While watching the classic comedy starring these illustrious Hollywood stars ( I think it was My Little Chickadee , you know, the comedy western one ) I was pleasantly surprised to hear the tin whistle as it played the lead in to the muisical number performed by Mae West in the saloon scene.It was Clarke like in appearance and had a surprisingly loud pure tone that could be heard even above the piano and guitar accompniament (the camera fixes on the as yet un named whistler and his as yet un named whistle at the beginning AND end of the song. At least un named as far as I know).Is this an over looked whistle mystery or am I alone in the dark? Anyone that can clue me in? At least this film is documented proof the whistle made appearances in popular American culture in W.C.'s day.Back then W.C. was a SUPERSTAR ! Miss west wasn’t too shabby neither. Who knows what evil lurks in the dark? The Shadow Do! Who knows the maker , make and player of this whistle ?
" Someone put pineapple juice in my pineapple juice!" W.C. Fields
Guess I’ll just have to resort to using the resources at hand … The freeze frame on the remote and the tiny tiny credits at the end of the film. Hollywood Video here I come , and to quote Mom again, " look yourself before asking. "
" Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men…
THE SHADOW DO ! "
My favorite WC Fields and Mae West story…
Supposedly the two of them were clowning around on the set of a movie between takes. Mae West climbed up a high stepladder and WC went up after, climbing up under her skirt. She said “Mr Fields! I was under the impression that you were a gentleman!” to which Fields replied “Ah yess, Miss West, and I was under the impression that you were a blonde…”
Awhile back I saw a PBS television program on W.C. fields. A relative of his ( his nephew I think )related some hilarious ancedotes of W.C.'s real lfe antics.One of them was about how Ms. West and W.C. had a falling out over who was to recieve top billing on the Marques and as a result refused to film scenes together in which they had to both appear and exchange dialouge.They ended up shooting dialoge by themselves and the film was edited together.W.C. was very talented. I wonder if He ever played the whistle?If not he is redeemed by his comedic and juggling skills.
Awesome ! Looks like it would have made a great campaign poster. I also feel for some reason that OUR FOUNDER displayed below this painting would be most fitting.. not refering to this website or Dale in any way…Just that powerfull of an image.
