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W. C. Fields: Little NipperW. C. Fields was hardly noted for his love of children. Like Charles Lamb, he was occasionally asked how he liked kids - and would reply, "parboiled." For months he engaged in a laughable feud, on-screen and off, with Baby LeRoy, a child star who had appeared in a number of his films. One day during a break between scenes, an assistant brought some orange juice for the three-year-old LeRoy and Fields kindly offered to help: "I'll give the little nipper his juice," he said - and proceeded to sneak some gin into the drink. Sure enough, when filming resumed, Baby LeRoy was too soused to perform. "Walk him around, walk him around," Fields advised, before adding: "He's no trouper. The kid's no trouper. Send him home!"
[LeRoy recovered and even Fields admitted the value of his contribution to the film.]
[Trivia: Even after entering a Pasadena sanitarium to dry out, Fields drank two bottles of gin - smuggled in by friends - every day. "I only drink to steady my nerves," he once remarked. "Sometimes I'm so steady I don't move for months."]
Fields, W. C. [born William Claude Dukenfield] (1879-1946) American actor and comedian [noted for his raspy voice, bulbous nose, and sarsactic manner; and for his roles in such
films as
My Little Chickadee (1940) and
Never Give a Sucker an Even Break (1941)]
[Sources: N. Zierold, The Child Stars, p. 51]More W. Fields anecdotesRelated Anecdote Keywords:
Children Acting Alcohol Surprises Envy Child Stars Contamination Drinking Gin Practical Jokes
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