Firstly in response to a query by one reviewer the first extant film of Dickens work dates back to 1901.I have never read the book,so I would guess that Hay Petrie's performance was not inspired by the book.So it may well be down to the director.B 1934 he was already an experienced screen performer and appeared in 89films.None of them as unrestrained as this most of the rest of the cast were very exerenced,going back 20years such as BenWebster.Wally Patch appeared in around 200 films.Compare this film with David Copperfield at MGM a year later and this film feels like it was made by a bunch of amateurs.
Review of The Old Curiosity Shop
