The Fatal Glass of Beer (1933)

The Fatal Glass of Beer is a short film released in 1933, starring W. C. Fields and produced by Mack Sennett.

It was released theatrically by Paramount Pictures. Written by Fields and directed by Clyde Bruckman, the film is a parody of rugged stage melodramas set in the Yukon. Fields serenades a mountie with “The Fatal Glass of Beer”, a mournful song detailing the evils of foul drink and bad companions in the big city. A zither accompaniment recorded for the film seldom matches the vocal, because Fields subtly changes keys when the zither does not, resulting in a humorously off-key effect.

Mr. Snavely, a Yukon prospector

Mr. Snavely, a Yukon prospector, lost his only son years ago to the temptations of the big city; now the prodigal Chester, released from prison, comes home to Ma and Pa. A parody of Yukon melodrama; includes the famous looking-out-the-door routine.

Still frame from: Fatal Glass of Beer

Fields emphasizes the stagey satire by striking various poses and being overly theatrical with the dialogue. The most famous gag has Fields opening the cabin door periodically and exclaiming, “And it ain’t a fit night out for man nor beast!”, with some obviously fake snow thrown into his face a moment later. He would reprise that gag during the “play-within-the-play” in The Old Fashioned Way (1934).

Still another frame from: Fatal Glass of Beer