David Copperfield (1935 film)

David Copperfield is a 1935 American film released by MetroGoldwynMayer based upon the Charles Dickens novel The Personal History, Adventures, Experience, amp Observation of David Copperfield the Younger. A number of characters and incidents from the novel were omitted notably Davids time at Salem House boarding school, although one character he met at Salem House Steerforth was retained for the film as a head boy at the school David attended after his aunt Betsey Trotwood gained custody of him.

David O. Selznick dearly wanted to film David Copperfield, as his Russian father Lewis J. Selznick had learned English through it, and read it to his sons every night. After failing to dissuade Selznick from the project, Louis B. Mayer, his fatherinlaw and employer, agreed that MGM would underwrite the production provided his star child contract actor, Jackie Cooper, was cast in the role of the young David. Selznick fought to remain true to the novels origins and prevailed, and the role went to Freddie Bartholomew after an extensive talent search in Canada and Great Britain by Selznick and George Cukor.Cedric Gibbons designed a recreation of 19th century London on the MGM backlot. The scenes set outside Aunt Betseys house atop the white cliffs of Dover were filmed at Malibu. MGM even filmed the exterior of Canterbury Cathedral, which only appears in the film for less than a minute. Special effects, including many matte shots, were by Slavko Vorkapi. ........

Source: Wikipedia