Dukenfield) brought his vaudeville schtick to life in his films made in the 1920s and 30s and he enjoyed immense popularity until alcoholism derailed his career. He was indeed a talented man, however, and there are true comic classics among his filmography. He was often responsible for writing the initial storylines to his movies, and he used silly pseudonyms in the screen credits, such as Mahatma Kane Jeeves or, in the case of Never Give a Sucker, Otis Criblecoblis.
Even after the success of The Bank Dick, Universal Studios was tiring of...
“Extreme Fields”
By Raymond Benson
If you’ve never seen what is essentially the last starring film appearance by W. C. Fields, Never Give a Sucker an Even Break (1941), then you’re missing the most extreme, surreal, and ridiculous motion picture featuring the boozy misanthropic comedian ever made.
Fields (William Claude Dukenfield) brought his vaudeville schtick to life in his films made in the 1920s and 30s and he enjoyed immense popularity until alcoholism derailed his career. He was indeed a talented man, however, and there are true comic classics among his filmography. He was often responsible for writing the initial storylines to his movies, and he used silly pseudonyms in the screen credits, such as Mahatma Kane Jeeves or, in the case of Never Give a Sucker, Otis Criblecoblis.
Even after the success of The Bank Dick, Universal Studios was tiring of...
- 8/11/2020
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Never Give a Sucker an Even Break
Blu ray
Kino Lorber
1941 /77 min.
Starring W.C. Fields, Franklin Pangborn, Leon Errol
Cinematography by Charles Van Enger
Directed by Edward Cline
If Larsen E. Whipsnade ever laid eyes on Harold Bissonette, his mouth would water. Bissonette, a mild-mannered grocer for whom no good deed goes unpunished, is the perfect target for a con man like Whipsnade. W.C. Fields performed variations on both of those diametrically opposed characters throughout his career but in Never Give a Sucker an Even Break he synthesized them into one complicated but equally funny cat: himself. Released by Universal in 1941, the movie was Fields’ last starring role. It’s hilarious, unmanageable and a shambles – in other words a self-portrait of the comedian at the sunset of his career. He would not exit without a fight.
The working title was The Great Man (in some countries it was known...
Blu ray
Kino Lorber
1941 /77 min.
Starring W.C. Fields, Franklin Pangborn, Leon Errol
Cinematography by Charles Van Enger
Directed by Edward Cline
If Larsen E. Whipsnade ever laid eyes on Harold Bissonette, his mouth would water. Bissonette, a mild-mannered grocer for whom no good deed goes unpunished, is the perfect target for a con man like Whipsnade. W.C. Fields performed variations on both of those diametrically opposed characters throughout his career but in Never Give a Sucker an Even Break he synthesized them into one complicated but equally funny cat: himself. Released by Universal in 1941, the movie was Fields’ last starring role. It’s hilarious, unmanageable and a shambles – in other words a self-portrait of the comedian at the sunset of his career. He would not exit without a fight.
The working title was The Great Man (in some countries it was known...
- 7/7/2020
- by Charlie Largent
- Trailers from Hell
He's back and he's funnier than ever. The mischievous, cagey entertainer William Claude Dukenfield starred in some of the best comedies ever. This five-disc DVD set contains eighteen of his best, all the way from Million Dollar Legs in 1932 to Never Give a Sucker an Even Break in 1941. And we get to see all sides of W.C's talent -- he was a top-rank juggler, of just about anything. W.C. Fields Comedy Essentials Collection DVD Universal Studios Home Entertainment 1932-1941 / B&W / 1:37 Academy 1316 minutes (21 hours, 46 min) Street Date October 13, 2015 / 99.98 Starring Larson E. Whipsnade, T. Frothinghill Bellows, Egbert Sousé, Eustace P. McGargle, Harold Bissonette, Professor Quail, Augustus Winterbottom, Mr. Stubbins, Sam Bisbee, Ambrose Wolfinger, Cuthbert J. Twillie, Humpty-Dumpty. Written by Charles Bogle, Mahatma Kane Jeeves, Otis Criblecoblis
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
In the late 1960s there were these things called Head Shops, see, where various hippie consumer goods were sold.
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
In the late 1960s there were these things called Head Shops, see, where various hippie consumer goods were sold.
