The short answer, I'm afraid, is: "not very easily" (but things are getting better).
When we refer to video in this FAQ, we refer mainly to the NTSC-VHS format common to the United States, although some of the video sources listed may have product available in the European PAL format.
For the addresses and websites of the retailers, manufacturers, and
distributors listed below, please go to "Video
Sources" at the bottom of this web page.
To reduce confusion, the Fields' films on this page are grouped into
particular periods. Under each film listing a 
(check mark) is included next to video or laserdisc
products and the companies selling them. (A check mark is not a
recommendation or indication of quality, it is just an indication that
the film is available for purchase on video.) Also, at the end of this
list will be the names of companies and sources, as well as internet
links, where you might be able to track down copies of videos.
Half of the films from this period have very likely decomposed into
powder. In the case of the mid- to- late-'20s Paramount features, most
were shelved right after release and never shown again and subsequently
lost.
Because copyrights have lapsed on most of the surviving silents, they
are typically in the public domain and can be sold on videotape by any
mom and pop outfit.
The following Fields silent films are lost:
The following Fields silent films exist (video status varies):
Special Commendation:
The HomeVision VHS tape, compiled with the other five Fields shorts, has
an incredibly sharp, beautifully restored print of Pool Sharks
and has to be anyone's first video choice. The video, W.C. Fields: 6
Short Films can be purchased at Suncoast Motion Picture company
stores for $19.99.Grapevine Video in Phoenix,
Arizona is offering a two-tape set of Fields shorts, with the second
volume featuring Pool Sharks. The tape is titled "W. C. Fields
Comedies--Volume #2,".(#WCF#2) and also contains The Golf
Specialist and The Fatal Glass of Beer. Running time is 53
min. Cost is $14.95.Reference books had VHS and
Beta versions of this film listed as being distributed by Films Inc.
Video in Chicago. Home Film Festival is renting
and
selling a tape with this and Fields' five other short. Retail is
$29.95.
The film is available as part
of a compilation laserdisc of six Fields short films, recently released
by the Criterion/Voyager Co. Check their website. The package at $49.95
is hefty, but the ability to get six shorts on one disc (a first) in
good to excellent transfers, is worth it.
Videobrary is now selling a
VHS
videotape of this little-seen, early Fields film.
Kino Video is offering
Sally... as part of the company's "Griffith Masterworks" series
("Series 2" in this case). Check Kino's homepage link below under "Video
Sources."Videoplex is selling a VHS
videotape of Sally... that carries the additional moniker "The
Silent Film Collection" on the box cover, but I don't know the name of
the company of origin. The listed running time is 92 minutes and the
cost is $14.99. Video Online Express is
selling a VHS videotape of Sally... listed at $14.41 (no running
time noted on the website), with the company of origin/brand listed as
"A Hollywood Select Vid Picture."Best Video lists this as in
stock for either sale or rental. No price listed.The Videohound Golden
Movie Retriever lists three distributors of VHS and Beta versions of
this movie (at a cost of $19.95). They are: Video Yesteryear, Critic's
Choice Video Inc., and Nostalgia Family Video. I'm not sure of the
existence of some of these companies. Facets Video in Chicago had
listed
Sally... for rent and for purchase in their 1989 catalog (alas,
the last
one I have at present). the price was $29.95, but the running time is
listed
as the full 124 minutes. Home Film Festival in
Scranton, Pa.,
is renting the film for $5 to $10, as well as selling it for $29.95.
Running
time is listed as 118m.
The Videohound Golden
Movie Retriever lists this as being available on VHS and Beta video
for $24.95 from Grapevine Video, but a search of their website doesn't
show it. Call them and ask.Best Video lists this as in
stock for either sale or rental. No price listed.
The Videohound Golden
Movie Retriever says the film is available from Paramount Home
Video, though a check of the studio's limited website offers no
confimation of availability. List price is $29.95.Video Marketplace is selling
a VHS videotape of this movie for $29.95, but their web page offers no
further details.Picture Palace has a website
database. They're selling the film in VHS for $29.99.Best Video lists this as in
stock for either sale or rental. No price listed.If you've clung to the Beta
videotape format, a place called the Brauer Beta Movie Catalog has a
site on the web and is selling Running Wild in a strictly Beta
version for $12.95.
The copyrights on Fields' sound shorts lapsed many years ago, and the
films have long been in the public domain. The up side of this is that
the movies have been available for many years in several video
packagings made by many companies. This is been a boon for small-time
video distribution companies, but the downside has been wildly varying
quality control. Some of the videotapes were transferred from battered
dupe film prints, resulting in videotapes of poor image and sound
quality. There has been no way for consumers to know which video
packages of these films were any good.
The usual video packages, sold at budget prices, contain the short
films: The Golf Specialist, The Dentist, and The
Fatal Glass of Beer, and they usually can be found right down the
street at Walmart, K-Mart, Target, and other discount stores. The video
boxes usually carry generic titles, such as: "W.C. Fields Comedy
Classics," "W.C. Fields Laugh Fest," "W.C. Fields Festival," "The Best
of W.C. Fields," and so on.
Now that reputable, established enterprises such as Republic Video and
the Voyager/Criterion company are starting to release video packages of
these shorts, the consumer should see an increase in product quality.
