David Copperfield (1935)
When you watch David Copperfield, you’ll find it impossible to believe it was Freddie Bartholomew’s first movie. Even when you go online and read it in print, you still won’t believe it. Not only does he go without an introducing credit—which makes no sense given the nature of the publicity department in Hollywood—but he’s so comfortable in front of the camera. He cries at the drop of a hat, knows how to handle a closeup, and runs the gamut of a child’s emotions, all without hesitation or any indication that he’s had to do it take after take under blinding spotlights. How does he do it?
No one knows, but we’re all grateful for Freddie’s career, however brief, so we can watch his sweetness on the screen in classics like David Copperfield and Little Lord Fauntleroy over and over again to our heart’s content. I doubt anyone even remembers that another actor plays the adult version of Charles Dickens’s beloved hero—sorry, Frank Lawton. Freddie’s so indelible and perfect, it’s as if the movie ends as soon as he grows up. It’s hard to believe he never received a Juvenile Academy Award, but here at the Hot Toasty Rag Awards, we were proud to give him two Rags; he earned his first for this movie. Can anyone really watch the “If you please, Aunt” scene without tearing up?
Speaking of Aunt, Edna May Oliver is equally perfect as Aunt Betsey. She’s hilarious and strong, with a hint of kookiness and constant underlying warmth. If you’re at all familiar with this story or have read the massive book, you know that the supporting characters are even more important than the lead in David Copperfield. And since Freddie Bartholomew is pretty important, that’s saying something. In addition to Edna, Jessie Ralph is a wonderful addition, playing Freddie’s devoted nanny Peggotty. My favorite scene in this movie is when Jessie knows Freddie’s life is about to change for the worse, due to his mother’s impending marriage. A dark cloud passes over her face, but she says, “Oh nothing, nothing,” and kisses Freddie’s head. It’s the same scene that features the famous line, “Barkis is willing,” prompting Jessie to cover her head with her apron as she giggles. While much of the book had to be paired down to fit into the two hour running time, many little details are preserved.
Lionel Barrymore plays Mr. Peggotty, a simple man with a huge heart of gold, and Basil Rathbone plays Mr. Murdstone, Freddie’s strict and frightening stepfather. Lennox Pawle plays the simpleminded Mr. Dick, and Maureen O’Sullivan is the beautiful, silly Dora. The only fly in the ointment is W.C. Fields, miscast as Micawber. If they were going to cast an American, there were countless other choices; even if they wanted to round out the cast with another Brit, there were still countless other choices. W.C. is extremely out of place, and his scenes are the only ones that remind you you’re watching a movie instead of observing Dickens’s world.
Besides Micawber, who is supposed to be irresistibly endearing despite his faults, you’re going to see a nearly perfect version when you rent the 1935 adaptation. Of course, if you rent the much longer 1999 miniseries, you’ll also see a nearly perfect version. I own both versions and watch them both frequently, as this is my favorite Dickens story.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "Juhi Thaker" for posting!
More Lewis Stone movies here!
Be sure and check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1999's David Copperfield here!
No one knows, but we’re all grateful for Freddie’s career, however brief, so we can watch his sweetness on the screen in classics like David Copperfield and Little Lord Fauntleroy over and over again to our heart’s content. I doubt anyone even remembers that another actor plays the adult version of Charles Dickens’s beloved hero—sorry, Frank Lawton. Freddie’s so indelible and perfect, it’s as if the movie ends as soon as he grows up. It’s hard to believe he never received a Juvenile Academy Award, but here at the Hot Toasty Rag Awards, we were proud to give him two Rags; he earned his first for this movie. Can anyone really watch the “If you please, Aunt” scene without tearing up?
Speaking of Aunt, Edna May Oliver is equally perfect as Aunt Betsey. She’s hilarious and strong, with a hint of kookiness and constant underlying warmth. If you’re at all familiar with this story or have read the massive book, you know that the supporting characters are even more important than the lead in David Copperfield. And since Freddie Bartholomew is pretty important, that’s saying something. In addition to Edna, Jessie Ralph is a wonderful addition, playing Freddie’s devoted nanny Peggotty. My favorite scene in this movie is when Jessie knows Freddie’s life is about to change for the worse, due to his mother’s impending marriage. A dark cloud passes over her face, but she says, “Oh nothing, nothing,” and kisses Freddie’s head. It’s the same scene that features the famous line, “Barkis is willing,” prompting Jessie to cover her head with her apron as she giggles. While much of the book had to be paired down to fit into the two hour running time, many little details are preserved.
Lionel Barrymore plays Mr. Peggotty, a simple man with a huge heart of gold, and Basil Rathbone plays Mr. Murdstone, Freddie’s strict and frightening stepfather. Lennox Pawle plays the simpleminded Mr. Dick, and Maureen O’Sullivan is the beautiful, silly Dora. The only fly in the ointment is W.C. Fields, miscast as Micawber. If they were going to cast an American, there were countless other choices; even if they wanted to round out the cast with another Brit, there were still countless other choices. W.C. is extremely out of place, and his scenes are the only ones that remind you you’re watching a movie instead of observing Dickens’s world.
Besides Micawber, who is supposed to be irresistibly endearing despite his faults, you’re going to see a nearly perfect version when you rent the 1935 adaptation. Of course, if you rent the much longer 1999 miniseries, you’ll also see a nearly perfect version. I own both versions and watch them both frequently, as this is my favorite Dickens story.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "Juhi Thaker" for posting!
More Lewis Stone movies here!
Be sure and check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1999's David Copperfield here!
Hot Toasty Rag Nominations:
Best Picture of 1935
Best Director: George Cukor
Best Original Score: Herbert Stothart
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Picture of 1935
Best Director: George Cukor
Best Original Score: Herbert Stothart
Best Adapted Screenplay