Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageThe Old-Fashioned Way (1934)
Director: William Beaudine
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
Old-fashioned indeed: this wonderful Fields vehicle, set at the end of the last century, includes the song 'A Little Bit of Heaven Known as Mother' and a performance of the renowned melodrama The Drunkard. For all his pose of misanthropy, Fields has a heart as wide as the Grand Canyon, and he poured into this one film all his love for the gaslight era and the vaudeville life. As the Great McGonigle, leader of a travelling theatre troupe, he fights heroically against a sea of troubles, including an interfering sheriff and a doting old ham called Cleopatra Pepperday. Beaudine's direction is on the slow side, but this at least allows the laughs to be fully savoured.Author: GB
Cast & crew
Director: William Beaudine
Producer: William LeBaron
Cast: WC Fields, Judith Allen, Joe Morrison, Jan Duggan, Nora Cecil, Baby LeRoy, Jack Mulhall, Joe Mills full cast
Genre(s): Comedy
Duration: 74 mins
Top Stories
Ridley Scott interview
Director Ridley Scott tells Cath Clarke why he's making a science fiction comeback
Cannes Film Festival 2012: half-time report
Dave Calhoun reports on the hits, misses and a shocking new masterpiece from Michael Haneke
What do you think?
Post your review now