Poppy (1936) User Reviews

The Great McGargle

[lugonian · 8/10 · 27 July 2001]

POPPY (Paramount, 1936), directed by A. Edward Sutherland, stars WC Fields as Professor Eustace McGargle, a role he originated in the 1923 stage production of the same name, and reprized in a silent 1925 adaptation retitled SALLY OF THE SAWDUST for United Artists, directed by D.W. Griffith, starring Carol Dempster not as Poppy, but as Sally. This 1936 version, which premiered June 25, 2001, on Turner Classic Movies, is said to have been more faithful to the play than the Griffith-directed incarnation. Aside from the usual Fields comedy supplements, he also manages to show the sentimental side to his character, as he did as The Great McGonigle in THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY (1934), where he also cheated suckers while finding time to be a loving and caring father to his grown daughter. POPPY could very well have been a sequel to THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY, considering the same time period and Fields' character names in both films sounding identical, from McGonigle to McGargle. However, I find POPPY to be one of Fields' more quieter comedies. Host Robert Osborne of TCM mentioned prior the presentation of the movie that Fields was quite ill and in great pain during the making of the movie, but succeeded in finishing the film in what might have been his farewell performance (which explains why WC wasn't having his usual field day as he did in his past comedies). Had Fields died following the completion of the film, what a fine conclusion it would have been to his great career, with W.C. not only reprising the role he made famous on stage, but in saying this memorable line to his on-screen daughter, Poppy, as he gives her his expert fatherly advice, "Never give a sucker an even break," before the fadeout.

Set in 1883, Professor Eustace McGargle, a swindling carnival man wearing top hat, checkered pants and spats, comes to a small town with his daughter, Poppy (Rochelle Hudson) where he establishes himself as the prize medicine selling star of a traveling carnival, while Poppy wanders about and meets and falls in love with Billy Farnsworth (Richard Cromwell), a mayor's son, but because of Poppy's sideshow background, the Farnsworth family look down on her. Only Sarah Tucker (Maude Eburne), a matron woman, takes a liking to Poppy, and later discovers something about her true identity that makes things right again with the Farnsworths.

Aside from the romantic subplot between Hudson and Cromwell (who nearly resembles MGM's own Franchot Tone when wearing that derby), Fields manages to come off with some good comedy routines, such as cheating a bartender into buying his "talking" dog; purchasing frank-furthers (or better known to some as hot dogs) for himself and Poppy from a vendor (Tom Kennedy) with McGargle telling him that he will get paid at the conclusion of his engagement. The outraged vendor demands the money for his hot dogs, so McGargle and Poppy decide that since they cannot pay for them, they might as well give them back to him, half-eaten, ending with this funny exchange: Kennedy: "Listen you tramp, how am I gonna sell these again?" Fields: "First you insult me, then you ask my advice concerning salesmanship!" This amusing bit is soon followed by McGargle selling medicine bottles for one dollar. A naive patron (Bill Wolfe) acquires one and pays for them by giving McGargle a $5 bill, but never gets his $4 change. Instead, McGargle quiets down the customer by giving him four more bottles, and "No more!!"; followed by some amusing bits involving character actress Catherine Doucet as Countess Maggie Tubbs DePuizzi. When Fields is not on screen, Hudson as Poppy gets to sing one nice song, "Rendezvous With a Dream" (by Ralph Rainger and Leo Robin) twice. The title tune of "Poppy" is sung by off-screen singers during its opening credits. Also featured in the cast are Lynne Overman as a hick lawyer; Rosalind Keith as the snobbish Frances Parker; and Granville Bates, among others.

In spite of some leisure moments, POPPY, at 73 minutes, is really worth viewing and rediscovering to fans of the Great Tomato Nose Thanks to TCM for bringing this rare gem back on TV again. Currently available on DVD. (***1/2)

Not his best but still great

[Tashtago · 8/10 · 22 July 2008]

The devoted daughter is the only Fields stock plot left from previous films It's A Gift , You're Telling Me, there's no nagging wife and annoying in-laws here. For that reason the film suffers slightly in comparison, it really drags when Fields isn't in it and the audience is left with his daughter's romance with a local schmuck, or worse the same waltz song sung twice. Also it is clear as others have mentioned Fields isn't completely on his game due to back problems which may have led him to drink more. Still, for Fields fans there is plenty to enjoy here especially the croquet sequence, his recurring encounter with a previous dupe, and an attempt at playing a kind of violin. Enough laughs to make up for the lulls.

