Nicholas Nickleby

“Though the filmed production of Dickens’ story is in reality little more than a series of animated tableaux with explanatory subtitles, it is nevertheless so well staged, so accurately costumed, so creditably acted, as far as the photoplay allows in its short presentation of the story, that it takes rank among the notable offerings of the day. It is in two reels, both of which are exceedingly interesting. The first begins with the start of the Nickleby family in London on an old-fashioned stage coach, shows their arrival before Ralph Nickleby and his fast associates, the introduction of Squeers and his scholars at Saracen’s Inn, and the start of Nicholas and his arrival at the Hall, where he begins his duties as assistant teacher, the introduction of Smike and Fanny, the cruelty of Squeers and the final leaving of Nicholas, followed by Smike.

“The second part takes up the story with the poverty of the Nickleby family after Nicholas is unable to find employment, and his second departure from London, the insults his sister and mother are forced to endure at the home of Ralph Nickleby, Nicholas’ meeting with Crummles and his company of players, his success as an actor and his final home coming when he receives word that his mother and sister need him, including his stop at the inn, when he defends his sister’s name, fighting with his relations’ friends, his finding employment in the business firm, his meeting with Madeline (though they are not introduced and their courtship is largely a matter of jumping at conclusions), the attempt to force Madeline to marry Gryde, and the final prevention by Nicholas, who carries her off at the critical moment, following the sudden death of his sweetheart’s father, ending with a happy picture of the wedding breakfast. The scenes are very well chosen, being taken in Florida, a rather odd fact, all things considered, but one wherein the makers are open to congratulations on the results obtained. It is well worth seeing and the Dickens lovers will enjoy it to the full.”

REVIEW by W. Stephen Bush, The Moving Picture World, March 9, 1912:

“I think that within this centennial year we will add a complete cinematographic set of Dickens to the Library of Motion Pictures and I venture the prediction that the Thanhouser edition will surpass all others in merit and popularity. This is no hasty judgment. The Thanhouser David Copperfield created a new standard in the filming of Dickens, and this standard alone can serve as a basis for comparison of Nicholas Nickleby. To tell the story of Nicholas Nickleby in 2,000 feet of film and tell it entertainingly, with no loss of its humor and pathos, and to give that swiftness of action so necessary to the successful photoplay, seemed plainly and simply impossible. The Dickens’ wizards of New Rochelle have, however, achieved the humanly impossible and in these days the features have placed a wonderful production in the hands of the Independent exhibitor. Through the medium of these pictures millions who have never read a line of Dickens will shake with laughter and feel the dint of pity, even to the shedding of the ‘gracious drops.’

“Is Squeers in the picture and do we see the Squeers’ pupils? Yes to both questions. The boys get their ‘brimstone and treacle’ treatment in full view of the audience. The opulent meal of Squeers consumed before the popping eyes of the ‘scholars,’ is there, likewise the tankard of ale, likewise a cup of water for the boys. Fanny Squeers? Yes, yes, she is there, even to the ‘remarkable expression of her right eye.’ Her flirting with young Nickleby would get a laugh from a set of graven images in a Chinese temple. Mrs. Squeers and Wackford are there, too, the Thanhouser Kid (venia sit verbo) as Wackford. What can I say to do justice to the Thanhouser characterization of young Nickleby, of Crummles en famille and of the dear chubby Cheerybles. The sister of Nickleby is taken by an exceedingly clever artist. Gryde is simply startling in point of appearance, acts superbly, and leaves a profound impression. Newman Noggs is just what Dickens meant him to be, while the Thanhouser Ralph Nickleby lives up to the description in the book in every inch of his personality and every bit of his acting. I must not forget Smike; he too helps sustain the general standard of excellence.

“Little will the spectators of this great feature realize what special art was required to give them such a delightful performance. While they cannot help feeling that these pictures are very different indeed from the ordinary production they can have no idea of the difficulty of the Thanhouser task. Dickens is just full of pitfalls to the film maker. The desire to bring in all that appeals to a lover of Dickens is fatal, for it begets confusion and bewilderment. Take for example the figure of Mrs. Nickleby. In the picture she is changed somewhat and justly relegated to the rear. The ghastly features, such as the end of Gryde and Ralph Nickleby, have been omitted entirely—with great wisdom. The same Dickens eye that created the characters, selected the scenic settings and superintended every little detail from coach and whip to the old fashioned knocker on the door. The very first scene carries us into Dickens land, where we pleasantly sojourn for something like three quarters of an hour. So clear has the producer made the story of Nicholas Nickleby that every child can understand it even if every subtitle were taken out. Emphatic praise, I know, but well deserved in this instance. I hope that they will never lose the magic key, with which, in the Thanhouser studio, they unlock with such ease the door to the temple of Dickens’ fiction.”

“No lover of Dickens can fail to witness this film without living anew the joys that this great character-builder must need give to all who can sympathize with the humor of the viewpoint, for the characters appearing on the screen more than live up to the expectations of his fondest imaginations, and the entire history of the delightful picture recalls most vividly to mind the story and remarkable suggestion of the time depicted. As an illustration of the famous novel, it is a remarkably artistic achievement and one exhibiting most heartfelt sympathy with the story and characters as well as care in every detail that distinguishes the best motion picture production. It would be very hard, indeed, to single out any of the character portrayals as better than others; each one is so careful and thoroughly suggestive of the role. Harry Benham is very satisfying as the impetuous and determined young Nicholas, while Justus Barnes is equally convincing as a crafty and crabbed Ralph Nickleby. The characterizations of Smike and Squeers are likewise most pleasing and true as enacted by N.S. Woods and David Thompson, but the entire cast is a most praiseworthy one from the Crummles to the Squeers, including Marie Eline, as Wackford, who found it hard to keep fat cheeks. Nicholas’ adventures appear in surprising fullness in the short time allotted to them, and his quarrel with his uncle, Squeers’ school, his theatrical experiences with the Crummles, and his clerkship with Cheeryble brothers which leads to a subsequent love affair with Madeline Bray are all graphically depicted to the end, where ‘never were there such a beautiful dinner since the world began.’”