I had a passing acquaintance with Fields' grandson when I worked in DC. He was an FBI agent. On one occasion, he told a great true story about his grandfather. It seems that W.C. had gone on strike, walked off the set of whatever movie he was making. He's sitting at home, playing poker with some of his friends, when a representative of the company knocks on the door.
Fields' maid answers. The visitor says: "I'm here with an offer for Mr. Fields from Mr. Zanuck" (or whoever the head of the company was). Fields had left instructions that he was not to be disturbed. But the maid knocks on the door to the poker room and informs Fields of the visitor bearing an offer from the company. Fields' response: "Give the man an evasive answer. Tell him to go f______ himself!"
I remember thinking at the time: "I can hear him saying that!"
