61-459: Ron Moody (born Ronald Moodnick ; 8 January 1924 – 11 June 2015) was an English actor, composer, singer and writer. He was best known for his portrayal of Fagin in Oliver! (1968) and its 1983 Broadway revival . Moody earned a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award nomination for the film, as well as a Tony Award nomination for the stage production. Other notable projects include The Mouse on
122-510: A Pilates teacher, Therese Blackbourn, in 1985. The couple had six children. Moody died of natural causes while in a London hospital on 11 June 2015, aged 91. Fagin Fagin / ˈ f eɪ ɡ ɪ n / is a fictional character and the secondary antagonist in Charles Dickens's 1838 novel Oliver Twist . In the preface to the novel, he is described as a " receiver of stolen goods ". He
183-525: A 1981 Bantam Books reissue of Oliver Twist , for example, Irving Howe wrote that Fagin was considered an "archetypical Jewish villain." The first 38 chapters of the book refer to Fagin by his racial and religious origin 257 times, calling him "the Jew", against 42 uses of "Fagin" or "the old man". Dickens, who had extensive knowledge of London street life, wrote that he had made Fagin Jewish because: "it unfortunately
244-512: A Scottish patient who had served with the Black Watch during the Second World War . On 30 June 2010, Moody appeared on stage at the end of a performance of Cameron Mackintosh 's revival of Oliver! and made a humorous speech about the show's 50th anniversary. He then reprised the " Pick a Pocket or Two " number with the cast. Moody was a supporter of Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Moody married
305-492: A character from each period. Together they search for the Nidus, but their attempts are constantly thwarted by Belor who also appears in each time period, disguised as a character herself. Just as the children are about to retrieve the Nidus, Belor uses her magic to hurl it further through time and space by using her magical incantation "I deny you the Nidus!" as a bolt of lightning emanates from her fingertips. Belor cannot actually touch
366-480: A few offers afterwards because I thought the people didn't come close to those I'd worked with on Oliver! —which in retrospect was a mistake." —Moody on his acclaimed role as Fagin and subsequent career. Moody worked in a variety of genres, but he is perhaps best known for his starring role as Fagin in Lionel Bart 's stage and film musical Oliver! based on Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens . He created
427-531: A large nose, red hair, and a green coat, but his racial characteristics, religion or "Jewishness" play no role in his character. He is voiced by the Italian-American Dom DeLuise . In 1994, Oliver! was revived in London. Fagin was played by many noted British actors and comedians, including Jonathan Pryce , George Layton , Jim Dale , Russ Abbot , Barry Humphries (who had played Mr Sowerberry in
488-418: A letter in 1863 that Jews regarded his portrayal of Fagin a "great wrong" to their people. Dickens then started to revise Oliver Twist , removing all mention of "the Jew" from the last 15 chapters; he later wrote in reply: "There is nothing but good will left between me and a People for whom I have a real regard and to whom I would not willfully have given an offence". In one of his final public readings in 1869,
549-609: A major portion of the loot. Other sources, such as Howard Mancing in The Cervantes Encyclopedia , claim that Fagin is assumed to be modelled on Monipodio, one of the main characters in Miguel de Cervantes ' Rinconete y Cortadillo (1613). Monipodio is the leader of a criminal gang in 17th-century Seville that includes cutpurses and cape stealers. Fagin has been the subject of much debate over antisemitism , during Dickens' lifetime and in modern times. In an introduction to
610-522: A polite society. Fagin later meets with a fellow criminal, the mysterious Mr. Monks, and plots with him to destroy Oliver's newfound reputation. To make sure Oliver never learns of his true parentage, Fagin and Monks conspire to buy a locket and a ring left to the boy by his late mother from Mr. Bumble and his wife, the former Mrs. Corney, and Monks throws them in the river. Nancy, ashamed of her role in Oliver's kidnapping, tells Mr. Brownlow and Rose that Oliver
671-544: A year before his death, Dickens cleansed Fagin of all stereotypical caricature. A contemporary report observed: "There is no nasal intonation; a bent back but no shoulder-shrug: the conventional attributes are omitted." In 1865, in Our Mutual Friend , Dickens created a number of Jewish characters, the most important being Mr Riah , an elderly Jew who finds jobs for downcast young women in Jewish-owned factories. One of
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#1732869589270732-445: Is given a second chance thanks to Mr. Brownlow and Oliver, but Fagin is sentenced to be hanged for his crimes. The night before Fagin's execution, Oliver visits him in prison, and Fagin rages against the entire world for the sorry end he has come to. The following day, he is hanged. Fagin's name comes from one of Dickens's friends he had known in his youth while working in a boot-blacking factory. Fagin's character might be based on