Video Laserdisc status
For years, the situation with the Paramount features on videotape has been
atrocious, frustrating, and inexplicable. Taken as a whole, these movies
constitute one of the greatest bodies of work in the history of film
comedy. Finally, in response to fan pressure, Universal Studios (which owns the rights to the Paramount talkies), has finally let some major titles out of its vaults for VHS release. Still, some important titles remain officially unreleased, such as The Man on the
Flying Trapeze and The Old Fashioned Way
Video Laserdisc status
The situation with the Universal features on videotape has been
far better than with the Paramount material. The Bank Dick and
My Little Chickadee have been on video for more than a decade and
seem to be mainstays of the catalog.
Video Laserdisc status
Video Laserdisc status
Video Laserdisc status
Fields' last years were devoted mostly to picking up paychecks from
films primarily designed to launch the careers of young singing
starlets. Hence, most of the films are pretty non-essential. The video
situation, as in most of Fields' other periods, is uneven.
This category is a catch-all for feature films co-starring Fields that
don't easily fit into the others, as well as documentary and other
ancillary films about W.C. Fields.
Laserdisc status
This is a listing of websites and addresses for studios, manufacturers,
dealers and distributors that market W.C. Fields videos, as well as
various video retail and rental companies where they can be purchased.
To save space, and give the readers credit for some common sense, I
have, as of 7/1997, eliminated some of the obvious information about
rental stores, bookstores and other walk-in retailers, and have chosen
only to list mail-order operations or websites that may help you find
hard-to-find W.C. Fields titles.
All of this information is listed strictly as a service to fans of W.C.
Fields who are seeking to collect his work on video or laserdisc. In no
way does this information constitute endorsements, testimonials, or
recommendations for any of the products or retailers listed. There is no
commercial interest being served by the provider of this information.
In this fast-changing world, some of this info. will change, as titles
and companies disappear. Please e-mail me if you find any of this info.
to be no longer valid. (-KR-)
Major Studios--Home Video Products
Their current W.C. titles are:
Their home video catalog website URL is:
Their site is well designed; but their search engine is unreliable. Just
putting "W.C. Fields" in the search engine does not yield the complete
list of his films available in their catalog.
Their current W.C. title is:
Their home video catalog website URL is:
Their current W.C. title is:
Their home video catalog website URL is:
Their web site uses space-probe navigation metaphors, but is not user
friendly, so that you feel like you're "lost in space."
A hodgepodge of distributors, mail-order retail outlets, and
sales/rental
operations. Some have web sites; others don't. Stores that have a
larger-than-usual selection of Fields movies are indicated by a
They have a few W.C. feature titles. Try their search engine.
Web URL is: http://www.fhv.com/
Widely Available on tape and laserdisc
Fields' first sound film has probably been issued on videotape by more
companies than any other film ever made. As an early talkie, it had a
deficient soundtrack to begin with, but multi-generational dupe prints
have degraded the sound even more, so video reissues have usually been
of poor sound quality.
Special Commendation:
The HomeVision VHS tape, compiled with the other five Fields shorts, has
an incredibly sharp, beautifully restored print of The Golf
Specialist and has to be anyone's first video choice. The video,
W.C. Fields: 6 Short Films can be purchased at Suncoast Motion
Picture company stores for $19.99.
The Voyager/Criterion
laserdisc version may be an improvement (see below). I can't vouch for
the quality of any of the following issues, as I haven't watched them.
Nevertheless, these are some of the available VHS packagings I'm aware
of that feature The Golf Specialist.
Reference books list a VHS
tape packaging of this trio by the reputable Republic Pictures Home
Video under the title, "The Best of W.C. Fields." List price is $19.95.
As this is a higher price than most releases of these shorts, once
should expect and demand higher-than-usual quality. I haven't seen it
for comparison purposes, so I can't judge.
Video Online Express lists
this Republic VHS release in their website catalog for $17.65, .Running
time is listed at 58 minutes.
The Madacy Group is marketing a two-tape set of the six Fields shorts.
It was recently seen at Suncoast, the video retailer, selling for
$9.99.
Videoplex , is selling a
packaging called "Short Films Of W.C. Fields," with ...Golf... in
the usual trio assortment. Running time is 60 minutes; cost is
$12.99.
Simitar Entertainment is
selling what appears to be a two-volume package in one box featuring
most of the shorts (although only a portion of The Pharmacist,
along with some biographical info on Fields). The VHS tape set is called
"W.C. Fields--The Comic/The Best of W.C. Fields, Vol. 1 & The Best of
W.C. Fields, Vol. 2" (Simitar #3813). The first volume has
...Golf..., and the whole package sells for $12.99. Running time
is listed as "approximately 104 minutes."
Video Online Express is
selling several packagings of Fields short films, three of which are
titled, "The Best of W.C. Fields," and one appears to be the Simitar
packaging mentioned earlier, but at a lower cost of $11.41.
Facets Video a few years back
was selling a package of this trio titled, "W.C. Fields' Comedy Bag,"
for $19.95, possibly on Kartes or marketed by Barr Entertainment. See
for info on how to check with them.
