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Rumpole Rests His Case

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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.

Horace Rumpole, a somewhat paunchy, somewhat seedy junior barrister, made his American debut ("Rumpole of the Bailey") in the 1970's when I was a relatively inexperienced prosecutor. What was thought to be his last appearance in print ("Rumpole and the Angel of Death") came in the 1990's when I was a relatively battle-scarred prosecutor. Although Rumpole prosecuted only once during his long career, I always felt a kinship to this cigar smoking, poetry spouting barrister who loved his profession so passionately. Through ten individual volumes (nine of which were collected into "Rumpole Omnibuses") and almost sixty stories, Rumpole strove mightily on behalf of the poor and oppressed, made pungent observations on the human condition and the trial of criminal cases, and drank gallons of cheap wine at Pomeroy's Wine Bar.

Rumpole's greatest charm came from his on-the-money observations about life of a journeyman trial lawyer. Not as successful as he could have been, not as ambitious as he should have been, Rumpole proved an enigma to his fellow barristers and his wife, Hilda ("She Who Must Be Obeyed").

You can imagine my pleasure to discover that Mortimer had resurrected Rumpole for one more round of trials down at the Old Bailey. All previous Rumpole opuses have been televised by the BBC (and later on PBS) with Leo McKern starring as Rumpole. The shows have been every bit as good as the stories. There will be no televising of these stories, however, as McKern passed away recently. Mortimer wrote the Rumpole character for McKern, and no one else could ever portray Rumpole half as well.

Rumpole, however, is beginning to show his age. Mortimer's stories are just as well written as in the previous stories, but it is apparent that Rumpole's abilities are beginning to wane. He's not quite as sharp as he once was. He's not quite as able to carry off his Machiavellian manipulations of his fellow lawyers as he once was, and his health is beginning to fail. It was bittersweet to read these latest stories. One must hope that if Mortimer writes any more Rumpole stories, that they will come from Rumpole's as-yet-unchronicled youth. If you, like me, are a Rumpole-aholic, you must add this volume to your collection. If you have no previous experience of Rumpole, try one of the earlier volumes.

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.

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.

As a barrister, Horace Rumpole faces the difficult challenges of new age crimes in this delightful anthology with his brain, a cheroot, and a shot of Old Bailey. Horace deals with an aristocratic former blackmailer, an illegal alien fighting exportation that means death, a politician facing ruin due to alleged drug usage and the modern stalker using e-mail as the source of contact. As anyone can see, he defends a series of peculiar clients. However, all is not great for Horace who collapses in the midst of a courtroom, placing him under greater control of his general officer and concerned wife Hilda.

It is hard to believe that six years have passed since the last Rumpole tale, but the myriad of his loyal followers will rejoice that he is as sharp as ever. Horace narrates the tales that are mostly his first person perceptions. Scenes flash by at a rapid rate more so than the typical legal thriller contains which makes for a fast delightful reading experience. Simply put, John Mortimer keeps his superstar charming and witty so hopefully we fans will not have to wait quite as long for his next appearance.

Harriet Klausner

John Mortimer's "Rumpole Rests His Case" is a collection of seven short stories starring England's most colorful junior barrister. Each story shows why Horace Rumpole is so beloved by both readers and defendants. He champions the underdog, as always, with relish, wit, and style. Alas, Chambers has become a smoke-free zone (to reduce pollution and global warming), and a disgruntled Rumpole is reduced to standing outside when he craves one of his small cigars. Two of his most irksome adversaries enjoy Rumpole's discomfiture with undisguised glee: Claude Erskine-Brown, QC, the "opera-loving, wine-tasting, inadequate advocate" and Rumpole's irritating Head of Chambers, Soapy Sam Ballard. Both men figure prominently in these pages: Claude is having marital problems; his beautiful and successful wife, the High Court Judge, Phillida Erskine Brown (formerly known as the Portia of our Chambers), has demanded a trial separation from her boring husband. Soapy Sam has a surprising secret which Rumpole gleefully uncovers and plans to use against him.

