MASTERPIECE THEATRE: MARTIN CHUZZLEWIT {EPISODE 2} (TV)
Summary
One in this ongoing series of dramas presented under the umbrella of "Masterpiece Theatre." This program presents part two 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. This part begins with the kindly Mark Tapley, an employee of the Blue Dragon, leaving to find work that will "test" him, but not before pledging his love to tavern owner Mrs. Lupin. On the road, Tapley runs into young Martin, eventually agreeing to accompany him to America as his unpaid servant. To fund his American journey, young Martin goes to the pawnbroker David Crimple to get money for his expensive pocket watch, a transaction overseen by Montague Tigg. After encouraging a sale far beneath the watch's value, Tigg tells Crimple that they'll use funds from the watch's sale to start their own company. Meanwhile, Seth Pecksniff travels to London, meeting with Anthony Chuzzlewit -- behind Jonas's back -- to discuss a possible marriage between Jonas and Charity. Soon afterward, Anthony begins choking and dies under somewhat mysterious circumstances, much to Mr. Chuffey's horror.
Later, Pecksniff brings Sairey Gamp, a part-time nurse and undertaker's aide, to deal with Anthony's body. Then, Jonas arranges an elaborate funeral procession which is widely attended. The secretive Lewsome asks a bystander whose funeral it is, and faints upon hearing the news. Meanwhile, young Martin secretly meets with Mary to tell her of his travel plans, after which she confirms her love for him. Mary also asks young Martin to appeal to his grandfather to be let back into his life, though he refuses. Before leaving, however, Martin reveals to Mary that Pecksniff is a scoundrel and that she should fall in with Tom Pinch, who will collect letters that Martin mails from America.
After the funeral, Jonas tries to learn from Pecksniff how much he will pay the man that marries one of his daughters. Pecksniff reveals that he will pay 4,000 pounds if Jonas were to marry Charity. Elsewhere, Gamp tells undertaker Mr. Mould that she is going to be watching over Mr. Chuffey in the evenings while caring for the recently stricken Lewsome by day. Later, with both girls gathered, Jonas jilts Charity and proposes marriage to Mercy. Shocked and saddened, Charity sprints away, furious at both Jonas and Mercy. However, Pecksniff is ecstatic, now that the two families are to be "united." Then, Tom arrives to inform Pecksniff that old Martin and Mary are soon to arrive at his home. Closing comments are offered by Baker.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: April 2, 1995 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:56:50
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:76948
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama
- 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
- Lynda Bellingham … Cast, Mrs. Lupin
- Steve Nicolson … Cast, Mark Tapley
- Ben Walden … Cast, Young Martin Chuzzlewit
- David Bradley … Cast, David Crimple
- Pete Postlethwaite … Cast, Montague Tigg
- Keith Allen … Cast, Jonas Chuzzlewit
- Paul Scofield … Cast, Old Martin Chuzzlewit, Anthony Chuzzlewit
- John Mills … Cast, Mr. Chuffey
- Tom Wilkinson … Cast, Seth Pecksniff
- Elizabeth Spriggs … Cast, Sairey Gamp
- Mr. Mould … Cast, Sam Kelly
- Julian Fellowes … Cast, Dr. Jobling
- Pauline Turner … Cast, Mary Graham
- Emma Chambers … Cast, Chairty Pecksniff
- Julia Sawalha … Cast, Mercy Pecksniff
- Philip Franks … Cast, Tom Pinch
- Stephen Mapes … Cast, Lewsome
- Peter Waddington … Cast, Passerby at Funeral
- Imogen Bain … Cast, Woman Outside Mrs. Gamp's
- Jelena Budimir … Cast, Woman Outside Mrs. Gamp's
- Sandra Freeman … Cast, Woman Outside Mrs. Gamp's