Home Film Festival is renting
and
selling this and Fields' five other shorts. Retail is $29.95.
Video Yesteryear was selling
this short-film trio in a package called "W.C. Fields: Flask of Fields"
for $24.95 in VHS, Beta, and 8mm.
Cable Films and Video was
selling this short-film trio in a package called "Comedy Reel, Vol. 1"
for $23.95 in VHS and Beta. If I can verify their existence and address,
you'll find them listed below under "Video
Sources."
Grapevine Video in Phoenix,
Arizona is offering a two-tape set of Fields shorts, with the second
volume featuring The Golf Specialist as well as Pool
Sharks. and The Fatal Glass of Beer. The tape is titled "W.
C. Fields Comedies--Volume #2,".(#WCF#2). Running time is 53 min. Cost
is $14.95.
Picture Palace is selling a
VHS package called "W.C. Fields Comedy Classics, which I suspect is this
same trio of films, but the description isn't provided. You can contact
them and ask. Cost is $19.99.
Picture Palace is also
selling a packaging called "W.C. Fields: World's Funniest Man," which
may be yet another compilation of shorts. Ask them. Cost is $9.99.
Prism Entertainment once marketed the standard trio under the "W.C.
Fields Comedy Cavalcade" title, but that issue is long out of print I
suspect, and the company was undergoing bankruptcy proceedings as we
last checked.
For the addresses and websites of these video retailers, manufacturers,
and distributors, please go to "Video Sources" at the
bottom of this web page.
Available, and easy to get
The film is available as part
of a superb compilation laserdisc of six Fields short films, recently
released by the Criterion/Voyager Co. Their website link can be found in
the list of video sources at the bottom of this page. The package at
$49.95 is hefty, but the ability to get six shorts on one disc (a
first), in good-to-excellent transfers, is worth it.
For the addresses and websites of these video retailers, manufacturers,
and distributors, please go to "Video Sources" at the
bottom of this web page.
Widely available
Because these two films are
usually paired in packagings with The Golf Specialist, I would
suggest simply reading the entry above on that film to locate videos for
these shorts.
Special Commendation:
The HomeVision VHS tape, compiled with the other five Fields shorts,
has a nicely restored print of Fatal Glass of Beer, but
unfortunately has spiffed up a censored TV print of The Dentist
that excises two moments of Fields cursing. Still, the video, W.C.
Fields: 6 Short Films is a good deal and can be purchased at
Suncoast Motion Picture company stores for $19.99.
A distributor called Critic's
Choice Video in Itasca, Ill., was marketing both ...Fatal... and
The Dentist in packages for $19.98 in VHS (and maybe Beta), but
I'm not aware of the pairings, if any.
Best Video lists these as in
stock for either sale or rental. No price listed.
For the addresses and websites of these video retailers, manufacturers,
and distributors, please go to "Video Sources" at the
bottom of this web page.
Available, but generally hard to find on VHS.
These two films have been much harder to find on tape than the three
earlier sound shorts, though for no discernible reason because they're
just as funny. The Pharmacist has been a particularly difficult
movie to locate. Movies Unlimited recently told us that they could no
longer order the video because the distributor had discontinued it.
Special Commendation:
The HomeVision VHS tape, compiled with the other five Fields shorts,
has a good print of The Barber Shop and has to be anyone's first
video choice. The video, W.C. Fields: 6 Short Films can be
purchased at Suncoast Motion Picture company stores for $19.99.
However, Grapevine Video in
Phoenix, Arizona is offering a two-tape set of Fields shorts, with the
first volume featuring both The Pharmacist as well as The
Barber Shop, along with The Dentist. The tape is titled "W.
C. Fields Comedies--Volume #1,".(#WCF#1). Running time is 57 min. Cost
is $14.95. Grapevine's web page says these are "all from beautiful
complete prints," which is encouraging.
The Madacy Group is marketing
a two-tape set of the six Fields shorts, including The Barber
Shop and all the others. It was recently seen at Suncoast, the video
retailer, selling for $9.99.
The Simitar Entertainment VHS
package listed under The Golf Specialist contains what appears to
be only a portion of The Pharmacist. The package is titled: "W.C.
Fields--The Comic/The Best of W.C. Fields, Vol. 1 & The Best of W.C.
Fields, Vol. 2" (Simitar #3813).
The Simitar tape does,
however, indicate that it contains a complete version of The Barber
Shop.
An outfit called Cable Films
& Video was distributing The Barber Shop in a package called
"Comedy Reel, Vol. 2," but the $23.95 VHS (and possibly Beta) release
also included shorts by other comedians such as the Three Stooges,
etc.
A distributor called Critic's
Choice Video in Itasca, Ill., was marketing both The Pharmacist
and The Barber Shop
in packages for $24.95 in VHS (and maybe Beta), but I'm not aware of the
pairings, if any.
Best Video lists these as in
stock for either sale or rental. No price listed.
Home Film Festival is renting
and
selling a compendium of Fields six shorts, including these. Retail:
$29.95.
For the addresses and websites of these video retailers, manufacturers,
and distributors, please go to "Video Sources" at the
bottom of this web page.
Available; easy to get
Again, the Voyager/Criterion
laserdisc compilation of the six shorts contains these films, and is
probably the best way to go.
