00:03
SOL LESSER PRESENTS
JACKIE
COOGAN IN
"OLIVER TWIST"
COPYRIGHT MCMXXII BY SOL L. LESSER
00:15
Photographed by
Glen MacWilliams and Robert Martin
Lighting Effects by Louis Johnson
Settings by Stephen Goosson
Costumer Walter J. Israel
00:23
By
Adapted by Frank Lloyd and Harry Weil
A FIRST NATIONAL PICTURE
Jackie Coogan Production
00:33
WITH AN ALL-STAR CAST
Directed by
FRANK LLOYD
00:41
When this tale was first published, I fully expected it would be objected to on high moral grounds. It seems a very coarse and shocking circumstance that among the characters in my story, I had chosen from the filthiest, most criminal, and degraded of London's population.
00:58
The character of Sikes is a thief, Fagin a receiver of stolen goods, the boys are pick-pockets, and Nancy is a prostitute. Yet I saw no reason, when I wrote the book, why the dregs of life, so long as their speech did not offend the ear, should not serve the purpose of a moral.
01:13
In this spirit, I wished to show in little Oliver the principle of Good surviving through every adverse circumstance and triumphing at last among what companions I could try him best.
01:28
Among the public buildings in a certain English town there was a workhouse....
01:42
Here was born the item of mortality whose name is prefixed to the beginning of this tale.
02:23
"It's all over, Mrs. Thingummy! I'm told she was found lying on the street and nobody knows where she came from nor her name."
02:41
Unwanted, with no careful grandmother, no anxious aunts, no experienced nurses, the infant manages to survive.
02:51
But he was to be bandaged and ticketed, and fall into his place at once---an orphan of the workhouse---to be despised by all and pitied by none.
03:03
Nine years later. Oliver is a workhouse orphan.
03:22
Mr. Bumble is the workhouse beadle. He gets two days work in one.
03:53
Mrs. Corney, the experienced matron of women. She gets three days work in one.
04:51
"Now don't be offended Mr. Bumble, but will you have just a little drop of the gin which I keep for medicinal purposes?"
05:09
The fate of poor orphans under England's gentle system of charity...
05:22
Here they are "educated" and learn a "useful" trade.
05:54
Mr. Bumble named all foundlings born in the workhouse in alphabetical order, and so, after Jonathan Swubble had come Oliver Twist!
06:29
"If I don't get more gruel for supper..."
06:38
"...I'm afraid I might eat one of you."
06:56
"One of us must ask for more porridge. We'll draw lots to see who."
07:29
"Delicious, nutritious food!"
07:38
"There's one left. Who didn't draw his lot?"
08:02
"It's Oliver."
08:08
The workhouse authorities meet to agree that seven pence, ha'penny-worth per day is a good round diet for a child.
09:49
"Please sir, I want some more."
10:05
"Mr. Limbkins, I beg your pardon sir! Oliver Twist has asked for more gruel."
10:44
"He asked for more! After he had eaten the generous supper alotted by the dietary!"
10:53
"I am convinced that this boy will come to be hung!"
11:05
Meanwhile Oliver was ordered into instant confinement for the impious and profane offense of asking for more.
11:33
Poor hungry Oliver! He dreams of food, glorious food.
11:50
Allured by the reward which the board now offers to be rid of so dangerous a character, Mr. Sowerberry, the undertaker, takes Oliver as an apprentice.
12:40
"He is rather small. There's no denying it, but he'll grow! He'll grow!"
12:47
"And his board needn't be expensive, for he hasn't been overfed since he was born!"
13:03
Oliver, now an undertaker's apprentice, has attended his first funeral and has formed an unfavorable opinion of his master's business.
13:29
CHEMIST
14:39
The new apprentice meets his workmate Noah Claypool, who delights in tormenting the new boy.
14:57
Charlotte, the undertaker's maidservant.
15:52
A gloomy bedroom.
16:05
As Oliver cowers, uncertain of his fate among the coffins, there are merrier goings-on.
17:00
Sterling silver.
17:27
"Such wonderful things and a rent free house. What an opportunity for a joining of hearts and housekeepings!"
17:37
A month's trial over, Oliver is formally apprenticed.
17:55
"Wha'd yer mother die of, work'us?"
