one of my absolute favorites!

Just so...so bad

It is a performances centric movie

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Despite the fact that it's rather peculiar in its construction, this is one of Fields' best comedies. Unfortunately, it runs out of steam about halfway through. And it's not as if the story runs out of plot. On the contrary, it suddenly gains one-and this is just the trouble. In fact, the more formless the movie is, the funnier it seems. Opening with an agreeable domestic hassle that introduces the characters, the screenplay quickly proceeds into the celebrated shop scene which everyone ranks as one of the most hilarious in Fields' entire repertoire. The whole scene is beautifully timed and acted by Fields, Charles Sellon, Tammany Young and Morgan Wallace. Fields' bustling bits of business and his facial expressions are truly inspired. Now I wonder why that particular scene has never been imitated and appropriated by lesser comedians? Answer: It's a real no-no, censorship wise. A man who is almost totally deaf and blind is made the butt of some astoundingly hair-raising sight gags and a couple of delicious verbal thrusts. And then it's topped by the truly extraordinary sequence co-ordinated by Johnny Sinclair in which the blind man innocently walks across the street, unknowingly exposing himself against every imaginable vehicular obstacle. The following episode in which Fields attempts to sleep on the verandah, is almost as funny. To my mind, however, it's allowed to run just a trifle too long-even though brought to an abrupt and hilarious conclusion! The next sequences, like the invasion of the private picnic ground, are not a quarter as amusing. And alas, by the time the plot reaches California, it has run out of steam. Nonetheless, it's still a great Fields outing. As noted, our comedian always enjoys excellent support, including some timely interventions from Kathleen Howard as his nagging wife. The screenplay makes two or three perfunctory attempts to work up a bit of romantic interest involving Jean Rouverol and Julian Madison, but this will worry no-one. It's a Gift is virtually one hundred proof Fields.AVAILABLE on DVD through Universal. Quality rating: Ten out of ten.

At the risk of offending W.C. Fields' many fans, I just didn't care very much for this film or find it all that funny. I guess that's because of the repetition involved in many of the scenes like the shaving bit, the kumquat guy, the blind man knocking stuff over and that slow, stair-descending coconut that managed to extend a quick gag into an eight minute routine. After 'getting it' the first time I find the repeats a time waster and start to lose concentration. The character of wife Amelia (Kathleen Howard) was also a downer with her incessant nagging, although I could identify with Harold's (Fields) reaction because I wind up doing that myself when I can no longer take it. I haven't seen many of Fields' films, in fact this is the first in a long time so I have to get back up to speed on his comedy. I don't mind the curmudgeon aspect to his character if the situation frames it in a comical way, so I guess I'll just have to move on to the next flick.Does anyone buy kumquats anymore?

Considered One of the Best, If Not The Best of Fields Films. It is a Comedy of Annoyance and W.C. Never Really Gets Aggravated Despite the World Conspiring Against Him. It is a Lesson in Tolerance and Restraint. Fields Never Lets the Situation or the Onslaught of Circumstance Get to Him. He Maintains Self-Respect While Never Achieving Any of That from the People in His Life.A Blind Man Who Shows No Regard for Anything but Himself (he orders a pack of gum and can't be bothered to take it with him, he wants it delivered, Fields delivers), a Nagging Wife Who Never Stops Insulting Him, Calling Him an idiot and Berating His Very Being ("you've gotten mighty familiar with the upstairs neighbor."), or His Self-Involved children (the daughter commandeering the bathroom mirror, or the son leaving his roller skate at the top of the stairs).None of This Phases W.C. in the Slightest. He Continues to Pursue His Dream of an Orange Orchard. The Movie is a Non-Stop Set-Piece for Fields to Showcase His Athletic and Acrobatic Gracefulness and His Dry Wit While it Continues to Rain On Top of Him. There is Some Subtle Underlying Commentary. With WWI and its Onslaught on Humanity Still Very Much in the Public Mind, Fields Opening a Can of Tomatoes with an Axe, "I'll show you how we did it in the Army.", and the can of tomatoes explodes all over his white shirt. Many Famous W.C. Comedy Bits are Present Here, Carl LaFong, the Back Porch Swing, and the Aforementioned Blind Man Sequence. It's Truly a Comedy Masterpiece and Holds Up Very Well Today. The Ending is Unexpectedly Poignant. After the Old Car that traveled across country collapses, Fields Mutters Under His Breath. "Well at least it got us here."That Sums Up the Likability of W.C. Fields, Forever Forgiving in the Era of the Depression. He Survives and is Grateful for His Gin and Orange Juice as the Family Goes Off to do Some Shopping. He Waves and Smiles.

A New Jersey store owner receives an inheritance that allows him to pursue his dream of owning an orange grove in California. Enjoyable comedy has Fields in top form as a henpecked husband, with Howard well cast as his nagging wife. Highlights include early scenes of Fields getting ready to go work while dealing with his crazy family and a later scene where he is catering to a blind customer in his store. While not always laugh out loud funny, this is one of those films that one watches with a smile on his face throughout. Fields doesn't go for overly broad comedy, instead staying within character as a simple man reaching for his dreams.