The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby main backdrop
The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby main poster

The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby

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6.5/10 • 20

1947-03-121h 48m

Drama

A fatherless boy tries to make his fortune despite interference from his rich uncle.

Directors
Alberto Cavalcanti
Editors
Leslie Norman

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Cedric Hardwicke

    Cedric Hardwicke

    Ralph Nickleby

  2. Stanley Holloway

    Stanley Holloway

    Vincent Crummles

  3. Derek Bond

    Derek Bond

    Nicholas Nickleby

  4. Mary Merrall

    Mary Merrall

    Mrs. Nickleby

  5. Sally Ann Howes

    Sally Ann Howes

    Kate Nickleby

  6. Aubrey Woods

    Aubrey Woods

    Smike

  7. Jill Balcon

    Jill Balcon

    Madeline Bray

  8. Bernard Miles

    Bernard Miles

    Newman Noggs

  9. Alfred Drayton

    Alfred Drayton

    Wackford Squeers

Reviews2

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CinemaSerf Avatar

CinemaSerf

Apr 23, 2024

7/10

It's not so often that Sir Cedric Hardwicke takes centre stage in a film, but he does it quite menacingly in this adaptation of Charles Dickens's story of greed and belonging. We first meet his "Ralph" when his recently widowed sister-in-law (Mary Merrill) arrives on his doorstep with her children "Nicholas" (Derek Bond) and "Kate" (Sally Ann Howes). In need of his patronage, he agrees providing the children find gainful employment - a task he readily undertakes himself. She is to become an apprentice seamstress, he a teacher in a remote boy's school run by "Wackford Squeers" (Alfred Drayton) who rules his school with fear, starvation and a cane. Young "Nicholas" is repulsed by their methods, especially as both he and his wife (Sybil Thorndike) use their lackey "Smike" (Aubrey Woods) as a glorified slave. Abhorred, he takes direct action which promptly sets him on a series of escapades that eventually pitch him against his uncle and his powerful, and sleazy, friends. There are loads of engaging characters to help him along the way: "Crummies" (Stanley Holloway) runs a touring vaudeville troupe whom he and "Smike" do some popular writing for; Bernard Miles's "Newman Noggs" proves ever useful as his eyes and ears in his uncle's office and the always reliable James Hayter is on good form as the aptly named and generous "Ned Cheeryble". They all help this tale of the epitome of venality and wickedness come to it's head. It's never simple with this author, he always takes with one hand what he gives with the other - and the conclusion here is tinged with sadness. It's one of my favourite of this man's stories and Cavacanti makes sure this superior cast pack plenty of characterful performances into this darkly photographed drama and gritty looking drama.

Media

  • The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby poster
  • The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby poster
  • The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby poster
  • The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby poster

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
--
Revenue
--
Keywords
boarding schoolvictorian englandsmikewackford squeers