MISTER QUILP

UK, 1975, 118 minutes, Colour.
Anthony Newley, David Hemmings, Jill Bennett, Sarah- Jane Varley, Michael Hordern, David Warner, Philip Davis, Brian Glover, Ronald Lacey, Paul Rodgers, Mona Washbourne.
Directed by Michael Tuchner.

Mister Quilp is a version of Charles Dickens’ The Old Curiosity Shop, very popular in its time, but considered far too contrived, melodramatic and sentimental by later generations. This is the novel which features the character Little Nell and the pathos of her death.

This is a musical version of Dickens. In the 1960s, Lionel Bart had composed Oliver and it had been a great success. A number of musical versions of Dickens’ stories followed including Scrooge, based on A Christmas Carol, starring Albert Finney as well as Great Expectations with Michael York and James Mason.

The star of this film is Anthony Newley who also wrote the songs (a number of which were excised from the American version which then became The Old Curiosity Shop). Sarah-Jane? Varley is Little Nell and Michael Hordern is her grandfather who gambles away his money, is in debt to Mister Quilp and finds it difficult to pay. There are various Dickensian situations, Dickensian villains. This is moderately entertaining in itself, very much a musical of the 70s, and perhaps an opportunity to familiarise oneself with the overall plot of The Old Curiosity Shop.

Michael Tuchner began directing in England including such films as Villain and Fear is the Key but went to the United States and directed a great number of telemovies.

1. For what audience was this film made? The production values of the Reader's Digest company? The use of Dickens and his presentations on film? Family response to this kind of film?

2. The use of colour and Panavision? The recreation of the 1840s setting in London, in the country, houses, streets, the costumes etc? How authentic was the presentation? How much a visual presentation of Dickens' world?

3. The quality of the film as a musical? The songs integrated into the plot, for characters, for themes? The repetition of the song "Somewhere"? Anthony Newley's songs and their lyrics, quality? Newley himself performing his own songs?

4. What particular aspects of the atmosphere of Dickens were to the fore? The various themes of poverty, city life, family
relationships? Did the film pay tribute to the classic novel on which it was based?

5. The complexities of the plot? Interesting characters interesting situations, gradually developing episodes? How much dramatic momentum was there in the development of the plot?

6. Did the film concentrate on developing the characters or merely portraying them? The focus on Trent, Nell, on Mr Quilp himself? The character of Dick Swiveler and his episodic appearances? Henry Trent and his search for his brother? The emergence of Kit as the hero of the film at the end, credible?

7. Comment on the themes that the film developed: what development and exploration of the theme of the poor, oppression, racial injustice, the role of fate in life, the theme of death?

8. Was it appropriate that the film focused on Mr Quilp or should it have focused on the old curiosity shop and its inhabitants? What balance did this give to the film?

9. How interesting was the character of Mrs Quilp? How would his character be described? Did his songs add insight into his character? Anthony Newley's style especially in his particular way of acting? Quilp's attitude towards people, his oppressing them? His mother-in-law and his wife? Why was he so harsh towards the Trents? Trent and the use of his money? His hold over Samson Bars and his sister? His attitude towards Nell? Themes of greed, hounding people, his exasperation about his gold? The build up towards his search for Trent, the irony of his death and his being unable to help him? How horrible a character? Any redeeming features? What was Dickens trying to portray in presenting this character?

10. The contrast with Nell? initially lost, an attractive young heroine? Poverty, devotion to her grandfather, ingenuity in escaping? The importance of the songs in illustrating her character? Her devotion to her grandfather and yet her disappointment in his gambling and weakness? Involvement with the 'Punch and Judy’ people, the races, Mrs Jarley? The effect of the wanderings on Nell? Her support of her grandfather? Her own illness? The miners and their care of her? Her finally reaching St. Edmund's? The scene of her death?

11. How well delineated was the character of the grandfather? His role in the old curiosity shop? His way with money, the puzzle about his business, the revelation of his gambling? His escaping with Nell and dependence on her? Sharing the adventures? His gambling and the revelation of his weakness? His willingness to rob Mrs Jarley? The impact of Nell's death on him? What was Dickens trying to portray through this character?

12. The character of the Brasses? Their hardnesses, typical Dickensian characters? Samson Brass and his profession, his toadying to Quilp, his attitudes towards Nell? His subservience to Quilp in all his double dealing? His willingness to frame Kit? His fear and telling the truth? His sister and her harshness, supporting her brother and framing Kit? The final scene of her consoling Quilp's mother-in-law? Their involvement in the light-hearted aspects of the film, the songs about the law etc.?

13. The sympathetic character of Dick Swiveler? His niceness towards Nell, his being employed by Quilp, his relationship with the Brasses, his friendship with the Duchess and his help in revealing the truth? His songs? The fact that he appeared spasmodically in the film?

14. The portrayal of the London types for example, Tom and his work for Quilp, his lodgings? Quilp's mother-in-law and his wife? The people in the London streets etc.?

15. The contrast with the country types, for example the Punch and Judy men, their role in the carnival, their search for the reward? The people at the races? Mrs Jarley and her kindness towards Nell and her grandfather? Her wanting to be educated and of good class? How enjoyable a character?

16. The mysterious role of Henry Trent? The serious side of the film? The lack of explanation of his relationship to his brother? His tracking him down, his presence at Nell's death? Redeeming the situation?

17. Did all this prepare us for Kit's owning the old curiosity shop at the end and being successful? His memory of Nell?

18. How successful a musical adaptation of Dickens? How enjoyable a film in itself?