Nicholas Nickleby is a 1912 American silent short drama film directed by George Nichols, adapted from Charles Dickens' 1839 novel of the same name.
[2] 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.
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).
Squeers and Nickleby arrive at Dotheboys Hall, met by Smike, the broken-down sad drudge of the school.
The four guests are not identified, but are clearly Sir Mulberry Hawke, Lord Frederick Verisopht, and the similar-looking Mr. Pyke and Mr. Pluck.
Ralph has his assistant Newman Noggs (adorned with a feather quill over his ear to denote his quirky nature in the novel) deliver an ultimatum: that he will provide for Mrs. Nickleby and Kate if Nicholas leaves London.
Lenville sends a message to Nicholas asking him to "kindly step on the stage for the purpose of having his nose pulled."
Glide tells Ralph of his success, but Nicholas learns via Noggs that Madeline will be forced into the loveless marriage.
Nicholas bursts into the wedding ceremony to disrupt the proceedings, and Madeline's father dies while protesting his intrusion.
A title card then reveals that some months later, quoting Dickens, "never was such a dinner-since the world began" The Cheerybles are showing toasting Madeline and Nicholas amongst friends, and the film ends.