Bilge

[Bellman]

'Start the day with a smile, and get it over with.' W.C.Fields.
(Extracts from BBC Radio 4 programme.)

Tony Hancock considered WC one of the funniest men on earth. His fans included Spike Milligan,
Les Dawson and Benny Hill.

Bob Hope - 'I believe there was a W.C.Fields stamp - when you licked it, it tasted of Bourbon !'

This irascible curmudgeon of a bygone age, was Americas 6th largest earner in 1938. Despite his crack
'Any man who hates kids and dogs, ca'nt be all bad !!' .... he left the bulk of his estate to orphanages.

His live radio sparring with dummy Charlie McCarthy (Edgar Burden) were legendary. The 'feud' led to verbal
duels of wit, with each opponent lunging with barbs which were testing departures from the script.

His film appearances included 'My little chickadee' with Mae West and his favourite role Mr McCawber.
He carried a complete set of Dickens with him on tour.

After retiring a friend discovered him fingering through a bible. 'Thats not a bible is it Bill ?'
''Yeeeees - I'm looking for loopholes !