The Big Broadcast of 1938 (Blu-ray)

Any film that features performers as disparate as W. C. Fields and opera diva Kirsten Flagstad (singing Wagner) has to pique anyone’s interest! Also starring Bob Hope, Shirley Ross, Martha Raye and Dorothy Lamour, this far-fetched smorgasbord of a musical has to be seen to be believed. What was Paramount thinking? Fascinating all the same.

W.C.’s Swan song with Paramount allies him to revive a bit of his golf routine and his pool table routine. I could have used more Fields - some of the musical and comedy interpolations were lame at best (or weird - Kirstin Flagstadt singing Wagner?). The one exception - Bob Hope’s theme song “Thanks for the Memories” is beautifully performed.

This isn’t W.C. Fields’ best film, and it’s not a pristine restoration, but the disc is still very pleasant to watch and better than any prior home video release - a good preservation of best surviving elements like this release is more than good enough. The routines Fields has on display here are delightful, and it’s great to see these vintage musical acts onscreen. This disc should please fans of Fields and 1930s popular music, but is probably not the best starting point for someone new to either.