Pick A Movie

Dickens of London

Season: 1

Episode: 1

Mask

Air Date:28/09/1976

On his sickbed, an elderly Dickens recalls his life. He remembers his father John as someone who is a bit larger than life. A great storyteller, he enjoys performing monologues in ale houses and even has the young Charles sing or recite from time to time. John works as a clerk but with a growing family, he has fallen behind in his payments to the local shopkeepers. He borrows a bit of money from a cousin but he has to make plans to relocate to a less prosperous part of London. Before he can do so however, he is visited by a solicitor seeking payment on behalf of his clients.

Crew

Name: Marc Miller

Role: Director

Department: Directing

Name: Wolf Mankowitz

Role: Writer

Department: Writing

Name: Marc Miller

Role: Writer

Department: Writing

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Guest Stars

Name: Diana Coupland

Character: Elizabeth Dickens

Department: Acting

Name: Simon Bell

Character: Young Charles

Department: Acting

Name: Pheona McLellan

Character: Young Fanny

Department: Acting

Name: Claire McLellan

Character: Letitia Dickens

Department: Acting

Name: Paul Lavers

Character: James Lamert

Department: Acting

Name: Kim McDonald

Character: Mary Weller

Department: Acting

Name: Lynsey Baxter

Character: Orfling

Department: Acting

Name: George Waring

Character: Huffam

Department: Acting

Name: Vernon Dobtcheff

Character: Legal Gentleman

Department: Acting

Name: Ivor Salter

Character: Mr. Tribe

Department: Acting

Name: Pearl Hackney

Character: Mrs. Tribe

Department: Acting

Name: John F. Landry

Character: Dolby

Department: Acting

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Episode: 2

The Deed

Air Date:05/10/1976

Young Charles returns to his family in London at the end of term and is unlikely to return. He finds it hard to accept that London is a great classroom for learning about life. He learns about the poverty around him. While he knows his father is employed in civil service, he's also aware that prosecutors are after him.

Crew

Name: Marc Miller

Role: Director

Department: Directing

Name: Wolf Mankowitz

Role: Writer

Department: Writing

Name: Marc Miller

Role: Writer

Department: Writing

Show all crew

Guest Stars

Name: Diana Coupland

Character: Elizabeth Dickens

Department: Acting

Name: Simon Bell

Character: Young Charles

Department: Acting

Name: Pheona McLellan

Character: Young Fanny

Department: Acting

Name: Claire McLellan

Character: Letitia Dickens

Department: Acting

Name: Paul Lavers

Character: James Lamert

Department: Acting

Name: Lynsey Baxter

Character: Orfling

Department: Acting

Name: George Waring

Character: Huffam

Department: Acting

Name: John Breslin

Character: Mr. Kerr

Department: Acting

Name: John F. Landry

Character: Dolby

Department: Acting

Name: Antony Carrick

Character: Beadle

Department: Acting

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Episode: 3

Blacking

Air Date:12/10/1976

During his tour, Dickens meets Commissioner Wentworth and takes exception to New York city's jail. He recalls when, as a boy of 12, his own father was jailed for nine months without any evidence. Charles had obtained employment with Cousin James, working in horrible circumstances making boot polish. At home, Mr. Kerr continues to press for repayment and the elder Dickens finds himself in the sponging-house, a temporary jail for debtors.

Crew

Name: Wolf Mankowitz

Role: Writer

Department: Writing

Name: Marc Miller

Role: Writer

Department: Writing

Name: Michael Ferguson

Role: Director

Department: Directing

Show all crew

Guest Stars

Name: Diana Coupland

Character: Elizabeth Dickens

Department: Acting

Name: Simon Bell

Character: Young Charles

Department: Acting

Name: Pheona McLellan

Character: Young Fanny

Department: Acting

Name: Claire McLellan

Character: Letitia Dickens

Department: Acting

Name: Paul Lavers

Character: James Lamert

Department: Acting

Name: Lynsey Baxter

Character: Orfling

Department: Acting

Name: John F. Landry

Character: Dolby

Department: Acting

Name: David Healy

Character: Comm. Wentworth

Department: Acting

Name: Madoline Thomas

Character: Grandmother Dickens

Department: Acting

Name: Charles Pemberton

Character: Uncle William Dickens

Department: Acting

Name: Peter-Hugo Daly

Character: Tiny Tucker

Department: Acting

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Episode: 4

Love

Air Date:19/10/1976

In New York City, Dickens meets an ardent admirer, a Miss Baldwin, who reminds him of someone from his youth. As a young man, Charles was involved in amateur theatricals and was writing, drawing on his own experiences for the latter. Charles has also taken an interest in Maria Beadnell, one of several daughters to a well-known banker. In fact, he's fallen madly in love with her and has taken to writing her poetry.