For the addresses and websites of these video retailers, manufacturers,
and distributors, please go to "Video Sources" at the
bottom of this web page.
Possibly available
In the 1930s, links master Bobby Jones made a series of how-to shorts on
golf improvement under the series title How to Break Ninety.
Fields was recruited to lend comic relief in one installment of the
series. This particular 10-minute short was titled Hip Action.
Although Ron Fields several years ago mentioned in one of his W.C. books
that the movie was held in a private collection and was not available
for public view, some fans have spotted this film in pro shops in
various golf instruction video packages. So far, no one has been able to
provide me with the name of the distributor(s) or other vital
information. If anyone has more solid information, please e-mail
me.
Available; easy to obtain.
This film is on VHS videotape from Universal Studios Home Video. Any decent video store should be able to order this for you. Copies have been seen at Suncoast Motion Picture Co. outlets. Mail order sources such as Critics Choice Video and Movies Unlimited are stocking this title as well.
Not Available; has never been available on video.
Available; easy to obtain
This film is on VHS videotape
from MCA/Universal. Running time is 70 minutes. Any decent video store
should be able to order this for you.
For the addresses and websites of video retailers, manufacturers, and
distributors, please go to "Video Sources" at the
bottom of this web page.
Not Available; has never been available on video.
Available, but may be hard to find.
This film is listed as
available on
VHS videotape from MCA/Universal. However, one reader informs us that
Tower
Video was unable to obtain it, and that it may possibly be
discontinued.
Some video retailers listed on this page list the film as still
available.
For the addresses and websites of video retailers, manufacturers, and
distributors, please go to "Video Sources" at the
bottom of this web page.
Available; easy to obtain
This film is on VHS videotape
from MCA/Universal. Running time is 62 minutes.
Any decent video store should be able to order this for you.
For the addresses and websites of video retailers, manufacturers, and
distributors, please go to "Video Sources" at the
bottom of this web page.
Available; easy to obtain.
This film is on VHS videotape
from Universal Studios Home Video. Any decent video store
should be able to order this for you. Copies have been seen at Suncoast Motion Picture Co. outlets. Mail order sources such as Critics Choice Video and Movies Unlimited are stocking this title as well.
Availability questionable
Best Video lists this as in
stock for either sale or rental (no price listed), but because it's not
to be found anywhere else I wonder if this may be a mistake. If anyone
finds out, email me.
For the addresses and websites of video retailers, manufacturers, and
distributors, please go to "Video Sources" at the
bottom of this web page.
Availability uncertain; possibly discontinued.
This film was evidently available on VHS videotape until recently.
It was being distributed by Goodtimes/Kids Klassics Distribution Corp.,
so you might find unsold or rental copies available out there. I'm not
sure if they're still in business. Running time: 80 minutes.
Best Video lists this as in
stock for either sale or rental. No price listed.
For the addresses and websites of these video retailers, manufacturers,
and distributors, please go to "Video Sources" at the
bottom of this web page.
Available; easy to obtain.
This film is on VHS videotape
from Universal Studios Home Video. Any decent video store
should be able to order this for you. Copies have been seen at Suncoast Motion Picture Co. outlets. Mail order sources such as Critics Choice Video and Movies Unlimited are stocking this title as well.
(The old Kartes Video issue from the 1980s, also a high quality videotape, still turns up in rental stores and some retail and mail order outlets.)
Available, apparently.
Video Online Express lists a
laserdisc version of It's a Gift as being offered by a company
named "GRP," and priced at $27.95. I haven't succeeded in tracking down
the company, "GRP," to double check the validity of this release.
Picture Palace is selling the
film on laserdisc for $34.99.
For the addresses and websites of these video retailers, manufacturers,
and distributors, please go to "Video Sources" at the
bottom of this web page.
Not Available; has never been available on video.
This one shows up every few years on cable TV, so be on the lookout.
Not Available; or is it?
Best Video lists this as in
stock for either sale or rental, but I wonder if this is a mistake, as I
can't locate the title anywhere else. No price listed.
For the addresses and websites of video retailers, manufacturers, and
distributors, please go to "Video Sources" at the
bottom of this web page.
This movie shows up rarely on cable TV. Keep your eyes peeled.
Not Available; has never been available on video.
I haven't seen this one on television in ages.
Available.
The film was issued as part
of a
Bob Hope video series on, I believe, MCA/Universal home video. A reader
informs us that he obtained it at a Tower Video store.
Family Home Video has the
movie listed as available from MCA on VHS tape for $14.68.
For the addresses and websites of video retailers, manufacturers, and
distributors, please go to "Video Sources" at the
bottom of this web page.
This one has been showing up often on American Movie Classics cable TV
network regularly during the past few years.
Available; easy to obtain.
This film is on VHS videotape
from Universal Studios Home Video. Any decent video store
should be able to order this for you. Copies have been seen at Suncoast Motion Picture Co. outlets. Mail order sources such as Critics Choice Video and Movies Unlimited are stocking this title as well.
Available; easy to obtain.
This film is on VHS videotape
from MCA/Universal. See bottom of page under "Video Sources" to link to
the studio's website. Any decent video store should be able to order
this for you.