"First you question my financial resources, then you ask me business advice"

[theowinthrop · 7/10 · 27 August 2005]

No it is not the greatest of W.C. Field's comedies - it does not rank with THE BANK DICK or IT'S A GIFT or THE OLD FASHIONED WAY or even MY LITTLE CHICKADEE. But POPPY is of considerable interests to the many fans of the great misanthropic comic. In 1923 he appeared on stage in POPPY as "EUSTACE McGARGLE". It was the first lead role in a play (as opposed to one or two comic supporting parts, and his years of vaudeville juggling/comic routines, or his years headlining in the Ziefeld Follies) that FIelds had. Interestingly enough his performance on stage enabled him to cross paths with another future movie comedian (though a lesser one in retrospect), Robert Woolsey (of Wheeler and Woolsey), who appeared as a rustic victim of McGargle. The play gave Fields a "Fields" day as a carnival swindler, who was also the foster father of a young woman who Fields/McGargle would try to pass off as an heiress. The play was subsequently made into a silent film, "Sally of the Sawdust" (Field's third silent movie, and first directed by the great D.W.Griffith). The silent version was actually a vehicle for Griffith's pitifully inadequate actress find Carol Dempster (who was also his girlfriend at the time). It is also of interest because the boyfriend of Dempster was played by a young Alfred Lunt (sadly Lynn Fontaine was not in this film).

The 1925 "Sally of the Sawdust" had some good moments when Fields did his larcenous best - including a "heroic" scene at the end where he explains "Sally"'s true parentage at court, and saves her from prison. But Dempster's attempts at "gamin" like cuteness are tiresome to a viewing today. Lunt does well, but is a distinctly supporting actor here.

Fortunately sound came along, so that Mr. Lunt (now with Lynn Fontaine) would make THE GUARDSMAN and plenty of television appearances in the future to demonstrate their fine acting abilities. Ms Dempster, of course, just faded into oblivion. Fields too would benefit by sound, and would leave us that nasal twang that made us guffaw so much. And by doing "Poppy" as a sound film we were able to hear some of the dialog from the stage play that the silent film did not have. Mention has been made of three moments: the sale of the "talking dog", the business with the hot dog vendor (which is where the line at the start of this review comes from), and the business with the patent medicine purchaser ("No more"). A fourth one is the sequence (somewhat too brief) where "Professor" McGargle entertains the guests at a society party with some high sounding concerto on a strange looking stringed instrument. He ends up playing "Pop Goes the Weasel". At the end, when "Poppy" is revealed to really be the lost heiress, McGargle takes leave of his adopted daughter in a quiet, dignified way - not quite as tragic as a similar sequence in THE OLD FASHIONED WAY, perhaps, but equally not as tragic and total as his leaving her in the radio version of "Poppy" that was made within two years of the film. That version was put out on records about 1970, and keeps to the story, but seems sadder than this movie or the 1925 silent version.

Fields' Comedy Enlivens Pedestrian Film

[RJV · 7/10 · 13 August 2001]

When POPPY was filmed, W.C. Fields was in poor health. Suffering from back pain, he had to wear a kind of corset to keep his back straight. His condition was aggravated when he fell off a bicycle during shooting, fracturing a vertebra. This apparently accounts for Fields' relatively limited screen time, despite his top billing. But when he does appear, he shows no signs of illness. Indeed his humorously iconoclastic personality dominates the film.

It is a blessing that Fields is in this film at all. Without him, POPPY would be forgettable. The late 19th century settings, particularly a carnival locale, are pleasing to the eye. Director Edward Sutherland imbues this milieu with pastoral charm, evoking a nostalgia for a simpler, more innocent time. Never mind if that time wasn't actually as rosy as this film indicates.

Alas, the charming period atmosphere cannot enhance the tired scenario. The romance between Poppy (Rochelle Hudson), a girl from the wrong side of the tracks, and Billy Farnsworth (Richard Cromwell), a boy from a wealthy and prestigious family, was old hat even in 1936. Hudson is bland and Cromwell is wooden, so one feels little empathy toward them.

