It's a Gift (1934)

7.1Approved73 minDirector: Norman Z. McLeod

1934 film by Norman Z. McLeod

It's a Gift is a 1934 American comedy film starring W.C. Fields. It was Fields's 16th sound film and his fifth in 1934 alone.

The film concerns the trials and tribulations of a grocer as he battles a shrewish wife, an incompetent assistant, and assorted annoying children, customers, and salesmen. The film reprises routines honed by Fields from his career over the years 1915–1925. Fields often tried to recapture sketches that led to his stage success onto film; skits such as "The Picnic", "A Joy Ride", and most famously, "The Back Porch" are all featured in It's a Gift.

It is one of several Paramount Pictures in which Fields contended with child actor Baby LeRoy. The film was directed by Norman McLeod, who had directed Fields in his cameo as Humpty Dumpty in Alice in Wonderland (1933).

Plot summary adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

FAQ

What is It's a Gift about?
It's a Gift (1934) — The owner of a general store (Harold Bisonette) is hounded by his status-anxious wife ("That's 'Bee-soh-nay'" and "I have no maid you know"). To get some sleep he goes out on the porch where he is tormented by a little boy from the floor above (Baby Dunk) and an insurance salesma
Is It's a Gift based on a true story?
See the production background and source material details on the official Wikipedia article.
Is It's a Gift scary?
Content rating: Approved. See the reviews tab for parental guidance and tone notes.