Crew

Name: Marc Miller

Role: Director

Department: Directing

Name: Wolf Mankowitz

Role: Writer

Department: Writing

Name: Marc Miller

Role: Writer

Department: Writing

Show all crew

Guest Stars

Name: Diana Coupland

Character: Elizabeth Dickens

Department: Acting

Name: John F. Landry

Character: Dolby

Department: Acting

Name: Gene Foad

Character: Young Adult Charles

Department: Acting

Name: Karen Dotrice

Character: Maria Beadnell

Department: Acting

Name: Raymond Francis

Character: Mr. Beadnell

Department: Acting

Name: Gwen Cherrell

Character: Mrs. Beadnell

Department: Acting

Name: Holly Palance

Character: Miss Baldwin

Department: Acting

Name: Godfrey Quigley

Character: Henry Kerridge

Department: Acting

Name: Sheila Felvin

Character: Mary Ann Leigh

Department: Acting

Name: Isabelle Amyes

Character: Anne Beadnell

Department: Acting

Name: Hazel McBride

Character: Margaret Beadnell

Department: Acting

Name: William Humbert

Character: Henry Austin

Department: Acting

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Episode: 5

Success

Air Date:26/10/1976

In 1835, Dickens is working as a journalist and publishing stories wherever and whenever he can. He's still in love with Maria but she seems to think less of him. Dickens drowns his sorrows at the ale house and falls into the arms of local prostitute Desdemona. Although under a pseudonym, Dickens begins to gather a following. His first book nets £150, much to his spendthrift father's joy. The money doesn't last long, however, as the elder Dickens is once again arrested.

Crew

Name: Marc Miller

Role: Director

Department: Directing

Name: Wolf Mankowitz

Role: Writer

Department: Writing

Name: Marc Miller

Role: Writer

Department: Writing

Show all crew

Guest Stars

Name: Diana Coupland

Character: Elizabeth Dickens

Department: Acting

Name: John F. Landry

Character: Dolby

Department: Acting

Name: Gene Foad

Character: Young Adult Charles

Department: Acting

Name: Karen Dotrice

Character: Maria Beadnell

Department: Acting

Name: Raymond Francis

Character: Mr. Beadnell

Department: Acting

Name: Holly Palance

Character: Miss Baldwin

Department: Acting

Name: Sheila Felvin

Character: Mary Ann Leigh

Department: Acting

Name: Graham Faulkner

Character: Fred Dickens

Department: Acting

Name: Richard Leech

Character: Mr. Hogarth

Department: Acting

Name: Adrienne Burgess

Character: Catherine Hogarth

Department: Acting

Name: Lois Baxter

Character: Mary Hogarth

Department: Acting

Name: Derek Francis

Character: Stage Manager

Department: Acting

Name: Robin Halstead

Character: Kolle

Department: Acting

Name: Liz Edmiston

Character: Desdenona

Department: Acting

Name: John Nettles

Character: Macrone

Department: Acting

Name: David Ashford

Character: Mr. Ainsworth

Department: Acting

Name: Hetty Baynes

Character: Fanny Dickens

Department: Acting

Name: Dudley Jones

Character: La Salle

Department: Acting

Name: Patsy Kensit

Character: Georgina Hogarth

Department: Acting

Name: Graham Seed

Character: Potter

Department: Acting

Name: Peter Howell

Character: Mr. Black

Department: Acting

Name: John Nolan

Character: Willis

Department: Acting

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Episode: 6

Fame

Air Date:02/11/1976

Dickens proposes to Catherine, which she happily accepts. Kate, however, is frightened by the prospect of marriage and also with her new husband's determination. Dickens has his first great success with his serialisation of 'The Pickwick Papers'. Sales are not as expected and he has issues with the illustrator. With an advance on the first two stories, Dickens sets out to furnish his new home.

Crew

Name: Wolf Mankowitz

Role: Writer

Department: Writing

Name: Marc Miller

Role: Writer

Department: Writing

Name: Michael Ferguson

Role: Director

Department: Directing

Show all crew

Guest Stars

Name: Diana Coupland

Character: Elizabeth Dickens

Department: Acting

Name: Simon Bell

Character: Young Charles

Department: Acting

Name: John F. Landry

Character: Dolby

Department: Acting

Name: Gene Foad

Character: Young Adult Charles

Department: Acting

Name: Holly Palance

Character: Miss Baldwin

Department: Acting

Name: Graham Faulkner

Character: Fred Dickens

Department: Acting

Name: Richard Leech

Character: Mr. Hogarth

Department: Acting

Name: Lois Baxter

Character: Mary Hogarth

Department: Acting

Name: Michael Macowan

Character: Sir Giles

Department: Acting

Name: Kenneth Colley

Character: Robert Seymour

Department: Acting

Name: John Ringham

Character: Chapman

Department: Acting

Name: Adrienne Burgess

Character: Catherine Dickens (née Hogarth)

