MASTERPIECE THEATRE: MARTIN CHUZZLEWIT {EPISODE 1} (TV)
Summary
One in this ongoing series of dramas presented under the umbrella of "Masterpiece Theatre." This program presents part one of a five-part adaptation of Charles Dickens's "Martin Chuzzlewit," the picaresque novel about human "buzzards" selfishly trying to get an old man's money.
First, Russell Baker introduces the presentation. The story begins when the carriage carrying old Martin Chuzzlewit and his ward Mary Graham is forced to stop at a roadside house after Martin takes ill. Meanwhile, Seth Pecksniff, an unscrupulous architectural instructor and widower, announces his latest financial scheme to his daughters, Charity and Mercy. Later, Pecksniff is alerted to the arrival in town of a sickly stranger. Visiting the house where "the stranger" has holed up, Pecksniff first meets with Mary, finding it curious that she is neither related to nor married to her companion. Proceeding to the bedroom, Pecksniff is shocked to realize that the man in question is his grumpy cousin Martin. Martin tells the feigning, pious Pecksniff that his great wealth has brought him nothing but misery as his avaricious relatives compete for his inheritance. He also explains why the orphaned Mary is bound to him by self-interest, while having nothing to gain from his death. Before leaving, Pecksniff pleads for Martin to provide for his estranged grandson, also named Martin. Hearing of the alliance, Martin subsequently burns a mysterious sheet on which he'd been writing before Pecksniff entered.
Later, Pecksniff meets the hanger-on Montague Tigg and fellow Chuzzlewit kin Chevy Slyme, soon learning that Chuzzlewit relatives are "pouring" into town, their eyes on old Martin's wealth. The next day, Pecksniff's good-hearted assistant Tom Pinch, also an organist, sees the beautiful Mary at his church and falls instantly in love with her sweet face. Eventually, Pecksniff assembles his fellow Chuzzlewit relatives, trying to figure out how they can open Martin's eyes to distributing the wealth amongst them. He believes that they should all plead the cause of young Martin and break the "siren spell" cast by Mary. However, Tigg interrupts the meeting to inform everyone that old Martin has made his escape from town.
Afterward, Pinch brings young Martin to Pecksniff, who takes in the currently poor man as a new architectural student. The next day, Pecksniff claims he has to leave town for business, telling young Martin to sketch some building plans for him while he's gone. Meanwhile, Pecksniff and his daughters share a coach enroute to London with Martin's brother Anthony and his son Jonas Chuzzlewit. Eventually, Pecksniff meets in London with Mrs. Todgers, getting boarding for himself and his daughters. Meanwhile, young Martin reveals to Tom that he is in low spirits, having just learned of his grandfather's recent appearance in the village. He also reveals that he has always been in love with Mary, yet will never be able to marry her due to his grandfather's arrangement.
In London, Jonas woos Charity, while continuing to insult "the other one." He also introduces the women to his father's clerk, the seemingly senile Mr. Chuffey. As Pecksniff reveals his "feelings" for Todgers, she tries to discipline the inn's young charge, Bailey. Meanwhile, John Westlock, a former student of Pecksniff's, tries to tell Tom and young Martin of Pecksniff's true nature, but Tom refuses to believe that his employer is evil. After a fainting spell that night, Pecksniff is awakened the next morning with a letter from old Martin. Martin orders Pecksniff to kick young Martin out and asks that he allow him and Mary to move into the house. Later, Anthony reveals his son's "shrewd" rules of business to Pecksniff, hinting that Jonas would like to wed his daughter. Upon returning home, Pecksniff treats young Martin rudely, accusing him of deceiving the Pecksniff family before throwing him out. Tom chases young Martin down, giving him a book to lift his spirits. Young Martin then reveals to Tom that he is heading to America to make his fortune. Closing comments are offered by Baker.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: March 26, 1995 Sunday 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:26:55
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:76946
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: She Made It Collection (Rebecca Eaton)
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1971-
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Rebecca Eaton … Executive Producer
- Steven Ashley … Senior Producer
- Chris Parr … Producer
- Pedr James … Director
- David Lodge … Writer
- Charles Dickens … Based on the novel by
- Geoffrey Burgon … Music by
- Russell Baker … Host
- Pauline Turner … Cast, Mary Graham
- Tom Wilkinson … Cast, Seth Pecksniff
- Steve Nicolson … Cast, Mark Tapley
- Lynda Bellingham … Cast, Mrs. Lupin
- Paul Scofield … Cast, Old Martin Chuzzlewit, Anthony Chuzzlewit
- Emma Chambers … Cast, Charity Pecksniff
- Julia Sawalha … Cast, Mercy Pecksniff
- Philip Franks … Cast, Tom Pinch
- Peter Wingfield … Cast, John Westlock
- Pete Postlethwaite … Cast, Montague Tigg
- Peter-Hugo Daly … Cast, Chevy Slyme
- Keith Allen … Cast, Jonas Chuzzlewit
- Ben Walden … Cast, Young Martin Chuzzlewit
- Paul Francis … Cast, Bailey
- Maggie Steed … Cast, Mrs. Todgers
- Stephen Mapes … Cast, Lewsome
- John Mills … Cast, Mr. Chuffey
- Nicholas Smith … Cast, Mr. Spottletoe
- Roger Ashton-Griffiths … Cast, George Chuzzlewit
- Robin Hooper … Cast, Mr. Jinkins
- John Padden … Cast, Augustus Moddle
- Hannah Tollman … Cast, Maidservant at Pecksniff's
- Lex Neale … Cast, Grand Nephew
- Nancy Nevinson … Cast, Deaf Cousin
- Philippa Urquhart … Cast, Widow
- Andrew Watson … Cast, Gentleman Serving Punch
- Jenny Tomasin … Cast, Maidservant at Anthony's
- William Keen … Cast, Todger's Lodger
- Tam Williams … Cast, Todger's Lodger