A Case for Re-Making Rumple of the Bailey
The Thames television Series Rumpole of the Bailey by John Mortimer and starring Leo McKern is a classic—featuring a truly magnificent protagonist, great supporting characters, and wonderful stories. One can acknowledge that Rumpole was television at its best and still yearn for a re-make. Several reasons compel another production without diminishing the high quality of the original. For younger generations to appreciate these timeless stories, a new series should re-make all the episodes and add the considerable writings published after the original production ended.
The main reason a network should re-make Rumpole is simple: Mortimer continued writing—and absolutely lost none of his punch or humor—long after the show ended. Mortimer published three more books of Rumpole stories, which would make three seasons of excellent 50-minute episodes beyond those in the original series, as well as several other short stories that were not made as television programs. The new production could also include feature-length movies of the three fantastic Rumpole novels—Rumpole and the Penge Bungalow Murders, Rumpole and the Reign of Terror, and The Anti-social Behaviour of Horace Rumpole. Additionally, the stories collected in Rumpole at Christmas would provide entertaining holiday viewing if scripted for television. A new production of Rumpole provides an opportunity to revive the Play for the Day story, Rumpole and the Confession of Guilt, in its proper chronological place in the series (it was the first Rumpole story shown on TV, yet takes place when his son leaves for America).
The novels are a particularly powerful part of the Mortimer canon and certainly deserve treatment as high-quality television productions. Rumpole often fondly mentions the Penge Bungalow Murders, and fans would love to know more about this famous case. The novel not only illuminates the details of this pivotal case in Rumpole's career but also describes the events leading to his marriage to Hilda—two items which devoted viewers have wondered about for years. Rumpole and the Reign of Terror and The Anti-Social Behaviour of Horace Rumpole offer Mortimer's comment on recent events in modern England through the voice of his famous fictional advocate. The Reign of Terror explores the need for freedom of the individual in an era of ultra-heightened security, the appalling restriction of personal rights, and outrageous rollback of long-held legal tenets (e.g., use of hearsay as evidence) during the so-called "War on Terror." Similarly, the Anti-Social Behaviour story explores the ridiculous nature of ASBOs (Anti-Social Behaviour Orders), which have exploded in number and defy all common sense. These stories are powerful, deftly written, and allow Rumpole to roar as an advocate for sensible freedoms. To give their important messages a wider audience; they should be adapted for television.
The original cast was superb, particularly Leo McKern. However, there are many fine actors in the UK who could do these great characters justice. Imagine the very talented Timothy Spall as Horace or the always outstanding Emma Thompson as the formidable "She who must be obeyed." Other actors may leap to mind, and many would jump at the chance to make these characters their own. Whoever acts in the re-make would, unlike those in the original series, have the benefit of the entire canon and the critical Penge Bungalow story to understand their part fully. The stories are there and worthy of production, and there is no short supply of solid acting talent—it is time for a re-make and extension of Rumpole of the Bailey.