Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersEmmysLGBTQ+ Pride MonthSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

David Copperfield

Original title: The Personal History, Adventures, Experience, & Observation of David Copperfield the Younger
  • 19351935
  • PassedPassed
  • 2h 10m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
4.3K
YOUR RATING
David Copperfield (1935)
A gentle orphan discovers life and love in an indifferent adult world.
Play trailer3:26
1 Video
39 Photos
  • Adventure
  • Drama
  • Family
A gentle orphan discovers life and love in an indifferent adult world.A gentle orphan discovers life and love in an indifferent adult world.A gentle orphan discovers life and love in an indifferent adult world.
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
4.3K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • George Cukor
  • Writers
    • Charles Dickens(novel)
    • Hugh Walpole(adaptation)
    • Howard Estabrook(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Freddie Bartholomew
    • Frank Lawton
    • Edna May Oliver
Top credits
  • Director
    • George Cukor
  • Writers
    • Charles Dickens(novel)
    • Hugh Walpole(adaptation)
    • Howard Estabrook(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Freddie Bartholomew
    • Frank Lawton
    • Edna May Oliver
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 53User reviews
    • 24Critic reviews
    • 91Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 3 Oscars
      • 1 win & 4 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 3:26
    Official Trailer

    Photos39

    Maureen O'Sullivan and Frank Lawton in David Copperfield (1935)
    Lionel Barrymore, Elizabeth Allan, Frank Lawton, Una O'Connor, and Hugh Williams in David Copperfield (1935)
    W. C. Fields in "David Copperfield." 1934 MGM
    Freddie Bartholomew and W.C. Fields in David Copperfield (1935)
    W.C. Fields and Freddie Bartholomew in "David Copperfield," MGM 1934.
    W.C. Fields and Freddie Bartholomew in "David Copperfield," 1934.
    W.C. Fields in character for "David Copperfield," 1934.
    Freddie Bartholomew and W.C. Fields in David Copperfield (1935)
    Freddie Bartholomew and W.C. Fields in David Copperfield (1935)
    Freddie Bartholomew, W.C. Fields, Basil Rathbone, Elsa Lanchester, Elizabeth Allan, Herbert Mundin, and Edna May Oliver in David Copperfield (1935)
    Freddie Bartholomew and Elsa Lanchester in David Copperfield (1935)
    Lennox Pawle in David Copperfield (1935)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Freddie Bartholomew
    Freddie Bartholomew
    • David - the Childas David - the Child
    Frank Lawton
    Frank Lawton
    • David - the Manas David - the Man
    Edna May Oliver
    Edna May Oliver
    • Aunt Betseyas Aunt Betsey
    Elizabeth Allan
    Elizabeth Allan
    • Mrs. Copperfieldas Mrs. Copperfield
    Jessie Ralph
    Jessie Ralph
    • Nurse Peggottyas Nurse Peggotty
    Harry Beresford
    Harry Beresford
    • Dr. Chillipas Dr. Chillip
    Hugh Walpole
    • The Vicaras The Vicar
    Basil Rathbone
    Basil Rathbone
    • Mr. Murdstoneas Mr. Murdstone
    Herbert Mundin
    Herbert Mundin
    • Barkisas Barkis
    John Buckler
    • Hamas Ham
    Fay Chaldecott
    • Little Em'ly - the Childas Little Em'ly - the Child
    Una O'Connor
    Una O'Connor
    • Mrs. Gummidgeas Mrs. Gummidge
    Lionel Barrymore
    Lionel Barrymore
    • Dan Peggottyas Dan Peggotty
    Violet Kemble Cooper
    Violet Kemble Cooper
    • Jane Murdstoneas Jane Murdstone
    Elsa Lanchester
    Elsa Lanchester
    • Clickettas Clickett
    Jean Cadell
    Jean Cadell
    • Mrs. Micawberas Mrs. Micawber
    W.C. Fields
    W.C. Fields
    • Micawberas Micawber
    Lennox Pawle
    Lennox Pawle
    • Mr. Dickas Mr. Dick
    • Director
      • George Cukor
    • Writers
      • Charles Dickens(novel)
      • Hugh Walpole(adaptation)
      • Howard Estabrook(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    More like this