For the addresses and websites of video retailers, manufacturers, and
distributors, please go to "Video Sources" at the
bottom of this web page.
Available, easy to obtain.
This film is on laserdisc
(apparently in two versions with differing bells and whistles) from
MCA/Universal. Any decent video store should be able to order these for
you.
Video Online Express lists
the two laserdisc versions offered by MCA/Universal for $27.95 and
$30.01, respectively. Their prices are noted here simply as a reference
price, so shopping around at other places is also advised.
For the addresses and websites of these video retailers, manufacturers,
and distributors, please go to "Video Sources" at the
bottom of this web page.
Available; easy to obtain.
This film is on VHS videotape
from MCA/Universal. Any decent video store should be able to order this
for you.
For the addresses and websites of video retailers, manufacturers, and
distributors, please go to "Video Sources" at the
bottom of this web page.
Available, easy to obtain.
This film is on laserdisc
from MCA/Universal. Any decent video store should be able to order this
for you.
Video Online Express lists
the laserdisc version offered by MCA/Universal for $28.47 . Their price
is noted here simply as a reference price, so shopping around at other
places is also advised.
For the addresses and websites of video retailers, manufacturers, and
distributors, please go to "Video Sources" at the
bottom of this web page.
Uncertain. Hard to obtain (?)
MCA/Universal no longer lists this on their web page catalog, and one
reader informed us that a video retailer could not order it because it
was no longer available.
Videoflicks lists this as a
"hard to find" video at their website, yet implies that they have it in
stock. They claim to carry the old "Film Classics" label version
licensed in the 1980s.
It looks like this one might take some hunting. Recommendation: Buy this
one if you see any leftover copies.
For the addresses and websites of video retailers, manufacturers, and
distributors, please go to "Video Sources" at the
bottom of this web page.
Possibly Available
Video Online Express lists
the laserdisc version offered by MCA/Universal for $28.49 . I can't find
verification of availability anywhere else, however. Their price is
noted here simply as a reference price, so shopping around at other
places is also advised.
For the addresses and websites of these video retailers, manufacturers,
and distributors, please go to "Video Sources" at the
bottom of this web page.
Available; easy to obtain.
This film is on VHS videotape
from Twentieth-Century Fox Home Video. See bottom of page under "Video
Sources" to a link to the studio's website. Any decent video store
should be able to order this for you.
For the addresses and websites of video retailers, manufacturers, and
distributors, please go to "Video Sources" at the
bottom of this web page.
Available; easy to obtain.
This film is on VHS videotape
from MCA/Universal home video. Running time is 122 minutes. Any decent
video store should be able to order this for you.
For the addresses and websites of video retailers, manufacturers, and
distributors, please go to "Video Sources" at the
bottom of this web page.
Not Available; has never been available on tape.
Available; hard to find.
Video Dimensions in NYC is
marketing this film in VHS and possibly Beta, by mail order.
For the addresses and websites of video retailers, manufacturers, and
distributors, please go to "Video Sources" at the
bottom of this web page.
Available; hard to find.
The Videohound Golden Movie Retriever lists this film as
available on home video, but I haven't managed to track down a
distributor.
Available; easy to find.
This is available on VHS
videotape from MGM/UA Home Video, and should be easy to order from any
decent video store.
For the addresses and websites of video retailers, manufacturers, and
distributors, please go to "Video Sources" at the
bottom of this web page.
Available; easy to find.
Also available on laserdisc
from MGM/UA Home Video.
Video Online Express lists it
for $33.33, but I list that only as a reference price. It is always
advisable to shop around.
For the addresses and websites of these video retailers, manufacturers,
and distributors, please go to "Video Sources" at the
bottom of this web page.
Availability uncertain. Probably was available but is now
discontinued.
This 1976 theatrical biopic starring Rod Steiger as W.C. and Valerie
Perrine as his lover Carlotta Monti is listed as being available on
video, according to Leonard Maltin's T.V. Movies and Video Guide,
but I can't track down any source for its availability. It may have been
on MCA/Universal Home Video, but their website does not list it among
their currently available offerings.
For the addresses and websites of video retailers, manufacturers, and
distributors, please go to "Video Sources" at the
bottom of this web page.
Available; fairly easy to obtain.
This VHS tape is apparently a
survey of Fields' life and career, made and distributed by MPI Home
Video. This is MPI's description of the 52-minute film: "Here are random
clips from the life and times of William Claude Dukenfield, including
rare family movies, radio fights with Charlie McCarthy and appearances
in Grade A and Grade Z films." MPI's suggested retail price is $19.99.
The catalog number is MP1516. I haven't seen this, so I can't vouch for
the quality.
Video Online Express is
selling this VHS tape for $17.51, less than suggested retail, but shop
around.
Picture Palace has a website
database. They're selling the documentary in VHS for $19.99.
Facets Video had this listed
in one of their old catalogs for $19.95. Check to see if it has
changed.
For the addresses and websites of these video retailers, manufacturers,
and distributors, please go to "Video Sources" at the
bottom of this web page.
Available; fairly easy to obtain.
This is a VHS biographical
documentary on Fields, marketed by "Live Home Video."
Picture Palace has a website
database. They're selling the documentary in VHS for $19.99.
