Review of The Bank Dick (1940) by David K — 12 Aug 2009

After reading a handful of reviews on "The Bank Dick," it has become abundantly clear that most, if not all of them, refer to this as W.C. Fields best film because it's more or less W.C. Fields playing W.C. Fields in a film consisting of W.C. Fields' comedy. Make sense?

The bottomline is that this film is a series of situations. Some are funny, but most are rather dull. None really contribute to any plot and the majority of the film is devoted to, you guessed it, W.C. Fields being W.C. Fields.

Who am I to say that "The Bank Dick" isn't funny though? If you like it, then good for you. But to me, W.C. Fields is just a character. And this film is nothing more than a showcase of that character. Unfortunately, I've seen this character before in Bugs Bunny cartoons and found him funnier in those than in this film.

I don't want to knock W.C. Fields either. The man was a miracle in the star system in Hollywood. An overweight and ugly drunkard who was just as popular as the Marx Bros. or Humphrey Bogart. (Okay maybe not, but he was highly recognizable simply because of his unique features.) His comedy didn't feel revolutionary, but his delivery was something that could not be taught. W.C. Fields had a comedic talent that is rarely seen and for that, he will forever be remembered and honored.

As for "The Bank Dick," for me, it was just too much of a good thing.