    Little Women
    7.2
    Little Women
    Captains Courageous
    8.0
    Captains Courageous
    Boys Town
    7.2
    Boys Town
    Little Lord Fauntleroy
    7.3
    Little Lord Fauntleroy
    Our Vines Have Tender Grapes
    7.6
    Our Vines Have Tender Grapes
    Friendly Persuasion
    7.3
    Friendly Persuasion
    The Champ
    7.3
    The Champ
    I Remember Mama
    7.9
    I Remember Mama
    The Mark of Zorro
    7.5
    The Mark of Zorro
    Yankee Doodle Dandy
    7.6
    Yankee Doodle Dandy
    How Green Was My Valley
    7.7
    How Green Was My Valley
    Meet Me in St. Louis
    7.5
    Meet Me in St. Louis

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In response to the widespread criticism of his having played Micawber with a strong American accent W.C. Fields responded, "My father was an Englishman and I inherited this accent from him! Are you trying to go against nature?!".
    • Goofs
      Mr Micawber chases away David's tormentors and puts his arm around him, but the arm is gone in the next immediate shot. In all scenes with W.C. Fields there are indeed continuity errors that editing does not mask.
    • Quotes

      Mr. Micawber: Copperfield, at present, I have nothing to bestow but advice. Still, that advice is so far worth taking. I have never taken it myself, and am the miserable creature you behold. Young friend, I counsel you: annual income, 20 pounds. Annual expenditure, 19 pounds. Result? Happiness. Annual income, 20 pounds. Annual expenditure, 21 pounds. Result? Misery. Farewell, Copperfield. I shall be happy to improve your prospects, in case anything turns up - which, I may say, I am hourly expecting.

    • Crazy credits
      Film opens with the last sentence of Charles Dickens's preface to the original edition: "Like many fond parents, I have in my heart of hearts, a favourite child, and his name is David Copperfield."
    • Alternate versions
      Also shown in a computer colorized version.
    • Connections
      Featured in David O. Selznick: 'Your New Producer' (1935)
    • Soundtracks
      The First Noel
      (uncredited)

      Traditional 17th century carol or earlier

      [Partially Sung and played during the opening credits]

    User reviews53

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Oliver tops even Fields
    Having always heard of David Copperfield, but never having read the novel nor seen the movie, I finally decided to check out the DVD. I found it quite enjoyable with an all-star cast and good Dickensian backdrops.

    I have always loved W.C. Fields, but have to disagree with those who say he steals the show. Although he is perfect as Mcawber, to me it is Edna May Oliver who steals the picture. She is delightful as the dotty aunt – especially standing up to Mr. and Miss Murdstone with the loony backing of Mr. Dick (a charming Lennox Pawle).

    Of course Lionel Barrymore always makes the most of a part and does so as the gruff fisherman Dan Peggotty. Freddie Bartholomew is excellent as the young David. Elizabeth Allen is gorgeous and delightful as David's mother, while Basil Rathbone and Violet Kemble Cooper are cold and devious as the step-father and his housekeeper sister.

    The entire cast is excellent, including Jessie Ralph as Peggotty and Herbert Mundin as the 'willing' Barkis. My only complaint – and this is from one who hasn't read the book – is that the miscellaneous characters get a bit confusing. A guy who apparently had been nice to David in school runs off with and abandons the adopted daughter of Peggotty's brother. Then two men fight during a shipwreck and David sees his school friend dead. Perhaps things were better spelled out in the book.

    In any event, it is a quite charming film. Oliver and Field are delightful, along with the rest of the talented cast. I doubt that as better adaptation could be done today.
    helpful•22
    1
    • mlevans
    • Jan 11, 2010

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 20, 1935 (Argentina)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Personal History, Adventures, Experience, & Observation of David Copperfield the Younger
    • Filming locations
      • Malibu, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 10 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    David Copperfield (1935)
    Top Gap
    What is the Spanish language plot outline for David Copperfield (1935)?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    The Best Movies Coming This Summer
    See the full list
    Image caption not available
    2:02
    LGBTQIA+ Movies and Shows to Watch This Summer
    Watch the video

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2022 by IMDb.com, Inc.