David Copperfield

I agree with the commentator who offered an opinion that given the length and density of the novel, it should have been filmed in two parts. Alas, the courage to do such a thing would have to wait for 40 years and Francis Ford Coppola in "Godfather I" (1972) and "Godfather II" (1974). Still, what we do have in this film is an extraordinary ensemble of superb actors doing their very best to deal with an abridged screenplay of a much read and highly acclaimed novel.

While watching this film recently, I started to remember where I had seen these folks before, and began to free-associate about some of the celebrated members of this all-star cast. The following personal observations are reflections from that viewing experience:

Violet Kemble-Cooper (Jane Murdstone)---am I the only person who thinks that she is a dead ringer for the American character actor, Mary Nash, who also tended to terrorize children (the nemesis of Shirley Temple in "Heidi" (1937) and "The Little Princess" (1939)?

Basil Rathbone ((Mr. Murdstone)---funny, but I saw Raymond Massey as a more effective villain in this part.

Roland Young ((Uriah Heep)---to the best of my recollection, this is the only downright nasty part this comic actor ever played on the screen.

Hugh Williams (Steerforth)---he gave us an even more repulsive character as Hindley in "Wuthering Heights" (1939).

Jesse Ralph (Nurse Peggotty)---one year later, she played Jack Holt's mother and Jeanette MacDonald's confidant in "San Francisco" (1936).

John Buckler (Ham Peggotty)---did you know that he was the son of actor Hugh Buckler, who delivers the moving final speech in Frank Capra's classic, "Lost Horizon" (1937)?

Edna May Oliver (Aunt Betsey)---it sure looks like this role was a reprise of her Aunt March portrayal in "Little Women" (1933) also directed by George Cukor.

Elizabeth Allan (Mrs. Copperfield)---she was seen to better advantage with less histrionics in "A Tale of Two Cities" as Lucy Manette (1935).

Jean Cadell (Mrs. Micawber)---best remembered as Henry Higgins' housekeeper, Mrs. Pearce, in "Pygmalion" (1938).

Una O'Connor (Mrs. Gummidge) and Elsa Lanchester (Clickett)---these two great actors had very little to do in "David Copperfield"---but a great deal more to do in "The Informer" ((1935) and "Bride of Frankenstein" (1935) respectively! Ms. O'Connor's hysterical Minnie also appears on display in "Bride."

What a treat to watch this group of stellar players! Their likes will never be seen again!

This version of David Copperfield is a little disappointing in that the lead characters (David, Agnes, Steerforth, Little Em'ly) are somewhat bland and don't reveal their depth of feeling or passion. But the actors who play the supporting characters are so superb that this version is worth seeking out for those who love Dickens' work. Aunt Betsy, Uriah Heep, Mr. Dick, Mr. Micawber, Dan Peggotty and Ham are fleshed out by actors who have true spark and understand that their characters are supposed to be a little larger than life.

W.C. Fields can act- he's not just playing himself here. Although Mr. Micawber is a somewhat Fields-ish fellow, Fields adds a touching sincerity to Micawber's belief that he will come out ahead someday to everyone's benefit. Micawber's denunciation of Uriah Heep is both fun and close to what one can picture from the novel.

A lot of plot is left out, since you can't really cram an epic like that into a 2 hour film- the BBC miniseries is better for depth of character and filling in plot holes- but this 1935 version can be considered a classic for those looking for a nice large-screen adaptation with some incredibly good character actors.

This version of David COPPERFIELD is quite a good one, in that it does trim the 800 plus page novel down to reasonable coherence. There are some characters that one misses, but they are understandably cut due to length considerations. While Steerforth and his betrayal of the Peggoty Family is in the film (including the dual tragedy at it's conclusion), the sub-story of Little Em'ly's friend Martha and the business regarding Steerforth's mother, Rosa Dartle, and Mrs. Mowcher were dumped (Mrs. Mowcher would have been hard to cast). Pity, Mrs. Mowcher's famous speech to David about not confusing her physical attributes with her mental ones is missing. Also Steerforth's butler Littimer appears once, but the film does not get into the ironic coda of his imprisonment. While Uriah Heep's villainy against Mr. Wickfield and his clients is shown, his willingness to dig up dirt against other "enemies" is not shown. In particular his treatment of Dr. Strong (David's second schoolmaster), his young wife, and Jack Dalton is not developed (which is sad as it proves Mr. Dick is not simple minded).

But those are minor points really. The best jobs in the film are the work of the performers under George Cukor's direction: Edna Mae Oliver as the crusty, wise Aunt Betsy; Roland Young as the evil, greasy Uriah Heep (his best villain part); and W.C.Fields as Wilkins McCawber (Dicken's tribute to his lovable but improvident father) is superb - the one time his comic personae met the proper dramatic role; and Lionel Barrymore as Dan Pegotty determined to find his lost, ruined niece. Freddy Bartholemew's performance as young David is wonderful. But I must admit that Frank Lawson is a trifle colorless as the grown up David (although he has a funny moment at a dinner that Dora (Maureen O'Sullivan) tries to prepare). It is a weakness but a small weakness in a nearly perfect film.

I've read "David Copperfield" at least a half dozen times. If it's not the greatest novel in the English language, then it's darned close to it. Like any Dickens work, there are plots within plots and scores of major and minor character. With the exception of excluding poor Traddles, this film catches the essence of the story better than any since--and I defy anyone to cite a better movie for casting the right actor with the right character. Of course, W.C. Fields' Mr. McCawber was superb and has been cited time and again as a great characterization, but it's also difficult to fault Basil Rathbone's Mr. Murdstone, Edna may Oliver's Aunt Betsy, Roland Young's Uriah Heep, Freddy Bartholomew's young David, Lionel Barrymore's Mr. Peggoty or Maureen O'Sullivan's Dora Spenlow. As well, George Cukor's direction and period details are top-notch, as is the screen adoption of a very complicated novel. It's simply one of the greatest movies ever made.

This film is not just "okay", its a masterful adaptation of one of the world's great novels. Whatever shortcomings it may have for modern audiences due to its age and the technical limitations of the time are more than compensated for by the immense care and effort lavished on the production and a cast that is impeccably "right". Truly, this is one of the finest jobs of casting you could imagine, as MGM was blessed at this time to have a slate of brilliant and irreplacable character actors. My favorites: W.C. Fields at his peak, born to play Micawber; the inimitable and wonderful Edna May Oliver, Betsy Trotwood to a T; and Lennox Pawle, unforgettable as Mr. Dick. And if I wanted to be really tiresome, I could probably name 8 others. Dickens would have been pleased!