Even though Jackie Coogan was one of the top stars of the twenties only a handful of his films were top class productions. All of his films were carefully supervised by John Coogan Snr., who kept budgets to a minimum and Jackie's salary up. It was very unusual to see a top director or a noteworthy star's name on the credits. Joan Crawford was in "Old Clothes" but that was one of her first films.
"Oliver Twist" was a rare exception. Directed by Frank Lloyd, who went on to win a Best Director Academy Award for "The Divine Lady" and "Cavalcade", he also directed "Mutiny on the Bounty" which won Best Picture for 1935. The cast also included Gladys Brockwell as Nancy, Esther Ralston as Rose Maylie, George Siegmann as Bill Sykes and the magnificent Lon Chaney as Fagin.
"Despised by all - pitied by none" is the title that introduces this rather good atmospheric version of the classic book. There is a real effort to bring about the dinginess and poverty of 19th century London.
Oliver Twist is a drudge in an English work house. After having the temerity to ask for more food he is taken on as an apprentice under taker. When Noah Claypole says some horrible things about his mother, Oliver runs away to London. (There is a scene taken from "David Copper field" as Oliver trudges the 75 miles to London town.)He then meets the Artful Dodger, who introduces him to the evil Fagin (the masterly Lon Chaney) who has a den of thieves.
Meanwhile Mr. Bumble has discovered things about Oliver's mother - that she was from a wealthy family because of a gold locket she had when she died. Oliver is taught to be a "pickpocket" but is caught on his first job. He is taken to Mr. Brownlow's house where he is looked after because Mr. Brownlow thinks Oliver is decent and good. While sent on an errand of trust he is kidnapped by Nancy, claiming to be his sister. He is then sent out on a job with Bill Sykes but while trying to warn the sleeping victims he is shot by Sykes. He is taken in by the Maylies but Fagin is plotting Oliver's return. Nancy goes to the Maylies to tell of Oliver's danger and together they bring about Fagin's downfall.
This is an excellent adaptation that holds up well due to the grand supporting cast. George Siegmann can add Bill Sykes to his gallery of villains (he even looks like the original illustrations from Dickens). He was one of the best "heavies" of the silent screen. From Silas Lynch in "Birth of a Nation" to the terrible Von Strohm in "Hearts of the World", he was from the Griffith stable of actors. Gladys Brockwell is also very good as Nancy. She was a very popular and extremely busy actress who died in 1929 as a result of injuries caused by a car accident. Lon Chaney is superb as Fagin, inhabiting the character of the evil, dirty procurer of young boys to be taught the art of thieving.
Jackie Coogan is very cute in the title role and occasionally some of his tricks are bought out (cartwheeling for a bored aristocrat, mimicking the pickpocket game and pretending to be an old gentleman.) As another reviewer said he was the best and obvious choice to play Oliver.
Highly recommended.
"Oliver Twist" was a rare exception. Directed by Frank Lloyd, who went on to win a Best Director Academy Award for "The Divine Lady" and "Cavalcade", he also directed "Mutiny on the Bounty" which won Best Picture for 1935. The cast also included Gladys Brockwell as Nancy, Esther Ralston as Rose Maylie, George Siegmann as Bill Sykes and the magnificent Lon Chaney as Fagin.
"Despised by all - pitied by none" is the title that introduces this rather good atmospheric version of the classic book. There is a real effort to bring about the dinginess and poverty of 19th century London.
Oliver Twist is a drudge in an English work house. After having the temerity to ask for more food he is taken on as an apprentice under taker. When Noah Claypole says some horrible things about his mother, Oliver runs away to London. (There is a scene taken from "David Copper field" as Oliver trudges the 75 miles to London town.)He then meets the Artful Dodger, who introduces him to the evil Fagin (the masterly Lon Chaney) who has a den of thieves.
Meanwhile Mr. Bumble has discovered things about Oliver's mother - that she was from a wealthy family because of a gold locket she had when she died. Oliver is taught to be a "pickpocket" but is caught on his first job. He is taken to Mr. Brownlow's house where he is looked after because Mr. Brownlow thinks Oliver is decent and good. While sent on an errand of trust he is kidnapped by Nancy, claiming to be his sister. He is then sent out on a job with Bill Sykes but while trying to warn the sleeping victims he is shot by Sykes. He is taken in by the Maylies but Fagin is plotting Oliver's return. Nancy goes to the Maylies to tell of Oliver's danger and together they bring about Fagin's downfall.
This is an excellent adaptation that holds up well due to the grand supporting cast. George Siegmann can add Bill Sykes to his gallery of villains (he even looks like the original illustrations from Dickens). He was one of the best "heavies" of the silent screen. From Silas Lynch in "Birth of a Nation" to the terrible Von Strohm in "Hearts of the World", he was from the Griffith stable of actors. Gladys Brockwell is also very good as Nancy. She was a very popular and extremely busy actress who died in 1929 as a result of injuries caused by a car accident. Lon Chaney is superb as Fagin, inhabiting the character of the evil, dirty procurer of young boys to be taught the art of thieving.
Jackie Coogan is very cute in the title role and occasionally some of his tricks are bought out (cartwheeling for a bored aristocrat, mimicking the pickpocket game and pretending to be an old gentleman.) As another reviewer said he was the best and obvious choice to play Oliver.
Highly recommended.