DAVID COPPERFIELD (DVD/P&S-1.33/ENG-FR-SP SUB) DVD

David Copperfield
David Copperfield was MGM's major Christmas release for its 1934-1935 season and also the first of producer David O. Selznick's major "literary" films for that studio. While a great deal of editing and streamlining was necessary to distill Charles Dickens' massive novel into 133 minutes of screen time, the end result was so successful that only the nittiest of nitpickers complained about the excised characters and events. Freddie Bartholomew plays the young Copperfield, who, after the death of his mother (Elizabeth Allan), is cruelly mistreated by his stepfather, Mr. Murdstone (Basil Rathbone). David's life brightens when he meets the ever-in-debt Mr. Micawber (W.C. Fields), and he is sheltered by Micawber's large and loving family until Micawber is carted off to debtor's prison. Forced once more to seek a home, David makes his way to the Dover estate of his Aunt Betsey (Edna May Oliver), where he meets another colorful cast of characters, none more so than the childlike Mr. Dick (Lennox Pawle). When Murdstone arrives, insisting that David be returned to him, Aunt Betsey and Mr. Dick form a united front to protect the boy. Flash-forward several years: the grown David (now played by Frank Lawton) is attending school, where he meets the lovely Agnes Wickfield (Madge Evans). David discovers that Agnes' businessman father (Lewis Stone) is under the thumb of the "'umble" prevaricator Uriah Heep (Roland Young) and the equally disreputable Steerforth (Hugh Williams). With the help of Mr. Micawber-who in a weak moment has taken a job working side-by-side with Heep-David proves Heep's treachery and rescues the Wickfields. By rights, he should marry Agnes, but David impulsively weds the empty-headed Dora (Maureen O'Sullivan). Only after Dora's death does David come to his senses, realizing that Agnes is the true love of his life. Originally, Charles Laughton was slated to play Micawber, but he pulled out of the production, worried that he wouldn't be funny enough. The casting of W.C. Fields was an inspired choice: although he injects his own established screen personality at every opportunity, Fields was born to play Micawber. Likewise, second-billed Lionel Barrymore fits his portrayal of crusty old Dan Peggoty like a glove. In fact, there isn't a false bit of casting in the whole production, and this, as much as Selznick's sumptuous production values, is the key to David Copperfield's enormous success. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Cast W.C. Fields as Micawber Lionel Barrymore as Dan Peggotty Freddie Bartholomew as David Copperfield, as a boy Maureen O'Sullivan as Dora Madge Evans as Agnes Frank Lawton as David Copperfield, as a man Edna May Oliver as Betsey Trotwood Roland Young as Uriah Heep Elizabeth Allan as Clara Copperfield Basil Rathbone as Edward Murdstone Elsa Lanchester as Clickett Jean Cadell as Mrs. Micawber Jessie Ralph as Nurse Peggotty Lennox Pawle as Mr. Dick Una O'Connor as Mrs. Gummidge John Buckler as Ham Hugh Williams as Steerforth Ivan Simpson as Limmiter Fay Chaldecott as Little Emily, as a child Marilyn Knowlden as Agnes as Child Florine McKinney as Little Emily, as a woman Harry Beresford as Dr. Chillip Mabel Colcord as Mary Ann Hugh Walpole as Vicar

Crew Cedric Gibbons - Art Director Dolly Tree - Costume Designer George Cukor - Director Robert J. Kern - Editor Herbert Stothart - Composer (Music Score) Oliver Marsh - Cinematographer David O. Selznick - Producer Slavko Vorkapich - Special Effects Howard Estabrook - Screenwriter Hugh Walpole - Screenwriter Charles Dickens - Book Author

David Copperfield
This 1935 adaptation of David Copperfield has endeared itself to generations of movie audiences in spite of artistic and technical flaws reflecting the state of the movie art in filmdom's infancy. The success of the production derives mainly from its loyalty to the spirit of the novel, its atmospheric depiction of 19th century England, and its talented adult actors. Edna May Oliver (Aunt Betsey Trotwood), Basil Rathbone (Mr. Murdstone), Roland Young (Uriah Heep), Lennox Pawle (Mr. Dick), and W.C. Fields (Wilkins Micawber) all breathe life into their caricaturish alter egos. Oliver and Fields, in particular, verily become their characters, almost out-Dickensing Dickens' characters in their eccentricity. On the other hand, the child actors -- Freddie Bartholomew (David as a boy), Fay Chaldecott (Little Emily), and Marilyn Knowlden (Agnes as a little girl) -- all perform with the overwrought theatricality of elementary students in a school play. Moreover, Elizabeth Allen as Mrs. Clara Copperfield fairly reeks of maudlin melodrama. Even her two-second fainting spell is overdone. Director George Cukor may be responsible for the weak performances of Allen and the children; Cukor's choppy transition style also hurts the film. He unceremoniously cuts off one scene, then begins rolling the camera again elsewhere. Nevertheless, the film is worthwhile because of the strong performances of Oliver, Fields, Rathbone, and the other top-billed adult actors. Be aware, though, that many videotape copies of the film have woefully inferior sound reproduction. Viewers planning to rent it should preview it at the rental shop before taking it home. ~ Mike Cummings, All Movie Guide
 

Joseph Newman: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Assistant Director (nominated) Robert J. Kern: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Editing (nominated)

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Picture (nominated) National Board of Review, Best Picture (nominated)

General Specifications: Language Options: English Subtitle Options: English, French, Spanish, Por Sound Processing: DDS: Dolby Digital Surround Additional Features: 2 vintage technicolor musical shorts: Pirate Party on Catalina Isle and Two Hearts in Wax Time Classic cartoon: Poor Little Me Audio-only bonus: Leo Is on the Air radio promo Theatrical trailer Subtitles: English, Français, Español & Português DVD Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1: Pre-1954 Standard MPAA Rating: NR DVD Discs Included: 1 DVD Sides: 1 DVD DVD Region Code: 1 Content Length: 131 min   DVD Chapters: Disc #1 -- David Copperfield 1. Credits [2:04] 2. It's a Boy [6:38] 3. Murdstone's Attentions [5:03] 4. The Peggotty Clan [5:04] 5. Dancing Near the Edge [1:21] 6. New Father [5:21] 7. Beaten [4:47] 8. All Alone Now [3:37] 9. Barkis Is Willin' [2:17] 10. The Micawber Clan [3:42] 11. Friends for Life [4:26] 12. Income vs. Expenditure [2:00] 13. Hard Road to Dover [3:57] 14. Arrival at Aunt Betsy's [5:55] 15. Murdstones Dispatched [6:53] 16. The Wickfields; Uriah Heep [4:37] 17. Humble Instruments [5:42] 18. Reunion With Steerforth [2:35] 19. Meeting Dora [3:57] 20. To the Happy Couple [4:23] 21. Think of Me at My Best [3:25] 22. Runaways [4:41] 23. Love Declared [2:26] 24. Deceit and Treachery [4:56] 25. Domestic Dora [4:09] 26. Fine Dining [4:37] 27. News of Emily [2:57] 28. Joined in Death [3:43] 29. Dora's Farewell [5:10] 30. Naming a Scoundrel [7:20] 31. High Time [1:07] 32. Cast List [1:00]