- 10/27/2015
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Child actor Dickie Moore: 'Our Gang' member. Former child actor Dickie Moore dead at 89: Film career ranged from 'Our Gang' shorts to features opposite Marlene Dietrich and Gary Cooper 1930s child actor Dickie Moore, whose 100+ movie career ranged from Our Gang shorts to playing opposite the likes of Marlene Dietrich, Barbara Stanwyck, and Gary Cooper, died in Connecticut on Sept. 7, '15 – five days before his 90th birthday. So far, news reports haven't specified the cause of death. According to a 2013 Boston Phoenix article about Moore's wife, MGM musical star Jane Powell, he had been “suffering from arthritis and bouts of dementia.” Dickie Moore movies At the behest of a persistent family friend, combined with the fact that his father was out of a job, Dickie Moore (born on Sept. 12, 1925, in Los Angeles) made his film debut as an infant in Alan Crosland's 1927 costume drama The Beloved Rogue,...
- 9/11/2015
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Oscar winners Olivia de Havilland and Luise Rainer among movie stars of the 1930s still alive With the passing of Deanna Durbin this past April, only a handful of movie stars of the 1930s remain on Planet Earth. Below is a (I believe) full list of surviving Hollywood "movie stars of the 1930s," in addition to a handful of secondary players, chiefly those who achieved stardom in the ensuing decade. Note: There’s only one male performer on the list — and curiously, four of the five child actresses listed below were born in April. (Please scroll down to check out the list of Oscar winners at the 75th Academy Awards, held on March 23, 2003, as seen in the picture above. Click on the photo to enlarge it. © A.M.P.A.S.) Two-time Oscar winner and London resident Luise Rainer (The Great Ziegfeld, The Good Earth, The Great Waltz), 103 last January...
- 5/7/2013
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Deanna Durbin: Three Husbands with Universal Pictures background [See previous post: "Deanna Durbin: Highest Paid Actress in the World."] By the time the 26-year-old Deanna Durbin’s film career was over, the movies’ personification of girl-next-door wholesomeness had been married twice: Durbin’s union with Universal Pictures assistant director Vaughn Paul ended in 1943. Two years later, she married another Universal employee, 43-year-old German-born writer-producer Felix Jackson, among whose screenwriting and/or producing credits were the James Stewart / Marlene Dietrich Western hit Destry Rides Again (1939), the well-regarded Ginger Rogers / David Niven comedy Bachelor Mother (1939), and several Deanna Durbin star vehicles, including Mad About Music, Hers to Hold, and Lady on a Train. Jackson, in fact, produced nearly all of her post-Joe Pasternak films of the mid-’40s, the one exception being The Amazing Mrs. Holliday. The last Jackson-Durbin collaboration was the 1947 critical and box-office misfire I’ll Be Yours, which came out as their marriage was crumbling. Deanna Durbin would...
- 5/6/2013
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
‘The Deanna Durbin Unit’ (photo: Robert Cummings, Deanna Durbin, and Charles Laughton in It Started with Eve) [See previous post: "Deanna Durbin Movies Save Universal."] Deanna Durbin and Henry Koster, who has been credited with helping to mold Durbin’s screen persona, collaborated on five movies. Besides Three Smart Girls, there was the inevitable sequel, Three Smart Girls Grow Up (1939), in addition to One Hundred Men and a Girl, after which Durbin’s salary was reportedly doubled to $3,000 per week, plus a $10,000 bonus per film; the Cinderella-like First Love (1939), in which, following worldwide publicity, Durbin gets kissed on screen for the first time (Robert Stack was the kisser); Spring Parade (1940), with a Viennese setting and Robert Cummings as her leading man; and It Started with Eve (1941), a light, well-received romantic comedy co-starring Cummings and Charles Laughton. (Universal would also release the 1964 remake, I’d Rather Be Rich, starring Sandra Dee in the Robert Cummings role, Robert Goulet in the Deanna Durbin part,...
- 5/5/2013
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Deanna Durbin ‘saves’ Universal (photo: Deanna Durbin in Three Smart Girls) [See previous post: "Deanna Durbin: Remembering One of Hollywood's Top Stars."] During the Great Depression most Hollywood studios were in dire financial straits, until, as the story goes, one (or more) lucky star(s) made them once again solvent. Mae West is credited for "saving" Paramount; Shirley Temple "saved" Fox; the Busby Berkeley, Ruby Keeler, and Dick Powell combo "saved" Warner Bros.; and the curious mix of King Kong, Fred Astaire, and Ginger Rogers "saved" Rko. So, did Deanna Durbin truly save Universal from bankruptcy? Well, Charles Rogers’ investment company came to the financial rescue of Universal in 1936, but the success of Durbin’s movies surely helped the new management get the studio back on its feet. For instance, according to author David Shipman, Three Smart Girls cost $300,000 — its budget doubled after studio bosses realized they had a hit in their hands — and earned Universal a hefty $2m. (An unspecified...