793-456: Is in danger, and secretly joins them in a plan to rescue him. Fagin becomes suspicious of Nancy and has Noah Claypole, who has recently joined his gang, follow her to one of her meetings with Brownlow and Rose. Upon learning what Nancy is up to, Fagin lies to Sikes that she intends to turn him over to the police, provoking Sikes to kill her. Fagin and Monks attempt to flee London, but both are arrested. Monks, after being forced to confess his part,
854-454: Is portrayed by George C. Scott . Although the character is generally portrayed as elderly, diminutive, and homely, Scott's version of the character was markedly younger, stronger, and better-looking. Also, this version of the character had him more caring of his orphan charges, feeding them well and treating them with obvious concern. Ron Moody reprised the role of Fagin in the 1983 Channel 4 television program 'The Other Side of London' In
915-503: Is the leader of a group of children (the Artful Dodger and Charley Bates among them) whom he teaches to make their livings by pickpocketing and other criminal activities, in exchange for shelter. A distinguishing trait is his constant and insincere use of the phrase "my dear" when addressing others. At the time of the novel, he is said by another character, Monks , to have already made criminals out of "scores" of children. Nancy , who
976-424: Is the lover of Bill Sikes (the novel's lead villain), is confirmed to be Fagin's former pupil. Fagin is a confessed miser who, despite the wealth that he has acquired, does very little to improve the squalid lives of the children he guards, or his own. In the second chapter of his appearance, it is shown (when talking to himself) that he cares less for their welfare, than that they do not "peach" (inform) on him and
1037-449: Is voiced by Brian George . In this version, instead of a human, he resembles a wise, old, and kind red fox . In Disney's live action television production Oliver Twist (1997), Fagin is played by Richard Dreyfuss . In the film Twisted (1996), a film loosely based on Dickens's Oliver Twist , the Fagin character is played by actor William Hickey . In the miniseries Escape of
1098-520: The Academy Award for Best Actor . When Oliver! was brought to Broadway in 1964, Fagin was portrayed by Clive Revill , but in a 1984 revival, Moody reprised his performance opposite Tony Award winner Patti LuPone , who played Nancy. Moody later stated: "Fate destined me to play Fagin. It was the part of a lifetime." Ben Kingsley 's portrayal of Fagin in Roman Polanski 's 2005 screen adaptation
1159-523: The Royal Air Force (RAF) and became a radar technician. Despite training to be an economist, Moody began appearing in theatrical shows and later decided to become a professional actor. "My proudest moment was the number "Reviewing the Situation". I suspect that, because I gave my all to the role, and because I was working with such a fine team of people, it inhibited my future career. I turned down quite
1220-668: The 1963 Cliff Richard film Summer Holiday . He appeared as Hopkirk in the 1966 episode entitled "Honey For the Prince" of The Avengers . He acted again with former Oliver! co-star Jack Wild in Flight of the Doves (1971). In 1969, Moody was offered, but declined, the lead role in Doctor Who , following the departure of Patrick Troughton from the part. He later told many people (including Doctor Who companion Elisabeth Sladen ) that declining
1281-581: The 1985 miniseries , Fagin is portrayed by Eric Porter . In Disney's animated version, Oliver & Company (1988), Fagin is a kind-hearted but poor man living in New York City. He lives in poverty with his five dogs and is desperately searching for money to repay his debts to a ruthless loan shark. This version does away with the moral quandary of child exploitation as all the characters are dogs who have no real need for money and genuinely want to help their owner. Informed by earlier portrayals, he retains
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#17328695892701342-568: The Albedo, with which she hopes to destroy Rothgo and take possession of the Nidus. However, during their battle, the two power sources collide leaving the Albedo destroyed and the Nidus split into five segments which scatter throughout time and space. As before, Rothgo enlists the help of Phil, Terry and Helen to retrieve the fragments which are again disguised as objects and can only be seen in reflection. However, this time there are two factors in their favour—Rothgo's other incarnations in time can recognize
1403-493: The Artful Dodger (2001), Fagin is played by actor Christopher Baz. In the film Twist (2003), a film also loosely based on Dickens' Oliver Twist , Fagin is played by actor Gary Farmer . In a 2007 BBC television adaptation, Fagin is played by Timothy Spall . Contrary to his appearance in the novel, he is beardless and overweight in this version. He is also a more sympathetic character. In December 2008, Oliver!