18:02
"Of a broken heart, some of our old nurses at the orphanage told me!"
18:14
"Yer mother was a regular right-down bad 'un, it's a great deal better that she died when she did, or else she'd a probably been hung."
18:47
"So, you ungrateful wretch. Is this the way you repay my kindness?"
19:02
"You go packing back to the workhouse tomorrow!"
19:44
Back at the workhouse, old Mrs. Thingummy, the only one who remembers the death of Oliver's mother, is herself dying.
20:16
"In this very bed, a woman gave birth to a boy. He was called Oliver."
20:35
"I stole this locket. The only thing she had. Gold it is."
20:45
Mrs. Corney realizes that the gold locket may have belonged to a wealthy lady.
21:30
He hopes to find a hiding place where nobody, not even Mr. Bumble, could ever find him.
21:54
LONDON
75-M
22:31
The passing stranger tempts Oliver to see how far this idle young drudge can run for a ha'penny.
23:32
The acquisitive Bumble, now aware of Oliver's possible heritage, goes to visit one Monks, who had inquired after him.
23:46
"I have proof about Oliver, but, alas, he has run away."
23:59
"Now it even more important that I find him."
24:16
After begging food and water for seven days, Oliver finally sights London.
24:34
Jack Dawkins, known among his most intimate friends as "The Artful Dodger."
24:56
"Hullo, my Covey. What's the row?"
25:08
"I heard the boys once talk about London."
25:18
"Yes, keep all matters about the boy quiet. When I'm in London, I may happen across him."
25:31
"Do you live in London?"
25:38
"Yes, when I'm home. I suppose you want some place to sleep tonight and eat... Don't fret your eyelids on that score."
25:47
"I know a respectable old gentleman as lives there, wot'll give you lodgings for nothink."
25:57
"Let's go. Up with you!"
26:10
Field Lane in London, where even the air is polluted. Home of the Artful Dodger and his "friends."
26:32
Fagin, a crafty, old, shrivelled scoundrel, who enriches himself by teaching outcast boys how to steal.
27:25
"Be respectful. He'll treat you fine if yer shows respect."
28:12
"Almost got caught that time. I thinks I got away orl right."
28:55
"Allow me to introduce another of my dear boys...Charley Bates by name."
29:07
And now we meet Bill Sikes, one of Fagin's henchmen. He is to play an important part in Oliver's life.
29:35
Nancy, his woman.
30:26
"I have good business to tell you about--the Chertsey job. You asked for a little boy, I've got him."
30:34
"He's small and a smart one. He's just the one to do it."
30:46
Oliver watches as the merry old gentleman and the boys play their curious "game."
31:38
"Please sir, may I play too?"
32:40
Monks, through friends, has traced "a new boy" to Fagin!
32:49
"Yes, a little beggar, now one of my dears. Shall we talk privately?"
33:29
"I want you to keep that boy under wraps."
33:35
"Whatever you say, Monks. I'd never go against you."
33:51
"Hullo, Betsy; Hullo, Nancy. We have a new boy."
34:11
The next day the boys practice their trade.
34:16
DENTIST
34:24
A "prime plant."
34:28
Mr. Brownlow.
36:17
"Yes, that's the little thief, I'm afraid."
37:18
"Nancy, my dear, go to the police."
37:24
"Convince them Oliver is your poor, sweet, innocent little brother."
37:37
"I am not sure this boy actually took my purse. I would rather not press the charges."
37:45
"If he is convicted by the evidence, he'll get three months of hard labor."
38:29
"I keep the bookstall, sir. I saw the prisoner and two other boys loitering. The robbery was committed by the two other boys. This boy did nothing. He was amazed and stupified by it."
38:49
"You're a clever girl, Nancy. An honor to your sex. You must get the boy freed."
39:05
"I shall take responsibility for the boy, your honor."
39:14
Mr. Brownlow saw Oliver comfortably deposited in his own home.
39:50
"I was too late. Oliver has been taken by a rich old gentleman."
40:10
"About our plan, Bill. The little boy, he's been taken. All we need to do is recover him."
40:26
Mr. Brownlow's housekeeper, Mrs. Bedwin, took good care of Oliver.
40:43
"I thought at first it was only a game I was playing."