Fields rescues POPPY from tedium. As Poppy's guardian Professor Eustace McGargle, he flimflams his way through everything. His larcenousness provide for some wonderful routines that elevates the film to classic comedy such as when he cons a bartender (Wade Boteler) into purchasing a "talking" dog and when he tries to get hot dogs for himself and Poppy without paying. These bits remain in one's memory after the love story is forgotten. Fields also reveals a tender, avuncular side in his intimate moments with Hudson. One understands her dedication to him, despite his crookedness.

POPPY does not rank among Fields' best work. But it demonstrates his greatness not only in that he rises above ordinary material, but that he vigorously soldiers throughout his scenes despite his real life ailments.

While not prime W.C. Fields entertainment, it's still a nice film

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 19 December 2008]

POPPY is a decent W.C. Fields film, though if you are looking for one of his better films I suggest you try IT'S A GIFT or THE BANK DICK. Now this isn't to say that this is a bad film--it just isn't as funny as many of his other films. I think the biggest difference between this and the better films is that POPPY has a very fully developed plot. Believe it or not, in many of Fields' better films, the plot is almost unnecessary! But here, there are romantic subplots that don't seem that at home with Fields' style--particularly making him a loving father!

The film begins with Fields and his 18 year-old daughter, Poppy, arriving in town. He is a grifter and immediately goes about fleecing many people as possible in very short order. His daughter, on the other hand, is honest and sweet--and this really makes no sense as you'd expect her to be a flim-flam artist as well. Regardless, during most of these early scenes, Fields is in his element--playing the lovable rogue people enjoy in films. Unfortunately, Poppy's romance does a lot to hinder the flow--I would have much rather seen more Fields.

Later, Fields discovers that there is a fortune waiting to be collected by a missing heiress--an heiress about the same age as Poppy. So, he fakes a marriage certificate and presents Poppy as this long-lost lady. At first, it goes well--people are quick to believe Poppy is the real thing. Later, however, things get mucked up a bit. How and what happens next is something you'll have to see for yourself.

Overall, a decent plot and Fields was surprisingly good as the loving father/con-man. But alas, too much of the film had to do with Poppy and her romance--making this a decent but definitely 2nd rate outing for Fields.

"My Little Plum"

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 6 June 2011]

During his career W.C. Fields was on the legitimate stage long before he was ever in Hollywood and was a star of the Ziegfeld Follies for many seasons. In his stage career Fields only did two book shows, the second and better known of them is Poppy. And he did both silent and sound versions of that role.

This version of Poppy has Fields with daughter Rochelle Hudson as part of a traveling carnival that stops in one of the small towns where she falls for the son of the mayor Granville Bates. The son is played by Richard Cromwell. She falls hard too, but Fields see an opportunity for a really big con by passing her off as the daughter of one of the town's leading citizens who left and married a carnival man years ago and left a daughter unaccounted for.

There's a rival claimant in Catherine Doucet who was a cousin of the heiress and she's being stage managed by Lynne Overman as shrewdly as Fields is doing for his daughter. I can't say more, but some unexpected facts come to everyone's attention in the end.

The original story of Poppy was written by Dorothy Donnelly who collaborated with many folks, most prominently Sigmund Romberg as a lyric writer. The original show on Broadway had a full blown score with a bunch of composers all writing songs with lyrics by Donnelly and she wrote the book as well. None of which were used in this film.

Fields is a bit more serious in this part than he normally is, still there are enough Fields type situations to satisfy his fans. What was interesting is that he was being equally matched by Doucet and Overman in chicanery.

Poppy is a much dated old fashioned story, but with W.C. Fields even a somewhat muted Fields it still rates a look.

"Sally of the Sawdust" in Sound. Good but Not Great W.C. Fields!

