Biographies of Paramount Players and Directors (1936)

38. W. C. FIELDS (Peramo'nit Player) W« C. Fields was born in Philadelphia, February 10th. His schooling was brief, for at 11 years of age he ran away from home to become an actor. He was prompted in this decision by the feet ths t if he followed the work of his fther tnd neighbors, he would have to get up early. After four yerrs of hand-to-mouth existence in Ef stern cities, during which time he did odd jobs end sold newsprpers, he got his first job as rn entertainer. During those four years, he had prrctised constantly fit the ert of juggling, using any articles that wore at hand. His first job was in an Atlantic City beer garden at $5.00 a week. His next was at $10.00 a v.eek and "cakes"' — or board. With other entertainers, he performed on a stage while customers sat at tables eating end drinking. Then began his rise. First, he played in cheap vaudeville and museums, often doing es many as 12 shows a day. He gr&dually broke into better end better vaudeville until he attained the leading circuits. Here, he started as t-n opening act, but after he had left this field, was a headliner. In this act, he never spoku a word, employing pantomine always. This enabled him to make many trips abroad during the summer seasons. His travels took him to England, France, Germany, Africa, Australia, Southern Europe, the Scandinavian countries, the Balkan states, Samoan Islands, Hawaii, the Philippines and South America. Since juggling routine is restricted end new tricks were attained only rarely and after many hours of practice, he began interspersing his act with acrobatics end pantomine novelties. His most famous was a burlesque gold game. This latter work brought him to the attention