- 5/4/2013
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Mendham
Katz
Two further speakers have been added to next week’s Mumbrella Meet The Marketers event in Sydney.
Michelle Katz, media director at Unilever, and Paul Mendham, boss of marketing for Wesley Mission, are to join the panel for the event which takes place next Wednesday January 30 at the Imax Theatre’s Star Room in Darling Harbour.
As Mumbrella has previously announced, also speaking are Helen Kellie, director of marketing at Sbs, David Scribner, marketing director at Virgin Mobile and Susan Massasso, regional marketing director for Campbell Arnott’s Asia Pacific.
Katz has been in senior marketing roles at Unilever for more than a decade including brand manager for Dove and marketing director. She was also a senior brand manager for Uncle Tobys.
Before marketing the community work of Wesley Mission, Mendham was global marketing manager for Gloria Jean’s coffees. He also has extensive experience agency side including Saatchi & Saatchi,...
Katz
Two further speakers have been added to next week’s Mumbrella Meet The Marketers event in Sydney.
Michelle Katz, media director at Unilever, and Paul Mendham, boss of marketing for Wesley Mission, are to join the panel for the event which takes place next Wednesday January 30 at the Imax Theatre’s Star Room in Darling Harbour.
As Mumbrella has previously announced, also speaking are Helen Kellie, director of marketing at Sbs, David Scribner, marketing director at Virgin Mobile and Susan Massasso, regional marketing director for Campbell Arnott’s Asia Pacific.
Katz has been in senior marketing roles at Unilever for more than a decade including brand manager for Dove and marketing director. She was also a senior brand manager for Uncle Tobys.
Before marketing the community work of Wesley Mission, Mendham was global marketing manager for Gloria Jean’s coffees. He also has extensive experience agency side including Saatchi & Saatchi,...
- 1/21/2013
- by mumbrella
- Encore Magazine
Gloria Jean’s e-loyalty launches in Melbourne
Gloria Jean’s Coffees is rolling out an electronic loyalty card.
A trial kicked off in South Australia earlier this year, and has been introduced in Victoria ahead of a national roll out.
The company told Mumbrella that the launch is in its infancy, and would be rolled out slowly to test for “glitches”.
A spokesperson said: “There is nothing like it in the market and we are confident that it will be well received.”
The launch will be supported by a big marketing push in the new year, but the company was vague on whether new agencies would be used.
The program is being led by Kate Gillis, Gloria Jean’s group marketing manager, who is three months into her time with the company.
After registering in at gloriajeanscoffees.com, consumers can collect points, which they can use to get free drinks.
Gloria Jean’s Coffees is rolling out an electronic loyalty card.
A trial kicked off in South Australia earlier this year, and has been introduced in Victoria ahead of a national roll out.
The company told Mumbrella that the launch is in its infancy, and would be rolled out slowly to test for “glitches”.
A spokesperson said: “There is nothing like it in the market and we are confident that it will be well received.”
The launch will be supported by a big marketing push in the new year, but the company was vague on whether new agencies would be used.
The program is being led by Kate Gillis, Gloria Jean’s group marketing manager, who is three months into her time with the company.
After registering in at gloriajeanscoffees.com, consumers can collect points, which they can use to get free drinks.
- 10/22/2012
- by Robin Hicks
- Encore Magazine
Paul Mendham
Gloria Jean’s Coffees’ former global head of marketing Paul Mendham has taken on a role at Christian charity Wesley Mission.
Mendham, who had stints at Saatchi & Saatchi and AdPartners before joining Gloria Jean’s in 2010, left the coffee chain following the closure of its inhouse marketing department Immersed Marketing last month.
Mendham joins as corporate marketing manager at the charity, whose mission is “Honouring God, serving people, building hope.”
Wesley Mission offers services for the homeless, disabled and youth, as well as counselling, employment and training.
Gloria Jean’s folded its marketing department after the arrival of new group MD Mark Bilton. He led a company review meant that Gloria Jean’s was more open to work with ad agencies.
Gloria Jean’s Coffees’ former global head of marketing Paul Mendham has taken on a role at Christian charity Wesley Mission.
Mendham, who had stints at Saatchi & Saatchi and AdPartners before joining Gloria Jean’s in 2010, left the coffee chain following the closure of its inhouse marketing department Immersed Marketing last month.
Mendham joins as corporate marketing manager at the charity, whose mission is “Honouring God, serving people, building hope.”