Department: Acting

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Episode: 7

Money

Air Date:09/11/1976

Dickens is doing quite well with a new illustrator for 'The Pickwick Papers', which is proving a great success. Meanwhile, Kate is pregnant, expecting their first child. A dream about an orphan boy leads Dickens to write 'Oliver Twist'. He researches the subject thoroughly, visiting prisons and following a jailer's suggestion that such boys are often pickpockets. In many ways, it reminds him of his own youth.

Crew

Name: Wolf Mankowitz

Role: Writer

Department: Writing

Name: Marc Miller

Role: Writer

Department: Writing

Name: Michael Ferguson

Role: Director

Department: Directing

Show all crew

Guest Stars

Name: Simon Bell

Character: Young Charles

Department: Acting

Name: John F. Landry

Character: Dolby

Department: Acting

Name: Gene Foad

Character: Young Adult Charles

Department: Acting

Name: Holly Palance

Character: Miss Baldwin

Department: Acting

Name: Graham Faulkner

Character: Fred Dickens

Department: Acting

Name: Lois Baxter

Character: Mary Hogarth

Department: Acting

Name: John Nettles

Character: Macrone

Department: Acting

Name: Adrienne Burgess

Character: Catherine Dickens (née Hogarth)

Department: Acting

Name: Anthony May

Character: John Hullah

Department: Acting

Name: Robert Longden

Character: Hablot Browne

Department: Acting

Name: John Baddeley

Character: Richard Bentley

Department: Acting

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Episode: 8

Possession

Air Date:16/11/1976

Dickens grows ncreasingly concerned at Catherine's deteriorating mental condition. Meanwhile, he continues his flirtation with sister-in-law Mary, spending hours together. With his ever-growing success, Dickens rents a new 12-room London townhouse with a large garden. Unbeknownst to everyone, Mary is seriously ill.

Crew

Name: Marc Miller

Role: Director

Department: Directing

Name: Wolf Mankowitz

Role: Writer

Department: Writing

Name: Marc Miller

Role: Writer

Department: Writing

Show all crew

Guest Stars

Name: John F. Landry

Character: Dolby

Department: Acting

Name: Gene Foad

Character: Young Adult Charles

Department: Acting

Name: Graham Faulkner

Character: Fred Dickens

Department: Acting

Name: Lois Baxter

Character: Mary Hogarth

Department: Acting

Name: Adrienne Burgess

Character: Catherine Dickens (née Hogarth)

Department: Acting

Name: Anthony May

Character: John Hullah

Department: Acting

Name: Robert Longden

Character: Hablot Browne

Department: Acting

Name: John Baddeley

Character: Richard Bentley

Department: Acting

Name: Tony Steedman

Character: Harley

Department: Acting

Name: George Roubicek

Character: Eberfield

Department: Acting

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Episode: 9

Dreams

Air Date:23/11/1976

In New York, Dickens is invited to a sportsman's dinner, one of many such invitations that he regularly receives. He recalls a time when, as still a young man, he sorely grieved the loss of sister-in-law Mary, whom he loved very dearly. He continues to produce novels, including 'Oliver Twist' but begins to fear for his health and seeks the world-weary Dr. Elliotson to take out an insurance policy.

Crew

Name: Wolf Mankowitz

Role: Writer

Department: Writing

Name: Marc Miller

Role: Writer

Department: Writing

Name: Michael Ferguson

Role: Director

Department: Directing

Show all crew

Guest Stars

Name: Diana Coupland

Character: Elizabeth Dickens

Department: Acting

Name: John F. Landry

Character: Dolby

Department: Acting

Name: Graham Faulkner

Character: Fred Dickens

Department: Acting

Name: Lois Baxter

Character: Mary Hogarth

Department: Acting

Name: Adrienne Burgess

Character: Catherine Dickens (née Hogarth)

Department: Acting

Name: Robert Longden

Character: Hablot Browne

Department: Acting

Name: T.R. Bowen

Character: John Forster

Department: Writing

Name: Ben Kingsley

Character: Dr. John Elliotson

Department: Acting

Name: Arthur Hewlett

Character: Old Collector

Department: Acting

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Episode: 10

Magic

Air Date:30/11/1976

Charles is acting very strangely and his friends are worried, as he claims to be in love with Queen Victoria, upset that she is marrying a German; he even threatens to leave England. He wants to buy back his his copyright to 'Oliver Twist', seemingly prepared to pay a hefty sum to do so. The serialisation of 'The Old Curiosity Shop' is a huge success, with the death of the protagonist, Little Nell, capturing the imagination of the nation, leaving many a grown man in tears.

