Nicholas Nickleby (1985) - full transcript
A young, compassionate man struggles to save his family and friends from the abusive exploitation of his cold-hearted, grasping uncle.
♪
♪
♪
(indistinct chatter)
Ah!
Well, well, if it ain't my little son,
Sammy Weller.
Sammy, well you're a dutiful
and affectionate little boy, ain't you?
Come to visit his father in his old age?
No, now, I've got a problem,
Mr. Weller, and I need your help.
Two hot punches, innkeeper!
Just open them ears of yours,
and don't say nothing till I'm done.
Samuel, Samuel,
what can the matter be?
The matter, Mr. Weller,
is that my employer, Mr. Pickwick,
has been thrown into the debtor's prison.
A bankrupt, ay, Sammy?
You're better rid of him.
Now then, Mr. Weller,
Mr. Pickwick is a rich man
and an upright and honorable gent,
if ever there was one.
Then, I don't understand, Sammy.
What's he doing in the debtor's prison?
Well, Mr. Weller,
"I'll begin at the beginning,"
as the man said.
Good health, Sammy.
♪
Well, Mr. Pickwick retired
from business some time ago,
and finding himself at a loose end,
formed a club of like-minded gents,
with the purpose of discovering things.
What sort of things, Sammy?
Mr. Pickwick calls it
"The Furtherance of Knowledge."
Well, dear me, Samuel,
them's big words.
Anyway, Mr. Pickwick and three of his friends
took it into their heads
to travel about the land
discovering things,
which they said they'd write up in a book.
They agreed to meet at the Golden Cross Coach Inn,
here in London, to start their journey.
♪
♪
♪
♪
Day one, May 12th.
Tell me, driver,
how old is your horse?
Forty-two.
What?
Yes, sir, he's 42.
Oh, and, um, how long
do you keep him out at a time?
Two or three weeks.
Weeks?
He only lives a few miles
from here when he's home,
but we seldom take him home
on account of his weakness.
Because of his weakness?
He always falls down
when he's took out of the cab.
We strap him in very tight,
so he can't fall.
We got large wheels,
so when he does fall,
they run after him and he must go on.
He can't help it.
Well, this is almost impossible to believe.
You were writing all this down, sir?
Indeed, I am, driver.
I find it most interesting.
♪
I don't take money from police informers.
I done nothing wrong,
and I'll fight you to prove it!
You--you are mad, or drunk, or both!
Come on, all four of ya!
What does seem to be the problem?
What did you want my cab number for?
I didn't want your number.
You did!
You wrote down everything!
My dear, sir, I assure you--
This man is a police informer!
He wrote down my number
and every word of my silly tale.
I'll give it to him.
I don't care if I'll get six months for it!
♪
Someone fetch an officer!
Winkle, teach this ruffian a lesson!
Show him something of the noble art!
♪
Disgraceful behavior!
You will pay for this.
Come on, put 'em up.
What's the fun?
Informers!
We are not informers!
You ain't, ay?
Come along then.
Driver, take your fare.
Take yourself off.
None of your nonsense!
This way, sir.
All a mistake, never mind.
Accidents will happen,
never say die, some bad luck.
Driver, a rascal.
We go to the other side of Eden.
Please accept our thanks for your assistance.
-We are-- -Enough said, sir.
Enough said.
The Commodore leaving for Rochester
in five minutes.
Commodore, my coach, place booked.
Why, sir, we too are traveling to Rochester today.
We shall sit together and become better acquainted.
Your name, sir?
Alfred Jingle, sir.
My name is Pickwick.
My friends, Tupman, Snodgrass, and Winkle.
♪
Our luggage is arranged for, Mr. Jingle.
Have you arranged a place for yours?
Just this brown paper parcel, that's all.
Other luggage gone by water,
packing cases nailed up,
big as houses, heavy, dashed heavy.
Up you go, gentlemen.
♪
Heads, heads!
Take care of your heads.
♪
Coach yard, terrible place,
dangerous work.
Other day, mother, five children,
a tall lady, eating sandwiches,
forgot the arch.
Crash, knock!
Children look 'round,
mother's head off.
Sandwich in her hand,
no mouth to put it in.
Pinned her family off!
Shocking, shocking.
Extraordinary.
You a philosopher, sir?
A philosopher, no,
but I am an observer of human nature.
And so am I, sir!
Most people are when they've got
little to do and less to get.
Poet, sir?
My friend, Snodgrass,
has a strong poetic turn.
So have I!
Epic poem, ten thousand lines,
composed it on the spot.
A sportsman, sir?
-A little, sir. -Aw, yes.
Cricket, hunting.
Mastered a fine pack of hounds once.
Sixteen foxes in a single day!
♪
♪
(men chattering)
♪
Ah, my friends.
Rooms to your satisfaction?
A glass of ale, gentlemen,
just time before dinner?
(men chuckling)
-Very good -Very good, indeed.
Rochester Inn noted
for its fine dinners and soft beds.
Mr. Jingle, we would be honored
if you would join us for dinner.
Great pleasure, gentlemen.
♪
Have you been in Spain?
Lived there, ages!
Many conquests, sir?
Conquests, thousands!
Ah, Donna Christina, only daughter of Duke.
Loved me to distraction.
Father disapproved.
High-spirited daughter, handsome Englishman.
Disapproved!
She took poison, had stomach pump.
Duke overjoyed!
Consented to our union.
Many tears, romantic story.
♪
Is is the lady in England now, sir?
Dead, sir, dead.
Never recovered from the stomach pump.
Will you allow me
to note down that little romance?
Certainly, sir, certainly.
Fifty more if you'd like to hear them.
Curious history I have.
It seems so, indeed.
Now gentlemen, I have an announcement.
An invitation from my friend, Wardle,
who resides not far from here.
He insists that my friends and I
spend a few days at Manor Farm Dingley Dell.
He will send his servant, Joe,
with a carriage at our convenience.
I'm sure we should be delighted
to accept his kind offer.
-Yes. -Yes!
-Indeed! -Top ho!
One or two things to do tomorrow.
Arrive later, own steam.
Exciting prospect, gentlemen.
Until tomorrow!
Goodnight, Pickwick.
-Goodnight! -Goodnight!
♪
(alarm ringing)
(rooster crowing)
(men laughing and chattering)
♪
Mr. Tupman, sir?
Yes, Joe?
I've come to take you
and your friends to Dingley Dell.
I've room for three.
Oh dear!
We are four!
Perhaps one of the gentlemen
would care to ride a saddle horse?
They have very good horses here.
What an opportunity, Winkle.
Mr. Winkle is a keen horseman.
Well, sir, there's many a hedge and ditch
between here and Dingley Dell.
Their horses are all excellent stable chasers...
Cross country, that is.
The suggestion is indeed intriguing,
but I fear I must forgo that pleasure.
My place is with my fellow travelers.
Nonsense, Winkle.
You've often talked about your equestrian prowess.
♪
(horse neighing)
♪
Does this animal shy?
Shy?
This fellow wouldn't shy
if he were to meet a wagon full of monkeys
with their tails burned off.
Right, I shall mount directly.
♪
(horse neighing)
All right, Winkle?
Of course.
Well then, we shall be off.
(horse grunts)
Get up, fellow.
Come on.
(horse grunts)
What makes him go backwards?
I can't imagine.
(horse neighing)
♪
♪
(snoring)
Useless boy.
I shall drive.
Winkle, where are you?
Joe has dropped his whip.
Whoa, whoa!
Would you pick up that whip for me, Winkle?
♪
Whoa, whoa, yes, good fellow.
Whoa, Whoa!
What am I to do?
He won't cooperate!
I will assist.
♪
Whoa!
Help, help!
Oh, bless my soul!
This is terrible!
♪
Hey, hey, come back!
-Don't mess my horse! -Be careful!
(crash)
♪
Carriage ran into a ditch,
and we were thrown out.
Yes, an unfortunate business.
Well, there are many miles to walk, gentlemen.
Pray, let us begin.
♪
♪
Gentlemen, thank goodness.
Your baggage arrived some time ago.
I was about to mount a search for you.
You are all right, I trust?
Oh, quite, quite, Wardle.
Merely hot, dusty, and exhausted.
Taff-pipple!
Then, welcome to Manor Farm!
I, I dare say a hot tub wouldn't go amiss?
Indeed, it would not, but, ahem--
Oh, forgive me,
forgive me!
Allow me to present my dear sister, Rachel,
and my daughter, Emily.
And these are my friends,
Misters Pickwick, Snodgrass, and Winkle.
Welcome, gentlemen.
We've so looked forward to meeting you.
-Charmed, I'm sure. -How do you do?
Our sincere thanks, madam.
You are indeed kind.
Enough of formalities, gentlemen!
Come in, come in!
Any friend of Tupman
is welcome in my house.
I've taken the liberty of inviting
a recent acquaintance, a Mr. Jingle,
who we are, and I'm sure I speak
for all of us,
proud to call our friend.
He will arrive shortly.
Delighted!
The more the merrier.
I thought we might have a shot
at the rooks tomorrow.
Should suit you down to the ground, ay, Winkle?
Tupman has told me
about your skill in the field.
Well, sir, to be truthful--
No, I admire your modesty, sir.
Nevertheless, I intend to give you
a run for your money.
Ah, these wretched birds are getting out of hand.
Time we showed 'em what's what, hm?
Ever tasted rook pie, Mr. Pickwick?
A magnificent dish, sir.
(butler clears throat)
Dinner is served, sir,
and Mr. Jingle has arrived.
Oh, thank you, Banks.
Keen appetites, I trust?
I admire a man with a hearty appetite.
Oh, come, gentlemen.
The ladies await us.
♪
Ah, yes, cricket, hunting...
(snoring)
Don't worry, my love.
An excellent dinner, Mr. Wardle.
That boiled mutton was superb.
Oh, top ho!
Capital!
Oh, glad you enjoyed it, gentlemen.
Rather!
Mr. Jingle and Rachel seem to have found
a subject of mutual interest,
though Mr. Jingle seems to be the expert.
Jingle is truly an extraordinary man
with seemingly inexhaustible adventures to relate.
Ay, I fear it grows late, gentlemen.
Let us not forget we have a shoot tomorrow.
Winkle and Jingle are really
the only marksmen among us,
but I should like to join the party
as an observer.
Marksman?
-Well-- -Yes, yes.
-Capital idea! -Jolly good!
Well, that's settled, gentlemen,
but now, let us to bed.
I'm sure we'll all sleep soundly.
♪
Wake up, Joe!
Time to go to sleep.
-Goodnight! -Goodnight!
Goodnight, gentlemen!
♪
Wake up, Joe!
Stupid boy!
Where's Jingle?
I'm afraid he has a stomach upset.
Pity, I'm sure he would have enjoyed himself.
A pity, indeed.
Though, after hearing
how he polished off four Bengal tigers
with only three shots,
I fear rooks would have been child's play.
Incredible man.
We call that little area the Rookery,
and you can hear why.
Indeed.
Interesting sound.
(rooks crowing loudly)
Joe, off you go,
and listen for my signal.
And please, Joe, stay awake.
Yes, sir.
Of course, sir.
What is he doing?
When I give him a signal,
he'll start yelling and hitting
the trunk of the tree with a stick
to scare the rooks out.
Shall I take first crack at them, Winkle?
If you please.
Right, Joe!
Ah, go on, birds!
Go on!
There they are!
Ah!
I thought I'd bagged one!
Oh, never mind.
Mr. Winkle will supply us
with the ingredients for tonight's feast.
Ready, Winkle?
I think so.
All right, Joe!
Joe, Joe!
Ah, the only time I can be sure
that wretched boy will be awake is
at meal times.
He's gone to sleep again!
Depend on it.
No matter, Mr. Wardle.
I'll replace him, glad to.
Oh, thank you, Tupman.
Off you go.
Try another tree!
(snoring)
♪
Shoo, shoo, shoo, birds, shoo!
(rooks crowing)
And now, Mr. Winkle,
fire when ready.
♪
It didn't go off.
I think you overlooked
the priming, Mr. Winkle.
Stupid of me, what?
All the excitement.
(trigger clicks)
(rooks crowing)
What is happening?
Shall I chase them again?
Yes!
Ready, Tupman!
Shoo, shoo!
Shoo, birds, out you go!
♪
Ah!
Did I hit it?
Did I?
Help, murder!
Someone shot Mr. Tupman!
Goodness gracious!
Come on, gentlemen.
