Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch

Paramount really reached back in time going to the Theodore Roosevelt years for material in Mrs. Wiggs Of The Cabbage Patch. A film I doubt we'll see a fourth version of. Where would you find a W.C. Fields of today.

This story first came to Broadway in 1905 and it had a silent film version and another talkie after this one. Though W.C. Fields is in this film it is only maybe for about 15 minutes toward the end and he's part of a side story involving the Wiggs neighbor Zasu Pitts's quest for a husband. W.C. Fields has come a callin' in that regard. Can you imagine Fields as the answer to a woman's prayer?

The main story involves Mrs. Wiggs and her five children who live in a ramshackle house that they still owe $25.00 on. But Donald Meek the husband has left to seek fame and fortune in the Klondike and the mother and the kids fend for themselves or depend on the kindness of neighbors like Pitts, Evelyn Brent and Kent Taylor.

First billed above Fields is Pauline Lord who was a premier stage actress of the day whose credits on Broadway include Eugene O'Neill works like Anna Christie and Strange Interlude. She's got the firmest upper lip on this side of the Atlantic and is firmly convinced that husband Donald Meek will make it back to home and hearth.

One of the kids is George Breakston who is best known for playing Andy Hardy's best friend Beezy in that series. He's seriously ill and his scenes with Lord are the high point of the film.

In a very sad story Bill Fields truly is the comic relief. It's a pity he and Zasu Pitts never did a film of their own. I suspect Fields did not want to work with a scene stealer like her again. As for Fields there's a great example of his comic genius with body language and all and no dialog him trying to cut over a barbed wire fence leading to Pitts's home. Physical comedy at its finest.

Mrs. Wigss Of The Cabbage Patch is a quaint curiosity of a film that is interesting mainly for fans of W.C. Fields. For the historically minded it is a chance to see Pauline Lord in a rare film appearance.

Years ago, a local independent television station aired this film every Thanksgiving morning because the opening set-piece of the film revolves around the impoverished Wiggs' family's hopes for, and endeavors to create, a bountiful Thanksgiving. Forty-five years later, this darling film is still our holiday tradition. Despite the melodrama and mawkishness, "Mrs. Wiggs" has much to recommend it, not the least of which being one of the only two Hollywood endeavors of the legendary stage actress, Pauline Lord; fans of W. C. Fields and ZaSu Pitts will find much to cheer as well. The recreation of late-19th century poverty has been prettied up, but one is not asked to engage in a sociological critique of conditions, but to enter into a simplicity of motivation and action that captures and compels the imagination. The only weak part of the story is the inclusion of a nod to the temperance sensibilities of the era (of the original play and the '30s) in the scene between Mr. Bob, newspaper editor, and the town drunk. Kent Taylor looks decidedly uncomfortable in the scene, but it serves to introduce the character of the doctor with ties to the private hospital where Billy Wiggs ultimately dies. It is a placid little film with a surprising amount of activity for such circumscribed lives, which is the source of its charm. As in a Jane Austen novel, the minutiae of the everyday lives of ordinary people are endlessly fascinating. I would rate this film a ten because of my great affection for it, but that might be misleading to someone approaching it for different reasons, with different expectations. It is an artifact, yes; a piece of my personal history, certainly; but I suggest watching it with both mind and heart open wide, and judge for yourself.

Mrs. Wiggs Of The Cabbage Patch was based on a novel, about the exploits of a fatherless family trying to survive, at least through Thanksgiving. Starring Pauline Lord, she plods on with her little brood, looking hopefully to the future. If the story ended with this, then we wouldn't be noting it here.

Paramount had to do something to liven it up, and make it more worthy, so they added a few trump cards, notably W.C. Fields and Zasu Pitts, with a budding romance between the two to make things a bit more interesting. That worked. Pitts is now just a remembered funny name of movies, but we tend to forget that her career was long, fruitful and funny, all of the way into television. Her sense of comic timing was legendary. Bill Fields in his role is somewhat subdued, but as a supporting actor, he dresses up the production greatly. Let's not give anything away here, but this is why I have a copy! Hard to find, (on Goodtimes), and at a budget price, try to find this one.

This movie is the reason that video players come with a fast forward button. How anyone could sit through this saccharine sap fest is beyond me.

The target audience must have been weepy old women.

The last 23 minutes with Fields and Pitts are the only reason to watch this nearly complete waste of celluloid.

Fields must have lost a bet and was thus compelled to participate in this turkey.

With her husband in the Klondike searching for gold, MRS. WIGGS OF THE CABBAGE PATCH (the poor part of town) valiantly strives against heavy odds to care for her five children.

Based on the book by Helen Hegan Rice, this is a wonderfully sentimental look at a bygone era of Americana. While it is easy and perhaps even fashionable to scoff at films which touch the emotions, there is absolutely nothing wrong with sentimentality if the sentiment expressed rings honest & true. There are no false notes here.

Noted stage actress Pauline Lord (1890-1950), in the first of only three film appearances, is heartrending in the title role. Gentle & patient, she is the very epitome of loving motherhood. ZaSu Pitts (1898-1963), with vague voice & fluttering fingers, gives a noteworthy performance as the Wiggs' spinster neighbor. Had events proceeded differently and her contributions to von Stroheim's GREED justly appreciated, Miss Pitts would have been recognized as one of the screen's greatest tragediennes. Instead, she orbited into comedic roles, constantly portraying a nervous, scatterbrained female, a sort of living, breathing, Olive Oyl.

Following the film's most sorrowful sequence, director Norman Taurog wanted to introduce a light touch to the succeeding scenes. The inimitable W. C. Fields was brought in for one week's work to play Miss Pitts' gustatorial suitor. Although in much pain from a torn ligament, he is splendid, delivering what is almost a dress rehearsal for his subsequent characterization of the marvelous Micawber. His scenes with Miss Pitts are a special delight, mixing blustery braggadocio with humor & pathos.

The romantic angle is nicely underplayed by Evelyn Venable & Kent Taylor, portraying upper echelon protectors of the Wiggs family. Charles Middleton does well as the obligatory villainous landlord. Young George P. Breakston is especially good as the ethereal Jimmy; and Donald Meek scores in his tiny role as Mrs. Wiggs ineffectual husband.

Movie mavens will recognize Arthur Housman in his typical role of an inebriate & Dell Henderson as the theater manager, both unbilled.

Tender & charming, here is a film which the receptive viewer should cherish.