42:06
"My dear friend, Brownlow, I only know of two sorts of boys, good and bad."
42:17
"I have no doubt that Oliver is good and decent."
42:29
"And I think the opposite."
42:47
"We shall test this boy to prove the injustice of your suspicions."
43:43
"Oliver, take these books back to the book stall. Pay the four pound ten I owe. This is a five pound note."
43:55
"Come back promptly with ten shillings change."
45:12
"He's my little brother who ran away from our parents."
46:51
Late that evening Oliver had not returned...
47:15
"I do suppose you're right, Grimwig. I should have listened to you in the beginning."
47:27
Once again Oliver is firmly entrenched in Fagin's custody.
47:38
"Wake up! Look sharp! We got work to do!"
49:15
"The boy, Oliver, his education in thievery is to continue."
49:31
"It's a matter of his inheritance. Good if he's discredited; better if he never appears!"
50:31
"If you speak one word, except when I speak to you, I'll put a bullet through your head."
51:10
Oliver boldly tries to thwart the robbery.
51:42
"One of the thieves, Miss. Wounded, Miss."
52:04
"Don't worry, Monks. If Oliver gets caught, he'll be in jail for a long time."
52:21
"The job failed! Oliver's fault! Bill shot him!"
53:29
Noah Claypool and Charlotte, having stolen some coin from the till of their former master, arrive in London.
53:40
Oliver is tenderly cared for in the home of old Mrs. Maylie and her niece Rose.
53:56
"Not one of them did right by me - 'till Mr. Brownlow and kindly Mrs. Bedwin took care of me."
54:55
"Oliver is telling them everything about us."
55:09
"That little wretch may cost us the rest of our lives behind bars."
55:26
"I'll take care of Oliver!"
55:31
"No you won't, Bill!"
55:48
"She needs watching, that one. We can't trust anybody, especially a female."
56:53
"I heard there's a new boy here."
57:13
"No more robbin' undertaker's tills for me. I'm after bigger stuff."
57:46
"Fagin is the name and I'm looking for a smart boy like you, interested in profits. A young woman I know needs following. Tell me where she goes, who she sees and what she says, - for cash!"
58:09
Oliver has related his adventures to Mr. Brownlow.
58:13
"I told you he would come back!"
58:19
"Well, maybe so, but you never did get your change or your books!"
58:54
It was a happy time for Oliver.
59:21
Nancy warns Rose of Oliver's danger.
1:00:19
"We must find out who Monks really is. I must tell Mr. Brownlow. Where can we find you?"
1:00:50
"I will walk every night on London Bridge."
1:01:25
The rendezvous. Rose and Mr. Brownlow seek out Nancy.
1:02:17
"If you promise that you will never tell on me, I can tell you where you may find Monks."
1:02:33
"He can be found at Fagin's in Field's Lane."
1:03:01
"If Monks cannot be taken, we must get to Fagin. I promise you that you need not be involved."
1:04:36
"I have something to tell you, Bill, that will surprise and horrify you."
1:04:51
"Well, Bill, Noah has followed Nancy. She has betrayed us!"
1:05:24
"She described you all and told everything."
1:05:44
"You won't be too violent, will you Bill?"
1:06:20
Anguished, for she has ruined the only man she loves.
1:07:41
Noah, frightened by Nancy's murder, has confessed to the police. The curious neighbors gather at Fagin's.
1:08:36
"That's Noah Claypool. He's leading the police."
1:09:52
Suddenly, a vision of Nancy's eyes.
1:10:34
"Come with me Monks, or I shall prefer charges publicly."
1:11:12
"Methinks, this is no place for the likes of us!"
1:11:21
Monks has agreed to tell the circumstances of Oliver's birth and heritage.
1:11:35
"My real name is Edward Leeford. Before she died, my mother told me of a letter she received from my divorced father, Edwin Leeford, who had run off with another woman."
1:11:54
"My father expected to die before the birth of the child to whom he planned to leave his fortune. That would have disinherited me. When Mr. Bumble brought me the locket, I was convinced it was my father's."
1:13:05
"If he is my brother, please don't send him to jail."
1:13:34
Oliver bows in thanks to the man who has apprised him of his true name-Oliver Leeford.
1:13:54
FINIS