David Copperfield Overview:

David Copperfield (1935) was a Adventure - Drama Film directed by George Cukor and produced by David O. Selznick.

The film was based on the novel of the same name written by Charles Dickens published in 1850.

SYNOPSIS

The definitive Hollywood version of Dickens's 1850 tale of a young boy despised by his stepfather who overcomes early years of poverty. No film can ever come close to conveying the detail and depth of a Dickens novel, but, perhaps more than any other, Cukor's version captures the spirit of his words. Bartholomew is endearing and the deep cast of characters in support includes a priceless turn by Fields as Micawber.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

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Academy Awards 1935 --- Ceremony Number 8 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best Film EditingRobert J. KernNominated
Best PictureMetro-Goldwyn-MayerNominated
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Quotes from

Mr. Micawber: [to young Copperfield] Boy, as I have frequently had occasion to observe, "When the stomach is empty, the spirits are low."


Barkis: No sweethearts I believe?
David Copperfield as a child: What?
Barkis: No person courting?
David Copperfield as a child: Oh. No, no.
Barkis: Ahhh. Well, when you is talking to her private, perhaps you'd tell her that Barkis is willing.
David Copperfield as a child: That Barkis is willing. Is that all the message?
Barkis: Well, y... y... yes. Barkis is willing.
David Copperfield as a child: Very well, Mr Barkis. I'll tell her.


Aunt Betsy Trotwood: Now that there's a child coming, what will you call your girl?
Mrs. Clara Copperfield: Perhaps it will be a boy.
Aunt Betsy Trotwood: Don't contradict. I have a pre-sentiment that it will be a girl. And I shall be her godmother. She shall be christened Betsy Trotwood Copperfield. She must be well brought up, I shall see to that. Far better than my impractical nephew would have done.
Mrs. Clara Copperfield: Mr. Copperfield has been dead only six months. It is cruel of you to speak unkindly of him to me.


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Facts about

According to film historians, W.C. Fields performed in only one film exactly according to script and as directed. That one was MGM's The Personal History, Adventures, Experience, & Observation of David Copperfield the Younger in which he co-starred with Freddie Bartholomew, who was only ten years old. Fields admired the Charles Dickens book and wanted desperately to play Mr. Micawber in the movie, so he agreed to forgo his usual ad-libs and put aside his distaste at working with child actors.
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?!".
The book by Charles Dickens was published under the title "The Personal History, Adventures, Experience, and Observation of David Copperfield the Younger of Blunderstone Rookery" (which he never meant to be published on any account).
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Also released in 1935




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