According to William K. Everson "'Pool Sharks' must surely ranks as one of the most auspicious debuts by any of the major film comedians". To those familiar with W. C. Fields solely on the basis of the films that he made at the very end of his life it can come as a considerable shock just how handsome and agile he had been in his earlier years (films like this, like those of the young Robert Newton should be shown at A. A. meetings in double bills with films they made later to furnish a stern warning and get their clientele back on the straight and narrow).
The young Fields is surprisingly sprightly, smiles more cheerfully than he ever did in later years, deftly pushing a kid off a chair that he swiftly appropriates for himself. There's no credit for the costume designer, but the loud check suit worn by his rival is definitely one of the funniest things in the film.
The young Fields is surprisingly sprightly, smiles more cheerfully than he ever did in later years, deftly pushing a kid off a chair that he swiftly appropriates for himself. There's no credit for the costume designer, but the loud check suit worn by his rival is definitely one of the funniest things in the film.