Crew

Name: Wolf Mankowitz

Role: Writer

Department: Writing

Name: Marc Miller

Role: Writer

Department: Writing

Name: Michael Ferguson

Role: Director

Department: Directing

Show all crew

Guest Stars

Name: Diana Coupland

Character: Elizabeth Dickens

Department: Acting

Name: John F. Landry

Character: Dolby

Department: Acting

Name: Holly Palance

Character: Miss Baldwin

Department: Acting

Name: Graham Faulkner

Character: Fred Dickens

Department: Acting

Name: Lois Baxter

Character: Mary Hogarth

Department: Acting

Name: Michael Macowan

Character: Sir Giles

Department: Acting

Name: John Ringham

Character: Chapman

Department: Acting

Name: Adrienne Burgess

Character: Catherine Dickens (née Hogarth)

Department: Acting

Name: Robert Longden

Character: Hablot Browne

Department: Acting

Name: T.R. Bowen

Character: John Forster

Department: Writing

Name: Ben Kingsley

Character: Dr. John Elliotson

Department: Acting

Name: Janet Spencer-Turner

Character: Miss Picken

Department: Acting

Name: Ralph Michael

Character: Lord Durham

Department: Acting

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Episode: 11

Nightmare

Air Date:07/12/1976

Dickens recalls his first visit to the United States in 1842, where he met Edgar Allan Poe. Kate, psychologically fragile as she is, accompanied him though she isn't having much fun. Dickens and Poe find much to discuss and share stories over wine.

Crew

Name: Marc Miller

Role: Director

Department: Directing

Name: Wolf Mankowitz

Role: Writer

Department: Writing

Name: Marc Miller

Role: Writer

Department: Writing

Show all crew

Guest Stars

Name: Adrienne Burgess

Character: Catherine Dickens (née Hogarth)

Department: Acting

Name: Seymour Matthews

Character: Edgar Allan Poe

Department: Acting

Name: Michael Darbyshire

Character: Mr. V

Department: Acting

Name: Bob Sessions

Character: Clerk

Department: Acting

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Episode: 12

Angel

Air Date:14/12/1976

Dickens recalls an 1842 trip to Montreal, where he and Kate performed onstage. Their return is a joyous one and they are happily reunited with their many children. As well, Kate is again pregnant, and Dickens takes an interest in Kate's sister Georgina, who Kate hires to help her about the house. Dickens' happiness is short-lived however, when he learns that one of his books has been pirated and widely published abroad with zero compensation.

Crew

Name: Wolf Mankowitz

Role: Writer

Department: Writing

Name: Marc Miller

Role: Writer

Department: Writing

Name: Michael Ferguson

Role: Director

Department: Directing

Show all crew

Guest Stars

Name: John F. Landry

Character: Dolby

Department: Acting

Name: Adrienne Burgess

Character: Catherine Dickens (née Hogarth)

Department: Acting

Name: T.R. Bowen

Character: John Forster

Department: Writing

Name: Christine McKenna

Character: Georgina Hogarth

Department: Acting

Name: Milton Johns

Character: Samuel Starey

Department: Acting

Name: Richard Hampton

Character: Daniel MacLise

Department: Acting

Name: Roy Marsden

Character: Stanfield

Department: Acting

Name: Norwich Duff

Character: Journalist

Department: Acting

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Episode: 13

Memories

Air Date:21/12/1976

In New York, Dickens reads 'A Christmas Carol' to a sold-out audience. He reminisces about his childhood, particularly those involving his larger than life father and some of the financial difficulties they faced one particular holiday season. Similarly, he reads from his other works, and recalls how his father and events of his own life are reflected in his stories.

Crew

Name: Marc Miller

Role: Director

Department: Directing

Name: Wolf Mankowitz

Role: Writer

Department: Writing

Name: Marc Miller

Role: Writer

Department: Writing

Show all crew

Guest Stars

Name: Diana Coupland

Character: Elizabeth Dickens

Department: Acting

Name: Simon Bell

Character: Young Charles

Department: Acting

Name: John F. Landry

Character: Dolby

Department: Acting

Name: Holly Palance

Character: Miss Baldwin

Department: Acting

Name: Connie Booth

Character: Sophie

Department: Acting

Name: Ken Wynne

Character: Mr. De'ath

Department: Acting

Name: Patrick McAlinney

Character: Box Office Manager

Department: Acting

Name: George Malpas

Character: Old Man

Department: Acting

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