Rumpole Rests His Case

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Summary: Welcome back, Rumpole
Review: I never thought to see any new Rumpole of the Bailey stories, but it seems that the fecund John Mortimer has come up with yet another seven put out by Viking Press. At the same time, Audio Partners has released a complete reading on 6 audio-tapes. "Rumpole Rests His Case" (61280) features actor Tony Britton and the six stories are as follows.

"Rumpole and the Old Familiar Faces" (a fitting title for a "return" tale) concerns another inept robbery by a young member of the Timson clan, a Christmas pantomime, and an ex-con living it up as a gentleman.

"Rumple and the Remembrance of Things Past" somehow and neatly manages to put a framing device of a non-smoking rule in "chambers" around a gruesome major plot of a wife's skeleton found buried in a floor.

"Rumpole and the Asylum Seekers" is a timely tale of refugees escaping an oppressive government and those who make money by betraying them.

"Rumpole and the Camberwell Carrot" is about a flaming affair between the lovely "Portia of the Chambers" and a noted pillar of morality who has more than just clay feet.

"Rumpole and the Actor Laddie" is the shortest Rumpole story ever and the most unsatisfactory, revolving around a ring that might or not be stolen.

"Rumple and the Teenage Werewolf" is another very timely tale about sexual stalking by e-mail. (Here I was sure I knew who the culprit was--it HAD to be!--and was wrong.)

The final tale, "Rumpole Rests His Case" is the most unusual Rumpole story ever. After collapsing at the end of a particularly trying trial, Rumpole spends the story in a hospital bed in which he solves a crime and presents his case--to the other patients! A very touching finale.

Britton lacks that Leo McKern blusteriness that Timothy West had on an earlier Audio Partners set of Rumpole tales, but he is quite good on his own terms. In general, the sparkle seems to have gone out of these Rumpole yarns; but any Rumpole is better than none. I therefore recommend this set without much reservation.

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Summary: vintage Rumpole
Review: It seems strange that Rumpole of the Bailey has now been going for some 30 years and the actor who played him so perfectly has passed away just recently. John Mortimer the author is apparently now 80.

The early books were tinged with a certain sadness, placing Rumpole as a man past his time, a disappointment to his wife and someone who others were trying to ease into retirement. Yet Rumpole survived as an old Bailey hack, resiting all attempts to move him out of chambers.

As time has gone by these side plots, although existing have receded into the background and Rumpole has over time become the master of the court room and the one ethical figure in a modern world.

Mortimers strengths are that he has spent a lifetime in the courts and writes about it with a certain realism and eye for its absurdities. He is also a skilled story teller and even the shortest of the stories in any of his books with have multiple themes, plot twists and characters who spring from life.

This latest lot of stories does not show the slightest diminution of Mortimers power as a story teller despite the fact that he must have written them as a 78 year old. Each story is not only complete in itself as a little drama but it is also a picture of England under new labour. Stories feature the problems faced by asylum seekers, harassment by email and the struggle of the conservative party to retain some relevance by launching into a bit of populism.

It is a book that once you open, you will not put down and you will finish it in a couple of hours. What a shame that Leo McKern is no longer able to bring to the screen such gems.

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Summary: The first new volume of Rumpole stories in six years
Review: Mortimer brings the first new volume of Rumpole stories in six years, returning the comic British legal defender to modern times with seven new, funny stories of his court appearances. Familiarity with prior Rumpole accounts is not required but will enhance enjoyment of this latest series of episodes.

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Summary: Cheerio to Rumpole? Say it isn¿t so!
Review: Rumpole fans, John Mortimer has rewarded us generously with seven new "thrills and spills in the life of an Old Bailey hack". Much of the usual line-up is present: wife Hilda (SWMBO), the Erskine-Browns (Claude and Phillida, formerly the Portia of Chambers), faithful solicitor Bonny Bernard, Soapy Sam Ballard (a/k/a Bonzo), Mizz Liz Probert, private eye Fig Newton, Mr. Justice Featherstone, and Judge Bullingham (the Mad Bull). The old spots and props are in place: Froxbury Mansions, 1 Equity Court, Pommeroy's Wine Bar, the Sheridan Club, cheroots, steak and kidney, and our old darling Horace's favorite plonk: Chateau Fleet Street, Chateau Thames Embankment and Pommeroy's Very Ordinary. The issues are timely. The laughs are plentiful. At one point Rumpole, while attempting to gather information is handed "the wet-ended stub" of a "fairly fat cigarette" which he accepts, "feeling that the information might peter out if I rejected it." In the last story("Rumpole Rests His Case,") John Mortimer seems to be saying Cheerio to Rumpole. Say it isn't so! Now that the remarkable Leo McKern is no longer with us, perhaps we should bite the bullet and accept the inevitable. But (dare I suggest it?) there is someone out there (British actor, Ian McNeice) who could do a proper Rumpole, I'm certain of it.

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Summary: a nightcap not an aperitif
Review: There are all here: Sam Ballard, Liz Probert, Claude Erskine-Brown, Hilda (she who must be obeyed) and the wonderful Timsons who keep Rumpole employed. And the stories go down perhaps a bit smoother than a glass of Chateau Thames Embankment. To those who know Rumpole there is no need of introduction. For those who don't there is wonderful intoxication ahead but do start at the beginning with Rumpole of the Bailey and work your way up to Rumpole Rests his Case. These stories are good but are too brief. This volume is not an aperitif but a nightcap. One can only wish for a more substantial serving in the future. Let's hope Mortimer has more tricks up Rumpole's sleeve before that long goodnight.