The Old Curiosity Shop (1911 film)

The film is a condensed adaptation of Dickens' work. Reviewers specifically highlighted the attention to detail and the limitations of the format when condensing the work to a single reel format. The atmosphere of the film and the portrayal was deemed to be natural except for the scenes in open. The director of the film was Barry O'Neil, but the scenario writer and cameraman are uncredited.^[1] The surviving status of the film yields to the possibility of further information being gained on the production and details of the work.^{[citation needed]}

The single reel drama, approximately 1,000 feet long, was released on January 20, 1911.^[1] The film was promoted by the Thanhouser Company as a film that every Dickens' lover would enjoy. Critics reviewed the film favorably. Walton of The Moving Picture News wrote, "To a lover of Dickens a pure delight. The salient points of the story have been taken and thus the film moves along so as to forge an intelligent conception of the original. ... The condensation has been thoughtfully done, by one who evidently knows the possibilities and limitations of the reel. A worthy production that must needs win its reward."^[1] According to Thanhouser Company Film Preservation, the film was confirmed as a Thanhouser production after its screening at Pordenone Silent Film Festival in 2012. The film was listed under the title of "Little Nell" from the first intertitle because the head of the film is missing.^[2] However, the 2003 book Rethinking the Novel/Film Debate by Kamilla Elliott correctly attributes "Little Nell" as a Thanhouser production.^[3] The film is not the first known adaptation of the work—Essanay Studios released an identically titled film in 1909.^[4]