David Copperfield (1935)

Freddie Bartholemew is absolutely phenomenal as the young David Copperfield. The film starts out with Edna May Oliver with Elizabeth Allan; I thought I was back to the even greater "A Tale of 2 Cities," which starred both along with Basil Rathbone, who as the stepfather, gives new meaning to cruelty. It is the latter subject of cruelty that dominated Charles Dickens' two masterpieces- '2 Cities' as well as 'Copperfield.'The film shows the treachery of early England regarding how children worked forcibly in all sorts of difficult activities. No child labor laws here. The cast is excellent, especially along with Bartholemew, Oliver and Rathbone, there is Jesse Ralph as a kindly, devoted servant. Lionel Barrymore is rather subdued here.While this is a very good film, it does lose some power once Copperfield grows up. It then essentially becomes a love story as well as greed and ultimate redemption.

Technically, in most ways this is a very well made movie. It's obvious David O. Selznick and MGM put a lot of time and money into this production. However, I also felt that some of the acting was a bit suspect and there was way, way too much plot for a single movie--as a result it all came off as very episodic.The film begins with young David losing his father. As for the mother, she is a weak individual--and so it's interesting that later in the film David marries an even weaker woman. Anyway, this weak lady marries a man she thinks will make a good father (Basil Rathbone). However, Rathbone moves in with his sister and they are awful--cold and cruel. The weak mother soon dies and David is sent off to work--though he only looks to be about 8. From this point on in the film, David bounces around a lot--but fortunately for his Aunt (Edna May Oliver) and a few good friends, he manages to grow into a nice and reasonably level-headed man. In this film portion of the film, lots of very episodic-like things happen--almost like we're seeing a highlights reel of his life from age 18-35 or so. Much of it was entertaining, much of it made me feel lost trying to keep up with all the characters--some of which weren't all that interesting (such as David).Now the film did have some excellent aspects. A few of the actors were very, very good. In particular, Edna May Oliver was (as usual) great--very entertaining--so much so I wish the movie had been a story of her life! Basil Rathbone was great--and he was always wonderful in villain roles. W.C. Fields was pretty good--especially since his role was not a comedic one. As for the low-points, the mother (Elizabeth Allan) and David's wife (Maureen O'Sullivan) were supposed to be very weak characters--but the film managed to also make them pretty annoying (particularly O'Sullivan)--a definite weakness in the film. As for Una O'Connor, she, too was weak in the film--way too whiny--and a bit too much like the characters she plays in "The Invisible Man" and "Bride of Frankenstein".It's obvious from my review that I had very mixed feelings about this film. Perhaps it could be I just don't like Dickens all that much but part of the problem is that although the film was set in the 1800s, it came off as too antiquated and stilted at times. And, the episodic nature sure didn't help. I'd really rather see this as a mini-series--the type the Brits make so well. I'll check and see if there is one, as the basic story wasn't bad--just flawed.

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.

I just kept marveling at the constant parade of major stars who appeared in this movie. I will go into this dance now, and maybe not in any particular order: Lionel Barrymore, Maureen O'Sullivan, Basil Rathbone, Arthur Treacher, W.C. Fields, Freddie Bartholomew, Elsa Lanchester, Una O'Connor. Others are Jessie Ralph and Lennox Pawle. Mr. Pawle was even funnier than W.C. Fields. It was amazing how Aunt Betsy always let Mr. Dick make the major decisions, with his "common sense", LOL.For those who say that the actor portraying Davy as an adult is quite bland, I felt that this was the director's way of introducing us to Davy's adult self gradually. Davy was a boy whose parents had died young. He was later abused and then raised by good family and friends, and when he grew up he had the good judgment of someone who has been 'through the fire'. His adult character was rather like a steel that been made stronger by going through the flames. He was able to help expose the villainy of Urian Heap (rhymes with creep).I felt that W.C. Fields made a dramatic role quite comedic; I feel that in this movie the roles were one and the same.I never tire of seeing Edna May Oliver.12/10.