1464-617: The BBC soap EastEnders . In 2005, he acted in the Big Finish Productions Doctor Who audio play Other Lives , playing the Duke of Wellington . He made several appearances in BBC TVs long running variety show, The Good Old Days , enacting pastiche/comic Victorian melodramas. Moody wrote a novel, The Devil You Don't , which was published by Robson Books, London, in 1980. In 2004,
1525-470: The BBC's All Creatures Great and Small television series. Salem appeared in several episodes as Zoe Bennett. The first and second series were novelised by Peter Graham Scott, titled Into The Labyrinth and Return To The Labyrinth respectively. The first series was released on VHS (on two cassettes) in the late 1980s. Network released the entire series as a three disc DVD boxset in the UK on 14 July 2008. It
1586-627: The British ITV1 nostalgia series After They Were Famous hosted a documentary of the surviving cast of the film Oliver! Several of the film's musical numbers were reenacted. Moody, then 80 but still spry, and Jack Wild (seriously ill with oral cancer at the time) recreated their dance from the closing credits of the film. Moody was a guest star in an episode of ITV’s long running police drama The Bill in 2004 along with actress Molly Sugden and appeared in BBC1 's Casualty (aired on 30 January 2010) as
1647-526: The Jew . In this book, the back story of the character and events of Oliver Twist are depicted from his point of view. Numerous prominent actors have played the character of Fagin. Lon Chaney portrayed Fagin in a silent film version Oliver Twist . Alec Guinness portrayed Fagin in David Lean's 1948 film adaptation of Oliver Twist , with controversial make-up by Stuart Freeborn which exaggerated stereotypical Jewish facial features . The release of
1708-560: The Labyrinth scenes were shot on location in the Cheddar Gorge caves. These provided the opening and closing scenes of season one, and footage used as CSO backdrops. Most of the historical escapades were studio based around the same cave sets, which were redressed for each time period. The opening and closing book ends for seasons two and three were shot at Stanton Drew stone circle and Glastonbury Tor, respectively. Several scriptwriters for
1769-550: The Moon (1963), Mel Brooks ' The Twelve Chairs (1970) and Flight of the Doves (1971), in which Moody shared the screen with Oliver! co-star Jack Wild . Moody was born on 8 January 1924 in Tottenham , Middlesex , the son of Kate (née Ogus; 1898–1980) and Bernard/Barnett Moodnick (1896–1964), a studio executive. His father was a Russian Jew and his mother was a Lithuanian Jew ; said Moody, "I'm 100% Jewish —totally kosher!" He
1830-486: The Nidus into a bottomless pool of water. Bereft of both the Nidus and the Albedo, Belor reverts into a lifeless skull once again. Fortunately however, Rothgo explains that even though the Nidus is no longer in his sole possession, it was thrown into the Waters of Time where he (and anyone else seeking enlightenment) can tap into its power whenever he desires to sustain his immortality and travel freely through time once again. In
1891-442: The Nidus whilst Rothgo still lives, and so she can only hope to deny him possession of the artefact until he eventually dies. At the end of the first series, the children locate the Nidus (now in the shape of a sword) and finally manage to outwit Belor and return the Nidus to Rothgo, who offered to share its power with Belor. She refused and was reduced to a lifeless skull. In the second series, Belor returns with her own power source,
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1952-623: The Nidus, Rothgo would ultimately die. The first series followed a group of modern-day children (Phil, Helen and Terry) who find Rothgo, almost lifeless, in a labyrinthine cave. Rothgo sends the children through different periods of time to search for the Nidus, which is disguised as a different object in each time period and can only be seen in reflection. The children arrive in various settings in history or ancient mythology (the French Revolution, Ancient Greece, English Civil War, etc.), in which they find an earlier version of Rothgo himself, playing
2013-441: The book, printed during his lifetime, Dickens excised over 180 instances of 'Jew' from the text. This occurred after Dickens sold his London home in 1860 to a Jewish banker, James Davis, who objected to the emphasis on Fagin's Jewishness in the novel. When he sold the house, Dickens allegedly told a friend: "The purchaser of Tavistock House will be a Jew Money-Lender." Dickens became friends with Davis's wife, Eliza, who told him in