[mike48128 · 7/10 · 30 August 2015]

Due to a bicycle accident, Fields did most of the film with a back brace on. By trying to hide it, he looks enormous and all of his stunts were performed by a noticeably thinner double. Plenty of Fields' humor but a lot of light drama also as his daughter, "Poppy" plays it "straight" and even sings a song or two. It's better than it sounds, but certainly not a laugh-a-minute like some of Fields' other pictures. Rochelle Hudson plays his daughter with a very unconvincing love-at first-sight subplot, as she falls in love with the Mayor's son. Many classic "Fieldisms", as he has great fun twisting-up-the-dialog on purpose. "Poppy" ends up being an actual heiress after all. Her "Dad" found her abandoned at age 3, at the circus. Closes with Field's infamous quip "Never Give a Sucker an Even Break" as he exits after stealing the Mayor's top hat and several cigars, not realizing "Poppy" isn't a lie, after all! A great transfer from Deluxe. A curio but worth your time, especially as part of a "collection" set of Field's DVD's.

"Go To a Golf Course and Get Me A Doctor!!"

[HarlowMGM · 6/10 · 17 May 2011]

POPPY is an atypical W. C. Fields film even though this was the second time he filmed the story (earlier it was the 1925 D. W. Griffith silent SALLY OF THE SAWDUST with Carol Dempster and Alfred Lunt as the young lovers). This gentle little comedy/drama, originally a turn of the century stage melodrama, casts Fields as a carnival con man with an 18-year-old daughter Poppy (Rochelle Hudson). While in a small town, Hudson falls in love with the mayor's son (Richard Cromwell) and Fields, thought to be a distinguished lecturer, attracts the attention of the presumably wealthy Madame DePuizzi ("Madame DePussy" according to Fields!!) deliciously played by Catherine Doucet. Seems the Mme. is quite a con herself - she is only a presumed heiress, being the former mistress of a now deceased wealthy man of the town whose only actual heir, a daughter mysteriously disappeared twenty years ago. Fields with the help of shady attorney Lynne Overman concocts a story that he is the widower of the daughter, making his own daughter the heiress of the estate. Meanwhile Mme. "dePussy" starts to show her claws and is in cahoots with Cromwell's old girlfriend and others to shame Hudson for her carnival background and disprove Field's claims.

The atmosphere for this 1880's tale is quite charming and effective and there are several wonderful Fields comic bits, particularly his barter of a "talking dog" although I found his croquette travesty a misfire that didn't work. His performance is top notch however and the charming young Hudson and the equally adorable Cromwell are very appealing. Maude Eburne stands out among the supporting cast in a delightful role as a local matron who takes an interest in Rochelle and becomes her only friend in town. POPPY is perhaps a bit too genteel for W.C.'s biggest fans who like him best in a wild comedy but it's still a pleasing and successful albeit modest picture.

Another W. C. Fields Comedy Classic

[Ron Oliver · 10/10 · 16 August 2001]

It's 1883 and Professor Eustace P. McGargle, charlatan extraordinaire, arrives in the bucolic berg of Green Meadow. There he will attempt to deceive the local rubes into believing his beautiful daughter POPPY is heiress to an unclaimed fortune.

Once again, the inimitable W. C. Fields manages to merge the lovable & the larcenous into a highly amusing package designed to delight even the most jaded audience. Watching him perform his classic routines - the temperance lecture, the croquet game, the instrumental solo - is to be in the hands of a comic master. And has cinema produced funnier frauds than The Talking Dog or Purple Bart's Sarsaparilla? Probably not.

Fields had played the flimflamming professor before - on Broadway in 1923 and in D. W. Griffith's silent SALLY OF THE SAWDUST and he had made the role his own. But Fields' health was now at a low ebb after years of alcoholic overindulgence and he needed 10 months of rehabilitation and a sojourn in a sanitarium before beginning POPPY. And the filming itself was not without incident: his scene on the ‘ordinary' bicycle - which could have been handled by a stunt man - resulted in a fall that broke a vertebrae, leaving him in much pain. This is not apparent in his performance, however. (Another accident after filming ended sent him back for a further stint in the hospital.)

Fields' co-stars also do much to add to the high entertainment level of the film: Catherine Doucet & Lynne Overman play a conniving countess & shyster lawyer who have their own plans for getting their greedy hands on the envied greenbacks; Maude Eburne is a fiercely protective old lady who befriends Poppy; and skeletal Bill Wolfe is very droll as a gardener who refuses to be cheated by one of Fields' scams. Movie mavens will recognize Dewey Robinson as the calliope driver who is one of Fields' early victims.

