Rumpole of the Bailey (1978–1992)

The cases of a portly and eccentric criminal law barrister.

Stars:

Leo McKern, Jonathan Coy, Julian Curry

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 8 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Leo McKern	...	Horace Rumpole (42 episodes, 1978-1992)
Jonathan Coy	...	Henry (37 episodes, 1978-1992)
Julian Curry	...	Claude Erskine-Brown (35 episodes, 1978-1992)
Marion Mathie	...	Hilda Rumpole (24 episodes, 1987-1992)
Richard Murdoch	...	Uncle Tom (23 episodes, 1978-1991)
Maureen Derbyshire	...	Dianne - Secretary (23 episodes, 1978-1991)
Peter Blythe	...	Samuel 'Soapy Sam' Ballard, Q.C. (22 episodes, 1983-1992)

Storyline

Horace Rumpole is an "Old Bailey Hack," one of the underpaid barristers who ply the courtrooms of the Old Bailey, London's criminal court. Rumpole refused to handle most suits and will never prosecute. He always defends. Each of his trials has both a victory and a defeat in them, his clients who are acquitted often angrier than those who are found guilty. There is always at least one and often two subplots.

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Plot Keywords:

barrister | old bailey | judge | court | courtroom | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 February 1980 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Temple, Holborn, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Thames Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Rumpole has a penchant for giving literary or historical nicknames to friends and foes. His wife Hilda's moniker, "She Who Must Be Obeyed," was originally applied to the title character of H. Rider Haggard's novel "She," while Phyllida Trant Erskine-Brown's nickname, "Portia," is from William Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice." Samuel Ballard is dubbed "Soapy Sam" after 'Bishop Samuel Wilberforce' (1805-73), now best remembered for debating Thomas Huxley over Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, but regarded in his own time as rather a slick operator. And he refers to Judge Graves as the "whited sepulchre" - a Biblical allusion (Matthew 27).

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Quotes

"Soapy" Sam Ballard: Rumpole as a client! God give me strength!
Hilda Rumpole: Oh, don't worry, Sam. If God doesn't, I certainly will.

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Connections

Referenced in Comedy Connections: To the Manor Born (2006)

User Reviews

One of the most enjoyable characters ever!

Rumpole, a barrister spewing poetry and thunder and husband of She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed, entertains with a unique style of oratory, wit, and his own particular slant on the world. In a world drowning in political correctness, Rumpole is a life saver. Rumpole is also one of my favorite of all time characters. The stories and supporting cast are refreshingly British and the entire series is an absolute delight! I'm so pleased this was finally released on dvd.