2074-439: The children immediately and Rothgo himself is capable of claiming the Nidus fragments before Belor can send them into another time period (using his magical incantation "I claim the Nidus!"). Their efforts are yet again hampered by Belor, until the final episode of the second series, when the children manage to reconstitute the Nidus into its former shape of a sword. However, this time they are unable to escape Belor and so Phil hurls
2135-489: The criminal Ikey Solomon , who was a fence at the centre of a highly publicised arrest, escape, recapture, and trial. Some accounts of Solomon also describe him as a London underworld "kidsman" (a kidsman was an adult who recruited children and trained them as pickpockets, exchanging food and shelter for goods the children stole). The popularity of Dickens's novel caused "fagin" to replace "kidsman" in some crime circles, denoting an adult who teaches minors to steal and keeps
2196-631: The film in the USA was delayed for three years on charges of being antisemitic by the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith and the New York Board of Rabbis . It was finally released in the United States in 1951, with seven minutes of profile shots and other parts of Guinness' performance cut. For the BBC's at the time controversial 1962 serial , Fagin was portrayed in a fashion very faithful to
2257-1036: The final season. The series was created by Scott along with Bob Baker , who had previously written several stories for Doctor Who . The first series only was later shown in the United States as part of " The Third Eye " science fiction series on Nickelodeon . It was also broadcast on ABC TV in Australia, TVE in Spain, RTÉ One and RTÉ Two as part of The Den in Ireland, ETB 1 and ETB 2 in Basque Country, Arutz HaYeladim in Israel, TV2 in Malaysia and both RTV and ATV in Hong Kong. The series also reran on British satellite television and aired on The Children's Channel as part of one of its wrapper programmes Roustabout . The series
2318-590: The first Jewish actor to portray Fagin on film since Irving Pichel. While Fagin remains an unrepentant thief, he is a much more sympathetic and comic character than he is in the novel. His plot with Monks is deleted and his role in Nancy's death is similarly excised, and he is portrayed as being cowardly and deeply afraid of Bill Sikes. Fagin is completely innocent of Nancy's murder and is horrified when he finds out. He even admonishes Sikes saying that: "[He] should not have done that." Bart's musical also deletes Fagin's arrest and
2379-414: The gang to protect Oliver is Nancy, who is also Sikes's lover. After Oliver is arrested for supposedly picking the pocket of a gentleman named Mr. Brownlow (an act actually committed by the Artful Dodger and Charley Bates), Brownlow takes pity on Oliver and brings him to his house, helping him recover from the abuse and malnourishment he has suffered. Fagin and Sikes, fearing that Oliver will betray him to
2440-469: The ill-gotten money for himself. His "wards" include the novel's title character Oliver Twist, the Artful Dodger , Charley Bates , and Nancy . He also trained the novel's main antagonist, housebreaker Bill Sikes , who later became his main source of stolen goods. Oliver at first believes that Fagin is an artisan who makes wallets and handkerchiefs which are, in fact, stolen at Fagin's order, and goes along with his new teacher's orders. The only one in
2501-454: The law, whereupon Sikes kills her. Near the end of the book, Fagin is captured and sentenced to be hanged, in a chapter that portrays him as pitiable in his anguish. In popular culture, Fagin (or at least his name) is used in comparison with adults who use children for illegal activities. Fagin is portrayed as a criminal mastermind who kidnaps orphaned children and trains them to be pickpockets in return for sheltering and feeding them; he keeps
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2562-525: The music for both of these series. The three child actors continued acting as adults. Simon Beal now acts under the stage name Charlie Caine, and had a small role in Bridget Jones's Diary . Lisa Turner had a role in the UK drama Bad Girls , while Simon Henderson played Eddie Hunter in EastEnders . Pamela Salem based the laugh she used for Belor on the laugh of Ted Rhodes, who was the script editor for
