Nicholas Nickleby (1912 film)

Nicholas Nickleby is a 1912 American silent short drama film directed by George Nichols, adapted from Charles Dickens' 1839 novel of the same name. The two-reel film stars Harry Benham in the title role and Mignon Anderson.

Nicholas Nickleby was produced by the Thanhouser Company, which had previously produced versions of Dickens' David Copperfield and The Old Curiosity Shop in 1911.

As a 30-minute silent production (some sources state 20 minutes), the film has to significantly compact and truncate the story of the 900 plus page novel. Many characters are not directly identified by name, but would be familiar to those with knowledge of the novel.

Nicholas Nickleby and his mother and sister Kate arrive in London, and take up lodgings at Miss LaCreevy's (a miniature painter, per the sign on her house). Mrs. Nickleby sends a message to her brother-in-law Ralph Nickleby, a money-lender, asking his assistance in finding employment for Nicholas. Ralph visits the Nicklebys and shows Nicholas an advertisement to be a school teacher for Mr. Squeers' academy. Wackford Squeers is at the Saracen Head's Inn in London, allowing his new students nearly nothing to eat while he dines well. Ralph introduces Nicholas to Squeers, and Nicholas then leaves London to go to Wackford's Dotheboys Hall, as Kate and Mrs. Nickelby sadly look on.

Squeers and Nickleby arrive at Dotheboys Hall, met by Smike, the broken-down sad drudge of the school. Nicholas meets Mrs. Squeers and the couples' daughter Fanny (who is immediately taken by Nicholas' handsome looks), and impish son Wackford junior. In class, Mr. Squeers treats the children badly and feeds them very little (one spoonful of something unpleasant for each). Fanny finds an excuse to enter the classroom to see Nicholas, the object of her affection. Smike enters after the class is dismissed and is shown kindness by Nicholas.