W. C. Fields Exhibition in Beverly Hills
Mae West, W. C. Fields in My Little Chickadee
“The Peregrinations & Pettifoggery of W. C. Fields” is the title of the new Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences exhibition showcasing the work of comedian W. C. Fields, which will open to the public on January 19, 2007, in the Academy’s Fourth Floor Gallery. Admission is free.
The exhibition wil take place to celebrate the donation of the W.C. Fields Collection to the Academy’s Margaret Herrick Library. As per the Academy’s press release, it "will be a multifaceted survey" of Fields’ life and career, featuring posters, photographs, publicity materials, letters, scripts, personal documents, film clips, and sound recordings.
One highlight of the installation will be John Decker’s painting of Fields as Queen Victoria. The painting was loaned by the family of Dave Chasen, in whose Beverly Hills restaurant it hung for decades until that establishment was closed down in 1995.
Among the Philadelphia-born (in 1880) Fields’ screen credits are Sally of the Sawdust, It’s a Gift, David Copperfield, You Can’t Cheat an Honest Man, Never Give a Sucker an Even Break, My Little Chickadee, and The Bank Dick (above). In addition to acting, Fields also co-wrote many of his screenplays. He died on Christmas day 1946.
Viewing hours for “The Peregrinations & Pettifoggery of W.C. Fields” are Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and weekends, noon to 6 p.m., through April 15. The Academy is located at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. For more information, call (310) 247-3600.
Photos: A.M.P.A.S.
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Tags: Classic Movies, Los Angeles Screenings, Mae West, My Little Chickadee, The Bank Dick, W. C. Fields
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W.C. Fields returns to the limelight, where he belongs, at The Academy Exhibition. This is an historic event in the lives of fans of W.C. Fields. The grandchildren of W.C. Fields have loaned memorabilia from W.C. Fields personal collection for display. Thiese materials have never before been on display to the general public.
I will be in attendance for the grand opening. I urge all fans of the Great Man to attend as well.
Also mark your calendars for March 20, 2007, the release of the W.C. Fields Comedy Collection, Volumne 2.
Thank you Alternate Film Guide for helping to keep the spirit of W.C. Fields alive by promoting this event!
Ted Wioncek, President
W.C. Fields Fan Club
PO Box 506
Stratford, NJ 08084-0506
WCFieldsFanClub@comcast.net
http://www.webtrec.com/wcfields
I really wish I could afford to make it to this once-in-a-lifetime event celebrating the patron saint of soused cinema. W.C. Fields was quite simply the funniest man drunk or sober to ever step in front of a movie camera. Here’s my personal salute to the Great Man:
http://boozemovies.blogspot.com/2007/01/toast-to-wc-fields-great-man-of-soused.html