2623-416: The musical ends with Fagin, faced with beginning again, pondering the possibility of going straight. The film version reverses this ending, with Fagin briefly considering reformation, but then gleefully teaming up again with Dodger to start their racket again. Moody's performance as the character is often considered the most critically acclaimed. He won a Golden Globe for his performance, and was nominated for
2684-464: The novel by Irish actor Max Adrian . Ron Moody 's portrayal in the original London production of the musical Oliver! by Lionel Bart , which he repeated in the Oscar-winning 1968 film , is recognisably influenced by Guinness's portrayal. However, the antisemitic quality of Guinness' portrayal was considerably toned down in the musical, partly because of Moody being Jewish himself; he was in fact
2745-426: The original 1960 London production of Oliver! ) and Robert Lindsay , who won an Olivier Award for his performance. The different actors playing Fagin were distinguished by their different costumes, especially their coats. Pryce used a patched red and brown coat, while Lindsay used the traditional dark green overcoat seen in the 1968 film version. In the 1996-1997 Saban's Adventures of Oliver Twist series, Fagin
2806-433: The other children. Still darker sides to the character's nature are shown when he beats the Artful Dodger for not bringing Oliver back; in his attempted beating of Oliver for trying to escape; and in his own involvement with various plots and schemes throughout the story. He indirectly but intentionally causes the death of Nancy by falsely informing Sikes that she had betrayed him, when in reality she had shielded Sikes from
2867-524: The police, force Nancy to help Sikes kidnap the boy again. Oliver tries to run away, but Sikes almost beats him into submission, stopping only when Nancy begs him to show mercy while the cowardly Fagin tries to smooth matters over between the two. Fagin forces Oliver to help Sikes burgle a house owned by the wealthy, elderly widow Mrs. Maylie. After breaking into the house, Oliver is shot in the arm and Sikes abandons him while he makes his own escape. Mrs. Maylie and her niece Rose take Oliver in and raise him in
2928-676: The role in the Disney+ series The Artful Dodger . In 2022 he was portrayed by Christopher Eccleston in the children's television series Dodger . Into the Labyrinth (TV series) Into the Labyrinth is a British children's television series . It was produced by HTV for the ITV network between 1980 and 1982, with the first series being broadcast in May 1981. Three seasons, each consisting of seven 25-minute episodes, were produced by Peter Graham Scott , who also directed all but two episodes, both in
2989-540: The role in the original West End production in 1960 and reprised it in the 1984 Broadway revival, receiving a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical. For his performance in the 1968 film Oliver! , he received the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor (Musical/Comedy), the Best Actor award at the 6th Moscow International Film Festival and an Academy Award nomination in the same category. Reflecting on
3050-610: The role was a decision he subsequently regretted. He played Ippolit Vorobyaninov alongside Frank Langella (as Ostap Bender ) in Mel Brooks ' version of The Twelve Chairs (1970).In 1995 he appeared in the UK's longest running TV comedy series 'Last of the Summer Wine' as Lieutenant Willoughby. In 2003, he starred in the black comedy Paradise Grove alongside Rula Lenska , and played Edwin Caldecott , an old nemesis of Jim Branning on
3111-531: The role, Moody states: "Fate destined me to play Fagin. It was the part of a lifetime. That summer of 1967 [during filming] was one of the happiest times of my life". He reprised his role as Fagin in the 1983 Channel 4 television programme The Other Side of London , and again at the 1985 Royal Variety Performance in Theatre Royal, Drury Lane before Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh . Moody appeared in several children's television series, including