Rumpole may not look very imposing, but he has a keen mind and a wonderful memory, two attributes that come in handy in "Rumpole and the Old Familiar Faces." Although Proust does not figure in "Rumpole and the Remembrance of Things Past," a thirty-three year old skeleton that was buried under the floorboards does. "Rumpole and the Asylum Seekers" deals with a complicated case of Doctor Mohammed Nabi, an illegal Afghani immigrant who is smuggled into England in a crate of chutney. "Civil Rights. Freedom of the Individual. Defeat for the Forces of Darkeness. That's what you stand for, don't you, Mr. Rumpole," says Ted Minter, who represents Dr. Nabi. In the same story, Hilda alarms her beleaguered husband when she announces that their well-worn and familiar flat is about to undergo an extreme makeover, complete with crystals, lava lamps, and a "talk pit." In the final story, the aging but indomitable Rumpole suffers a minor heart attack, but he still manages to construct a criminal defense for the fellow lying in chains in the adjoining hospital bed.

As usual, Mortimer pokes fun at unreasonable judges, government bureaucrats, and the hyprocrisy of the ruling classes. Although Hilda (She Who Must Be Obeyed) would like her husband to hang up his wig once and for all, Rumpole wants nothing more than a good brief, a puff or two on his cheroot, and a glass of Chateau Thames Embankment in Pommeroy's Wine Bar at the end of a hard day at One Equity Court. For this zealous advocate of the presumption of innocence and trial by jury, retirement is simply not an option. Fans of Rumpole's dry humor, incisive intelligence, and passion for human rights would be delighted if he were to don his yellowing wig and work his magic in court for many years to come.

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.

Ahhh... Rumpole is back! I was delighted to see a new collection of short stories written by John Mortimer, even though Leo McKern had sadly passed away. However, this new collection is not quite up to the standards of Mortimer's other short stories. Perhaps it's because it's been six years since "Rumpole and the Angel of Death." These new stories feel a little off, like a poet trying to emulate another poet's works; it's close, but doesn't feel like the same old works. "Rumpole Rests his Case" isn't a terrible book, but it's not the best one of the series.

Like Sherlock Holmes before him, Rumpole will never truly rest his case, and the sadness of last Thursday's news from across the ocean be damned. At the time he wrote this volume in 2002, John Mortimer (but how I'll miss him....) had lost refreshingly little to the years, nor had his most famous creation, Horace Rumpole (never a QC, no sir). I enjoyed these stories as a re-visitation and as new ground covered in one of my all time favorite series, but as something of a purist, I almost felt there was a little too much commentary on modern events and attitudes. I did enjoy these stories, let me say that again for clarity, but from time to time I also found myself longing for the simpler, non-political tales of vintage Rumpole, circa Omnibus One from the Thatcher years. Back then it was easier for Rumpole to BE Rumpole, sans all the pressure in the anti-smoking movement and among healthy conscious crusaders. In Rumpole Rests His Case we saw our favorite barrister, always an outsider to begin with, just a little too on the ropes, and I hated that. Be all that as it may, this was a very nice collection of tales that are sure to please longtime fans and win new Rumpolleans into the fold. I go now to sip some Chateau Fleet Street in memory of a fine writer and a good man. John Mortimer is gone, but long live Rumpole of the Bailey!

Mortimer's talent as a writer has not diminished over the years, and this book is proof of that. This book has seven more stories of the wonderful, curmudgeonly Rumpole, and each one is a special gem. Rumpole runs the gamut in this book from defending someone in a relocation bid, to trying to uncover a sixties murder to defending a known criminal who has been charged with housebreaking and has got shot in the process. I always pick a favourite and in this book I think my favourite story was "Rumpole and the Camberwell Carrot". For those not in the know, a Camberwell carrot is a large reefer. In this book Rumpole's clients have been stuck in a sixties time warp, and it's hilarious how the story turns out. These books are such a joy to read. I look forward to each one.