W. C. Fields by Himself: His Intended Autobiography

by W.C. Fields

Book Overview

Fields never got around to writing his autobiography, but at his death in 1946, he left behind a vast assortment of notes, outlines, scrapbooks, letters, scripts, scenarios, and photographs. Now his... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0139444629
• ISBN13: 9780139444623
• Release Date: January 1973
• Publisher: Prentice Hall
• Length: 510 Pages
• Weight: 2.56 lbs.

Customer Reviews

well packaged for shipping

The book was in a condition exactly as describe. It was shipped in packaging meant to protect the product.

Finally--a firsthand glimpse

It's not hard, even with the most cursory of examinations, to see why researchers have had such a tough time catching glimpses into the Great One's true nature--Fields took pains to keep his public persona at the front of his popular perception. Ronald Fields perhaps had an unfair advantage over other researchers, having access to the family holdings and all, but nevertheless, this is as close as anyone will ever get to words from the horse's mouth (with the exception of Fields for President, of course). The sketches are a riot to read, and the extended sequences from the movies, even the ones you may not have seen, are side-splittingly funny. I particularly enjoyed the glimpse into Fields' vaudeville days--it's not a subject that seems to interest many people, perhaps because the entire idea of "vaudeville" is somewhat dated today. The book also has the most comprehensive collection of photographs and sketches I've ever seen--these in themselves come close to telling the story.

Full of self annecdotes, photo's, insight into W.C. Fields.

This work was compiled by W.C.'s grandson after years that his work had been locked up in a basement room. The fact that much of it is made up of sketches, photo's, stories/annecdotes, performance materials, letters between W.C. and his family/others, makes this invaluable to theatre enthusiasts/historians and W.C. cultists. Without a doubt a must for any library. Rocky J. Nickel 1242 S. Market Wichita KS, 67211