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#17328695892703172-453: The series had previously worked on Doctor Who , including co-creator Bob Baker, Robert Holmes , Anthony Read and John Lucarotti . The operatic voice that sings the haunting theme of Into the Labyrinth is Lynda Richardson, who also sings the main melody line of theme to the 1970s fantasy series Children of the Stones . Patrick Dromgoole was the executive producer and Sidney Sager wrote
3233-498: The third and final series, only Phil returned to assist a new sorcerer, Lazlo (played by Chris Harris ). Lazlo's source of power was the Scarabeus, a magical amulet that fitted onto a bracelet he wore. Although now no longer able to possess the Nidus (which was lost at the end of the previous series), Belor rises yet againpp and attempts to steal Lazlo's Scarabeus by once again hiding it from him in different historical settings. This time,
3294-481: The time periods are populated by fictional characters who have come to life ( Long John Silver , Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde , The Phantom of the Opera , etc). Belor also enlists her own accomplice, the often incompetent Bram ( Howard Goorney ). Lazlo and Phil try to trace the Scarabeus using the bracelet, but they are constantly thwarted by Belor until the final episode when they are victorious and Lazlo vanquishes her. Some of
3355-399: The two heroines, Lizzie Hexam, defends her Jewish employers: "The gentleman certainly is a Jew, and the lady, his wife, is a Jewess, and I was brought to their notice by a Jew. But I think there cannot be kinder people in the world." The comic book creator Will Eisner , disturbed by the antisemitism in the typical depiction of the character, created a graphic novel in 2003 titled Fagin
3416-661: The voice of Badger and Toad in the TV Adaptation of Colin Dann 's The Animals of Farthing Wood , Noah's Island , Telebugs , and Into the Labyrinth . Among his better known roles was that of Prime Minister Rupert Mountjoy in the comedy The Mouse on the Moon (1963), alongside Margaret Rutherford , with whom he appeared again the following year in Murder Most Foul (1964), one of Rutherford's Miss Marple films. He played French entertainer and mime artist The Great Orlando in
3477-595: Was a cousin of director Laurence Moody and actress Clare Lawrence . His surname was legally changed to the more anglicised Moody in 1930. Moody was educated at Southgate County School , which at the time was a state grammar school, and based in Palmers Green , Middlesex , followed by the London School of Economics in Central London , where he trained to become an economist. During World War II , he enlisted in
3538-409: Was also inspired by the 1948 version. In the 1980 ATV series The Further Adventures of Oliver Twist , Fagin was played by David Swift . In this 13-episode series, Fagin has escaped his hanging by pretending to have had a stroke, which has left him paralyzed (and therefore unfit to be executed) and is in hiding at The Three Cripples, tended to by Barney. In the 1982 made-for-TV movie version, Fagin
3599-411: Was based around a struggle between two timeless, feuding sorcerers - the noble Rothgo ( Ron Moody ) and the evil Belor ( Pamela Salem ). Each aimed to obtain possession of the Nidus, a magical object of limitless power. The Nidus actually belonged to Rothgo, but it was stolen by Belor who used her own magic to send it through time and space so that Rothgo would not be able to find it. Without the power of
3660-668: Was revived at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane , London with Rowan Atkinson playing the character. This role was taken over by Omid Djalili in July 2009. He was succeeded by Russ Abbot in June 2010. In 2015–16, BBC2's Dickensian Fagin was played by the actor Anton Lesser . In 2023, in the New York City Center Encores! revival of Oliver! , Fagin was played by Raúl Esparza and Gavin Lee . Also in 2023, David Thewlis took on
3721-621: Was true, of the time to which the story refers, that the class of criminal almost invariably was a Jew". It is often argued that Fagin was based on a specific Jewish criminal of the era, Ikey Solomon . Dickens also claimed that by calling Fagin "the Jew" he had meant no imputation against the Jewish people: "I have no feeling towards the Jews but a friendly one. I always speak well of them, whether in public or private, and bear my testimony (as I ought to do) to their perfect good faith in such transactions as I have ever had with them..." In later editions of
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