You've hit him in the arm,
but you didn't do his hat much good either.
♪
Am I dead?
I must be dead.
No, fortunately, just a scratch.
We shall return to the house immediately,
and Rachel will attend to your wound.
Rachel?
Oh!
Indeed, I am not dead!
Kindest of ladies,
most romantic prospect.
Where is my hat?
My hat.
My best hat!
What have you done to my hat, Winkle?
How can I face Ms. Rachel?
I am disgraced, sir!
Tupman, old friend,
I shall make good your hat and coat.
Thank heavens you're alive.
I really cannot understand it, Mr. Wardle.
In all my experience,
this has never happened before.
So I should imagine, Mr. Winkle.
May I suggest we repair
to the house with all expediency?
Must see to that arm of yours, Tupman.
Ah, the romance of it all.
Gallant gentlemen cut down
in the midst of rooks.
Excellent subject for an epic poem,
perhaps one to rival that of the great Dingle.
Oh, Emily, fetch Rachel quickly.
Mr. Tupman has met with an accident.
Father, I've not seen Rachel nor Mr. Jingle
since shortly after you left.
Rachel's traveling trunk and much of her clothing
is missing from her room,
and the groom tells me your best gig is gone.
-I think-- -What?
Mr. Jingle is supposed to be resting
with an upset stomach!
Why, that scoundrel!
She's twice his age!
That--that fraud!
She must have told him of her inheritance.
I'll not have my sister made to look a fool.
I'll be the laughing stock of the county!
Emily!
Take care of Mr. Tupman.
Calm yourself, Mr. Wardle.
Why, this is impossible.
I cannot believe it.
Gentlemen, it seems
you have not been careful enough
in the selection of this man
as your friend.
He said he was a poet.
I lent him 10 guineas.
I've been swindled!
What's to be done?
I'll tell you what's to be done!
Joe, wake up!
Hmm?
Harness Comet,
if he hasn't taken him too.
I'll be after them.
Allow me to accompany you.
I feel responsible.
And my legal experience
would be an advantage.
I shall come too, Wardle.
I'm not blaming either of you.
You're both good fellows
and I should welcome your company.
We shall catch this imposter.
Cook said she heard them mention London this morning.
London, ay?
Our only lead, then,
is the Rochester Inn.
They must have passed it,
and someone there is sure to have seen them.
Ready Tupman, Pickwick?
Yes, deplorable business.
Let's be off.
♪
I think we were wrong.
Jingle must have taken another route.
We should inquire here,
then try a few more inns on this road.
That fellow over there
looks like the boot of this establishment.
I'll question him.
One moment, my man.
Name's Sam Weller, sir.
(clears throat)
Now, my good man,
what we want to know is
who have you staying in this house at present?
Who there is in this house?
Well, uh, there's a wooden leg in number six,
a pair of Wellington boots in number two,
-um-- -Nothing more?
Well, our latest arrivals
were a pair of black boots,
a good deal worn,
and a pair of ladies shoes.
What sort of shoes?
-Country make. -Hmm.
Any maker's name?
-Brown. -It is them!
By heavens, we've found them!
And the black boots have just returned
from the city and are now
with the shoes in number five.
Show us the room,
and this is yours.
You!
You're a nice rascal, aren't you?
My dear, sir, calm yourself.
Consider defamation of character,
action for damages, calm yourself, sir.
How dare you drag my sister from my house!
Sir, I--
Why the devil are you meddling in this, Tupman?
This is none of your business.
Well, my dear sir,
you are quite mistaken.
I had many years experience at the bar,
and I take great pleasure
in representing my friend, Mr. Wardle.
Be careful how you speak, sir.
You scoundrel!
I'll--I'll ruin you!
Ha!
You, Rachel, at a time of life
when you ought to know better!
What do you mean by running away
with a vagabond,
disgracing your family?
Get your bonnet.
We are leaving.
Do nothing of the kind.
Leave the room, sir, no business here.
Lady free to act as she pleases.
More than one and twenty.
More than one and twenty?
More than one and forty!
Ah, I am not!
You are!
You're fifty if you're an hour!
(Rachel screaming)
Cad, sir, cad.
A glass of water for the poor woman.
A glass of water?
Bring a bucket and throw it over her!
She deserves it!
Rachel, I think a rest in the other room
do you good.
I'll call the boots.
-Boots! -Sir?
Boots, get me an officer.
A moment, boots.
We're in an awkward position.
A distressing case,
but we have no power
to control the lady's actions.
I fear we must look for a compromise.
What sort of compromise?
A financial one.
Ah, yes, I can see.
I can't have my sister being made a fool of.
Mr. Jingle, could I have a private word with you?
A quick one, yes.
Now, sir, you and I
are men of the world.
My two friends are not.
We both know very well
that you have run off with this lady
for the sake of her money.
Why, I--
Now, men of the world, sir,
don't frown.
We understand each other.
Very good, very good.
Now, the fact is that beyond a few hundred,
the lady has little or nothing
until the death of her mother,
a fine old lady.
Old lady?
(clears throat)
Why yes, she is rather old,
but she comes from a family
where since the time Julius Caesar invaded Britain,
only one member hasn't lived to 85,
and he was beheaded by Henry VIII.
The lady in question is not yet 73.
Well?
Well, you are a fine young man,
man of the world,
able to boost your fortune
if only you had some capital, ay?
Well?
Don't you think, sir,
I put it to you,
don't you think
that 50 pounds and liberty
would be better than Ms. Wardle
and... expectation?
Won't do, not half enough.
Well, my dear sir, we won't waste time splitting straws.
Say, 70?
Won't do.
Right then, sir.
Come and this instant,
I will write you a check for 80 pounds.
Man of honor, can't be bought.
Well, my dear sir,
just tell me what will do.
Expense of business, money out of pocket,
license, compensation,
breach of honor, loss of the lady,
one hundred and twenty pounds.
Yes, my dear sir, never mind the last two items.
Let's say an even 100.
One hundred and twenty.
Yes, of course, 120.
Ahem.
Let us rejoin the others.
Mr. Wardle,
Mr. Jingle will accept 100--
One hundred and twenty.
Yes, of course, 120 pounds to forget
his great love for your sister.
Pay the scoundrel
and then throw him out!
♪
Bye-bye, Pickwick, must be off.
Here, take license, get the name altered.
Take the lady home.
Do it for Snodgrass.
Why, I'll!
♪
No use running after him, sir.
Yes, boots, you're right.
But, if I ever meet
that terrible man again, why--
Calm yourself, Pickwick.
We are rid of him now,
and for his sake, let us hope
our paths never cross again.
I'm much obliged to you, Tupman, old friend.
Here, here, sir.
Gentlemen, I suggest
we spend the night here
and return to Dingley Dell in the morning.
I think we would all benefit
from a good night's sleep
before the journey.
Sensible idea.
Sam, possible to arrange--
Yes, sir, rooms and food, at once!
That man should be more than just a boots.
Now, if you will both excuse me,
I'll see to my foolish sister.
Gentlemen, if you will excuse me,
I shall retire,
as I am much fatigued.
Goodnight, Tupman.
-Well done. -Goodnight.
Pickwick, I've been thinking about your position.
You're not getting any younger, you know?
(chuckles)
Mr. Wardle, I'm a retired business man,
money is no problem.
What do you mean by my position?
Well, you need a manservant.
A manservant?
What a novel idea!
Well, I confess it has never occurred to me.
I do believe you are right.
Capital!
Hmm, the problem is
to find the right sort of person.
I think I can recommend
a good man for the job.
I would welcome your suggestion.
Pray, whom do you have in mind?
Why, Sam, of course!
Sam the boots.
As a matter of fact, I've taken the liberty
of asking him to come and speak to us.
What do you think, Pickwick?
(knock on door)
Ah, here he is now.
Come in!
Ah, Sam, come in.
Mr. Pickwick wants to speak to you about something.
Now, Sam, with regard to the matter
on which Mr. Wardle,
with the concurrence of myself,
-sent for you-- -The point, sir?
"Out with it,"
as the father said to the child
when he swallowed the shilling.
I want to know, in the first place,
whether you have reason to be discontented
with your present situation?
Before I answer that dear question, gentlemen,
I should like to know, in the first place,
whether you are going to provide me with a better one?
Why, I'd half made up my mind to engage you myself.
-Have you though? -Yes.
(unintelligible) with boots?
No.
I want a manservant
to attend upon me and travel with me
on my journeys of investigation.
Well, well, wages?
I think, uh,
one pound a month,
12 pounds a year.
-Clothes? -Two suits.
Then, I'm lent to a single gentleman
and the terms is agreed upon.
Excellent!
Pickwick, you have done yourself a service.
I believe I have!
Sam, tomorrow,
I travel to Dingley Dell.
In a week, I return to my lodgings in London.
Before your arrival,
I must inform my landlady, Mrs. Bardell,
a kind and thoughtful widow
who, no doubt, will be pleased
by this decision.
You, I'm sure,
will have to serve out your time here.
I suggest we meet in London
in a week's time.
A very fine plan, sir.
♪
My own manservant, ay?
Excuse me, Pickwick.
I must talk to Rachel again,
try to coax her out of her room.
Won't even leave her bed.
Poor woman.
♪
My own manservant, ay?
♪
♪
Mrs. Bardell?
Yes, sir?
Your little boy is taking
a great length of time
on the errand upon which I sent him.
Well, it's a good long way from here.
Ah, very true.
So it is.
(clears throat)
-Mrs. Bardell? -Yes, sir?
Do you think
it is a much greater expense
to keep two people,
than to keep one.
Ah, Mr. Pickwick!
What a question!
Well, but, do you?
That depends a good deal
upon the person, Mr. Pickwick.
And whether it's a careful and savant person.
That's very true,
but the person I had in my eye,
I think, possesses all these qualities
and has, moreover,
a considerable knowledge of the world,
and a great deal of sharpness.
This, Mrs. Bardell, may be
of material use to me.
Now, Mr. Pickwick!
Indeed.
To tell you the truth, Mrs. Bardell,
I have made up my mind.
Dear me, sir!
You'll think it very strange now
that I never consulted you about this matter
till I sent your little boy out this morning.
To get him out of the way?
How thoughtful, how considerate!
Well, what do you think?
Oh, Mr. Pickwick, you are very kind, sir.
It will save you a great deal
of trouble, won't it?
Oh, I never thought anything
of the trouble, sir.
And of course, I should take
more trouble to please you then than ever.
But, it's so kind of you, Mr. Pickwick,
to have so much consideration
for my loneliness.
Ah, to be sure,
I never thought of that.
When I am in town,
you will always have somebody
to sit with you.
To be sure, so you will.
I'm sure I ought to be a very happy woman!
And your little boy.
Bless his little heart.
He too will have a companion,
a lively one.
Oh, you dear!
Oh, you good, kind, little dear!
I'll never leave you,
dear, kind, good soul!
(Pickwick struggling)
Oh, mercy upon me!
I hear somebody coming up the stairs.
That's a good woman.
I think I'm going to faint!
This is too much!
Ah!
It's hot in here, Mr. Pickwick,
as the man said when he fell into the fire.
What have you done to my mother?
♪
Ow!
Sam, take this little villain away.
Oh, let me go, let me go!
-Oh, let me go! -You stay here, my boy.
She'll be all right.
What's the problem, sir?
Let me go! Let me go!
Sam, you'd better help me
lead this woman downstairs.
Oh, I'm better now.
My boy will help me down the stairs.
I cannot conceive
what is the matter with that woman.
One would think I had proposed marriage
instead of merely announcing the acquisition
of a manservant.
Ah, Sam, I shall never understand women.
Anyway, you've arrived.
Yes, sir, Mr. Pickwick, and ready to work.
Then, to work, Sam.
Tomorrow,
we journey to Eatanswill.
♪
♪
I've arranged to meet my companions
here at the Peacock Inn.
You'd better secure us rooms, Sam.
Right away, sir.
(men laughing and chatting)
-Very good. -Very good, indeed.
A true story, gentlemen.
It was a wonderful story.
(laughing)
Indeed.
Person's awaiting.
Does this person want me, Sam?
He wants you particular,
and no one else will do.
Then I shall be pleased to see him.
Very good, sir.
♪
-Mr. Pickwick, I presume? -The same.
Allow me the honor of grasping your hand.
Permit me, sir, to shake it.
Certainly.
We have heard of your fame, sir.