As the young lovers, you could scarcely have done any better than Rochelle Hudson & Richard Cromwell. Having both lit-up many a film during the 1930's, they bring a great deal of charm to their roles, even in scenes which spread on the sticky sentiment a bit too thick. And Miss Hudson supplies the film with its loveliest moment when she sings ‘A Rendezvous With A Dream,' a tune which definitely deserves to be revived.

Fields, of course, dominates everything. Which is as it should be. However it is sad that the contributing factor to his eventual death - dipsomania - was already starting to destroy his body when he made this very funny film.

Far from a classic, but has some very amusing moments

[gridoon2024 · 6/10 · 8 February 2011]

I've read that W.C. Fields was suffering from health problems while he was making "Poppy", which probably explains why his role seems to be significantly reduced in the second half of the picture. When he is on screen, he does have some very amusing moments (the "talking" dog, his lecture against the evils of gambling (!), "sideburns", etc.), but his croquet routine is too long and more suited to someone like Lou Costello, IMO. Rochelle Hudson has a lovely singing voice, but she doesn't quite strike the strong father-daughter bond that Fields had with Mary Brian in "The Man On The Flying Trapeze". The period production is quite lavish, but the script is a bit awkward (Cromwell and Hudson are talking about marriage and family but they've known each other for what...1 or 2 days?). All in all, a pleasant time-passer. **1/2 out of 4.

Poppy and W.C. Fields!

[Sylviastel · 8/10 · 19 December 2011]

In this film, W.C. Fields who was one of the great elder comedians of his time plays a carnival performer. He and his daughter, Poppy, arrive in town. It's there that Poppy falls in love with the town's most eligible handsome bachelor. It's a mutual attraction but her breeding and heritage is not attractive. Poppy is a carnival girl who was raised by her father and traveled from town to town with the carnival. She certainly wouldn't get approved by the local society. Anyway, there are tricks and turns that changes everything without spoiling it. W.C. Fields was a comic genius on stage and in film before television. He was one of the great legends that came to film in his winter of his career. Even though, the cast is first rate but the writing is weak. Anyway it's entertaining and unforgettable. Watch W.C. Fields performing is a timeless treasure.

POPPY (A. Edward Sutherland, 1936) **1/2

[Bunuel1976 · 6/10 · 18 May 2007]

I left this one for last from the films in the W.C. FIELDS COMEDY COLLECTION VOL. 2 because it's always been reported that his contribution is swamped by the plot; I ended up enjoying it more than I had expected to and, in fact, consider this an underrated star vehicle.

It's true that the sentimental narrative, romantic subplot and even a couple of songs get in the way of the comedy highlights, but Fields himself is in fine form here (he originated the role of Professor Eustace McGargle on stage and had already appeared in a Silent version of the Dorothy Donnelly play called SALLY OF THE SAWDUST [1925] - directed, of all people, by D.W. Griffith and, for this reason, making it one of the very few Fields Silents released on DVD!). Incidentally, the star was seriously injured during the making of POPPY - not that his performance is effected in any way. Here, also, we're treated to the same kind of period atmosphere as in THE OLD FASHIONED WAY (1934): Fields, however, is a sideshow performer instead of the manager/lead actor of a theatrical troupe and has exchanged the awkward golf practice of YOU'RE TELLING ME! (1934) for the game of croquet - at which he's equally inept (besides playing an instrument called the kadoola to replace his memorable juggling act in THE OLD FASHIONED WAY). As in MAN ON THE FLYING TRAPEZE (1935), too, here we get various instances of Fields' unique and hilarious shriek whenever he takes a fall.

Among the film's best gags/lines are the following: the 'talking' dog scam; Fields berating a hot dog vendor for 'seeking his advise' in the sale of two half-eaten loaves, after the latter insulted him by suggesting that Fields couldn't afford to pay for them; he keeps running into a cadaverous fellow he swindled and who relentlessly asks for his money back; Fields mistaking a helpful gesture as to his presumed wife's distinctive features (the man indicated a mole under her ear, but Fields thought he meant she had sideburns!); his remark about the horse he was fleeing on dying out on him right in front of the police station. By the way, the last line of the film, "Never give a sucker an even break", gave the name to one of Fields' most famous vehicles (also included in the set and which I watched earlier this week).

