David Copperfield (1935)

So much average

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

I admit upfront that I am a fan of sentimental, romantic stories and this one tops them all. My opinion must not be too off center though because it was "selected by The New York Times as one of the 1000 greatest movies ever made." I saw it as a young girl and have never wavered in my opinion of it. Granted, Freddie Bartholomew's portrayal is now a bit over-the-top, but I still like it. It helps that the writer, Charles Dickens is also a favorite on my reading list.How could this picture go wrong? George Cukor directed it and David O. Selznick produced. It was up for Best Picture at the Academy Awards although it did not win. And the cast was superb.W.C. Fields was amazingly eclectic and his performance stands the test of time. For me though, Edna May Oliver's portrayal of the endearing, but eccentric Aunt Betsey was the best performance. Basil Rathbone as the abusive, husband/stepfather villain still ignites the wrath of the viewer. Who couldn't love Nurse Peggotty (Jessie Ralph)who loved the child as her own flesh and blood? Lionel Barrymore also has a strong presence. And, even though I wanted to shake her, Maureen O'Sullivan's, Dora, was flawless. Roland Young still gives me the creeps as Uriah Heep. In summary, let your kids see it. They and you will love it.

I hate to be odd man out on this but I was expecting a much better film. It was Dickens "Hollywoodized" and smacked of that Anglo-American pinkies-in-the-air of Jolly Olde England that so many Americans swallow as the way England is or was at some time in the past. Given the size and richness of the book, the film had to be episodic and leave out many pertinent details in the plot. This, I think, was handled quite well, but the Disney-like sets and accents strong enough to curdle milk didn't work for me. David Lean would have trimmed off the excesses in no time. I wonder if the Brits trying to imitate the Americans would have fallen into so many holes?Curtis Stotlar

George Cukor, one of the best American master directors, orchestrated one of the best screen adaptations of one of the most beloved novels in the English language. "David Copperfield", the 1935 MGM treatment of the classic, is still one of those pictures that will always be enjoyed by movie fans of all ages.The ingredients that went into the production of Charles Dickens' novel could only have been done by the studio with vast resources as it was the case with MGM. From the superb art direction of the legendary Cedric Gibbons to the Oliver Marsh cinematography and the musical score of Herbert Stothart, all the elements under director George Cukor fell in the right place.The superb casting adds to the glory of the end product. Freddie Bartholomew was one of the best child actors of that era and in his effortless appearance as the young David, set the right tone for the staging of the novel. Add to that the impressive Edna May Oliver who practically steals the first part of the film. W.C. Fields made a wonderful Micawber and the supporting roles were played by a fabulous array of actors not easily matched then, or now. Lionel Barrymore, Frank Lawton, Basil Rathbone, Roland Young, Lewis Stone, Madge Evans, Margaret O'Sullivan, Elsa Lanchester, and the rest, contributed to bring Dickens' immortal story to life.A film to cherish thanks to the vision of George Cukor.

Sure,had David been a girl,he would not have had such a sad childhood.Dickens' mammoth novel has undergone some changes:for instance ,Davis is in the house when his mom dies on a stormy night;it's all in all much more effective than if David was told her death by the headmaster. Some subplots have been removed ,which was necessary ,considering the length of the book .George Cukor's work was certainly the best version of the famous novel even if it was surpassed by the English MTV version circa 2000 ,which,being twice as long, could include some scenes such as the "reunion" with miss Murdstone ,as a lady's companion.Pegotty does not appear enough (she's my favorite character)but the rest is really excellent:the two actors playing David act as one.Clara,Murdstone,Micawber,Miss Trottwood,Uriah Heep,Dan and little E'mly are exactly how we imagine them when we read the novel.Oddly,Steerforth is talked about at least 15 min before he appears,as all the scenes at school ("beware:he bites")are nowhere to be seen,David beginning to work almost immediately for Murdstone and Grimsby.Another good movie by George Cukor.