Nicholas Nickleby (1912)

In a time of destitution following the death of their father, Nicholas Nickleby, his sister Kate, and their mother journey to London. They seek assistance from Ralph, the father's brother and a miserly moneylender, oblivious to his indifference to family ties. Sensing an opportunity in Kate's beauty, Ralph consigns Nicholas to a Yorkshire school as an assistant to the savage schoolmaster, Squeers, promising to care for his mother and sister. Unbeknownst to them, Ralph harbors schemes of exploiting Kate to bait wealthy men into his loan shark business. The reality of the so-called school horrifies Nicholas. Neglected students, starving and mistreated, are under the thumb of Squeers - a brutal, ignorant, and frequently inebriated tyrant. Nicholas bears the ill-treatment, standing firm for the sake of his family until an act of cruelty towards a poor drudge, Smike, ignites his righteous anger. He thrashes Squeers, abandons the school, and returns home, only to find Ralph berating his helpless mother and sister. Resolute, he expels the heartless uncle and promises Smike a safe haven with them. In the second chapter of his life, Nicholas, fresh from the torment of Squeers's school, is determined to support his mother and sister. Failing to find work, he consents to Ralph's offer to care for the women, leaving London with Smike. Their paths cross with Vincent Crummles, a theatrical manager who offers them employment. Nicholas shines in his new role, courting fame and jealousy alike. Back in London, Kate suffers insults in Ralph's house, triggering a warning from the clerk, Newman Boggs. Racing back, Nicholas defends his sister's honor against Sir Mulberry Hawk, one of Ralph's cronies. Nicholas finds employment at the charitable Cherryble Brothers' firm, where he encounters Madeline Bray. A blossoming love story is threatened by a vile old miser who holds Madeline's father in his clutches. But love and righteousness prevail as Nicholas rescues Madeline from a hateful marriage, finally freeing the Nickleby family from Ralph's manipulative grasp.

Nicholas Nickleby is a drama movie featuring Harry Benham and directed by George Nichols.

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