John Halifax, Gentleman

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John Halifax, Gentleman
John Halifax, Gentleman.jpg
First editions
Author Dinah Craik
CountryGreat Britain
LanguageEnglish
PublisherHurst and Blackett
Publication date
1856
Media typePrint

John Halifax, Gentleman is a novel by Dinah Craik, first published in 1856.

Contents

The novel was adapted for BBC Radio 4 in 1970 and on television on BBC in 1974. [1]

Plot summary

The action is centred on the town of Tewkesbury, scarcely disguised by the fictional name Norton Bury, in Gloucestershire. The story is narrated by Phineas, a friend of the central character. John Halifax is an orphan, determined to make his way in the world through honest hard work. He is taken in by a tanner, Abel Fletcher, who is a Quaker, and thus meets Phineas, who is Abel's son. John eventually achieves success in business and love, and becomes a wealthy man.

A photographic postcard, probably from the early 20th century, depicts Dunkirk Mills, Inchbrook, near Nailsworth and Stroud, Gloucestershire, stating it was the "original Mills of 'John Halifax Gentleman'".

A discussion on a Stroud Fakebook [sic] page suggests that Enderley and the cottage were modelled on an area near Avening.

Editions

An illustrated edition was published by J. M. Dent & Co. in 1898, with twelve colour plates by three artists: W. C. (Cubitt) Cooke. L. M. (Laura) Fisher and F. C. (Frederick Colin) Tilney.

Adaptations

The novel has been adapted several times. A 1915 silent film John Halifax, Gentleman was directed by George Pearson. In 1938 a film version John Halifax was made. In 1974 a BBC series John Halifax, Gentleman was made.

The book is mentioned in Agatha Christie's 1935 novel Why Didn't They Ask Evans?. [2]

The book is mentioned in the first Elinor M Brent-Dyer’s Chalet School series, “The School at the Chalet”, as being read three times consecutively by central character, Jo Bettany. [3]

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John Halifax aka John Halifax, Gentleman is a 1938 British historical drama film directed by George King and starring John Warwick, Nancy Burne and Roddy McDowall. It is based on the 1856 novel John Halifax, Gentleman by Dinah Craik. It was made at Shepperton Studios as a quota quickie. The film's sets were designed by Philip Bawcombe.

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<i>John Halifax, Gentleman</i> (1910 film) 1910 American film

John Halifax, Gentleman is a 1910 American silent short drama produced by the Thanhouser Company. The film is the first film adaptation of Dinah Maria Mulock Craik's popular novel John Halifax, Gentleman and stars Martin Faust as John Halifax. The film focuses on John Halifax, an orphan who is taken in by a rich Quaker, Abel Fletcher. After a period of five years, John has becomes a foreman and he and Fletcher's invalid son, Phineas, have become good friends. Despite Fletcher's objections, John takes Phineas to the theatre. The trip is too much for Phineas and John carries him home, Fletcher becomes irate and drives John out of the house. Fletcher is soon confronts a mob of workers after closing the mill and throws the bags of grain into the river. John saves the life of Fletcher and his son and marries Ursula, the daughter of the richest man in town. The production credits are unknown, but the film was not directed by Theodore Marston. The film was released on December 2, 1910 and was met with mixed reviews. The film is presumed lost.

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References

  1. Results 1 to 20 of 37 for John Halifax, Gentleman Retrieved 30/12/2021 starring Robert Coleby.
  2. Chapter 7.
  3. Chapter 11.