Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by petew (A) on January 05, 2002 at 11:09:39

In Reply to: Funniest single scene in the movies posted by danj on January 04, 2002 at 00:08:10:

can't remember the film, and in fact I think this long scene was cut from the origional release so it might be hard to find...

Bill is playing pool but the only cue available to him has a wicked hook--a gag that is so common in pool comedy that it's become trite...

but never underestimate Fields, he hangs the scene out to dry for going on 10 minutes, lining-up his shot with this impossible, rediculous cue all the while carrying on with a hilarious monologue/story...

the climax is to die for.

For those who don't know, Fields was a brilliant juggler, considered to be the best that ever lived. He used to practice 10 to 12 hours every day, often stopping only when his hands began to bleed. He had a one-man show that was riviting...there are some clips of his more famous bits...showing his comic brilliance and origionality unlike anyone has seen since (nobody has been able to duplicate his tricks--they are just too hard!). Every now and then you'll notice he slips a gag into his films. Even late in life when alcohol had dulled his deftness his ability to slight-of-hand a balance and juggle of almost any item around him was so brilliant you almost didn't notice how hard it is. And that voice...