tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28039080.post115425186351292959..comments2024-03-10T00:00:31.355+00:00Comments on BRIAN SIBLEY : his blog: GODFREY 'WHO'?Brian Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02395103557170474777noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28039080.post-1154588542601078522006-08-03T08:02:00.000+01:002006-08-03T08:02:00.000+01:00Since Phil has mentioned Neil Innes' song and, by ...Since Phil has mentioned Neil Innes' song and, by so doing, has brought music into the equation, I feel obligated to tell everyone of the existence of an organisation entitled 'Godfrey Daniels' in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA.<BR/><BR/>This 'NOT-FOR-PROFIT, MEMBER SUPPORTED LISTENING CLUB', "exists to create and nurture the appreciation of traditional and contemporary folk music and performing arts by providing an intimate environment where professional artists, amateur performers and audience members will be enriched by the unique experience of live performance..."<BR/><BR/>To find out more about them (and why they are named after a phrase used by W C Fields) visit their website at... well, OBVIOUSLY, <A HREF="http://www.godfreydaniels.org/general/about_godfrey_daniels.htm" REL="nofollow">GODFREY DANIELS</A>!Brian Sibleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02395103557170474777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28039080.post-1154553942571995742006-08-02T22:25:00.000+01:002006-08-02T22:25:00.000+01:00Somehow I've gone through life without hearing the...Somehow I've gone through life without hearing the phrase "Godfrey Daniel(s)" (and without seeing a whole W.C.Fields movie for that matter). Except, that is, for a Neil Innes song called "Godfrey Daniel". It's a parody of Elton John's "Daniel", but now I know the meaing of the phrase I will take the song in a whole new light!Philhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04216810702125906530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28039080.post-1154517625280790092006-08-02T12:20:00.000+01:002006-08-02T12:20:00.000+01:00A 'Fields VIRGIN'! Now, there's a concept!I'd say ...A 'Fields VIRGIN'! Now, there's a concept!<BR/><BR/>I'd say start with 'My Little Chickadee' if, for no other reason, because you also get the wonderfully acerbic (and equally un-pc) Mae West in full-on mode...<BR/><BR/>Not sure when anyone TRULY become Ancient - I just feel it in my bones... LITERALLY!!Brian Sibleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02395103557170474777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28039080.post-1154512837581124712006-08-02T11:00:00.000+01:002006-08-02T11:00:00.000+01:00Thanks Brian! I suddenly feel very enlightened!Qui...Thanks Brian! I suddenly feel very enlightened!<BR/><BR/>Quick question: Which W.C. Fields film do you recommened for a W.C. Fields virgin? My Little Chickadee looks promising, but I don't know if I can go past such titles as 'You Can’t Cheat an Honest Man', 'The Bank Dick' and 'Never Give A Sucker An Even Break'.<BR/><BR/>Also, <I>technically speaking</I>, what do you suppose is the age one becomes 'Ancient'? Because, growing up, I always thought ancient people were anybody born in the previous century, only... for the past six years, that has included me and almost the entire world population so I'm not sure that theory holds up anymore.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28039080.post-1154504994720478472006-08-02T08:49:00.000+01:002006-08-02T08:49:00.000+01:00No, Cafrine, not ignorance at all... You just don'...No, Cafrine, not ignorance at all... <BR/><BR/>You just don't happen to know about W C Fields...<BR/><BR/>On the other hand, you undoubtedly DO know about a lot of other people and things that I don't know about!<BR/><BR/>The secret - as you are well aware - is that we tell each other and share with each other and then, possibly, we all learn and grow...<BR/><BR/>So, W C Fields...<BR/><BR/>Birth name: William Claude Dunkenfield; born:1880; died: 1946, which, let's face it, was three years before even I was born and I'm ancient<BR/><BR/>Fields left home at the age of 11, entered vaudeville and became a comic juggler. He later went into movies, beginning with 'silents' and 'shorts', but going on to become one of the great screen comics of the 1930s and '40s, ranked by many alongside Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Groucho Marx and Laurel & Hardy.<BR/><BR/>Notable films (of which he was also the writer) include: 'You Can’t Cheat an Honest Man', 'The Bank Dick', 'My Little Chickadee' (with Mae West, shown on my blog) and another film that provided what became a catch-phrase associated with its star: 'Never Give A Sucker An Even Break'.<BR/><BR/>He played - to perfection - Mr Micawber in the 1935 film version of Dickens 'David Copperfield' and TURNED DOWN the title role of 'The Wizard of Oz'!<BR/><BR/>I can't better this appraisal of his screen character from <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W.C._Fields" REL="nofollow">Wikipedia</A>:<BR/><BR/>"Fields created one of the great American comic personas of the first half of the 20th century - a misanthrope who teetered on the edge of buffoonery but never quite fell in, an egotist blind to his own failings, a charming drunk; and a man who hated children, dogs, and women, unless they were the wrong sort of women."<BR/><BR/>----------------------------------------------<BR/><BR/>From 'My Little Chickadee' (1940):<BR/><BR/><BR/>CUTHBERT J TWILLIE (Fields): May I present my card? <BR/><BR/>FLOWER BELLE LEE (Mae West): 'Novelties and Notions.' What kind of notions you got? <BR/><BR/>CUTHBERT J TWILLIE: You'd be surprised. Some are old, some are new. Whom have I the honor of addressing? <BR/><BR/>FLOWER BELLE LEE: Mmm, call me Flower Belle.<BR/><BR/>CUTHBERT J TWILLIE: Flower Belle, what a euphonious appellation. Easy on the ears and a banquet for the eyes. <BR/><BR/>FLOWER BELLE LEE: You're kinda cute yourself. <BR/><BR/>CUTHBERT J TWILLIE: Thank you. I never argue with a lady. <BR/><BR/>FLOWER BELLE LEE: Smart boy. <BR/><BR/>***<BR/><BR/>Later:<BR/><BR/><BR/>CUTHBERT J TWILLIE: Tell me, prairie flower, can you give me the inside info on yon damsel with the hothouse cognomen? <BR/><BR/>MRS GIDEON: Do you mean Miss Flower Belle Lee? <BR/><BR/>CUTHBERT J TWILLIE: I don't mean some woman out in China.<BR/><BR/>MRS GIDEON: Well! I'm afraid I can't say anything good about her.<BR/><BR/>CUTHBERT J TWILLIE: I can see what's good. Tell me the rest. something to ME.Brian Sibleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02395103557170474777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28039080.post-1154492558671381102006-08-02T05:22:00.000+01:002006-08-02T05:22:00.000+01:00I know I'm showing my ignorance by saying I don't ...I know I'm showing my ignorance by saying I don't know who this hilarious fellow is, but after all that I think I should probably go find out. Or at least recycle some of his material. <BR/><BR/>What a hoot!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com