The noise of your antiquarian discussions
has reached the ears of Mrs. Leo Hunter, my wife.
I am flattered, sir,
that you and your wife know of my work.
I should be extremely happy
to make her acquaintance, sir.
You shall make it, sir.
Tonight, we shall be holding an evening
for a small number of celebrated persons.
Permit Mrs. Leo Hunter, sir,
to have the gratification
of entertaining you and your friends.
A pleasure.
Are you interested in poetry?
Oh, I am.
So is Mrs. Hunter, sir.
She dotes on poetry.
She adores it.
I may say that her whole soul and mind
are wound up, entwined in it.
I imagine you are familiar
with her poem
"Ode to an Expiring Form."
I'm afraid not.
You astonish me, sir!
It created an immense sensation.
But I waste your time.
I know its value.
I shall be off.
Tonight at six o'clock.
I look forward to it.
♪
Unusual fellow.
Mr. Pickwick, ma'am.
What? Where?
Here.
Is it possible that I have
the gratification of beholding
Mr. Pickwick himself?
No other, ma'am.
Permit me to introduce my friends.
Mr. Tupman, Mr. Snodgrass,
and Mr. Winkle.
Delighted to meet you, gentlemen.
I do hope you enjoy yourselves tonight.
Mr. Fitzmarshall.
Dear Mr. Fitzmarshall,
come here directly
and be scolded for arriving late.
(chuckles)
Naughty man.
Coming, dear lady, quick as I can!
Hoards of people, full room.
Hard work, very.
Mrs. Hunter!
Mr. Pickwick, please come
and meet Mr. Fitzmarshall.
Hello, Pickwick.
Jingle!
You scoundrel!
You know Mr. Pickwick?
Indeed I do.
Quite forgot, no directions for cab driver.
Give them at once, back in a moment.
Scoundrel?
I don't understand.
Mr. Fitzmarshall is a brilliant financier.
Mr. Hunter and I were receiving his advice
on a small business venture.
His name, ma'am, is Alfred Jingle
and he is a fraud, an imposter,
the cause of much mischief.
But, I doubt you'll see him again,
now that he's been exposed.
I think we should give chase!
Give chase?
Come, Winkle!
After him!
Oh, I'm so grateful.
I had no idea.
(loud commotion)
Oh my goodness, what was that?
♪
(moans and groans)
Oh, my arm.
My arm!
Oh, my head,
my head.
I think I'll need the help of some volunteers
to get these gentlemen back to the inn.
We had his measure.
We'd have stopped him
but for our unfortunate collision.
But, if we see him again, ay, Snodgrass?
A gallant effort,
gentlemen, nevertheless.
I'm sure Mr. Jingle will think twice
before he commits another misdeed.
We should let our wounded comrades rest.
What do you say to a hot punch before dinner?
Why not?
I'd also like a word with the innkeeper.
(phone ringing)
-Innkeeper? -Yes, sir?
A word, if you please.
Certainly, sir.
I wonder if you know of any places about here
with historical interest,
or surrounded by legend.
We are engaged in antiquarian research.
Well, gentlemen, Tom Smart's the name.
I have a story you'll both find interesting.
It took place right here in this inn.
Why, then, Mr. Smart,
won't you join us for a hot punch
and tell us your story?
Very civilly, you gents.
Lucy!
Three hot punches.
My story tells of the time I had
the honor of beating the devil
at his own game.
The devil, Mr. Smart?
The very same.
Years ago, I were a traveler
selling pots and pans.
(lighting crashes)
One dreadful night,
I stayed here.
Raining cats and dogs,
it was.
I ordered hot punch,
which was served to me by the landlady herself,
and I knew at once,
she was the girl for me.
My only rival
was a tall sinister gentleman
with black, wavy hair and whiskers.
It was obvious he had some hold over her.
His evil appearance put me in mind
of the devil himself.
I fancied that I could even
smell the sulfur of the netherworld.
I decided to get some sleep,
try to forget my dream
of becoming the landlady's husband.
I went up to bed.
(lightning crashing)
But try as I might,
I couldn't sleep.
The couple downstairs
had gotten the better of me.
It was then I noticed
the strange, high-back chair,
an odd piece, indeed.
I couldn't take my eyes from it.
As I watched,
a most extraordinary change
came over it.
♪
And it winked at me.
Why are you winking at me?
Because I want to, Tom Smart.
How do you know my name?
I know everything about you.
Everything.
You're a poor man, Tom.
I certainly am,
but how come you to know that?
Never mind that.
Listen.
The landlady is a fine woman, ay?
She is, indeed.
I am her guardian, Tom.
You?
I knew her mother and her grandmother.
She was very fond of me.
I've been a great favorite
among the women in my time,
but that's not the point.
I want you to marry the landlady.
Me, sir?
You.
No, no.
There's somebody else in the wind,
a tall man with black whiskers.
Oh, yes, I know all about that.
They're due to be married tomorrow.
What?
Now listen, Tom.
I'm almost certain
you are the man to save her...
And me.
Save you?
The moment her marries her,
he will sell the inn
and all the furnishings and disappear.
She will be deserted
and left to ruin.
But I will catch my death of cold
in some broker's shop.
What can I do?
You can prove that you are worthy
of taking that rascal's place.
A test, which you must pass
to prove you are the one.
What is this test?
Listen carefully.
At the stroke of midnight,
you will begin climbing
to the highest spot in Eatanswill,
the very point of the church steeple.
(thunder)
Then what happens?
You will discover that when and if
you reach that point.
(thunder claps)
Heaven, help me!
(lightening crashes)
Nothing here.
I've been dreaming.
Chair that turns into an old man.
By God!
How many punches did I drink?
I think I must be mad!
Aha!
I wasn't dreaming.
Now, I must get down safely
with this packet.
Can't open it here.
(thunder claps)
(lightening strikes)
(birds chirping)
♪
Good morning, sir.
What will you take for breakfast?
Who is that gentleman in the bar, ma'am?
His name?
His name is Jenkins, sir.
My dear ma'am,
will you have the kindness
to sit down for one moment?
Oh, sir, I--
You deserve a very excellent husband,
my dear ma'am.
I am much obliged to you
for your good opinion,
for I am to be married this very day.
Married, ay?
The dark gent's not the man for you.
Oh, if you have some grievance against him,
why don't you tell him
instead of upsetting a poor, weak woman?
I'll say it to him fast enough, only,
I wanted you to hear it first.
What is it?
You won't scream?
No, sir.
Please let me see that piece of paper.
You won't go fainting away?
No, no, sir!
♪
(screams)
Yes, ma'am.
A letter from his wife,
begging him to return home to her
and their six small children.
♪
You devil!
Outsmarted me,
ay, Tom?
Outsmarted
the devil himself!
(evil laughter)
♪
(shrill screams)
I may tell you, gents,
the landlady and I were married soon after,
and if she weren't visiting her mother in Luton,
you could meet her yourselves.
And the chair?
To this day,
it's never spoken another word.
An incredible story, Mr. Smart.
May I write it down?
Wardle will enjoy that one, ay, Tupman?
Thank you, sir.
(phone rings)
♪
That's jolly good.
(laughter)
It was a wonderful story.
Oh, Pickwick.
By Joe, Mr. Wardle,
I can scarcely move.
A truly memorable Christmas dinner!
A delicious meal!
Yes, it was rather good, wasn't it?
What we need now
is a bit of exercise.
(men chatter in agreement)
What do you say to a turn
on the ice, hmm?
You skate of course, don't you, Winkle?
Yes, yes, of course,
but I'm rather out of practice,
and also, I have no skates.
Oh, I have skates for all!
♪
(laughter)
♪
Now there, sir, off with you
and show them how it's done.
Stop, Sam, stop.
How slippery it is, Sam.
Not an uncommon thing upon the ice, sir.
These--these are very awkward skates, aren't they, Sam?
I'm afraid there's an awkward gentleman in 'em, sir.
Come along, Winkle!
Yes, yes, I'm coming!
Now, sir, start off.
I--I--I'm sure I have the idea of it.
Sam, come over here, will you?
Let go, Mr. Winkle.
The governor's calling.
No, no!
Whoa!
-Oh. -Ow.
Father, are you all right?
Yes, my dear,
just a little sore.
Take Mr. Winkle's skates off, Sam.
But I've scarcely begun.
Take them off, Sam,
and help him stand.
You are an imposter, sir.
But, Mr. Pickwick--
Come and have a slide, Pickwick!
A slide?
I haven't done such a thing in 30 years.
Oh, great fun, Pickwick!
Try it!
Oh, very well.
Hang on tight, Pickwick!
Off I go!
♪
(laughter)
♪
(ice cracking)
-Oh, Mr. Pickwick! -Mr. Pickwick!
He's fallen in the freezing water.
-That's terrible! -Somebody do something!
-Oh, mercy! -Oh, goodness.
He's not coming up!
The icy water will kill him.
Oh, what should we do?
Sam! Sam!
Give me a hand, quick!
♪
Lie down, Sam,
and try to pull him out.
I'll make sure you don't fall in yourself.
I may be of some assistance, gentlemen!
♪
Ah!
♪
Oh, something has grabbed my arm.
It's pulling me in.
Help, save me!
Help!
I think he's found himself a Pickwick.
Hold on to him, Mr. Winkle!
We'll pull you out!
This is terrible!
Somebody do something!
Oh, mercy!
(teeth chattering)
Winkle, you--you
s-s-aved my life.
F-F-Forgive me, my-my friend.
You are a hero.
Oh, a hero indeed.
He'll catch his death of cold.
Put a shawl 'round him, Sam.
Make sure he keeps moving
and get him back to the house
as quickly as you can.
Perhaps we should take your mind away
from today's nasty experience.
A Christmas story, perhaps?
Nothing to do with sliding, I hope.
Haha, oh, no, of course not.
But I think you may find
the story of Gabriel Grub
and the goblins diverting.
Goblins, ay?
Delighted to hear it.
Well, it must be 50 or so years ago, now.
Gabriel Grub
was a bell ringer and grave digger
at the parish church, as it so happens.
♪
It was late in the afternoon,
and already the sky was darkening.
Gabriel had just arrived at the gate
to the graveyard beside his church.
♪ 'Tis the season to be jolly ♪
♪ Tra, la, la, la ,la,
la, la, la ♪
Oh, why did you do that?
It's Christmas.
(laughing)
Merry Christmas, indeed,
little song bird.
(evil laugh)
♪
♪ Grave lodgings for one ♪
♪ Grave lodgings for one ♪
♪ A few feet of cold Earth
when life is done ♪
♪ A stone at the head ♪
♪ A stone at the feet ♪
♪ A rich, dirty meal
♪ For the worms
to eat ♪
♪ Grass over head
lay around ♪
♪ Grave lodgings for one ♪
♪ Feet in holy ground
♪
Coffin.
Christmas.
The Christmas box.
(laughter)
(laughter)
Hm, must have been the echoes.
It was not!
♪
It was not the echoes!
What do you do here
on Christmas Eve?
I came to dig
a grave, sir.
What man wanders
among graves and churchyards
on such a night as this?
Gabriel Grub!
Gabriel Grub!
Where did those voices come from?
What have you got in that bottle?
G--Gin, sir.
Who drinks gin alone
in a churchyard
on a night such as this?
Gabriel Grub!
Gabriel Grub!
And who then,
is our fair
and lawful prize?
Gabriel Grub!
Gabriel Grub!
Well, Gabriel,
what do you say?
Uh, I think I'll go back
and finish my work.
Work?
What work?
The grave, sir,
making the grave.
Oh, the grave.
Who makes a grave
and takes pleasure in it
when all other men are merry?
Gabriel Grub!
Gabriel Grub!
I'm afraid my friends
want you, Gabriel.
I don't think they can, sir.
They don't even know me, sir.
I don't think the gentlemen
have ever seen me before, sir.
Oh, yes, they have.
We know the man
with the sulky face
and the grim scowl,
that came down the street tonight
and struck that little boy
because the boy could be merry
and he could not.
An unfortunate accident, sir.
(laughing)
I--I'm afraid
I must leave you, sir.
You are coming
with us, Gabriel.
(lightning)
Gabriel Grub!
Gabriel Grub!
No!
Please!
Don't take me!
No!
♪
It is cold tonight, Gabriel.
A glass of something
warm for you?
Thank you, sir,
but I'm not in the habit
of taking anything warm at night, sir,
but--but I--I thank you for the offer.
Not in the habit?
