W. C. Fields (played by Rod Steiger) is a protagonist in W.C. Fields and Me.
A Ziegfeld Follies headliner who loses his savings and travels west, where he runs a wax museum before becoming a major screen presence. He hires Carlotta Monti as his live-in secretary, but discourages her film ambitions and refuses to marry her because his first marriage was never legally dissolved. His heavy drinking and declining health shape the later years of his life. Carlotta Monti (played by Valerie Perrine) appears in W.C. Fields and Me.
A starlet who meets Fields at a party and becomes his live-in secretary. She hopes to pursue an acting career, but Fields uses a screen test to discourage her and threatens to leave Paramount if she is allowed to continue. After learning the truth, she leaves for New York, later returns to comfort him, and learns that his first marriage remains legally intact. John Barrymore (played by Jack Cassidy) appears in W.C. Fields and Me.
An actor and friend of Fields who is present at the party where Fields is introduced to Carlotta Monti. His later death prompts Carlotta to return to Hollywood to comfort Fields, connecting Barrymore's passing to a significant change in her relationship with Fields. Melody (played by Bernadette Peters) appears in W.C. Fields and Me.
Fields's girlfriend at the beginning of the story. He loses her when she leaves him for another man, an early personal disappointment that precedes his financial losses and move west. The synopsis does not describe her further role in his later life. Gene Fowler (played by Louis Zorich) appears in W.C. Fields and Me.
A friend of Fields who attends the party with him, John Barrymore, and restaurant owner Dave Chasen. At that gathering, Fields is introduced to Carlotta Monti, who later becomes his live-in secretary and companion. The synopsis gives no further account of Fowler's involvement. Dave Chasen (played by Milt Kamen) appears in W.C. Fields and Me.
A restaurant owner and one of Fields's friends. He is at the party with Fields, John Barrymore, and Gene Fowler where Carlotta Monti is introduced to Fields. The synopsis provides no further details about his role in Fields's life or career.
W.C. Fields and Me (1976) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
W. C. Fields
(played by Rod Steiger) — protagonist
A Ziegfeld Follies headliner who loses his savings and travels west, where he runs a wax museum before becoming a major screen presence. He hires Carlotta Monti as his live-in secretary, but discourag...
Carlotta Monti
(played by Valerie Perrine) — supporting
A starlet who meets Fields at a party and becomes his live-in secretary. She hopes to pursue an acting career, but Fields uses a screen test to discourage her and threatens to leave Paramount if she i...
John Barrymore
(played by Jack Cassidy) — supporting
An actor and friend of Fields who is present at the party where Fields is introduced to Carlotta Monti. His later death prompts Carlotta to return to Hollywood to comfort Fields, connecting Barrymore'...
Melody
(played by Bernadette Peters) — supporting
Fields's girlfriend at the beginning of the story. He loses her when she leaves him for another man, an early personal disappointment that precedes his financial losses and move west. The synopsis doe...
Gene Fowler
(played by Louis Zorich) — supporting
A friend of Fields who attends the party with him, John Barrymore, and restaurant owner Dave Chasen. At that gathering, Fields is introduced to Carlotta Monti, who later becomes his live-in secretary...
Dave Chasen
(played by Milt Kamen) — supporting
A restaurant owner and one of Fields's friends. He is at the party with Fields, John Barrymore, and Gene Fowler where Carlotta Monti is introduced to Fields. The synopsis provides no further details a...
Canonical Relationships
Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.
W. C. Fields → Carlotta Monti
(Romantic Partner)
Carlotta becomes part of Fields's life, returns to comfort him, and repeatedly tries to persuade him to marry her.
W. C. Fields → Melody
(Romantic Former Girlfriend)
The plot states that Fields lost his girlfriend Melody to another man before heading west.
Story Dynamics
Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.
Carlotta Monti → John Barrymore
(Social Acquaintance)
Carlotta is introduced to Fields's social circle at a party where John Barrymore is present, and Barrymore's later death prompts her return to Hollywo...
Gene Fowler → Dave Chasen
(Social Associate)
Fowler and Chasen attend the same party with Fields and Barrymore.
John Barrymore → Dave Chasen
(Social Associate)
Barrymore and Chasen are both present at the party attended by Fields and his friends.
John Barrymore → Gene Fowler
(Social Associate)
Barrymore and Fowler attend the same party as members of Fields's circle.
W. C. Fields → Dave Chasen
(Social Friend)
Dave Chasen is present at a party with Fields and is described as one of his friends.
W. C. Fields → Gene Fowler
(Social Friend)
Gene Fowler is identified as one of Fields's friends at the party.
W. C. Fields → John Barrymore
(Social Friend)
Fields attends a party with his friends John Barrymore, Gene Fowler, and Dave Chasen.
Story Analysis
The story follows Fields's rise from stage performer to screen comic and his troubled lifelong bond with Carlotta Monti.
