A man in a polka dot tie leans on a desk while two other men, one in a police uniform and another in a suit, engage in conversation.

W.C. Fields and the Gospel of Irreverence: The Bank Dick

Name: W.C. Fields and the Gospel of Irreverence: The Bank Dick
Start: 2026-02-04T16:00
End: 2026-02-04T17:12
Location: Watershed

part of Slapstick Festival 2026

Film

Wed 4 Feb 2026 16:00

Director: Edward F. Cline, Ralph Ceder
Details: 72 mins, 1940, USA

Additional booking info below

Book Tickets

Irreverent, subversive and gloriously funny, The Bank Dick (1940) remains one of W.C. Fields’ greatest comedies – and a perfect gateway into Slapstick’s ongoing exploration of faith, morality and rebellion in screen humour.

Fields plays Egbert Sousé, a perpetually inebriated dreamer who blunders into becoming a small-town hero and then a bank guard, where his chaotic misadventures dismantle respectability from within. Every scene preaches Fields’ personal “gospel of irreverence”. A timely sermon against pomposity and moral pretence.

Hosted by Andrew Kelly (Festival of Ideas) with very special guest and festival patron, Dr Harriet Fields, live on-screen.

Choose screening time for: W.C. Fields and the Gospel of Irreverence: The Bank Dick

Wed 4 Feb

16:00 (ends 17:12)

Pricing

£12.00 full (plus 12% booking fee*) / £9.00 concessions (plus 12% booking fee*) / £6.00 18-25 (plus 12% booking fee*) / £5.00 12 and Under (plus 12% booking fee*).

Make the most of the Slapstick Festival 2026 with a Festival Pass**:

SILENT Pass

Early Bird Price £135.00 + £5.00 booking fee. Then £150.00 + £5.00 booking fee from Mon 1 Dec.

The Silent Pass gives you access to Slapstick Festival screenings at Watershed and Bristol Megascreen.

FULL Pass

Early Bird Price £225.00 + £5.00 booking fee. Then £250.00 + £5.00 booking fee from Mon 1 Dec.

Get the complete Slapstick experience! The Full Pass includes everything in the Silent Pass, plus events at all venues for the entire Festival.

Buy a Club Shed membership and enjoy 15% off cinema and Undershed tickets, advance booking for special events, discounts in the Café & Bar and more.

*Booking fee applies to online and phone booking only.

**The Passes do not include access to Slapstick Cult Classic: But I'm A Cheerleader Sat 7 Feb 14:00 or Sing Sun 8 Feb 10:00.

Access

Cinema seat widths
Our cinema seats are 46cm wide, with wooden armrests on either side of each seat that can’t be moved.

We can provide seats without armrests or bean bags as alternatives at the front of the cinema if that is more comfortable for you. Please just call our Box Office on (0117) 927 5100 or book in-person to arrange.

Access Register
Join our Access Register to help us deliver the best possible experience for you. You can sign up to our Access Register online, or in person at Box Office or by calling (0117) 927 5100.

Concessions

Concessions apply to Full Time Students, Job Seekers Allowance and Employment Support Allowance, 66+ who have retired, Equity and BECTU members and disabled people.

Where applicable please produce proof of eligibility when collecting a ticket.

Wed 4 Feb

Pricing

Access

Concessions

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