(laughter)
Drink, Gabriel!
Drink!
But...
(drink boiling)
Ah!
(laughing)
And now, show the man
of misery and gloom
a few of the pictures
from our own great storehouse.
Watch closely, Gabriel.
You may see
and hear things
that will be of some interest to you.
♪
♪
(laughter)
(coughing)
(bell tolling)
♪
Let the dead
bury the dead,
ay, Gabriel?
No tears shed
on either side.
Open the coffin, Gabriel.
We are burying a man today
whom nobody loved,
least of all, himself.
Give us a hand, Gabriel,
to get this poor soul
into the earth.
♪
But that's me.
That's me in there.
But--but, I'm here.
(evil laughter)
♪
♪
Even the roses lose their joy
in the company of such a miserable person
as Gabriel Grub.
♪
Here, Gabriel Grub.
This will bring some warmth
back to your wretched limbs.
Well, Gabriel?
You've seen what can happen
to a miserable man.
You have your choice.
Watch this.
(rumbling)
Ah, Gabriel Grub.
Wonderful man.
-What a wonderful man. -Kind man.
-Warm heart. -Never a cross word.
He gave me a silver six pence at Christmas.
Such a nice man.
(rumbling)
♪
Well, Gabriel?
The choice
is yours.
♪
What did happen to Gabriel Grub?
He became a changed man overnight.
He gave up his gin,
and gradually became a respected
and well-loved member of the community.
Ah, there's more in heaven and earth, Wardle,
as the poet says.
(knocking on door)
Why--
Yes, come in!
A, uh, gentleman to see Mr. Pickwick.
Bailiff, he said he was.
Bailiff...
To see me?
Whatever for?
Show him, in Sam, if you please.
Yes, sir.
This is the, uh, gentleman, sir.
You are Samuel Pickwick?
I am.
Then, sir, it is my duty
to serve notice for you to appear
in Her Majesty's Court of Petty Sessions
on this day, three months hence,
to face the charge of a breach of promise.
♪
Breach of promise?
Are you sure you have the right man?
One must have to promise something
before one can be charged
for breaching that promise.
The lady who is, uh,
charging breach of promise is,
um, uh, a widowed landlady
from London, the name of Bardell.
Mrs. Bardell?
Goodness gracious.
And mind you attend, sir.
Mark my words,
it will be much the worst for you
if you don't.
(laughter)
Your Honor, never in the--
Order! Order!
Another outburst like that
and I shall clear the court!
Please continue.
Your Honor,
never in the whole course
of my professional experience,
never from the very first moment I applied myself
to the study and practice of the law,
have I approached a case
with feelings of such deep emotion,
or with such a heavy sense of responsibility
imposed upon me.
A sense of responsibility
that I could never have supported
were I not buoyed up and sustained
by a conviction so strong
that it amounts to positive certainty
that the cause of truth and justice,
or in other words,
the cause of my much injured and most oppressed client,
Mrs. Bardell, must prevail with I--
Your Honor, really!
I think that--
Mr. Pickwick,
please sit down!
Any objections you may have are overruled!
Please continue, sir.
Thank you, Your Honor.
Damages, gentlemen of the jury,
heavy damages are the only punishment
which you can visit upon this--this being
who stands erect on two legs
and bares all the outward semblance of a man,
but who is, in fact, a monster!
Your Honor, I rest my case!
Gentlemen of the jury,
in reviewing this case
several things have become obvious.
If Mrs. Bardell is right,
it is then perfectly clear
that Mr. Pickwick is wrong.
You will now retire to consider the evidence.
The court will be seated.
(gavel bangs)
Gentlemen of the jury,
have you reached a verdict?
Yes we have, Your Worship.
What is your verdict?
Guilty, Your Worship.
With what damages?
Seven-hundred and fifty pounds, Your Worship.
Mr. Pickwick,
the charge against you has been proved,
and you are ordered to pay Mrs. Bardell
the sum of 750 pounds.
I shall not, Your Honor!
Indeed, I shall pay no damages whatever!
Surely you will pay?
You must pay, Mr. Pickwick.
Prison is the only alternative.
Order! Order!
Mr. Pickwick,
you leave me no choice.
You have refused to pay the lawful damages
and I am therefore bound
to commit you to the debtor's prison
until such time as you come to your senses!
(exasperated sigh)
Mr. Pickwick,
it is well within your means
to make lawful amends
and I strongly suggest you do so.
Debtor's prison is not for one such as you,
as you no doubt appreciate.
I will not pay one fine!
Then, to prison you go, Mr. Pickwick!
♪
Well, Sam.
Well, sir.
Pretty comfortable now, ay?
Pretty well, sir.
Very well, Sam.
Listen to what I'm about to say.
Certainly, sir.
Fire away.
I have felt from the first, Sam,
that this is not the place
to which to bring a young man.
Nor an old one neither.
Right, Sam,
but old men come here
through their own heedlessness
and innocence,
and young men may be brought here
by the selfishness of those they serve.
It is better for those young men,
in every point-of-view,
that they should not remain here.
Do you understand me, Sam?
Why, no, Mr. Pickwick.
I do not understand, sir.
Try, Sam, try.
Well, sir,
I think I see your drift.
And if I do see your drift,
it is my opinion that, "You're coming at it
a great deal too strong,"
as the coachman said to the snowstorm
when it overtook him.
Independently of my wish
that you should not be idling
about in a place like this
for years to come,
I feel that for a debtor in the Fleet Prison
to be attended by his manservant
is a monstrous absurdity.
Now, I'll tell you what it is, sir.
This here sort of thing won't do at all,
so don't let's hear no more about it.
I am serious and resolved, Sam.
You are, sir, ay?
Very good, sir, then so am I.
Sam!
Sam, come here at once!
So, Mr. Weller, you can see my problem,
and what I want to know.
Have you an answer for me?
Stuck there himself, poor critter,
without nobody to take his pot?
It can't be done, Samuel.
It can't be done.
Of course it can't!
I knew that before I came!
He goes in rather raw,
and he'll come out so exceeded brown,
his most familiar friends won't know him.
It oughtn't to be, Samuel!
It mustn't be!
Ah, but it is.
Well, now you been prophesying away
about what will happen to the governor
if he's left alone.
Don't you see any way of taking care of Mr. Pickwick?
No, I don't, Sammy.
Nothing at all?
No way.
Unless--
Yes?
I'll tell you what,
maybe you'll trouble me
for the loan of five and 20 pounds.
What good will that do?
Perhaps, I may ask for it back
five minutes afterwards.
Perhaps, you may not pay.
You wouldn't think of arresting
your own flesh and blood
and sending him off to the Fleet Prison,
would you?
You unnatural vagabond!
I know someone
who works at the Old Bailey, Sammy.
Justice can be done,
after another hot punch.
(laughing)
Sam, my good lad,
I'm glad you've returned.
I had no intention of hurting your feelings
this afternoon, my faithful fellow.
Put down your hat, Sam,
and let me explain my meaning
a little more at length.
The fact is, Mr. Pickwick,
um, the fact is
that is now my bed.
What?
Yes, my bed, sir.
I'm a prisoner.
I was arrested this very afternoon for debt.
You, arrested for debt?
Yes, sir, terrible thing.
But, Sam, I, um--
No, sir, it's my debt.
I'll fix it up,
and when I do,
I can leave this terrible place.
Aw, Sam, you are an honorable
and proud man.
(whistling)
Hello.
That old gentleman has a fine coat.
We might borrow it a while.
You tell him not to worry about it.
It will be in good hands.
Not bad shoes either.
(laughing)
Well, gentlemen, I don't think them clothes
is for either of you.
Don't suit you.
You see, they are clean,
and you gentlemen look very dirty to me.
My boy,
welcome to the Fleet Prison.
Yeah!
♪
Ow!
♪
(men struggling)
Stop, you ruffians!
Leave that man alone!
♪
Welcome to Fleet Prison.
Thanks friend.
Without your help--
Well, well, if it isn't Mr. Jingle!
Hello, Pickwick, birds of a feather, ay?
Well, I--I--
I never thought I'd be thanking you.
I would have been very sore and sad
if you hadn't come along and helped me
remove them gentlemen.
No trouble, fought 50 once, all armed.
Was all alone.
Well, another time.
Mr. Jingle?
Weird place this, strange thing.
Serves me right.
Mr. Jingle, I should like to speak to you in private.
Let us step outside.
Certainly, can't step far.
No danger of over-walking yourself.
Grounds charming, romantic,
but not extensive.
♪
You've forgotten your coat, Jingle.
Oh, couldn't help it.
Must eat, wants of nature, and all that.
What do you mean?
Gone winter, sir, last coat, no choice.
Lived on a pair of boots for a fortnight.
Silk umbrella, ivory handle, one week.
You mean to say that you lived for three weeks
upon a pair of boots
and a silk umbrella with an ivory handle?
True, pawnbroker shop.
Oh.
Yes, I understand you now.
I thought for a moment,
ahem, never mind.
Hard, dashed hard, fever, weak, ill, hungry, no hope.
Come, come, my poor fellow.
We shall see what can be done.
This requires some thinking.
(gate opens)
Pickwick!
Yes, over here.
Gentleman to see you,
name of Tupman.
Hello, Tupman.
What do you have there?
Good day, Mr. Pickwick.
I have here the papers
in Bardell versus Pickwick.
I would rather the subject
never be mentioned between us.
Well, Mr. Pickwick,
I have some news.
What sort of news, Tupman?
Mrs. Bardell is a prisoner within these walls.
Mrs. Bardell?
For what reason?
Her lawyers Dobson and Farm,
tricked her, legally of course,
into signing a paper
saying she was ultimately responsible
for their costs.
When you declined to pay,
they claimed the money from her.
She didn't have it,
so she's a prisoner.
Serves the dreadful woman right!
My dear sir,
the first question I have to ask
is whether this woman is to remain here.
How can you ask me?
It rests with her lawyers.
You know that very well.
Come, come, Mr. Pickwick.
I know nothing of the kind.
These men put her here, it is quite obvious,
to impose pressure upon you to pay the money,
which they know you can well afford.
As I see it, this matter rests
solely, wholly, and entirely with you.
With me?
With you.
The cost in this matter are 150 pounds.
Nothing to you.
By paying the cost, you can obtain
a full release for both you and Mrs. Bardell,
and discharge from the damages.
And further,
a voluntary statement under her hand
that this whole wretched business
was, from the first, fermented, encouraged,
and brought about by Dobson and Farm,
and she deeply regrets ever having been
the instrument of annoyance or injury to you.
Well Tupman, now I know your news.
Is that all you have to say to me?
My dear Mr. Pickwick,
I urge you to pay the costs.
Good day, Mr. Tupman.
♪
Mr. Winkle to see you, sir.
Hello, Winkle.
Good to see you.
Good day, Mr. Pickwick.
Tupman is also here,
but something's distracted him.
Sir, would you go into the passageway
and see what's happened to him?
Very well, Mr. Winkle.
I have here a petition signed
by all the members of the Pickwick Club
which, without its founder, can no longer exist.
We implore you to end your obstinacy
and pay your debt.
Return to society
to continue your invaluable work.
I have been in this place
only a short time, Winkle,
but already I have made
some invaluable observations
about prison conditions.
And what would they be?
Though unfortunate,
I feel this has been
a highly educational experience
and would warrant a good deal of space
in the book we intended publishing.
Reform, sir,
that's what is required.
Our prison system is a disgrace
to all right thinking people.
And you think
you can do something about this?
Yes, indeed,
but not from this prison.
Sir, sir!
You won't believe this,
but I just saw the notorious Mr. Jingle!
Is he also a prisoner?
He is, sir, but a new Jingle.
Very reformed!
Mr. Pickwick has been helping him
buy extra food and some extra clothes,
and has arranged a position for him
in the West Indies.
When the job is ready,
Mr. Pickwick will pay off Mr. Jingle's debts
and he'll be off to warmer climes.
Extraordinary!
Is there a man alive like Mr. Pickwick?
Very unlikely, sir.
Ah, now you are all here.
I have made a decision.
I will pay the costs.
Ah!
Very good, Mr. Pickwick, very good.
Thank you, Sam.
I've realized my work is too important
for me to stay here any longer.
Personal feelings must not stand in the way.
The shepherd must rejoin his flock.
Such a relief, sir.
Oh, such a relief!
♪
Farewell, oh den of inequity,
oh, house of debauchery and misery.
You shall become a chapter in our book,
and the whole world shall know of you.
I say!
The whole world!
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
(indistinct chatter)
Ah!
Well, well, if it ain't my little son,
Sammy Weller.
Sammy, well you're a dutiful
and affectionate little boy, ain't you?
Come to visit his father in his old age?
No, now, I've got a problem,
Mr. Weller, and I need your help.
Two hot punches, innkeeper!
Just open them ears of yours,
and don't say nothing till I'm done.
Samuel, Samuel,
what can the matter be?
The matter, Mr. Weller,
is that my employer, Mr. Pickwick,
has been thrown into the debtor's prison.
A bankrupt, ay, Sammy?
You're better rid of him.
Now then, Mr. Weller,
Mr. Pickwick is a rich man
and an upright and honorable gent,
if ever there was one.
Then, I don't understand, Sammy.
What's he doing in the debtor's prison?
Well, Mr. Weller,
"I'll begin at the beginning,"
as the man said.
Good health, Sammy.
♪
Well, Mr. Pickwick retired
from business some time ago,
and finding himself at a loose end,
formed a club of like-minded gents,
with the purpose of discovering things.
What sort of things, Sammy?
Mr. Pickwick calls it
"The Furtherance of Knowledge."
Well, dear me, Samuel,
them's big words.
Anyway, Mr. Pickwick and three of his friends
took it into their heads
to travel about the land
discovering things,
which they said they'd write up in a book.
They agreed to meet at the Golden Cross Coach Inn,
here in London, to start their journey.
♪
♪
♪
♪
Day one, May 12th.
Tell me, driver,
how old is your horse?
Forty-two.
What?
Yes, sir, he's 42.
Oh, and, um, how long
do you keep him out at a time?
Two or three weeks.
Weeks?
He only lives a few miles
from here when he's home,
but we seldom take him home
on account of his weakness.
Because of his weakness?
He always falls down
when he's took out of the cab.
We strap him in very tight,
so he can't fall.
We got large wheels,
so when he does fall,
they run after him and he must go on.
He can't help it.
Well, this is almost impossible to believe.
You were writing all this down, sir?
Indeed, I am, driver.
I find it most interesting.
♪
I don't take money from police informers.
I done nothing wrong,
and I'll fight you to prove it!
You--you are mad, or drunk, or both!
Come on, all four of ya!
What does seem to be the problem?
What did you want my cab number for?
I didn't want your number.
You did!
You wrote down everything!
My dear, sir, I assure you--
This man is a police informer!
He wrote down my number
and every word of my silly tale.
I'll give it to him.
I don't care if I'll get six months for it!
♪
Someone fetch an officer!
Winkle, teach this ruffian a lesson!
Show him something of the noble art!
♪
Disgraceful behavior!
You will pay for this.
Come on, put 'em up.
What's the fun?
Informers!
We are not informers!
You ain't, ay?
Come along then.
Driver, take your fare.
Take yourself off.
None of your nonsense!
This way, sir.
All a mistake, never mind.
Accidents will happen,
never say die, some bad luck.
Driver, a rascal.
We go to the other side of Eden.
Please accept our thanks for your assistance.
-We are-- -Enough said, sir.
Enough said.
The Commodore leaving for Rochester
in five minutes.
Commodore, my coach, place booked.
Why, sir, we too are traveling to Rochester today.
We shall sit together and become better acquainted.
Your name, sir?
Alfred Jingle, sir.
My name is Pickwick.
My friends, Tupman, Snodgrass, and Winkle.
♪
Our luggage is arranged for, Mr. Jingle.
Have you arranged a place for yours?
Just this brown paper parcel, that's all.
Other luggage gone by water,
packing cases nailed up,
big as houses, heavy, dashed heavy.
Up you go, gentlemen.
♪
Heads, heads!
Take care of your heads.
♪
Coach yard, terrible place,
dangerous work.
Other day, mother, five children,
a tall lady, eating sandwiches,
forgot the arch.
Crash, knock!
Children look 'round,
mother's head off.
Sandwich in her hand,
no mouth to put it in.
Pinned her family off!
Shocking, shocking.
Extraordinary.
You a philosopher, sir?
A philosopher, no,
but I am an observer of human nature.
And so am I, sir!
Most people are when they've got
little to do and less to get.
Poet, sir?
My friend, Snodgrass,
has a strong poetic turn.
So have I!
Epic poem, ten thousand lines,
composed it on the spot.
A sportsman, sir?
-A little, sir. -Aw, yes.
Cricket, hunting.
Mastered a fine pack of hounds once.
Sixteen foxes in a single day!
♪
♪
(men chattering)
♪
Ah, my friends.
Rooms to your satisfaction?
A glass of ale, gentlemen,
just time before dinner?
(men chuckling)
-Very good -Very good, indeed.
Rochester Inn noted
for its fine dinners and soft beds.
Mr. Jingle, we would be honored
if you would join us for dinner.
Great pleasure, gentlemen.
♪
Have you been in Spain?
Lived there, ages!
Many conquests, sir?
Conquests, thousands!
Ah, Donna Christina, only daughter of Duke.
Loved me to distraction.
Father disapproved.
High-spirited daughter, handsome Englishman.
Disapproved!
She took poison, had stomach pump.
Duke overjoyed!
Consented to our union.
Many tears, romantic story.
♪
Is is the lady in England now, sir?
Dead, sir, dead.
Never recovered from the stomach pump.
Will you allow me
to note down that little romance?
Certainly, sir, certainly.
Fifty more if you'd like to hear them.
Curious history I have.
It seems so, indeed.
Now gentlemen, I have an announcement.
An invitation from my friend, Wardle,
who resides not far from here.
He insists that my friends and I
spend a few days at Manor Farm Dingley Dell.
He will send his servant, Joe,
with a carriage at our convenience.
I'm sure we should be delighted
to accept his kind offer.
-Yes. -Yes!
-Indeed! -Top ho!
One or two things to do tomorrow.
Arrive later, own steam.
Exciting prospect, gentlemen.
Until tomorrow!
Goodnight, Pickwick.
-Goodnight! -Goodnight!
♪
(alarm ringing)
(rooster crowing)
(men laughing and chattering)
♪
Mr. Tupman, sir?
Yes, Joe?
I've come to take you
and your friends to Dingley Dell.
I've room for three.
Oh dear!
We are four!
Perhaps one of the gentlemen
would care to ride a saddle horse?
They have very good horses here.
What an opportunity, Winkle.
Mr. Winkle is a keen horseman.
Well, sir, there's many a hedge and ditch
between here and Dingley Dell.
Their horses are all excellent stable chasers...
Cross country, that is.
The suggestion is indeed intriguing,
but I fear I must forgo that pleasure.
My place is with my fellow travelers.
Nonsense, Winkle.
You've often talked about your equestrian prowess.
♪
(horse neighing)
♪
Does this animal shy?
Shy?
This fellow wouldn't shy
if he were to meet a wagon full of monkeys
with their tails burned off.
Right, I shall mount directly.
♪
(horse neighing)
All right, Winkle?
Of course.
Well then, we shall be off.
(horse grunts)
Get up, fellow.
Come on.
(horse grunts)
What makes him go backwards?
I can't imagine.
(horse neighing)
♪
♪
(snoring)
Useless boy.
I shall drive.
Winkle, where are you?
Joe has dropped his whip.
Whoa, whoa!
Would you pick up that whip for me, Winkle?
♪
Whoa, whoa, yes, good fellow.
Whoa, Whoa!
What am I to do?
He won't cooperate!
I will assist.
♪
Whoa!
Help, help!
Oh, bless my soul!
This is terrible!
♪
Hey, hey, come back!
-Don't mess my horse! -Be careful!
(crash)
♪
Carriage ran into a ditch,
and we were thrown out.
Yes, an unfortunate business.
Well, there are many miles to walk, gentlemen.
Pray, let us begin.
♪
♪
Gentlemen, thank goodness.
Your baggage arrived some time ago.
I was about to mount a search for you.
You are all right, I trust?
Oh, quite, quite, Wardle.
Merely hot, dusty, and exhausted.
Taff-pipple!
Then, welcome to Manor Farm!
I, I dare say a hot tub wouldn't go amiss?
Indeed, it would not, but, ahem--
Oh, forgive me,
forgive me!
Allow me to present my dear sister, Rachel,
and my daughter, Emily.
And these are my friends,
Misters Pickwick, Snodgrass, and Winkle.
Welcome, gentlemen.
We've so looked forward to meeting you.
-Charmed, I'm sure. -How do you do?
Our sincere thanks, madam.
You are indeed kind.
Enough of formalities, gentlemen!
Come in, come in!
Any friend of Tupman
is welcome in my house.
I've taken the liberty of inviting
a recent acquaintance, a Mr. Jingle,
who we are, and I'm sure I speak
for all of us,
proud to call our friend.
He will arrive shortly.
Delighted!
The more the merrier.
I thought we might have a shot
at the rooks tomorrow.
Should suit you down to the ground, ay, Winkle?
Tupman has told me
about your skill in the field.
Well, sir, to be truthful--
No, I admire your modesty, sir.
Nevertheless, I intend to give you
a run for your money.
Ah, these wretched birds are getting out of hand.
Time we showed 'em what's what, hm?
Ever tasted rook pie, Mr. Pickwick?
A magnificent dish, sir.
(butler clears throat)
Dinner is served, sir,
and Mr. Jingle has arrived.
Oh, thank you, Banks.
Keen appetites, I trust?
I admire a man with a hearty appetite.
Oh, come, gentlemen.
The ladies await us.
♪
Ah, yes, cricket, hunting...
(snoring)
Don't worry, my love.
An excellent dinner, Mr. Wardle.
That boiled mutton was superb.
Oh, top ho!
Capital!
Oh, glad you enjoyed it, gentlemen.
Rather!
Mr. Jingle and Rachel seem to have found
a subject of mutual interest,
though Mr. Jingle seems to be the expert.
Jingle is truly an extraordinary man
with seemingly inexhaustible adventures to relate.
Ay, I fear it grows late, gentlemen.
Let us not forget we have a shoot tomorrow.
Winkle and Jingle are really
the only marksmen among us,
but I should like to join the party
as an observer.
Marksman?
-Well-- -Yes, yes.
-Capital idea! -Jolly good!
Well, that's settled, gentlemen,
but now, let us to bed.
I'm sure we'll all sleep soundly.
♪
Wake up, Joe!
Time to go to sleep.
-Goodnight! -Goodnight!
Goodnight, gentlemen!
♪
Wake up, Joe!
Stupid boy!
Where's Jingle?
I'm afraid he has a stomach upset.
Pity, I'm sure he would have enjoyed himself.
A pity, indeed.
Though, after hearing
how he polished off four Bengal tigers
with only three shots,
I fear rooks would have been child's play.
Incredible man.
We call that little area the Rookery,
and you can hear why.
Indeed.
Interesting sound.
(rooks crowing loudly)
Joe, off you go,
and listen for my signal.
And please, Joe, stay awake.
Yes, sir.
Of course, sir.
What is he doing?
When I give him a signal,
he'll start yelling and hitting
the trunk of the tree with a stick
to scare the rooks out.
Shall I take first crack at them, Winkle?
If you please.
Right, Joe!
Ah, go on, birds!
Go on!
There they are!
Ah!
I thought I'd bagged one!
Oh, never mind.
Mr. Winkle will supply us
with the ingredients for tonight's feast.
Ready, Winkle?
I think so.
All right, Joe!
Joe, Joe!
Ah, the only time I can be sure
that wretched boy will be awake is
at meal times.
He's gone to sleep again!
Depend on it.
No matter, Mr. Wardle.
I'll replace him, glad to.
Oh, thank you, Tupman.
Off you go.
Try another tree!
(snoring)
♪
Shoo, shoo, shoo, birds, shoo!
(rooks crowing)
And now, Mr. Winkle,
fire when ready.
♪
It didn't go off.
I think you overlooked
the priming, Mr. Winkle.
Stupid of me, what?
All the excitement.
(trigger clicks)
(rooks crowing)
What is happening?
Shall I chase them again?
Yes!
Ready, Tupman!
Shoo, shoo!
Shoo, birds, out you go!
♪
Ah!
Did I hit it?
Did I?
Help, murder!
Someone shot Mr. Tupman!
Goodness gracious!
Come on, gentlemen.
You've hit him in the arm,
but you didn't do his hat much good either.
♪
Am I dead?
I must be dead.
No, fortunately, just a scratch.
We shall return to the house immediately,
and Rachel will attend to your wound.
Rachel?
Oh!
Indeed, I am not dead!
Kindest of ladies,
most romantic prospect.
Where is my hat?
My hat.
My best hat!
What have you done to my hat, Winkle?
How can I face Ms. Rachel?
I am disgraced, sir!
Tupman, old friend,
I shall make good your hat and coat.
Thank heavens you're alive.
I really cannot understand it, Mr. Wardle.
In all my experience,
this has never happened before.
So I should imagine, Mr. Winkle.
May I suggest we repair
to the house with all expediency?
Must see to that arm of yours, Tupman.
Ah, the romance of it all.
Gallant gentlemen cut down
in the midst of rooks.
Excellent subject for an epic poem,
perhaps one to rival that of the great Dingle.
Oh, Emily, fetch Rachel quickly.
Mr. Tupman has met with an accident.
Father, I've not seen Rachel nor Mr. Jingle
since shortly after you left.
Rachel's traveling trunk and much of her clothing
is missing from her room,
and the groom tells me your best gig is gone.
-I think-- -What?
Mr. Jingle is supposed to be resting
with an upset stomach!
Why, that scoundrel!
She's twice his age!
That--that fraud!
She must have told him of her inheritance.
I'll not have my sister made to look a fool.
I'll be the laughing stock of the county!
Emily!
Take care of Mr. Tupman.
Calm yourself, Mr. Wardle.
Why, this is impossible.
I cannot believe it.
Gentlemen, it seems
you have not been careful enough
in the selection of this man
as your friend.
He said he was a poet.
I lent him 10 guineas.
I've been swindled!
What's to be done?
I'll tell you what's to be done!
Joe, wake up!
Hmm?
Harness Comet,
if he hasn't taken him too.
I'll be after them.
Allow me to accompany you.
I feel responsible.
And my legal experience
would be an advantage.
I shall come too, Wardle.
I'm not blaming either of you.
You're both good fellows
and I should welcome your company.
We shall catch this imposter.
Cook said she heard them mention London this morning.
London, ay?
Our only lead, then,
is the Rochester Inn.
They must have passed it,
and someone there is sure to have seen them.
Ready Tupman, Pickwick?
Yes, deplorable business.
Let's be off.
♪
I think we were wrong.
Jingle must have taken another route.
We should inquire here,
then try a few more inns on this road.
That fellow over there
looks like the boot of this establishment.
I'll question him.
One moment, my man.
Name's Sam Weller, sir.
(clears throat)
Now, my good man,
what we want to know is
who have you staying in this house at present?
Who there is in this house?
Well, uh, there's a wooden leg in number six,
a pair of Wellington boots in number two,
-um-- -Nothing more?
Well, our latest arrivals
were a pair of black boots,
a good deal worn,
and a pair of ladies shoes.
What sort of shoes?
-Country make. -Hmm.
Any maker's name?
-Brown. -It is them!
By heavens, we've found them!
And the black boots have just returned
from the city and are now
with the shoes in number five.
Show us the room,
and this is yours.
You!
You're a nice rascal, aren't you?
My dear, sir, calm yourself.
Consider defamation of character,
action for damages, calm yourself, sir.
How dare you drag my sister from my house!
Sir, I--
Why the devil are you meddling in this, Tupman?
This is none of your business.
Well, my dear sir,
you are quite mistaken.
I had many years experience at the bar,
and I take great pleasure
in representing my friend, Mr. Wardle.
Be careful how you speak, sir.
You scoundrel!
I'll--I'll ruin you!
Ha!
You, Rachel, at a time of life
when you ought to know better!
What do you mean by running away
with a vagabond,
disgracing your family?
Get your bonnet.
We are leaving.
Do nothing of the kind.
Leave the room, sir, no business here.
Lady free to act as she pleases.
More than one and twenty.
More than one and twenty?
More than one and forty!
Ah, I am not!
You are!
You're fifty if you're an hour!
(Rachel screaming)
Cad, sir, cad.
A glass of water for the poor woman.
A glass of water?
Bring a bucket and throw it over her!
She deserves it!
Rachel, I think a rest in the other room
do you good.
I'll call the boots.
-Boots! -Sir?
Boots, get me an officer.
A moment, boots.
We're in an awkward position.
A distressing case,
but we have no power
to control the lady's actions.
I fear we must look for a compromise.
What sort of compromise?
A financial one.
Ah, yes, I can see.
I can't have my sister being made a fool of.
Mr. Jingle, could I have a private word with you?
A quick one, yes.
Now, sir, you and I
are men of the world.
My two friends are not.
We both know very well
that you have run off with this lady
for the sake of her money.
Why, I--
Now, men of the world, sir,
don't frown.
We understand each other.
Very good, very good.
Now, the fact is that beyond a few hundred,
the lady has little or nothing
until the death of her mother,
a fine old lady.
Old lady?
(clears throat)
Why yes, she is rather old,
but she comes from a family
where since the time Julius Caesar invaded Britain,
only one member hasn't lived to 85,
and he was beheaded by Henry VIII.
The lady in question is not yet 73.
Well?
Well, you are a fine young man,
man of the world,
able to boost your fortune
if only you had some capital, ay?
Well?
Don't you think, sir,
I put it to you,
don't you think
that 50 pounds and liberty
would be better than Ms. Wardle
and... expectation?
Won't do, not half enough.
Well, my dear sir, we won't waste time splitting straws.
Say, 70?
Won't do.
Right then, sir.
Come and this instant,
I will write you a check for 80 pounds.
Man of honor, can't be bought.
Well, my dear sir,
just tell me what will do.
Expense of business, money out of pocket,
license, compensation,
breach of honor, loss of the lady,
one hundred and twenty pounds.
Yes, my dear sir, never mind the last two items.
Let's say an even 100.
One hundred and twenty.
Yes, of course, 120.
Ahem.
Let us rejoin the others.
Mr. Wardle,
Mr. Jingle will accept 100--
One hundred and twenty.
Yes, of course, 120 pounds to forget
his great love for your sister.
Pay the scoundrel
and then throw him out!
♪
Bye-bye, Pickwick, must be off.
Here, take license, get the name altered.
Take the lady home.
Do it for Snodgrass.
Why, I'll!
♪
No use running after him, sir.
Yes, boots, you're right.
But, if I ever meet
that terrible man again, why--
Calm yourself, Pickwick.
We are rid of him now,
and for his sake, let us hope
our paths never cross again.
I'm much obliged to you, Tupman, old friend.
Here, here, sir.
Gentlemen, I suggest
we spend the night here
and return to Dingley Dell in the morning.
I think we would all benefit
from a good night's sleep
before the journey.
Sensible idea.
Sam, possible to arrange--
Yes, sir, rooms and food, at once!
That man should be more than just a boots.
Now, if you will both excuse me,
I'll see to my foolish sister.
Gentlemen, if you will excuse me,
I shall retire,
as I am much fatigued.
Goodnight, Tupman.
-Well done. -Goodnight.
Pickwick, I've been thinking about your position.
You're not getting any younger, you know?
(chuckles)
Mr. Wardle, I'm a retired business man,
money is no problem.
What do you mean by my position?
Well, you need a manservant.
A manservant?
What a novel idea!
Well, I confess it has never occurred to me.
I do believe you are right.
Capital!
Hmm, the problem is
to find the right sort of person.
I think I can recommend
a good man for the job.
I would welcome your suggestion.
Pray, whom do you have in mind?
Why, Sam, of course!
Sam the boots.
As a matter of fact, I've taken the liberty
of asking him to come and speak to us.
What do you think, Pickwick?
(knock on door)
Ah, here he is now.
Come in!
Ah, Sam, come in.
Mr. Pickwick wants to speak to you about something.
Now, Sam, with regard to the matter
on which Mr. Wardle,
with the concurrence of myself,
-sent for you-- -The point, sir?
"Out with it,"
as the father said to the child
when he swallowed the shilling.
I want to know, in the first place,
whether you have reason to be discontented
with your present situation?
Before I answer that dear question, gentlemen,
I should like to know, in the first place,
whether you are going to provide me with a better one?
Why, I'd half made up my mind to engage you myself.
-Have you though? -Yes.
(unintelligible) with boots?
No.
I want a manservant
to attend upon me and travel with me
on my journeys of investigation.
Well, well, wages?
I think, uh,
one pound a month,
12 pounds a year.
-Clothes? -Two suits.
Then, I'm lent to a single gentleman
and the terms is agreed upon.
Excellent!
Pickwick, you have done yourself a service.
I believe I have!
Sam, tomorrow,
I travel to Dingley Dell.
In a week, I return to my lodgings in London.
Before your arrival,
I must inform my landlady, Mrs. Bardell,
a kind and thoughtful widow
who, no doubt, will be pleased
by this decision.
You, I'm sure,
will have to serve out your time here.
I suggest we meet in London
in a week's time.
A very fine plan, sir.
♪
My own manservant, ay?
Excuse me, Pickwick.
I must talk to Rachel again,
try to coax her out of her room.
Won't even leave her bed.
Poor woman.
♪
My own manservant, ay?
♪
♪
Mrs. Bardell?
Yes, sir?
Your little boy is taking
a great length of time
on the errand upon which I sent him.
Well, it's a good long way from here.
Ah, very true.
So it is.
(clears throat)
-Mrs. Bardell? -Yes, sir?
Do you think
it is a much greater expense
to keep two people,
than to keep one.
Ah, Mr. Pickwick!
What a question!
Well, but, do you?
That depends a good deal
upon the person, Mr. Pickwick.
And whether it's a careful and savant person.
That's very true,
but the person I had in my eye,
I think, possesses all these qualities
and has, moreover,
a considerable knowledge of the world,
and a great deal of sharpness.
This, Mrs. Bardell, may be
of material use to me.
Now, Mr. Pickwick!
Indeed.
To tell you the truth, Mrs. Bardell,
I have made up my mind.
Dear me, sir!
You'll think it very strange now
that I never consulted you about this matter
till I sent your little boy out this morning.
To get him out of the way?
How thoughtful, how considerate!
Well, what do you think?
Oh, Mr. Pickwick, you are very kind, sir.
It will save you a great deal
of trouble, won't it?
Oh, I never thought anything
of the trouble, sir.
And of course, I should take
more trouble to please you then than ever.
But, it's so kind of you, Mr. Pickwick,
to have so much consideration
for my loneliness.
Ah, to be sure,
I never thought of that.
When I am in town,
you will always have somebody
to sit with you.
To be sure, so you will.
I'm sure I ought to be a very happy woman!
And your little boy.
Bless his little heart.
He too will have a companion,
a lively one.
Oh, you dear!
Oh, you good, kind, little dear!
I'll never leave you,
dear, kind, good soul!
(Pickwick struggling)
Oh, mercy upon me!
I hear somebody coming up the stairs.
That's a good woman.
I think I'm going to faint!
This is too much!
Ah!
It's hot in here, Mr. Pickwick,
as the man said when he fell into the fire.
What have you done to my mother?
♪
Ow!
Sam, take this little villain away.
Oh, let me go, let me go!
-Oh, let me go! -You stay here, my boy.
She'll be all right.
What's the problem, sir?
Let me go! Let me go!
Sam, you'd better help me
lead this woman downstairs.
Oh, I'm better now.
My boy will help me down the stairs.
I cannot conceive
what is the matter with that woman.
One would think I had proposed marriage
instead of merely announcing the acquisition
of a manservant.
Ah, Sam, I shall never understand women.
Anyway, you've arrived.
Yes, sir, Mr. Pickwick, and ready to work.
Then, to work, Sam.
Tomorrow,
we journey to Eatanswill.
♪
♪
I've arranged to meet my companions
here at the Peacock Inn.
You'd better secure us rooms, Sam.
Right away, sir.
(men laughing and chatting)
-Very good. -Very good, indeed.
A true story, gentlemen.
It was a wonderful story.
(laughing)
Indeed.
Person's awaiting.
Does this person want me, Sam?
He wants you particular,
and no one else will do.
Then I shall be pleased to see him.
Very good, sir.
♪
-Mr. Pickwick, I presume? -The same.
Allow me the honor of grasping your hand.
Permit me, sir, to shake it.
Certainly.
We have heard of your fame, sir.
The noise of your antiquarian discussions
has reached the ears of Mrs. Leo Hunter, my wife.
I am flattered, sir,
that you and your wife know of my work.
I should be extremely happy
to make her acquaintance, sir.
You shall make it, sir.
Tonight, we shall be holding an evening
for a small number of celebrated persons.
Permit Mrs. Leo Hunter, sir,
to have the gratification
of entertaining you and your friends.
A pleasure.
Are you interested in poetry?
Oh, I am.
So is Mrs. Hunter, sir.
She dotes on poetry.
She adores it.
I may say that her whole soul and mind
are wound up, entwined in it.
I imagine you are familiar
with her poem
"Ode to an Expiring Form."
I'm afraid not.
You astonish me, sir!
It created an immense sensation.
But I waste your time.
I know its value.
I shall be off.
Tonight at six o'clock.
I look forward to it.
♪
Unusual fellow.
Mr. Pickwick, ma'am.
What? Where?
Here.
Is it possible that I have
the gratification of beholding
Mr. Pickwick himself?
No other, ma'am.
Permit me to introduce my friends.
Mr. Tupman, Mr. Snodgrass,
and Mr. Winkle.
Delighted to meet you, gentlemen.
I do hope you enjoy yourselves tonight.
Mr. Fitzmarshall.
Dear Mr. Fitzmarshall,
come here directly
and be scolded for arriving late.
(chuckles)
Naughty man.
Coming, dear lady, quick as I can!
Hoards of people, full room.
Hard work, very.
Mrs. Hunter!
Mr. Pickwick, please come
and meet Mr. Fitzmarshall.
Hello, Pickwick.
Jingle!
You scoundrel!
You know Mr. Pickwick?
Indeed I do.
Quite forgot, no directions for cab driver.
Give them at once, back in a moment.
Scoundrel?
I don't understand.
Mr. Fitzmarshall is a brilliant financier.
Mr. Hunter and I were receiving his advice
on a small business venture.
His name, ma'am, is Alfred Jingle
and he is a fraud, an imposter,
the cause of much mischief.
But, I doubt you'll see him again,
now that he's been exposed.
I think we should give chase!
Give chase?
Come, Winkle!
After him!
Oh, I'm so grateful.
I had no idea.
(loud commotion)
Oh my goodness, what was that?
♪
(moans and groans)
Oh, my arm.
My arm!
Oh, my head,
my head.
I think I'll need the help of some volunteers
to get these gentlemen back to the inn.
We had his measure.
We'd have stopped him
but for our unfortunate collision.
But, if we see him again, ay, Snodgrass?
A gallant effort,
gentlemen, nevertheless.
I'm sure Mr. Jingle will think twice
before he commits another misdeed.
We should let our wounded comrades rest.
What do you say to a hot punch before dinner?
Why not?
I'd also like a word with the innkeeper.
(phone ringing)
-Innkeeper? -Yes, sir?
A word, if you please.
Certainly, sir.
I wonder if you know of any places about here
with historical interest,
or surrounded by legend.
We are engaged in antiquarian research.
Well, gentlemen, Tom Smart's the name.
I have a story you'll both find interesting.
It took place right here in this inn.
Why, then, Mr. Smart,
won't you join us for a hot punch
and tell us your story?
Very civilly, you gents.
Lucy!
Three hot punches.
My story tells of the time I had
the honor of beating the devil
at his own game.
The devil, Mr. Smart?
The very same.
Years ago, I were a traveler
selling pots and pans.
(lighting crashes)
One dreadful night,
I stayed here.
Raining cats and dogs,
it was.
I ordered hot punch,
which was served to me by the landlady herself,
and I knew at once,
she was the girl for me.
My only rival
was a tall sinister gentleman
with black, wavy hair and whiskers.
It was obvious he had some hold over her.
His evil appearance put me in mind
of the devil himself.
I fancied that I could even
smell the sulfur of the netherworld.
I decided to get some sleep,
try to forget my dream
of becoming the landlady's husband.
I went up to bed.
(lightning crashing)
But try as I might,
I couldn't sleep.
The couple downstairs
had gotten the better of me.
It was then I noticed
the strange, high-back chair,
an odd piece, indeed.
I couldn't take my eyes from it.
As I watched,
a most extraordinary change
came over it.
♪
And it winked at me.
Why are you winking at me?
Because I want to, Tom Smart.
How do you know my name?
I know everything about you.
Everything.
You're a poor man, Tom.
I certainly am,
but how come you to know that?
Never mind that.
Listen.
The landlady is a fine woman, ay?
She is, indeed.
I am her guardian, Tom.
You?
I knew her mother and her grandmother.
She was very fond of me.
I've been a great favorite
among the women in my time,
but that's not the point.
I want you to marry the landlady.
Me, sir?
You.
No, no.
There's somebody else in the wind,
a tall man with black whiskers.
Oh, yes, I know all about that.
They're due to be married tomorrow.
What?
Now listen, Tom.
I'm almost certain
you are the man to save her...
And me.
Save you?
The moment her marries her,
he will sell the inn
and all the furnishings and disappear.
She will be deserted
and left to ruin.
But I will catch my death of cold
in some broker's shop.
What can I do?
You can prove that you are worthy
of taking that rascal's place.
A test, which you must pass
to prove you are the one.
What is this test?
Listen carefully.
At the stroke of midnight,
you will begin climbing
to the highest spot in Eatanswill,
the very point of the church steeple.
(thunder)
Then what happens?
You will discover that when and if
you reach that point.
(thunder claps)
Heaven, help me!
(lightening crashes)
Nothing here.
I've been dreaming.
Chair that turns into an old man.
By God!
How many punches did I drink?
I think I must be mad!
Aha!
I wasn't dreaming.
Now, I must get down safely
with this packet.
Can't open it here.
(thunder claps)
(lightening strikes)
(birds chirping)
♪
Good morning, sir.
What will you take for breakfast?
Who is that gentleman in the bar, ma'am?
His name?
His name is Jenkins, sir.
My dear ma'am,
will you have the kindness
to sit down for one moment?
Oh, sir, I--
You deserve a very excellent husband,
my dear ma'am.
I am much obliged to you
for your good opinion,
for I am to be married this very day.
Married, ay?
The dark gent's not the man for you.
Oh, if you have some grievance against him,
why don't you tell him
instead of upsetting a poor, weak woman?
I'll say it to him fast enough, only,
I wanted you to hear it first.
What is it?
You won't scream?
No, sir.
Please let me see that piece of paper.
You won't go fainting away?
No, no, sir!
♪
(screams)
Yes, ma'am.
A letter from his wife,
begging him to return home to her
and their six small children.
♪
You devil!
Outsmarted me,
ay, Tom?
Outsmarted
the devil himself!
(evil laughter)
♪
(shrill screams)
I may tell you, gents,
the landlady and I were married soon after,
and if she weren't visiting her mother in Luton,
you could meet her yourselves.
And the chair?
To this day,
it's never spoken another word.
An incredible story, Mr. Smart.
May I write it down?
Wardle will enjoy that one, ay, Tupman?
Thank you, sir.
(phone rings)
♪
That's jolly good.
(laughter)
It was a wonderful story.
Oh, Pickwick.
By Joe, Mr. Wardle,
I can scarcely move.
A truly memorable Christmas dinner!
A delicious meal!
Yes, it was rather good, wasn't it?
What we need now
is a bit of exercise.
(men chatter in agreement)
What do you say to a turn
on the ice, hmm?
You skate of course, don't you, Winkle?
Yes, yes, of course,
but I'm rather out of practice,
and also, I have no skates.
Oh, I have skates for all!
♪
(laughter)
♪
Now there, sir, off with you
and show them how it's done.
Stop, Sam, stop.
How slippery it is, Sam.
Not an uncommon thing upon the ice, sir.
These--these are very awkward skates, aren't they, Sam?
I'm afraid there's an awkward gentleman in 'em, sir.
Come along, Winkle!
Yes, yes, I'm coming!
Now, sir, start off.
I--I--I'm sure I have the idea of it.
Sam, come over here, will you?
Let go, Mr. Winkle.
The governor's calling.
No, no!
Whoa!
-Oh. -Ow.
Father, are you all right?
Yes, my dear,
just a little sore.
Take Mr. Winkle's skates off, Sam.
But I've scarcely begun.
Take them off, Sam,
and help him stand.
You are an imposter, sir.
But, Mr. Pickwick--
Come and have a slide, Pickwick!
A slide?
I haven't done such a thing in 30 years.
Oh, great fun, Pickwick!
Try it!
Oh, very well.
Hang on tight, Pickwick!
Off I go!
♪
(laughter)
♪
(ice cracking)
-Oh, Mr. Pickwick! -Mr. Pickwick!
He's fallen in the freezing water.
-That's terrible! -Somebody do something!
-Oh, mercy! -Oh, goodness.
He's not coming up!
The icy water will kill him.
Oh, what should we do?
Sam! Sam!
Give me a hand, quick!
♪
Lie down, Sam,
and try to pull him out.
I'll make sure you don't fall in yourself.
I may be of some assistance, gentlemen!
♪
Ah!
♪
Oh, something has grabbed my arm.
It's pulling me in.
Help, save me!
Help!
I think he's found himself a Pickwick.
Hold on to him, Mr. Winkle!
We'll pull you out!
This is terrible!
Somebody do something!
Oh, mercy!
(teeth chattering)
Winkle, you--you
s-s-aved my life.
F-F-Forgive me, my-my friend.
You are a hero.
Oh, a hero indeed.
He'll catch his death of cold.
Put a shawl 'round him, Sam.
Make sure he keeps moving
and get him back to the house
as quickly as you can.
Perhaps we should take your mind away
from today's nasty experience.
A Christmas story, perhaps?
Nothing to do with sliding, I hope.
Haha, oh, no, of course not.
But I think you may find
the story of Gabriel Grub
and the goblins diverting.
Goblins, ay?
Delighted to hear it.
Well, it must be 50 or so years ago, now.
Gabriel Grub
was a bell ringer and grave digger
at the parish church, as it so happens.
♪
It was late in the afternoon,
and already the sky was darkening.
Gabriel had just arrived at the gate
to the graveyard beside his church.
♪ 'Tis the season to be jolly ♪
♪ Tra, la, la, la ,la,
la, la, la ♪
Oh, why did you do that?
It's Christmas.
(laughing)
Merry Christmas, indeed,
little song bird.
(evil laugh)
♪
♪ Grave lodgings for one ♪
♪ Grave lodgings for one ♪
♪ A few feet of cold Earth
when life is done ♪
♪ A stone at the head ♪
♪ A stone at the feet ♪
♪ A rich, dirty meal
♪ For the worms
to eat ♪
♪ Grass over head
lay around ♪
♪ Grave lodgings for one ♪
♪ Feet in holy ground
♪
Coffin.
Christmas.
The Christmas box.
(laughter)
(laughter)
Hm, must have been the echoes.
It was not!
♪
It was not the echoes!
What do you do here
on Christmas Eve?
I came to dig
a grave, sir.
What man wanders
among graves and churchyards
on such a night as this?
Gabriel Grub!
Gabriel Grub!
Where did those voices come from?
What have you got in that bottle?
G--Gin, sir.
Who drinks gin alone
in a churchyard
on a night such as this?
Gabriel Grub!
Gabriel Grub!
And who then,
is our fair
and lawful prize?
Gabriel Grub!
Gabriel Grub!
Well, Gabriel,
what do you say?
Uh, I think I'll go back
and finish my work.
Work?
What work?
The grave, sir,
making the grave.
Oh, the grave.
Who makes a grave
and takes pleasure in it
when all other men are merry?
Gabriel Grub!
Gabriel Grub!
I'm afraid my friends
want you, Gabriel.
I don't think they can, sir.
They don't even know me, sir.
I don't think the gentlemen
have ever seen me before, sir.
Oh, yes, they have.
We know the man
with the sulky face
and the grim scowl,
that came down the street tonight
and struck that little boy
because the boy could be merry
and he could not.
An unfortunate accident, sir.
(laughing)
I--I'm afraid
I must leave you, sir.
You are coming
with us, Gabriel.
(lightning)
Gabriel Grub!
Gabriel Grub!
No!
Please!
Don't take me!
No!
♪
It is cold tonight, Gabriel.
A glass of something
warm for you?
Thank you, sir,
but I'm not in the habit
of taking anything warm at night, sir,
but--but I--I thank you for the offer.
Not in the habit?
(laughter)
Drink, Gabriel!
Drink!
But...
(drink boiling)
Ah!
(laughing)
And now, show the man
of misery and gloom
a few of the pictures
from our own great storehouse.
Watch closely, Gabriel.
You may see
and hear things
that will be of some interest to you.
♪
♪
(laughter)
(coughing)
(bell tolling)
♪
Let the dead
bury the dead,
ay, Gabriel?
No tears shed
on either side.
Open the coffin, Gabriel.
We are burying a man today
whom nobody loved,
least of all, himself.
Give us a hand, Gabriel,
to get this poor soul
into the earth.
♪
But that's me.
That's me in there.
But--but, I'm here.
(evil laughter)
♪
♪
Even the roses lose their joy
in the company of such a miserable person
as Gabriel Grub.
♪
Here, Gabriel Grub.
This will bring some warmth
back to your wretched limbs.
Well, Gabriel?
You've seen what can happen
to a miserable man.
You have your choice.
Watch this.
(rumbling)
Ah, Gabriel Grub.
Wonderful man.
-What a wonderful man. -Kind man.
-Warm heart. -Never a cross word.
He gave me a silver six pence at Christmas.
Such a nice man.
(rumbling)
♪
Well, Gabriel?
The choice
is yours.
♪
What did happen to Gabriel Grub?
He became a changed man overnight.
He gave up his gin,
and gradually became a respected
and well-loved member of the community.
Ah, there's more in heaven and earth, Wardle,
as the poet says.
(knocking on door)
Why--
Yes, come in!
A, uh, gentleman to see Mr. Pickwick.
Bailiff, he said he was.
Bailiff...
To see me?
Whatever for?
Show him, in Sam, if you please.
Yes, sir.
This is the, uh, gentleman, sir.
You are Samuel Pickwick?
I am.
Then, sir, it is my duty
to serve notice for you to appear
in Her Majesty's Court of Petty Sessions
on this day, three months hence,
to face the charge of a breach of promise.
♪
Breach of promise?
Are you sure you have the right man?
One must have to promise something
before one can be charged
for breaching that promise.
The lady who is, uh,
charging breach of promise is,
um, uh, a widowed landlady
from London, the name of Bardell.
Mrs. Bardell?
Goodness gracious.
And mind you attend, sir.
Mark my words,
it will be much the worst for you
if you don't.
(laughter)
Your Honor, never in the--
Order! Order!
Another outburst like that
and I shall clear the court!
Please continue.
Your Honor,
never in the whole course
of my professional experience,
never from the very first moment I applied myself
to the study and practice of the law,
have I approached a case
with feelings of such deep emotion,
or with such a heavy sense of responsibility
imposed upon me.
A sense of responsibility
that I could never have supported
were I not buoyed up and sustained
by a conviction so strong
that it amounts to positive certainty
that the cause of truth and justice,
or in other words,
the cause of my much injured and most oppressed client,
Mrs. Bardell, must prevail with I--
Your Honor, really!
I think that--
Mr. Pickwick,
please sit down!
Any objections you may have are overruled!
Please continue, sir.
Thank you, Your Honor.
Damages, gentlemen of the jury,
heavy damages are the only punishment
which you can visit upon this--this being
who stands erect on two legs
and bares all the outward semblance of a man,
but who is, in fact, a monster!
Your Honor, I rest my case!
Gentlemen of the jury,
in reviewing this case
several things have become obvious.
If Mrs. Bardell is right,
it is then perfectly clear
that Mr. Pickwick is wrong.
You will now retire to consider the evidence.
The court will be seated.
(gavel bangs)
Gentlemen of the jury,
have you reached a verdict?
Yes we have, Your Worship.
What is your verdict?
Guilty, Your Worship.
With what damages?
Seven-hundred and fifty pounds, Your Worship.
Mr. Pickwick,
the charge against you has been proved,
and you are ordered to pay Mrs. Bardell
the sum of 750 pounds.
I shall not, Your Honor!
Indeed, I shall pay no damages whatever!
Surely you will pay?
You must pay, Mr. Pickwick.
Prison is the only alternative.
Order! Order!
Mr. Pickwick,
you leave me no choice.
You have refused to pay the lawful damages
and I am therefore bound
to commit you to the debtor's prison
until such time as you come to your senses!
(exasperated sigh)
Mr. Pickwick,
it is well within your means
to make lawful amends
and I strongly suggest you do so.
Debtor's prison is not for one such as you,
as you no doubt appreciate.
I will not pay one fine!
Then, to prison you go, Mr. Pickwick!
♪
Well, Sam.
Well, sir.
Pretty comfortable now, ay?
Pretty well, sir.
Very well, Sam.
Listen to what I'm about to say.
Certainly, sir.
Fire away.
I have felt from the first, Sam,
that this is not the place
to which to bring a young man.
Nor an old one neither.
Right, Sam,
but old men come here
through their own heedlessness
and innocence,
and young men may be brought here
by the selfishness of those they serve.
It is better for those young men,
in every point-of-view,
that they should not remain here.
Do you understand me, Sam?
Why, no, Mr. Pickwick.
I do not understand, sir.
Try, Sam, try.
Well, sir,
I think I see your drift.
And if I do see your drift,
it is my opinion that, "You're coming at it
a great deal too strong,"
as the coachman said to the snowstorm
when it overtook him.
Independently of my wish
that you should not be idling
about in a place like this
for years to come,
I feel that for a debtor in the Fleet Prison
to be attended by his manservant
is a monstrous absurdity.
Now, I'll tell you what it is, sir.
This here sort of thing won't do at all,
so don't let's hear no more about it.
I am serious and resolved, Sam.
You are, sir, ay?
Very good, sir, then so am I.
Sam!
Sam, come here at once!
So, Mr. Weller, you can see my problem,
and what I want to know.
Have you an answer for me?
Stuck there himself, poor critter,
without nobody to take his pot?
It can't be done, Samuel.
It can't be done.
Of course it can't!
I knew that before I came!
He goes in rather raw,
and he'll come out so exceeded brown,
his most familiar friends won't know him.
It oughtn't to be, Samuel!
It mustn't be!
Ah, but it is.
Well, now you been prophesying away
about what will happen to the governor
if he's left alone.
Don't you see any way of taking care of Mr. Pickwick?
No, I don't, Sammy.
Nothing at all?
No way.
Unless--
Yes?
I'll tell you what,
maybe you'll trouble me
for the loan of five and 20 pounds.
What good will that do?
Perhaps, I may ask for it back
five minutes afterwards.
Perhaps, you may not pay.
You wouldn't think of arresting
your own flesh and blood
and sending him off to the Fleet Prison,
would you?
You unnatural vagabond!
I know someone
who works at the Old Bailey, Sammy.
Justice can be done,
after another hot punch.
(laughing)
Sam, my good lad,
I'm glad you've returned.
I had no intention of hurting your feelings
this afternoon, my faithful fellow.
Put down your hat, Sam,
and let me explain my meaning
a little more at length.
The fact is, Mr. Pickwick,
um, the fact is
that is now my bed.
What?
Yes, my bed, sir.
I'm a prisoner.
I was arrested this very afternoon for debt.
You, arrested for debt?
Yes, sir, terrible thing.
But, Sam, I, um--
No, sir, it's my debt.
I'll fix it up,
and when I do,
I can leave this terrible place.
Aw, Sam, you are an honorable
and proud man.
(whistling)
Hello.
That old gentleman has a fine coat.
We might borrow it a while.
You tell him not to worry about it.
It will be in good hands.
Not bad shoes either.
(laughing)
Well, gentlemen, I don't think them clothes
is for either of you.
Don't suit you.
You see, they are clean,
and you gentlemen look very dirty to me.
My boy,
welcome to the Fleet Prison.
Yeah!
♪
Ow!
♪
(men struggling)
Stop, you ruffians!
Leave that man alone!
♪
Welcome to Fleet Prison.
Thanks friend.
Without your help--
Well, well, if it isn't Mr. Jingle!
Hello, Pickwick, birds of a feather, ay?
Well, I--I--
I never thought I'd be thanking you.
I would have been very sore and sad
if you hadn't come along and helped me
remove them gentlemen.
No trouble, fought 50 once, all armed.
Was all alone.
Well, another time.
Mr. Jingle?
Weird place this, strange thing.
Serves me right.
Mr. Jingle, I should like to speak to you in private.
Let us step outside.
Certainly, can't step far.
No danger of over-walking yourself.
Grounds charming, romantic,
but not extensive.
♪
You've forgotten your coat, Jingle.
Oh, couldn't help it.
Must eat, wants of nature, and all that.
What do you mean?
Gone winter, sir, last coat, no choice.
Lived on a pair of boots for a fortnight.
Silk umbrella, ivory handle, one week.
You mean to say that you lived for three weeks
upon a pair of boots
and a silk umbrella with an ivory handle?
True, pawnbroker shop.
Oh.
Yes, I understand you now.
I thought for a moment,
ahem, never mind.
Hard, dashed hard, fever, weak, ill, hungry, no hope.
Come, come, my poor fellow.
We shall see what can be done.
This requires some thinking.
(gate opens)
Pickwick!
Yes, over here.
Gentleman to see you,
name of Tupman.
Hello, Tupman.
What do you have there?
Good day, Mr. Pickwick.
I have here the papers
in Bardell versus Pickwick.
I would rather the subject
never be mentioned between us.
Well, Mr. Pickwick,
I have some news.
What sort of news, Tupman?
Mrs. Bardell is a prisoner within these walls.
Mrs. Bardell?
For what reason?
Her lawyers Dobson and Farm,
tricked her, legally of course,
into signing a paper
saying she was ultimately responsible
for their costs.
When you declined to pay,
they claimed the money from her.
She didn't have it,
so she's a prisoner.
Serves the dreadful woman right!
My dear sir,
the first question I have to ask
is whether this woman is to remain here.
How can you ask me?
It rests with her lawyers.
You know that very well.
Come, come, Mr. Pickwick.
I know nothing of the kind.
These men put her here, it is quite obvious,
to impose pressure upon you to pay the money,
which they know you can well afford.
As I see it, this matter rests
solely, wholly, and entirely with you.
With me?
With you.
The cost in this matter are 150 pounds.
Nothing to you.
By paying the cost, you can obtain
a full release for both you and Mrs. Bardell,
and discharge from the damages.
And further,
a voluntary statement under her hand
that this whole wretched business
was, from the first, fermented, encouraged,
and brought about by Dobson and Farm,
and she deeply regrets ever having been
the instrument of annoyance or injury to you.
Well Tupman, now I know your news.
Is that all you have to say to me?
My dear Mr. Pickwick,
I urge you to pay the costs.
Good day, Mr. Tupman.
♪
Mr. Winkle to see you, sir.
Hello, Winkle.
Good to see you.
Good day, Mr. Pickwick.
Tupman is also here,
but something's distracted him.
Sir, would you go into the passageway
and see what's happened to him?
Very well, Mr. Winkle.
I have here a petition signed
by all the members of the Pickwick Club
which, without its founder, can no longer exist.
We implore you to end your obstinacy
and pay your debt.
Return to society
to continue your invaluable work.
I have been in this place
only a short time, Winkle,
but already I have made
some invaluable observations
about prison conditions.
And what would they be?
Though unfortunate,
I feel this has been
a highly educational experience
and would warrant a good deal of space
in the book we intended publishing.
Reform, sir,
that's what is required.
Our prison system is a disgrace
to all right thinking people.
And you think
you can do something about this?
Yes, indeed,
but not from this prison.
Sir, sir!
You won't believe this,
but I just saw the notorious Mr. Jingle!
Is he also a prisoner?
He is, sir, but a new Jingle.
Very reformed!
Mr. Pickwick has been helping him
buy extra food and some extra clothes,
and has arranged a position for him
in the West Indies.
When the job is ready,
Mr. Pickwick will pay off Mr. Jingle's debts
and he'll be off to warmer climes.
Extraordinary!
Is there a man alive like Mr. Pickwick?
Very unlikely, sir.
Ah, now you are all here.
I have made a decision.
I will pay the costs.
Ah!
Very good, Mr. Pickwick, very good.
Thank you, Sam.
I've realized my work is too important
for me to stay here any longer.
Personal feelings must not stand in the way.
The shepherd must rejoin his flock.
Such a relief, sir.
Oh, such a relief!
♪
Farewell, oh den of inequity,
oh, house of debauchery and misery.
You shall become a chapter in our book,
and the whole world shall know of you.
I say!
The whole world!
♪
♪
♪