WC Fields plays harried hen-pecked head of house Bissonette (pronounced Bee-son-nay), a failed greengrocer who spends his last dime on a California orange grove, must to the chagrin of his overbearing wife (Kathleen Howard).

Short on actual narrative progression, but long on hilarious, seeingly endless comedic set piece. WC Fields sure knows how to commit to a bit, be it his disastrous attempt to sell Kumquats, his search for a peaceful sleep on his outdoor balcony, or even just an attempt to get his morning shave on.

It's A Gift is paced noticeably longer than comedies of a later era, yet this just adds to the laughs, as each scenario builds to heights of greater implausibility.

**[](https://boxd.it/r1NjC)371/1001 - 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die **

WC Fields plays harried hen-pecked head of house Bissonette (pronounced Bee-son-nay), a failed greengrocer who spends his last dime on a California orange grove, must to the chagrin of his overbearing wife (Kathleen Howard).

Short on actual narrative progression, but long on hilarious, seeingly endless comedic set piece. WC Fields sure knows how to commit to a bit, be it his disastrous attempt to sell Kumquats, his search for a peaceful sleep on his outdoor balcony, or even just an attempt to get his morning shave on.

It's A Gift is paced noticeably longer than comedies of a later era, yet this just adds to the laughs, as each scenario builds to heights of greater implausibility.

**[](https://boxd.it/r1NjC)371/1001 - 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die **

My first time seeing anything with W.C. Fields, and this is certainly a fine introduction. I like his schtick mostly, mix of physical comedy and dry humor, can never catch a break in his life. Could go without the nagging wife trope, but this is the 30s, what can you do. The film as whole is just fine, a showcase for Fields' routines as opposed to anything really plot driven. With proper expectations and a good crowd to watch this with, this is a simple entertaining enough time. Curious to see other of Fields' work at the very least.

My first time seeing anything with W.C. Fields, and this is certainly a fine introduction. I like his schtick mostly, mix of physical comedy and dry humor, can never catch a break in his life. Could go without the nagging wife trope, but this is the 30s, what can you do. The film as whole is just fine, a showcase for Fields' routines as opposed to anything really plot driven. With proper expectations and a good crowd to watch this with, this is a simple entertaining enough time. Curious to see other of Fields' work at the very least.

I can only imagine how audiences reacted to this movie back in 1934. They probably thought it was the funniest thing in the world. But now here we are in 2021, and I am getting irritated over the constant mentioning of the word "Cumquat".

I can only imagine how audiences reacted to this movie back in 1934. They probably thought it was the funniest thing in the world. But now here we are in 2021, and I am getting irritated over the constant mentioning of the word "Cumquat".