Directed by George MarshallEdward F. Cline (uncredited)
Produced by Lester Cowan
Written by W. C. Fields (as “Charles Bogle”) (story)
Everett Freeman (screenplay)
Richard Mack (screenplay)
George Marion Jr. (screenplay)
Starring W. C. Fields
Edgar Bergen
Charlie McCarthy
Cinematography Milton R. Krasner
Editing by Otto Ludwig
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release date February 18, 1939
Running Time 76 min.
This was quite a good W. C Fields comedy film. It features a lot of classic lines from Fields, as well as some good slapstick pratfalls, but also features a continuation of his wonderful rivalry with a ventriloquists’ puppet.
It’s a bit hard to explain but for many years Fields had a radio rivalry with Charlie McCarthy, Edgar Bergen’s (Candice’s father) dummy. It’s strange indeed to think of someone doing a ventriloquist act on the radio, but that is where this funny rivalry was created. Both Fields and Bergen have some great moments to themselves in the brief moments when they are in a scene together there is some really good chemistry and funny jokes.
You Can’t Cheat An Honest Man is a part of the W.C. Fields Comedy Collection with The Bank Dick, My Little Chickadee, International House and It’s A Gift. This DVD box set is available from Amazon for $46.99. You can purchase it by clicking here…
Movie Mania 
July 20th, 2010 at 12:55 am
Now through August 21 you can hear more radio broadcasts of W.C. Fields as part of the W.C. Fields Exhibit at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center. We, my brothers and I, inherited our grandfather’s artifacts and memorabilia, which chronicle the world’s modern entertainment heritage. We are happy to now share with the world.
August 23rd, 2010 at 1:37 pm
thanks