David Copperfield (1935)

A gentle orphan discovers life and love in an indifferent adult world.

Director:

George Cukor

Writers:

Charles Dickens (by), Hugh Walpole (adaptation)

Stars:

Freddie Bartholomew, Frank Lawton, Edna May Oliver

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Edna May Oliver	...	Aunt Betsey
Elizabeth Allan	...	Mrs. Copperfield
Jessie Ralph	...	Nurse Peggotty
Harry Beresford	...	Dr. Chillip
Freddie Bartholomew	...	David - the Child
Hugh Walpole	...	The Vicar
Basil Rathbone	...	Mr. Murdstone
Herbert Mundin	...	Barkis
John Buckler	...	Ham
Fay Chaldecott	...	Little Em'ly - the Child
Una O'Connor	...	Mrs. Gummidge
Lionel Barrymore	...	Dan Peggotty
Violet Kemble Cooper	...	Jane Murdstone
Elsa Lanchester	...	Clickett
Jean Cadell	...	Mrs. Micawber

Storyline

When David's father dies, his mother remarries. His new stepfather Murdstone has a mean and cruel view on how to raise a child. When David's mother dies from grief, Murdstone sends David to London to work for a living. When David escapes to his aunt Betsey his life starts to get better.

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Plot Keywords:

stepfather | aunt | abusive stepfather | child abuse | yacht | 

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Taglines:

Star Cast of 65 Players

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 June 1935 (Argentina)

Also Known As:

David Copperfield

Filming Locations:

England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

130 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

W.C. Fields was a Charles Dickens scholar in real life.

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Goofs

Micawber, an Englishman, speaks with an American accent (see trivia).

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Quotes

Uriah Heep: [Agnes and Mr. Wickfield enter the room] Don't wait, Micawber! What are you waiting for?
Mr. Micawber: Because... because... In short, I choose!
Uriah Heep: Oh, you were always a worthless fellow, as all the world knows; you'll oblige me to get rid of you. Now you go along, I'll talk to you presently.
Mr. Micawber: If there's a scoundrel in all this world with whom I have talked too much, that scoundrel's name is... Heep!
Uriah Heep: Ah, I see. A conspiracy, eh?
[to David]
Uriah Heep: Well, we understand each other, you and me. There's no love between us. You...
[...]

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Crazy Credits

The main title of the film shows the novel's full, extended title: "The Personal History, Adventures, Experience, & Observation of David Copperfield the Younger", rather than the title by which it is more popularly known, "David Copperfield". Poster advertising for the film, as well as reviews and all popular references to it, used the shortened title, as did later television listings for it.

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Alternate Versions

Also shown in a computer colorized version.

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Connections

Version of David Copperfield (1970)

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Soundtracks

Auld Lang Syne
(1788) (uncredited)
Traditional Scottish 17th century music
Lyrics by Robert Burns
Partially Sung a cappella by W.C. Fields twice
Played a few times in the score

User Reviews

Some amazing character actors!

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.