The Personal History, Adventures, Experience, & Observation of David Copperfield the Younger

1935
U
2h 25m

IMDb RATING

7.3/10

4.8K

YOUR RATING

The Personal History, Adventures, Experience, & Observation of David Copperfield the Younger (1935)

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

Play trailer3:26

1 Video

39 Photos

Period Drama Adventure Drama Family Romance

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

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.3/10

4.8K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 3 Oscars
- 1 win & 4 nominations total

Videos1

Trailer 3:26

Official Trailer

Photos39

+ 32

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
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?"

Goofs
Micawber chases away David's tormentors and puts his arm around him, but the arm is gone in the next immediate shot. In nearly all scenes with W.C. Fields, there are continuity errors that editing does not mask.

Quotes
Mr. Micawber: Copperfield, at present, I have nothing to bestow but advice. Still, that advice is so far worth taking. I have never taken it myself, and am the miserable creature you behold. Young friend, I counsel you: annual income, 20 pounds. Annual expenditure, 19 pounds. Result? Happiness. Annual income, 20 pounds. Annual expenditure, 21 pounds. Result? Misery. Farewell, Copperfield. I shall be happy to improve your prospects, in case anything turns up - which, I may say, I am hourly expecting.

Crazy credits
Film opens with the last sentence of Charles Dickens's preface to the original edition: "Like many fond parents, I have in my heart of hearts, a favourite child, and his name is David Copperfield."

Alternate versions
Also shown in a computer colorized version.

Connections
Featured in David O. Selznick: 'Your New Producer' (1935)

Soundtracks
The First Noel
(uncredited)
17th century (or earlier) carol
[Partially Sung and played during the opening credits]

User reviews60

Review

Featured review

8/10

Good Adaptation of Dickens

This film might be the best adaptation of a Dickens novel this side of the epic Scrooge story itself. The cast is stellar & well put together. This film alone is the reason W C Fields had an inside track to be the Wizard of Oz in 1939. If Fields hadn't wanted so much money for Oz, it would have been interesting.

Fields is excellent in a supporting role in this movie. While some of his comedy, especially a good piece of his physical comedy is worked in early in this film, it is his acting that is good. This is Fields best dramatic part in any movie.

Freddie Bartholmew is great as young David Copperfield. Basil Rathbone (later Sherlock Holmes) is excellent in support too. George Cukor is solid in directing this film at a good pace too. Overall, I don't know if a remake of this could be any better. Check this out if you happen upon the film anyplace. Last time I saw it was on Turner Classic Movies.

I am glad I finally saw this as for years I had heard about this film & especially how good Fields is in it. When I finally saw it, everything I had heard about it was right.