Value Video International has
a website database. They're selling the documentary in VHS for
$19.98.
Video Online Express is
selling this VHS tape for $17.72.
Best Video lists this as in
stock for either sale or rental. No price listed.
For the addresses and websites of these video retailers, manufacturers,
and distributors, please go to "Video Sources" at the
bottom of this web page.
Available
Picture Palace lists this
under their "documentary" category, but I have no idea about the content
of this VHS release. Cost is $9.99.
For the addresses and websites of video retailers, manufacturers, and
distributors, please go to "Video Sources" at the
bottom of this web page.
Available
Picture Palace lists this
under their "documentary" category, but I have no idea about the content
of this VHS release. Cost is $9.99.
For the addresses and websites of video retailers, manufacturers, and
distributors, please go to "Video Sources" at the
bottom of this web page.
Quick Access List of Video Sources
Mail Order Dealers in Vintage Video--Sales or
Rental (These are the ones with the hard-to find stuff.)
Major Studios/Home Video
Products
Alice in Wonderland
International House
Six of a Kind
The Big Broadcast of 1938
My Little Chickadee
The Bank Dick
Follow the Boys
http://www.mca.com/home/VL/index.html
David Copperfield
http://www.mgmhomevideo.com/
Tales of Manhattan
http://www.tcfhe.com:80/indexn.htm
Dealers in Vintage Videos
check mark.
(Listed in video books, but can't find them online.)
Classic films, including comedies. They have distributed You Can't
Cheat an Honest Man, as well as some of the Fields shorts.
Barr Entertainment
PO Box 7878
Irwindale, CA 91706-7878
(800) 582-2000
(818) 338-7878
FAX: (818) 814-2672
Best Video
Sales and rentals of VHS videotapes and laserdiscs. Also: "authorized"
format conversions to PAL.
No price information, and little other detail, is given about the videos
on their website, but for sheer selection this place appears to be the
very best for W.C. Fields' films. Every title available is listed here,
including some that are extremely hard to find and some that aren't even
"supposed" to be available. I'm a little skeptical, though, as some of
the titles are available nowhere else. I just wonder if the store just
listed all these films in case they actually did become available
someday. I'll leave it to you to check for availability, of course.
I can't decipher the in-house shorthand jargon they use to indicate
format next to the film titles. Not all formats are available, I'd
safely bet.
This is what their search engine lists as being in stock:
The Bank Dick
The Barber Shop
David Copperfield
The Dentist
The Fatal Glass of Beer
International House
It's A Gift
It's the Old Army Game
Man on the Flying Trapeze
Mrs.Wiggs of The Cabbage Patch
My Little Chickadee
Never Give a Sucker...
The Old-Fashioned Way
Running Wild
Sally Of the Sawdust
Six Of a Kind
W.C Fields Festival
W.C Fields Best of
W.C.Fields Straight Up
You Can't Cheat an Honest Man
Best Video
1697 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, CT 06517
(800) 727-3843 (800-RARE-VID)
or (203) 287-9286
E-mail: bestvid@aol.com
Web: http://www.bestvideo.com
Beta. Mail-order sales only. Free catalog.
Beta Library
PO Box 836224, Promenade Station
Richardson, Texas 75083-6224
(214) 233-4552
FAX: (214) 233-6329
They rent and sell videos. They specialize in rare silent and sound films. I don't know which W.C. titles they may have.
Eddie Brandt's
6310 Colfax Avenue
North Hollywood, California 91606
Phone: 1-818-506-7722
(or) (818) 506-4242
Fax (818) 506-5649
No website yet, but info on them can be obtained via The Silents Majority page:
http://www.mdle.com/ClassicFilms/FeaturedVideo/ebrandt.htm
--under
"Links to other sites and resources."
(Their website went down. Don't know if they moved or went under.) One of the last bastions of beta. They have the 1927 silent Running Wild on beta videotape.
Brauer Trading
Brauer Beta Movie Catalog
26 Emery Lane
Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey 07675
1-800-962-7722 (weekdays)
EMAIL: Ajbrauer@Ix.Netcom.Com
(or) Ajbra@Panix.Com
Web URL is: http://www.panix.com/~/ajbra/movies.html
One of the Laurel and Hardy pages listed this is a good source for classic comedy videos (VHS and laserdisc). I don't know if they have any Fields material, though. Can convert to PAL.
Cinema Classics
PO Box 174 - Village Station
New York, New York 10014
1-212-675-6692
Fax: 1-212-675-6594
E-mail: Cclassics@aol.com
(No website that I know of.)
They claim to "stock every title" on laserdisc.
Ken Crane's Laser Disc
15251 Beach Blvd
Westminster, California 92683
Phone: 1-800-624-3078
Phone (in California): 1-800-626-1768
Phone: 1-714-892-2283
Fax: 1-714-892-8369
EMAIL: discs@kencranes.com
Web URL is: http://www.kencranes.com/
They can pretty much get anything that's officially available. They're carrying the four titles from the Universal Studios "W.C. Fields Collection" (It's a Gift, Million Dollar Legs, You're Telling Me, and You Can't Cheat an Honest Man. They have distributed Sally of the Sawdust, as well as some of the Fields shorts. Formats include VHS, laserdisc, 8mm. Free catalog.
