RIP John Mortimer 1923-2009
Dramatist and author Sir John Mortimer, who created enduring character Rumpole of the Bailey, has died aged 85 after a long illness.
If you have not read the Rumpole books, or seen the series, you have cheated yourself of a lot of joy, and a pretty good education in the British criminal justice system. Mortimer created dozens of characters that became real people if you stayed with the series, and they are a lot of fun. [I can’t hear a politician say “common sense” without thinking of Judge Bullingham]
Fortunately, they are still available, and the series with Leo McKern as Rumpole should be put on your list if want the short course.
4 comments
the tv series is delightful. i haven’t yet read all the books, so there’s that to look forward to, for a little while at least.
hipparchia´s last blog post..That’s fucked up!
One of the reasons I enjoyed them is that often Rumpole’s clients are admittedly guilty, while most other law series pictured either everyone as guilty, or everyone as innocent depending on whether the prosecution or defense was the protagonist.
It certainly wasn’t LA Law.
Nooooooooooooo! You are becoming ‘The Bearer of Bad News’ Bryan! 🙁
I was sad when Leo McKern (who played Rumpole to perfection) died in 2002 (I think). Sir John was a barrister and so knew how it all worked, and it showed in his books and the BBC TV series. 🙂
Now I want to see reruns! 🙂
R.I.P. Sir John.
People use up their energy to make it through the holidays and give up in January – it’s too long until it gets warm again.
I read several of the books first, and Leo was Rumpole, and inspired casting choice that the UK does so well.