David Copperfield (1911 film)
David Copperfield is a 1911 American silent short drama film based on the 1850 novel of the same name by Charles Dickens. It is the oldest known film adaptation of the novel.
| David Copperfield | |
|---|---|
 A scene from David Copperfield (1911) | |
| Directed by | George O. Nichols |
| Based on | David Copperfield by Charles Dickens |
| Distributed by | Thanhouser Film Corporation |
Release date |
|
Running time | 3 reels |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Overview
The film was made by the Thanhouser Film Corporation, an independent company located in New Rochelle, New York founded by Edwin Thanhouser.[1] The film has been credited to Theodore Marston,[2] but recent research points to George O. Nichols as director.[3]
Plot
David Copperfield consists of three reels and as three separate films, released in three consecutive weeks, with three different titles: The Early Life of David Copperfield, Little Em'ly and David Copperfield, and The Loves of David Copperfield.[4]
Cast
- Flora Foster as David Copperfield as a boy.
- Ed Genung as David Copperfield as a man.
- Marie Eline as Em'ly as a Child
- Florence La Badie as Em'ly as a Woman
- Mignon Anderson as Dora Spenlow
- Viola Alberti as Betsey Trotwood
- Justus D. Barnes as Ham Peggotty in part one
- William Russell as Ham Peggotty in part two
- William Garwood Ham Peggotty in part three
Status
A print of the film still exists and is currently in the public domain.[4]
References
- Thanhouser Film Corporation on the British Film Institute website
- David Copperfield on the British Film Institute website
- Pointer, Michael (1996). Charles Dickens On The Screen: The Film, Television, and Video Adaptations. Scarecrow Press. p. 121. ISBN 0-810-82960-6.
- David Copperfield (1911) at silentera.com