Critics' Choice Video
PO Box 749
Itasca, IL 60143-0749
(800) 367-7765
Fax: (708) 437-7298
Web URL is: http://www.ccvideo.com/
They have some of the features in stock.
Direct Video
PO Box 6565
London, Ontario, Canada N5W 5S5
Toll free In Canada and the U.S. 1-800-461-1651
Locally in London or outside Canada and the U.S. (519)
659-3912
Fax (519) 659-6194
E-Mail directvideo@wwdc.com
Web URL is: http://www.wwdc.com/directvideo/
(Website went down. Not sure of the status of this company.) VHS titles: "Specializing in the rare and unusual," including silents.
Discount Video Tapes, Inc.
833A North Hollywood Way
PO Box 7122
Burbank, CA 91510
(818) 843-3366
(818)843-3821
FAX: (800) 253-9612
This is probably the biggest rental operation in the U.S. that deals in
the world, independent American, special interest, and art videos
segment of the market. They do mail-order as well as walk-in business.
They also sell videos, and they have listed some of Fields' movies in
past catalogs.
Facets has a spectacular collection and some nice catalogs, and I'm sure
they're quite a nice deal if you live in Chicago, but with their
membership fee and shipping costs, renting from them across country can
be expensive.
Facets Video
1517 W. Fullerton Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
Telephone: 1-800-331-6197
Fax: 1-312-929-5437
E-Mail: sales@facets.org
Website URL is:
http://www.facets.org/
I couldn't find any W.C. Fields features on their web page, but they do have a large selection of silent films. An inquiry wouldn't hurt.
Festival Films
6115 Chestnut Terrace
Shorewood, MN 66331
Phone or Fax: (612) 470-2172
Email: FesFilms@aol.com
Web URL: http://members.aol.com/fesfilms/index.html
They have distributed Pool Sharks in VHS and Beta.
Films Inc. Video
5547 N. Ravenswood Ave.
Chicago, IL 60640-1199
(800) 323-4222 ext. 312
They sell many vintage silent and sound films. They carry a two-volume set of the six Fields shorts, and they possibly may have some of the silent features.
Grapevine Video
P.O. BOX 46161
Phoenix, Arizona 85063
Fax Line (602) 973-0060
Order Line (602) 973-3661
Web URL is: http://www.primenet.com/~orpheus/grapevine/
This is a well-run mail-order rental operation. They have a few W.C. titles in stock, including Sally of the Sawdust and a compendium of all six of Fields' short films. This operation is much less expensive than Facets (though still higher than the corner video store), and their total selection is smaller, though well chosen.
Home Film Festival
P.O. Box 2032
Scranton, PA 18501-2032
Phone: (800)-258-3456
Fax (717) 344-3810
EMAIL: homefilm@scranton.com
Web URL is: http://www.homefilmfestival.com/
Sales and rentals in all formats, including PAL, SECAM, and NTSC.
International Film & Video
991 First Ave
NY, NY 10022
(212) 826-8848
(212) 308-2008
FAX: (212) 750-8846
This company has some real rarities in both the silent and sound eras, including Sally of the Sawdust as part of their "Griffith Masterworks" series ("Series 2"). Information about this release can also be found at the Silents Majority homepage at the URL: "http://www.mdle.com/ClassicFilms/HotTips/hottip18.htm"
Kino International Corp.
333 West 39th Street
New York, NY 10018
(800) 562-3330
(212) 714-0871 (fax)
Or e-mail us at kinoint@infohouse.com
Web URL is: http://www.kino.com/
Le Video
Has to be one of the best collections of videos for rent in the U.S., especially in foreign titles. Many rarities, and a larger-than-usual selection of W.C. Fields titles. Try their excellent search engine on the web. Online signup available for free membership.
Le Video
1239 9th Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94122
Phone: 415-566-3606
Fax: 415-566-0843
Web URL: http://www.levideo.com/Home.color.html
They market a Fields documentary titled W.C. Fields: Straight Up
Live Home Video
15400 Sherman Way
Van Nuys, CA 91406
Tel: 818-908-0303 Fax: 818-908-0320
If they have a website, I haven't found it.
This place has an intriguiging selection of very rare silent and early sound films, but I turned up no W.C. titles in my search of their website. They carry PAL/SECAM-format videos. This is one I would watch for future reference.
LSVideo
P.O. Box 415, Dept. F
Carmel IN 46032.
Web URL is: http://spvi.com/~lsvideo/
They're distributing a two-tape package of all six of Fields shorts.
The Madacy Group
(I have no address for them at present).
They're selling a W.C. shorts compilation. They have many classic films.
Majestic Video
3802 Rosecrans St., Ste 500
San Diego,CA 92110
(800)451-7823 toll free customer service 9am-5pm PST
e-mail to: majestic@radvideo.com
This outfit claims to "have access to almost any video ever produced," and it carries a lot of W.C. documentaries and compilations. They also have some of the features on both VHS and laserdisc. Check their database search engine.
