A nostalgic comedy about a traveling theatrical troupe in the early 1900s, led by the flamboyant and charming “The Great McGonigle.” Always scheming to keep his company afloat and one step ahead of creditors, McGonigle juggles romance, business troubles, and personal drama while performing small-town stage melodramas. His adventures culminate in a riotously funny staging of the old play “The Drunkard.”
Genre: Comedy
Director: William Beaudine
William Beaudine (1892–1970) was an American film director whose prolific career spanned silent films, early sound pictures, and television. Known for his speed and efficiency, he directed hundreds of films in genres ranging from comedy to crime drama. Often called “One-Shot” Beaudine for rarely retaking scenes, he was equally adept with major studio productions and low-budget quickies.
Star cast:
- W. C. Fields as The Great McGonigle
- Joe Morrison as Wally Livingston
- Judith Allen as Betty McGonigle
- Baby LeRoy as Albert
- Jan Duggan as Cleopatra Pepperday
- Tammany Young as Watson
- Jack Mulhall as Dick Reeves
- Oscar Apfel as Mr. Livingston
Audiences and critics enjoyed the film’s affectionate lampooning of old-time show business and W. C. Fields’ sharp comic timing. The blend of vaudeville-style humor and a sentimental look back at turn-of-the-century entertainment struck a chord, making it one of Fields’ memorable vehicles.
Fun Facts:
- The play-within-a-film, “The Drunkard,” was based on an actual 19th-century temperance melodrama that had enjoyed long runs in American theatres.
- W. C. Fields performed much of his own juggling in the film, showcasing his early vaudeville skills.
- The movie reunited Fields with Baby LeRoy, with whom he had appeared in several Paramount comedies.
- Fields drew on his own touring theatre experiences for inspiration in portraying McGonigle’s sly charm and resourcefulness.
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