Wesley Mission offers services for the homeless, disabled and youth, as well as counselling, employment and training.
Gloria Jean’s folded its marketing department after the arrival of new group MD Mark Bilton. He led a company review meant that Gloria Jean’s was more open to work with ad agencies.
- 10/17/2012
- by Robin Hicks
- Encore Magazine
Gloria Jean's: looking for an agency?
Gloria Jean’s has folded its in-house marketing department as part of a wholesale strategic review that led to the recent exit of chief executive Gareth Pike.
The closure sees half of the coffee chain’s 25-strong marketing team – branded Immersed Marketing – leave the company, Mumbrella understands.
Among the departures is global marketing manager of campaigns Paul Mendham, a former Saatchi & Saatchi Sydney and AdPartners executive, who brings to an end two years with the brand.
The trimmed-down marketing team leaves open the possibility that Gloria Jean’s will start working with ad agencies again.
A Gloria Jean’s spokesperson told Mumbrella in a statement:
The arrival of a new Group Managing Director presented the company with an opportunity to fully review the business. We have restructured the internal marketing team to focus on brand growth and new product innovations for Gloria Jean...
Gloria Jean’s has folded its in-house marketing department as part of a wholesale strategic review that led to the recent exit of chief executive Gareth Pike.
The closure sees half of the coffee chain’s 25-strong marketing team – branded Immersed Marketing – leave the company, Mumbrella understands.
Among the departures is global marketing manager of campaigns Paul Mendham, a former Saatchi & Saatchi Sydney and AdPartners executive, who brings to an end two years with the brand.
The trimmed-down marketing team leaves open the possibility that Gloria Jean’s will start working with ad agencies again.
A Gloria Jean’s spokesperson told Mumbrella in a statement:
The arrival of a new Group Managing Director presented the company with an opportunity to fully review the business. We have restructured the internal marketing team to focus on brand growth and new product innovations for Gloria Jean...
- 9/20/2012
- by Robin Hicks
- Encore Magazine
Hillsong is a multi-million dollar global brand with a massive following, particularly among the young. What can marketers learn from this fast-growing faith factory as it turns 30, asks Robin Hicks.
Say what you like about Hillsong. The happy-clappy megachurch does not enjoy a Godly reputation in all quarters, and gets a kicking in the comment thread on Mumbrella whenever we write a story about Gloria Jean’s, the coffee chain it supposedly has ties with (which Hillsong denies – see below).
It’s also been on the receiving end of some bad press for a lack of transparency over its finances, sordid goings-on that led founder Brian Houston’s father to depart, a book by a former Hillsonger that called it ‘toxic Christianity’, and allegations of vote stacking in Australian Idol.
But Hillsong is one of Australia’s few global brands. It is one of the most powerful Australian youth brands.
Say what you like about Hillsong. The happy-clappy megachurch does not enjoy a Godly reputation in all quarters, and gets a kicking in the comment thread on Mumbrella whenever we write a story about Gloria Jean’s, the coffee chain it supposedly has ties with (which Hillsong denies – see below).
It’s also been on the receiving end of some bad press for a lack of transparency over its finances, sordid goings-on that led founder Brian Houston’s father to depart, a book by a former Hillsonger that called it ‘toxic Christianity’, and allegations of vote stacking in Australian Idol.
But Hillsong is one of Australia’s few global brands. It is one of the most powerful Australian youth brands.
- 7/26/2012
- by Robin Hicks
- Encore Magazine
This being Famous Monsters of Filmland, one assumes that you, dear reader, are a classic horror fan. If that is indeed the case, then certainly you’ve heard of The Drunken Severed Head. One of the most entertaining, dedicated and spirited blogs out there (and there’s more than a few!), Tdsh – as it’s affectionately known – provides daily thoughts (from random observations to wonderfully insightful analysis), original content and commentary about everything classic horror, and was honored this month with a coveted Rondo Hatton Award for Best Blog of 2009.
Famous Monsters was lucky enough to chat with the creator and writer of The Drunken Severed Head, Max Cheney, to gather some insight into the origins and workings of Tdsh, as well as what motivates a fan to contribute to the classic horror community at large.
FM: Obviously, you’re very affected and influenced by your love of horror films,...
Famous Monsters was lucky enough to chat with the creator and writer of The Drunken Severed Head, Max Cheney, to gather some insight into the origins and workings of Tdsh, as well as what motivates a fan to contribute to the classic horror community at large.
FM: Obviously, you’re very affected and influenced by your love of horror films,...
- 5/3/2010
- by Jesse
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
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