Movies Online
c/o Movies, Music and More
386 Richmond Road
Irvine, KY 40336
Fax : 1-606-723-8297
This is a big one, with more than 45,000 titles for sale. Nice catalog. They carry some of the features, including International House and some shorts in a compilation called A Fifth Of Fields: W.C. Fields Comedies. They can pretty much get anything that's officially available. They're carrying the four titles from the Universal Studios "W.C. Fields Collection" (It's a Gift, Million Dollar Legs, You're Telling Me, and You Can't Cheat an Honest Man.
Movies Unlimited
6736 Castor Avenue
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19149
Fax: 1-520-690-0443
U.S. phone number: 1-800-466-8437 (1-800-4-MOVIES)
Outside U.S.: 1-215-637-4444
EMAIL: movies@moviesunlimited.com
Web URL is http://www.moviesunlimited.com/
They market a Fields documentary called W.C. Fields: On Screen,.On Stage, On the Air. Search their catalog under the heading: "Hollywood Miscellaneous."
MPI Home Video
MPI Media Group
6101 S. 108th Avenue
Orland Park, Il 60462
(708)-460-0555
Web URL is: http://www.mpimedia.com/homevideo/index.html
Company in the U.K. claims to have a huge selection of films in PAL format, but I couldn't locate W.C. flicks in their search engine. Give it a try.
Pastel Blue CDs, Videos, and more
Web URL is: http://www.demon.co.uk/pastel/index.html
The Picture Palace
This place has a larger selection of Fields films than most. Search their "monster database" on the web.
The Picture Palace
PO Box 1051
Kearny, NJ 07032
201-955-9109
Main URL: http://www.ids.net/picpal/index.html
"Monster Database" URL: http://www.ids.net/picpal/monsterb.html#search
Reel claims to be "the planet's biggest movie store." They do have a
good selection of W.C. titles. They list:
Running Wild
The Barber Shop
International House
It's a Gift
David Copperfield
The Big Broadcast of 1938
You Can't Cheat an Honest Man
The Bank Dick
My Little Chickadee
Never Give a Sucker an Even Break
(Can't find their address)
They sell a two-volume VHS package of W.C. shorts and clips.
EMAIL: info@wwsimitar.com
Web URL: http://www.simitar.com
New and used VHS tapes for sale worldwide. They have a few W.C. titles.
Value Video International
PO Box 22565
Denver, CO 80222
(303) 757-4820
Web URL is: http://www.eazy.net/value_video/
Rare and classic films. They market the W.C. Fields film Sensations of 1945 under the less dated title, Sensations. Running time is 85 minutes. No price listed, but one reference book puts it at $19.95. Search their database.They have a free catalog, also.
Video Dimensions
530 W. 23rd St
NY, NY 10011
(212) 929-6135 (weekdays)
Web URL is: http://www.ids.net/picpal/viddem.html
They carry the 1927 silent Running Wild on VHS.
Video Marketplace
World Publishing Co.
990 Grove St.
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 491-6440
Web URL: http://sashimi.wwa.com/~normj/index.html
Video Online Express
They claim to have 55,000 VHS tapes and 9,300 laser disc titles. They do have a bigger-than-usual assortment of W.C. Fields titles. Their web search engine seems very efficient at finding these.
Video Online Express
5339 Prospect Rd #336
San Jose, CA 95129, USA
VOICE: 408-364-2250
FAX: 408-364-2251
EMAIL: manager@videoexpress.com
Website URL: http://204.30.86.10/
Buys, sells, trades hard-to-find titles. Has a good selection of Fields films, including You Can't Cheat an Honest Man. Try their database search.
Video Oyster
145 West 12th Street
New York, New York 10011
212-989-3300 tel
212-989-3533 fax
email:video@videooyster.com
Specializes in finding and selling lost films, on video, including silents and other vintage films. They have prints of films nowhere else to be found.
Video Specialists International
182-I/M Jackson Street
Dallas, PA. 18612-1725
1-717-675-0227
URL: http://www.infinitiv.com/videos1/
Silent and sound films on video. They likely have a few Fields titles.
Video Yesteryear
Box C
Sandy Hook, CT 06482
(800) 243-0987
(203) 744-2476
FAX: (203) 797-0819
Videobrary has some extremely rare comedy shorts and features from the silent and early sound eras. They do business by mail, phone and fax only. I couldn't find any W.C. Fields titles on their website catalog, but who's to say that they won't get any. Doesn't hurt to ask. They have a free catalog.
Videobrary
6117 Carpenter Ave.
North Hollywood, CA 91606
Phone #: (818) 761-5265
Fax #: (213) 660-5571
(They request that no orders be placed via email.)
Web URL is: http://155.212.1.12/picpal/videobraryhome.html
Their major contribution to the Fields catalog is the first-ever laserdisc to include all six of his commercial/theatrical shorts.
The Voyager Company
578 Broadway, Suite 406
New York, NY 10012
Phone Numbers/Direct Orders: 1-800-446-2001
EMAIL: web@voyagerco.com
Web URL: http://www.voyagerco.com/
Hey, if this page helped you locate a hard-to-find Fields
title--or anything else, for that matter--please email me and tell me
about it. I will feel fulfilled.
(--Kevin Rayburn--)
If you have any other comments, suggestions, corrections, etc., e-mail
me at:
