Martin Chuzzlewit

1 9 6 4 (UK)
13 x 25 minute episodes

Martin Chuzzlewit has never been regarded as one of the easiest of Charles Dickens’s novels. It is discursive, and its plot is remarkably convoluted even by Dickens standards.

But it gains greatness because it contains some of the author’s best-observed and most lively characterisations, notably the arch-hypocrite Pecksniff, whose name has become a common noun; the cheerfully bibulous Cockney lady Sarah Gamp (played in this series by Angela Baddeley), and the unsinkable optimist Mark Tapley (Tom Watson).

It is a story about greed, and it tells of the Chuzzlewit family whose besetting sin this is. Only young Martin (Gary Raymond) manages to rid himself of the family taint. In doing so, he becomes a victim of his kinsmen’s greed – passing through tribulations as dire as any suffered by a Dickens hero – before he reaches the happiness of prosperity and requited love.

Young Martin is evicted from the home of his rich but miserly grandfather, Martin Chuzzlewit the elder (Barry Jones), because of the young man’s affection for his sweet-souled orphaned foster sister Mary Graham (Ilona Rodgers).

Stripped of all his expectations of enjoying, in time, the considerable Chuzzlewit fortune, Martin becomes an indentured pupil in the office of Mr Pecksniff (Richard Pearson) – a supposed architect who never seems actually to construct anything except elaborate schemes for the despoilment of his fellow men.

The Pecksniff daughters, Charity (Rosalind Knight) and Mercy (Anna Middleton) are the unworthy objects of their father’s only genuine affection. Tom Pinch (John Quentin) is the willing drudge in the office who seems incapable of seeing through his employer’s facade of moral rectitude.

The story is set mainly in early 19th Century England, but for a time, the action moves to America, whither Martin goes to seek his fortune. Dickens had earlier visited the emerging United States and, not liking what he saw there, decided to record his disappointment in this novel.

Consequently, his depiction of the American frontier as a wasteland supporting a rabble of deceitful and grasping boors is as gross and unfair a caricature as he ever produced.

The 13-part series was dramatised by Constance Cox and directed throughout by Joan Craft, with Campbell Logan producing.

Martin Chuzzlewit
Gary Raymond
Pecksniff
Richard Pearson
Martin Chuzzlewit the Elder
Barry Jones
Jonas Chuzzlewit
Alex Scott
Tom Pinch
John Quentin
Ruth Pinch
Fern Warner
Mark Tapley
Tom Watson
Mercy Pecksniff
Anna Middleton
Charity Pecksniff
Rosalind Knight
Mary Graham
Ilona Rodgers
Montague Tigg
Peter Bayliss
John Westlock
Jeremy Burnham
Mrs Sarah Gamp
Angela Baddeley
Chuffey
Harold Scott
Nadgett
Blake Butler
Antony Chuzzlewit
Carl Bernard
Lewsome
John Golightly
Mrs Lupin
Barbara Ogilvie
Bailey
Peter Craze
Mrs Todgers
Barbara Cavan
Jane
Deborah Millington
Mrs Prig
Kathleen Harrison
Mr Jinkins
Peter Stephens
Mr Moddle
Pearson Dodd
Chevy Slyme
Michael Bilton
Dr Jobling
John Bryans
Mr Gander
Clifford Parrish
Mr Spottletoe
Arthur Pentelow
Mrs Spottletoe
Betty Duncan
David Crimple
Tony Bronte
Mr Fips
Ian Wilson
Jefferson Brick
Victor Henry
General Choke
Derek Murcott
Major Pawkins
Cal McCord
Mr Bevan
Jon Farrell
Bullamy
Fred Hugh