The Dickens Museum has recently acquired some fascinating Dickens memorabilia; reading about it reminded me of my TV debut in 1967.
Mr. Dickens of London was a part-dramatised tour of the great writer’s big city haunts.
The conceit would have appealed to Dickens’s instinct for self-promotion .
It starred Sir Michael Redgrave as Charles Dickens and Juliet Mills as a tour guide whom Dickens befriends and offers to show her his London.
The first stop on the tour was 48 Doughty Street–the family’s home for two years from 1837–when he was 25 and where he wrote The Pickwick Papers, Oliver Twist and Nickolas Nickleby .
“And this is Boz, young me, hard at work writing,” says Sir Michael/Charles Dickens, pointing at me!
And there I was–sitting at Dickens’ real desk, twiddling a quill and spilling the ink, no doubt. It was directed by actor Barry Morse–who was big presence at the time on ITV as the detective pursuing David Jannsen as The Fugitive in weekly episodes. The Daily Mirror had opened a book, taking daily bets, on when Morse would track him down.
We were filming in Covent Garden–still operating as a fruit and vegetable market and an authentic Dickens location (he’d had an office in Wellington Street nearby). The porters were about to knock off work after a hard day’s night and were standing round watching the action. One of them spotted Barry giving me directions and quick as a flash shouted at him:
“You won’t find ‘im ‘ere mate–long gone!!”
The job was well timed for me. I’d been out of work for some weeks after sharing the stage for six months with another star-studded cast in a production of Sheridan’s The Rivals at the Haymarket Theatre.
A baptism of fire–straight from playing Idle Jack in Cheltenham Theatre’s Christmas pantomime.
I took over the leading part, Captain Jack Absolute, from Dan Massey.
Ralph Richardson played my father, Sir Anthony and Margaret Rutherford, Mrs Malaprop.
I was paid £35 a week and by the end I was hard up!
So this Dickens job was a gift and then more….
U.S. President Lyndon Johnson chose the night of transmission to give a major TV address to the nation. Our show went out–but the ratings persuaded the network to show it a second time.
Thus I got paid a repeat fee–which paid the rent for a few more weeks!
There was a fine gentle wind, and Mr. Pickwick’s hat rolled sportively before it. The wind puffed, and Mr. Pickwick puffed, and the hat rolled over and over as merrily as a lively porpoise in a strong tide.
from The Pickwick Papers by Boz (young Charles Dickens)
Robin Ellis 
I think David Jannsen is still chasing the one-armed man……
Ha, Ha!
sadly, David Janssen passed away in 1980.
Robin, do you miss acting on a regular basis? You have quite a CV, you gave it up…please tell. Thank you
I had a good innings and on the principle that actors never retire on ne said jambs–as they say here in France!
Sadly, David Janssen passed away in 1980.
Robin, you have quite a CV, yet gave up acting…any reason why?
Sadly, David Janssen passed away in 1980.
Robin, you have quite a CV, yet gave up acting…aby reason why?
I segued into Voice-overs and earned some money for the first time…
Ah, for memories of the good old days, perhaps a nicer time…🌹
Robin,
I remember watching that as a young teen. It may have been shown on the ABC (American Broadcasting Company) network. It was also the network that showed episodes of The Avengers, which I loved.
Little did I know that I was catching a glimpse of the future Capt. Poldark!
And when you were sitting at that desk, did it ever, in a million years, enter your mind that one day YOU would write books, that you’d live in France and be as known for your cooking and hospitality as well as your acting? This is a wonderful story!
No–is the short answer!
👏👏
I didn’t know he was a director! Was he good? What a fun cast… And it kept you with food, in your flat, for a little longer… Actors have to be brave and hopeful, don’t they? Thanks for continuing in such an up and down profession. We are all so glad you achieved success!
With warm wishes for you and Meredith from a minus 13 degrees in Minnesota.
Happy Valentine’s Day. ❤️
Thank you, Leslie.
Thank you Robin! As always, your stories are interesting and diverting! Just what is needed on a dark, dreary afternoon – waiting for Storm Dennis!!
How lucky you are to have such wonderful work-related memories to look back on. I enjoy my work but it will never inspire the type of stories you have to tell. I really enjoy reading about the insights you give us into your career as an actor. Fascinating.
Thank you so much and best wishes, Tina
I love your theater remembrances!
Hi, Robin–I’m currently teaching Great Expectations to a room full of less-than- pleased 15 year-old boys. Would you mind coming over and reading it to us? I’m pretty sure that my Mississippi accent is not doing it justice. We can discuss repeat fees any time!
I had trouble with 900 pages of Bleak House aged 17!
Courage!
Hi Robin I love ur reflective memoirs Here is one of mine Picture a large working class family with little money A disabled dad deafened by warfare Who had a thirst fir knowledge and owned several thousand books Including a small blue leather bound copy of The Writings of Boz .On Xmas morning 1961 aged 12 I received from my Dad the complete works of Charles Dickens Red leather bound fine tissue paper gilt edged pages My love affair with literature was set on its course Dear old Dad long gone now But a fantastic poet in his own right Aged 19 He wrote many poems whilst on guard duty in Burma one of which I recreated fir my Mums recent funeral We may have been cash poor but our lives were enriched by having such an unusual father God love him .On a more up to date note I have just seen Armando Iannuchis rendition of the personal history of David Copperfield To be recommended My aforementioned Dad used to aspire to Mr Wilkins Micawber ,when in leaner times, he would say “something is bound to turn up “Regards Brenda W
Lovely memory, Brend–thank you.
Interesting.. I’ve just bought a book about Charles Dickens written by his descendant, Lucinda Hawksley.
You might enjoy Claire Tomalin’s biog too.
How lucky you were to work with Margaret Rutherford, my acting idol, no one could play Madam Arcarty as she did, how I wish I could have met her. You should write an autobiography, you’ve certainly had an interesting and diverse enough life!
Hi Robin, You may know a short story by Evelyn Waugh: “The Man Who Liked Dickens”. Best to you both.
Dan and Jane Berical
This is great, Dan–thanks. I’ll read it online.