The Pickwick Papers (1952)

★ 6.9 1h 49m IMDb

The Pickwick Club sends Mr. Pickwick and a group of friends to travel across England and to report back on the interesting things they find...

The Pickwick Papers

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Cast

James Hayter
James Hayter as Samuel Pickwick Died 1983 · Lonavala, India James Hayter (23 April 1907 – 27 March 1983) was a British actor. He was born in Lonavala, India, brought up in Scotland and died in Spain. His best remembered film roles include Friar Tuck in the 1...
James Donald
James Donald as Nathaniel Winkle Died 1993 · Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK ​From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia James Donald (18 May 1917 - 3 August 1993) was a Scottish actor. Tall and gaunt, he specialised in playing authority figures; military officers, doctors or scie...
Nigel Patrick
Nigel Patrick as Mr. Jingle Died 1981 · Clapham, London, England, UK From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Nigel Patrick (born Nigel Dennis Wemyss; 2 May 1913 - 21 September 1981) was an English actor and stage director born into a theatrical family. Description abov...
Joyce Grenfell
Joyce Grenfell as Mrs. Leo Hunter Died 1979 · Knightsbridge, London, England, UK Joyce Irene Grenfell OBE (née Phipps; 10 February 1910 - 30 November 1979) was an English comedian, singer and actress..
Hermione Gingold
Hermione Gingold as Miss Tompkins Died 1987 · London, England, UK Hermione Gingold (9 December 1897 – 24 May 1987) was an English actress known for her sharp-tongued, eccentric persona, an image enhanced by her sharp nose and chin, as well as her deepening voice, a...
Hermione Baddeley
Hermione Baddeley as Mrs. Bardell Died 1986 · Broseley, Shropshire, England, UK Hermione Youlanda Ruby Clinton-Baddeley (13 November 1906 - 19 August 1986) was an English character actress of theatre, film and television. She is the sister of Angela Baddeley, best known for play...

Audience Reviews

CinemaSerf 7/10 Jan 05, 2025
James Hayter is at his theatrical best in this comedy that sees a group of well-meaning men travel the length and breadth of the kingdom trying to report for their "Pickwick Club" many of the interesting things that cross their path. They are led by the eponymous "Samuel" (Hayter) who's an avuncular and kind-spirited man, but are frequently foiled by the rakish "Jingle" (Nigel Patrick) who's unscrupulousness always seems to manage to get the others into trouble. That's not to say that "Pickwick" isn't capable of getting himself into some hot water from time to time either, as his innate decency borders gullibility and that sees him fall foul, ultimately, of the ghastly lawyers "Fogg" (Alan Wheatley) & "Dodson" (D. A. Clarke-Smith). The story hits the ground running and this adaptation barely pauses for breath as a cast of familiar faces from British cinema and stage all contribute a series of cameos to support the rumbustious collection of scenarios encountered, or more likely caused, by this troupe of travellers. There are James Donald's entertaining "Mr. Winkle", Kathleen Harrison's superbly giggly "Mrs. Wardle", Hermione Gingold's "Mrs. Bardell" and a brief scene from Joyce Grenfell to help keep the smiles coming too. Of course, there had to be some sacrifices made from the book but they don't impact terribly on the energetic and enjoyable impetus of this characterful study of human nature, pomposity and sheer stupidity whilst gently reminding us of the iniquities of Victorian Britain and it's unforgiving attitude to those less fortunate. Charles Dickens was fond of a courtroom scenario, and by drafting in an on-form Donald Wolfit to deliver a rousing monologue that could send "Pickwick" to clink, we head to a denouement that's fittingly good natured and generous. Those of us who remember Arthur Lowe's marvellous "Capt. Mainwaring" from the BBCs "Dad's Army" series can probably recognise Hayter as the inspiration for that character here and for all but the harshest purists of this author, this film is great fun to watch.

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