The Greatest Wit ; WC Fields or Groucho Marx?

Question

with example quote

WC Fields:

"I always keep a supply of stimulant handy in case I see a snake--which I also keep handy. "

Groucho:

"A black cat crossing your path signifies that the animal is going somewhere."

Answer 1

Very difficult to separate them, especially when you read:

“I find television very educating.

Every time somebody turns on the set,

I go into the other room and read a book.”

Groucho Marx

"A woman drove me to drink . . .

and I never even wrote to thank her."

W.C. Fields

See what I mean? Between the two, I preferred Fields' drawling tone, but with Marx, I particularly enjoyed his timing and facial expressions.

Answer 2

I much prefer GROUCHO MARX too, but realize that he indeed had help from writers.  Of course his films were written, but he also had writers helping him on 'YOU BET YOUR LIFE' and the interviews were not just ad libbed, they were scripted by a team of writers.  Many of his best lines were provided for him, bottomline.

Knowing that doesn't spoil it because he WAS supposedly much more witty on his own than a lot of other comics or comedians, and it was his delivery of the material that scored, and he was the 'life of the party' oftentimes at social gatherings.

Answer 3

Groucho Marx! :)

Answer 4

The difference is that Groucho wrote his own material.  WC Fields had some great one-liners, but they were written for him.

Answer 5

Grouch for me.

Answer 6

Got to be Groucho.  WC Fields always considered himself to be a, "wit", but in reality he was only half the man he thought he was.