Now I need to pick up the four remaining Fields films that are available on DVD - the afore-mentioned SALLY OF THE SAWDUST, SIX OF A KIND (1934), David COPPERFIELD (1935) and THE BIG BROADCAST OF 1938 (1938) - all but the first of which have been issued as part of some collection or other. Incidentally, there are still enough unreleased Fields movies from the Talkie period to compile yet another Universal set; so, let's hope they deliver sooner rather than later...

W.C. gets his signature stage role onto the screen-for the second time!

[mark.waltz · 6/10 · 29 November 2015]

The great W.C. was at the height of his film career when he remade the silent movie "Sally of the Sawdust", loosely based upon the 1925 Broadway musical, "Poppy". The sound version added on a few songs as well although it is questionable if they were in the stage production. The story however is basically the same, focusing on the lovable con-artist devoted to daughter Rochelle Hudson who may be entitled to an estate. The main plot line concerns Hudson's insecurity of moving into society, falling in love with handsome Richard Cromwell, and being constantly reminded of her not so honorable beginnings as a carny girl.

Loosely remade by RKO with Robert Woolsey (who appeared in the original stage production) in 1931. this version had some of Fields' old routines including a delightfully funny croquet sequence with dowager Catherine Doucet standing by. Fields makes use if every prop on every scene, taking simple every day chores (such as getting dressed) and making them hysterical.

A fast moving and often poignant comedy, this holds up pretty well for being so old fashioned in plot. Fields obviously knew what type of comedy would stand the test of time. Hudson is lovely and is certainly a great heroine. This is classic in every sense and explains why the W.C. Fields cult exists to this very day.

A remake of "Sally of the Sawdust"

[elpep49 · 8/10 · 11 July 2001]

WC Fields stars as a circus performer whose daughter claims to be heir to a small-town fortune. A sentimental comedy with music and schmaltzy love story (Rochelle Hudson, Richard Cromwell), Field is--as always--watchable and quite good in a fairly straight role. However, character actresses Catherine Doucet and Maude Eburne steal the film as a fake countess and Hudson's benefactress. Fields film regular Bill Wolfe is also fun. This old-timey comedy has a Chaplin-like feel in its blending of humor and pathos. A near-miss for Fields but still worth watching for his good performance and a couple of classic routines.

Shorter & Better Than Silent Sally

[DKosty123 · 8/10 · 17 August 2020]

After watching this film, I was in love with Rochelle Hudson. She is not remembered much for this film and I think her performance is great. Poppy is a girl with a father (Fields) who has been traveling around with a carnival poor and starving but excited by all the movement.

Fields get to do a lot of great verbal routines in this film. They travel into a town where a widow sees Poppy and thinks there is something about her that she might be an heiress to a fortune from her dead families estate. It's not a straight path however. Field's fakes a birth certificate which is exposed and everybody thinks Poppy is not related to the family.

Fields has some great physical comedy in this but to me Husdon steals the show. Her emotions and depth in playing Poppy really hits a home run. The only reason I think this one is over looked is because of other films in 1936 as this is a remake of the silent. She deserves kudos here, with a charm that lights up the screen.

Late in the film after many escapes from angry folks because of the fraud, the real proof is found that Poppy is indeed the rightful heir of her families fortune. Poppy also is told by her father that he found her at a Circus when she was 3 years old, and had raised her from there. When everything is set straight at the end, he tells Poppy his famous fatherly advice and line he would use later in the title of one of his last films. "Poppy, just remember, never give a sucker an even break."

Hudson never got a break for her acting in this one.

Pop and Poppy make an itinerant carnival sideshow team.

[weezeralfalfa · 8/10 · 8 December 2017]

This W.C. Fields comedy and drama takes place in or near Green Meadows, in 1883. Pop(W.C. as Prof. McGargle) and his daughter Poppy(Rochelle Hudson), adopted when small, when a circus orphan, are walking along a country road. W.C. sums up his persona as a sort of Robin Hood, who fleeces the rich and gives to the poor, namely, themselves. A hay wagon full of happy, singing, couples passes them. W.C. picks up a curious dog, and takes him to a rural tavern. He demonstrates to the tavern keeper how 'his' dog can talk(through ventriloquism), impressing the keeper enough to offer $10. for it.

