The Bank Dick (1940)
85%RT Audience Score: 74%
Awards & Nominations: NA
The Bank Dick is a film that is a testament to the comedic genius of W.C. Fields. While some may criticize the lack of adherence to traditional film form, it is precisely this disregard for convention that makes the film so unique and enjoyable. Fields’ portrayal of the bumbling and buffoonish Egbert Sousé is a masterclass in physical comedy and witty one-liners. The film’s jumbled structure only adds to its charm, as it feels like we are watching Fields and his co-writer/director, Edward Cline, throw everything they have at the screen to see what sticks. The result is a hilarious and irreverent film that stands the test of time and cements Fields’ place as one of the greatest comedians of all time.
If you’re looking for a good laugh, The Bank Dick is the perfect movie for you. Critics may say it’s jumbled and nonchalant, but that’s what makes it so hilarious. W.C. Fields’ cranky personality shines through in this film, and it’s clear that no concessions were made to audience enjoyment or common sense. But who needs those things when you have an inspired buffoon like Fields? This movie is like money in the bank – you’re guaranteed to have a good time. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the reckless manities of one of the greatest comedians of all time.
Production Company(ies)
Lionsgate, Mosaic, Netflix, Relativity Media LLC
Distributor
Universal Pictures, Criterion Collection, MCA/Universal Pictures [us]
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
London, England, United Kingdom
MPAA / Certificate
R
Year of Release
1940
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:NA
-
Runtime:1h 14m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Nov 29, 1940 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 9, 2004
Genre(s)
Comedy
Keyword(s)
Comedy, W.C Fields, Egbert Sousé, Cora Witherspoon, Agatha Sousé, Una Merkel, Myrtle Sousé, Evelyn Del Rio, Elsie Mae Adele Brunch Sousé, Jessie Ralph, Mrs Hermisillo Brunch, Franklin Pangborn, J Pinkerton Snoopington, Bank Examiner, Edward F Cline, Edward Muhl, Nate Blumberg, written by W.C Fields, Universal Pictures, Criterion Collection, MCA/Universal Pictures [us], box office performance, budget, reviewed by Dave Kehr, Bosley Crowther, Roger Ebert, Mattie Lucas, Matt Brunson, Mike Massie, Emanuel Levy, Dennis Schwartz, Jake Euker, Carol Cling, Philip Martin, MPAA rating, directed by Edward F Cline, produced by Edward Muhl, Nate Blumberg, comedy movie, slapstick humor, bank robbery, security guard, mining company, charlatan, bank inspector, unexpected hero, brave, job, shares, teller, bank money, scheme, surprise appearance, 1940, English, 1h 14m, Nov 29, 1940 Original, Nov 9, 2004, Mono, 35mm, Flat (1.37:1)
Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $20,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $545,601,393
Production budget ranking: 2
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $293,806,350
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Cora Witherspoon – Agatha Sousé
Una Merkel – Myrtle Sousé
Evelyn Del Rio – Elsie Mae Adele Brunch Sousé
Jessie Ralph – Mrs. Hermisillo Brunch
Franklin Pangborn – J. Pinkerton Snoopington, Bank Examiner
Director – Edward F. Cline
Producer – Edward Muhl, Nate Blumberg
Writer – W.C. Fields
Director(s)
Edward F. Cline
Writer(s)
W.C. Fields
Producer(s)
Edward Muhl, Nate Blumberg
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (24) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (24)
This 1940 film seems to spring straight from his cranky, beleaguered, convoluted personality, with no concessions made to film form, audience enjoyment, or common sense, and still it’s very funny in a desultory, strangely private kind of way.
April 1, 2008
Dave Kehr
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
For anyone who simply likes to laugh at the reckless manities of an inspired buffoon, we recommend The Bank Dick. It’s great fun.
March 25, 2006 | Rating: 4/5
Bosley Crowther
New York Times
TOP CRITIC
Probably Fields’ best film.
February 13, 2001 | Rating: 4/4
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
TOP CRITIC
There’s a hilarious sense of nonchalance about the whole thing, and if Fields and Cline are just throwing everything they’ve got at this thing and seeing what works as the film is unfolding.
November 29, 2021 | Rating: 3.5/4
Mattie Lucas
From the Front Row
Arguably stands as Fields’ finest achievement.
November 13, 2021 | Rating: 4/4
Matt Brunson
Film Frenzy
It’s a prominently jumbled picture, switching from one gimmick to the next in a haphazard manner.
August 3, 2020 | Rating: 6/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
June 30, 2005 | Rating: 3/5
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
Like money in the bank.
January 11, 2005 | Rating: B
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews
October 30, 2004 | Rating: 5/5
Jake Euker
F5 (Wichita, KS)
November 7, 2003 | Rating: 5/5
Carol Cling
Las Vegas Review-Journal
May 5, 2003 | Rating: 4/5
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Not Fields’ best, but a classic all the same.
January 16, 2003 | Rating: 5/5
Ken Hanke
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)…
Plot
A bumbling man named Egbert Sousé becomes an unlikely hero when he accidentally stops a bank robbery, leading to a job as a bank guard and a scheme to buy shares in a mining company in the 1940 comedy film “The Bank Dick.”
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
There is no goofy or funny or odd comment about the film Signed in on Fresh Kernels.
Edward-F.-Cline.jpg
