Day 77: The Bank Dick (1940)

W.C. Fields is the world’s greatest anti-hero. Sarcastic, grumpy and a drunkard to boot, he made hell for all around him and was as easy to get along with as a bulldog, but, even with his plethora of faults, the man had a charm and comedic eye that is, to this day, undeniable. Using his sandpaper like wit, Fields showcased his style to perfection in “The Bank Dick,” a film he not only stared in but wrote under the pseudonym Mahatma Kane Jeeves, a play on the classic stage phrase, “My hat and cane Jeeves!” You see, even the film’s credits are funny.

In the film, Fields plays Egbert Sousé (Sue-zay), a sarcastic, grumpy drunkard (not exactly an acting stretch), who is the thorn in his own family’s side. Spending most of his time down at the local watering hole and dishing out bad advice to anyone who will listen, including bartender Shemp Howard of Three Stooges fame, Egbert is hardly a model citizen, but, one day, a robbery occurs at the bank where his future son-in-law Og Oggilby (Grady Sutton) works and, by simply being in the right place at the right time, Egbert apprehends one of the two crooks, saving the bank their money.

Considered a town hero, the bank thanks Egbert by making him their very own bank detective in charge of keeping the place secure. Obviously, this new position doesn’t go well and, before everything culminates in a peddle to the medel car chase, Egbert has been hired by a visiting film crew to finish their film, gotten Og mixed up in bank fraud, made a bank examiner gravely ill, and brought the still at large bank robber back to the bank to steal the money once again! Not bad for a day in the life of Egbert Sousé.

With it’s dry as a Martini wit, “The Bank Dick” is a film that is still has humorous and endearing as it was upon its release. In fact, one could say that W.C. Fields’ style is the great grandfather of such cantankerous comedians as Walter Matthau, Larry David, and the whole trend of grumpy goofers. But, just because the film still brings the laughs, that doesn’t mean its held up well to modern audience’s tastes. For one, the film’s story structure can barely be considered a plot by today’s standards as it rather resembles a mix of gags and situations for Egbert to find himself a way out of. In most cases, especially the film director subplot, there is little cohesion to be found between the scenes and audiences are left, at times, figuring out how Fields gets from point A to point B.

Also, as modern audiences sensibilities have changed, many things found in “The Bank Dick” are shocking if not put in the right perspective. For one, look at the film’s name, as it uses the old detective nickname “dick,” which is lost on most of today’s audience. Also, the bar Egbert frequents is called “The Black Pussy”- something I don’t think I need to go any farther in explaining. But while these things can be contributed to the changing of the times, Fields was certainly one to throw in double entendres and subtle jabs when the studio wasn’t looking. For one, the town featured in the film is Lompac, California, a city that had been founded on the temperance movement and hated nothing more than seeing Fields drunkenly stumble down their streets on the big screen.

Though much time has past since its release, “The Bank Dick” is a gem of film even if it’s outer coating has tarnished a bit over the years. So raise your glass to this classic comedy, not because it needs a toast, but Field’s ghost might be looking down from on high, waiting for you to leave your drink unattended.

To learn more about, “The Bank Dick,” check out Criterion’s page here.

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