ComedyAdventure

The Pickwick Papers

- Triumphantly brought to the screen for the first time! Another Dickens treasure springs to life in the rich traditions of

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...

Release Date : 1952-11-14

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Renown Pictures Corporation

Production Country : United Kingdom

Alternative Titles :

Cast

Character Name : Samuel Pickwick

Original Name : James Hayter

Gender : Male

Character Name : Nathaniel Winkle

Original Name : James Donald

Gender : Male

Character Name : Mr. Jingle

Original Name : Nigel Patrick

Gender : Male

Character Name : Mrs. Leo Hunter

Original Name : Joyce Grenfell

Gender : Female

Character Name : Miss Tompkins

Original Name : Hermione Gingold

Gender : Female

Character Name : Mrs. Bardell

Original Name : Hermione Baddeley

Gender : Female

Character Name : Sergeant Buzfuz

Original Name : Donald Wolfit

Gender : Male

Character Name : Sam Weller

Original Name : Harry Fowler

Gender : Male

Character Name : Rachel Wardle

Original Name : Kathleen Harrison

Gender : Female

Character Name : Tracy Tupman

Original Name : Alexander Gauge

Gender : Male

Character Name : Augustus Snodgrass

Original Name : Lionel Murton

Gender : Male

Character Name : Emily Wardle

Original Name : Diane Hart

Gender : Male

Character Name : Isabella Wardle

Original Name : Joan Heal

Gender : Female

Character Name : Irate Cabman

Original Name : William Hartnell

Gender : Male

Character Name : Miss Witherfield

Original Name : Athene Seyler

Gender : Female

Character Name : Job Trotter

Original Name : Sam Costa

Gender : Male

Character Name : Tony Weller

Original Name : George Robey

Gender : Male

Character Name : Joe, the Fat Boy

Original Name : Gerald Campion

Gender : Male

Character Name : Mr. Wardle

Original Name : Walter Fitzgerald

Gender : Male

Character Name : Grandma Wardle

Original Name : Mary Merrall

Gender : Female

Character Name : Aide

Original Name : Raymond Lovell

Gender : Male

Character Name : Mr. Justice Stareleigh

Original Name : Cecil Trouncer

Gender : Male

Character Name : Dodson

Original Name : D.A. Clarke-Smith

Gender : Male

Character Name : Mr. Perker

Original Name : Noel Willman

Gender : Male

Character Name : Aide

Original Name : Max Adrian

Gender : Male

Character Name : Roker

Original Name : Noel Purcell

Gender : Male

Character Name : Dr. Slammer

Original Name : Felix Felton

Gender : Male

Character Name : Fogg

Original Name : Alan Wheatley

Gender : Male

Character Name : Mrs. Nupkins

Original Name : Hattie Jacques

Gender : Female

Character Name : Mr. Nupkins (as Jack MacNaughton)

Original Name : Jack McNaughton

Gender : Male

Character Name : Boy

Original Name : David Hannaford

Gender : Male

Character Name : Arabella Allen

Original Name : June Thorburn

Gender : Female

Character Name : Mr. Snubbins

Original Name : Barry MacKay

Gender : Male

Character Name : Foreman

Original Name : Gibb McLaughlin

Gender : Male

Reviews

CinemaSerf

@Geronimo1967

2025-01-05

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.