Released amidst a glut of mid-70's movie biopics, W.C. Fields and Me, like its contemporaries, fails both to capture and convey the qualities that made its subject a star. What distinguishes itself from the pack though is a bravura performance from Rod Steiger in the lead role.

Narrated by Valerie Perrine as Carlotta Monti (the ‘Me’ of the title and Fields’ mistress for the last 14 years of his life), the biopic opens with Fields performing a skit in Ziegfeld’s Follies. Left destitute by his financial advisor, Fields decides to head off to California “to make pictures like Chaplin!” Though he is only momentarily glimpsed from behind, Chaplin’s presence is felt throughout the film. Indeed, the depiction of self-doubt and envy felt by Fields towards Chaplin casts more light on the comedian’s character than any other influence in the story, including that of his relationship with Miss Monti.

Special mention should also be made of Jack Cassidy’s fine performance as Field’s close drinking buddy John Barrymore. Somewhat poignantly, this was one of his last screen appearances before he too drank himself to an early death.

It would be another 16 years before director Hiller attempted another biopic, then seems to have heeded W.C. Fields' advice - "If at first you don't succeed, try again. Then quit. No use being a damn fool about it.”