The publicity surrounding Mae West and W.C. Fields "loathing" each other seems to be largely that: publicity.
Yes, they each wrote their own lines, as they had for years. Yes, they only had one scene together on camera. Their other scenes were shot separately, consisting of closeups and reaction shots -- then intercut. But that was standard procedure -- especially for West.
In her utterly delightful interview with Dick Cavett in 1976 (on YouTube), at the age of 83, West is asked if Fields' drinking was a problem. She says, "Not really. I'd heard about him. So I had it written into my contract that if he was drinking on the set he would be removed. He was fine for the first three weeks. Then I came on set at one o'clock one day and was told he had been drinking. I took a look at him and said, 'Get him outta here.' After that, we didn't have any problems with him."
Yes, they each wrote their own lines, as they had for years. Yes, they only had one scene together on camera. Their other scenes were shot separately, consisting of closeups and reaction shots -- then intercut. But that was standard procedure -- especially for West.
In her utterly delightful interview with Dick Cavett in 1976 (on YouTube), at the age of 83, West is asked if Fields' drinking was a problem. She says, "Not really. I'd heard about him. So I had it written into my contract that if he was drinking on the set he would be removed. He was fine for the first three weeks. Then I came on set at one o'clock one day and was told he had been drinking. I took a look at him and said, 'Get him outta here.' After that, we didn't have any problems with him."