The Bank Dick [Blu-ray]

Director: Edward F. Cline Edward F. Cline

Overview

W.C. Fields plays Egbert Souse, a bibulous denizen of Lompoc who supports his family by winning radio contests. When a fleeing bank robber is knocked cold upon tripping over the park bench where Egbert sits, Souse is hailed as a hero and offered the job of bank guard. The next day, he is approached by one J. Frothingham Waterbury (Russell Hicks), who offers to sell Egbert shares in the Beefsteak Mines. Souse raises the necessary money by convincing bank clerk Og Oggilby (Grady Sutton), the fiance of Egbert's daughter Myrtle (Una Merkel), to "borrow" some funds from the bank; it isn't really embezzling, explains Egbert, because the mine is bound to pay off. Unfortunately, bank examiner J. Pinkerton Snoopington (Franklin Pangborn) comes calling, spelling possible trouble for Souse.

Product Details

Release Date:	11/09/2021
UPC:	0738329256555
Original Release:	1940
Rating:	NR
Source:	Kl Studio Classics
Language:	English
Time:	1:12:00
Sales rank:	23,356

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

W.C. Fields	Egbert Souse
Una Merkel	Myrtle Souse
Grady Sutton	Og Oggilby,Young Woman on Bench
Cora Witherspoon	Agatha Souse
Evelyn Del Rio	Elsie Mae Adele Brunch Souse
Jessie Ralph	Mrs. Hermisillo Brunce
Franklin Pangborn	J. Pinkerton Snoopington
Shemp Howard	Joe Guelpe
Dick Purcell	Mackley Q. Greene
Russell Hicks	J. Frothingham Waterbury
Pierre Watkin	Mr. Skinner
Al Hill	Repulsive Rogan
George Moran	Loudmouth McNasty,Lady with fruit hat
Bill Wolfe	Otis
Jack Norton	A. Pismo Clam
Pat West	Assistant Director
Reed Hadley	Francois
Heather Wilde	Miss Plupp
Harlan Briggs	Doctor Stall
William Alston	Mr. Cheek
Jan Duggan	Woman in Bank
Fay Adler	Bank President's Secretary
Bobby Larson	Boy in Bank
Lowden Adams	Francois' valet
Russel Cole	Bank Clerk
Vangie Beilby	Old lady with dog
Nora Cecil	Ladies Auxiliary
Pat O'Malley	Cop
Billy Mitchell	Black Bank Customer
Jack Clifford	Cop
Eddie Dunn	James, the Chauffeur
Emmett Vogan	Hotel Desk Clerk
Margaret Seddon	Old Lady in Car
Eddie Acuff	Reporter
Fay Holderness	Lady passerby
Mary Field	Woman
Joe North	Butler
David Oliver	Straw-hatted teller
Charles Sullivan	Driver
Emma Tansey	Old woman on bench
Frankie Van	Director's helper
Dorothy Vernon	Old lady
Max Wagner	Shirtless ditchdigger

Technical Credits

Mahatma Kane Jeeves (Fields)

Jack J. Gross	Producer
Mahatma Kane Jeeves (Fields)	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

Throughout his career, W. C. Fields made a habit of thumbing his bulbous nose at polite society, but never more effectively than in The Bank Dick, a gleefully subversive comedy that most aficionados regard as his finest. Fields, who wrote the screenplay under the name "Mahatma Kane Jeeves," plays henpecked husband Egbert Souse (pronounced "Soo-zay," he reminds), an acid-tongued tippler who accidentally foils a bank robbery. He's rewarded with the job of bank detective, and in turn, makes prospective son-in-law Grady Sutton a reluctant embezzler, derails an investigation by a prissy bank examiner, foils another robbery, and is even hired to play himself in a movie! Characteristically, Fields rattles off an unending string of pithy one-liners, but he also exhibits peerless skill in the art of pantomime, which helped make him a headliner in vaudeville stage shows and silent movies. In short, The Bank Dick showcases this treasured performer at his acerbic best.

Barnes & Noble - Ed Hulse

The Bank Dick is perhaps W.C. Fields' best movie. Despite a scant 72-minute running time, it breezes through enough plot for ten lesser films, managing to build and double back on itself to a satisfying conclusion. The humor is both physical and intellectual. Fields was among the innovators of early sound films in using contemporary cultural references; yet the movie is not so tied to its era that its references have become obscure. As Fields' style of quick-witted humor grew, the popularity of such low-brow comedians as El Brendel fell. There's a nice supporting performance from Shemp Howard, but the film belongs to Fields.

All Movie Guide - Richard Gilliam