Two gentlemen race their carriages along the road. Poppy happens to be on a small bridge over a stream. The passing carriages cause her to fall over backwards to get out of their way. One, Billy Farnsworth, son of the mayor of Green Meadows, returns to take a 2nd look and see if she is hurt. She's put off by his brashness and he leaves. But later, she won't be so dismissive. A carriage picks them up and takes them to the carnival at Green Meadows. After an unpleasant initiation, they are offered a concession at the carnival, which they accept.

As W.C. plays the zither, Poppy sings the Ralph Rainger and Leo Robin song: "Rendezvous with a Dream", followed by a group sing of the same. Billy F. was in the audience and was impressed by her singing and beauty, making himself known again... W.C. then touts his Purple Frog Sarsaparilla, at $1. per bottle. One customer gives him a $5. bill, but he won't give him change. Instead, he gives him 4 more bottles. He follows this with a brief shell game.

The mayor of Green Meadows(Billy's father) shakes hands with W.C.. The countess Maggi(Catherin Doucet), the wealthiest person in town, also makes her acquaintance, inviting W.C. to visit her mansion. "What a charming little lean-to" he remarks upon seeing it. He is invited to play Croquet with the ladies. However, he has many problems, including tripping over a wicket, keeping the hammer on the rod of the mallet, and a dog stealing his ball.

W.C. claims he owns a mine producing silver, gold and platinum, trying to impress the countess. He learns that she inherited her mansion from a Mr. Putnam, but stands to lose it if Putnam's wife or daughter should appear. Thus, W.C doctors a marriage license implying that he married Putnam's wife 20 years ago, hoping this will convince that Poppy is the daughter they are looking for. Poppy gets news that the mayor has decided she is the daughter, thus should own the countess's mansion. But during a lavish reception, she feels snubbed by the town elite, complaining to W.C. that she wished she could go back to her old life. She almost gets her wish when the attorney Whiffen(Lynne Overmann), in league with the Countess, declares W.C.s marriage certificate a fraud, since it claims they were married in 1863, but the watermark is 1883. But Sarah Tucker finds an old photo of Kathy Putnam and notes the striking resemblance to Poppy. Also, W.C. announces that Poppy is not his biological daughter. She was adopted from a circus when very young. Thus, Poppy could be Kathy's daughter. The mayor again declares (on pretty flimsy evidence) that the mansion belongs to Poppy, causing the countess to faint. The mayor also announces that he gives approval for a wedding between son Billy and Poppy. W.C. packs up his things and says goodbye, as he is a wanderer through and through. Before he leaves, he gives the advice "Never give a sucker an even break), which would be the title of a subsequent W.C. film.

"Poppy" had been a stage show in 1923-4, and a silent movie called "Sally of the Sawdust", in 1925. Fields had starred in each. Unfortunately, he now was in poor health, with much pain. Thus, Johnny Sinclair, Field's usual double, actually was W.C. in most takes, using a rubber mask. Fields also broke a vertebra falling off that high wheel bicycle.

I liked this film. Unlike many of his films, there was no bossy wife to slow him down. As in several other films, he doted on his marriageable daughter, who is his best friend.

From Sally to Poppy

[Michael_Elliott · 25 February 2008]

Poppy (1936)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Remake of D.W. Griffith's Sally of the Sawdust has W.C. Fields playing the same role of a con man who tries to get his daughter (Rochelle Hudson) into a rich family. I was somewhat disappointed by this film and must say that the Griffith film is somewhat better even though that wasn't that good either. Fields has a few good jokes but for the most part the film doesn't contain too many laughs but it still kept me entertained throughout its 73-minute running time. I think the best joke happens early in the film when Fields sells a "talking dog" to a bar owner. I think several of the jokes don't work and that includes a long running gag dealing with a guy buying five bottles of something even though he didn't want them. The supporting cast includes Richard Cromwell, Granville Bates and Catherine Doucet.