Fools for Luck

My admiration for W.C.Fields has not abated one iota in the 45 years I've been studying and enjoying the man's life and work. When this past summer I casually entered this title in the IMDb I was at once shocked and delighted to see a review of this film as the general consensus is that this item has been lost for the better part of the last 80 years. I have never completely subscribed to the theory that a film is lost until all avenues have been searched and all possibilities exhausted. While all reports indicate that FOOLS FOR LUCK was mediocre at best it would nonetheless be fascinating to see if for no reason other than its unavailability (its current status is that it is considered a "lost" or "missing" film). The review of this film is somewhat ambiguous as its author does not emphatically state that he saw it (where, when etc.) although by inference I'm assuming he has. There is a larger issue at work here which I have detailed in my thoughts on TILLIE'S PUNCTURED ROMANCE (1928). At risk of redundancy may I please direct your attention to that review.

addendum, 4/15/11

When I initially posted comments regarding this title relevant to its possible rediscovery I was both elated and excited. Despite my skepticism I was hopeful; I WANTED to believe it. That said, in the two months since I shared these thoughts on this database I have not received any feedback from like minded individuals to whom a discovery of this nature would be a landmark event; this would encompass not only staunch Fields fans but a fair number of film historians and scholars as well. Therefore, I must conclude that the possibility that this film actually exists is either of no interest to anyone but myself or perhaps no one has anything further to share. It's also entirely possible that no one has read what I've written regarding this issue. Having considered all of this but still unwilling to let it die, I e-mailed Leonard Maltin, an old acquaintance from my New York days and someone who would surely be among the first to either substantiate or discredit these claims. What he said in his e-mail to me pretty much puts the issue of whether this film as well as similar claims by the same "reviewer" of having seen two other missing Fields films to rest:

...."I'll eat Mr. Micawber's hat if those Fields movies exist and nobody has encountered them except this guy...."

That was good enough for me. Somewhat parenthetically, I did some superficial research on this "reviewer" and have learned that a day after writing his final review for the IMDb he took his own life in a way which compromised the safety and well being of many innocent people. Comments about this fellow and his many eccentricities and idiosyncrasies abound on the internet. Google him and you'll soon learn what I did.

In conclusion, I am left to wonder how many of the 1621 reviews he posted on this sight over the years are on the level. Aside from the Fields films in question, he alleged to have seen many missing, lost or obscure films that no one else had. In the remote event that he actually did see FOOLS FOR LUCK (1928) or if someone else can corroborate the existence of this and/or the two other Fields films among his claims, I would be beholden to you if you would share this information with me. Until such time, I'll take what Leonard said as gospel. You can fool some of the people some of the time...

Two other IMDb postings have already summarised the plot of this film, so I'll just make some general comments. Chester Conklin plays the main character in "Fools for Luck", but the film is really a showcase for the comedic talents of W.C. Fields, in a smaller role. Conklin, a deft comedian elsewhere, gets stuck here doing an unfunny scene in which his dress suit comes apart at the seams. Harold Lloyd did the same idea, with much more hilarity, in "The Freshman".

The climax of the film is a game of pool between Fields and Conklin, with a large wager riding on the outcome. Fields had toured in vaudeville with a pool-table act, doing trick shots on a billiard table that was modified to his specifications. (Among other changes: the billiard cushions were ramped, so that if Fields did a bank shot the ball would fly off the table.) Here, Fields does an amazing series of trick billiard shots, with very little camera trickery. If you're wondering who wins the game of pool, you haven't been paying attention.

W.C. Fields was never at the top of his form until sound movies arrived, but even silent Fields is worth watching. As usual in a Fields movie, the comedy is diluted by a boring plot about young lovers: in this case Sally Blane (as Conklin's daughter) and Jack Luden. Luden was a handsome but untalented actor who had the sense to quit show-biz and go into his family's business. They made Luden's Cough Drops. Unfortunately, Jack Luden also had some other business interests which weren't as lawful as his cough drops.