Rumpole of the Bailey

The Old Bailey is a court, not a place with a single leader. It's where serious criminal trials happen in London.

Yes, Rumpole often bent the rules. He was known for finding clever ways around the law to help his clients.

Rumpole's favorite drink was a gin and tonic. He enjoyed them very much.

Rumpole believed justice was about fairness for the little guy. He often fought against unfair systems.

Rumpole's wife was Hilda. She was also known as "She Who Must Be Obeyed."

The TV show 'Rumpole of the Bailey' first aired in 1978.

Rumpole's favorite wine was a cheap South African sherry called "Perkins' Pink."

No, Rumpole did not win most of his cases. However, he always fought hard for his clients, win or lose.

In the final episode, Rumpole was about to retire. He decided to go back to work because he loved being a lawyer too much.

Rumpole had a love-hate relationship with the law. He respected it but often found it rigid and unfair.

Rumpole's relationship with the judges was often difficult. They frequently disagreed, and he would often annoy them with his methods.

The managing clerk at Rumpole's chambers was called Claude Erskine-Brown. He was a very proper and serious man.

Claude Erskine-Brown was the managing clerk. His job was to keep the legal chambers running smoothly and manage the clerks.

Common themes included the British legal system, class differences, and Rumpole's personal life and moral dilemmas.

Horace Rumpole was played by the actor Leo McKern.

Rumpole's son was named Nick. He was also a lawyer, but he worked in a different, more traditional firm.

Rumpole's full name was Horace Rumpole.

Nick, Rumpole's son, was a lawyer. He worked in a more modern and corporate law firm.

Yes, Rumpole had one child, a son named Nick.

Rumpole worked at chambers called "Pumblechook Chambers."

Rumpole's most famous catchphrase was, "I am the law."

The show is set in London, primarily in and around the Old Bailey courtroom and Rumpole's legal chambers.

Hilda Rumpole's nickname for Horace was "The Great Man."

Rumpole was a criminal barrister. He defended people accused of crimes.

The series ended with Rumpole deciding not to retire. He wanted to keep practicing law, showing his passion for his work.

While there was a special two-hour film titled "Rumpole's Return" aired in 1980, there were no feature-length movies based on Rumpole of the Bailey. The series itself was adapted into books and radio shows.

Memorable Rumpole cases often involved defending those society overlooked, like the Timson clan of minor South London villains. Other cases included defending an MP accused of rape, a hippie schoolteacher on a drug charge, and a safecracker accused of murder.

Wigs were a standard part of a barrister's attire in Rumpole's time. Mortimer based Rumpole's appearance on his own experience, noting that old, yellowed wigs were a sign of experience, unlike new, expensive ones that suggested a new lawyer.

Yes, the character of Rumpole was loosely based on the real-life courtroom experiences of his creator, John Mortimer, who was a barrister himself. Barrister Jeremy Hutchinson is also cited as a key inspiration for Rumpole.

Rumpole of the Bailey is credited with influencing changes in the legal system. The show highlighted issues like police trickery in obtaining evidence, and its popularity is thought to have contributed to a greater willingness of juries to acquit in such cases. This led to laws requiring police interviews to be recorded.

The Rumpole of the Bailey television series ended on December 3, 1992, after seven seasons.

The popularity of the TV series led to the stories being adapted into other media, suggesting a significant reach beyond the UK, though specific details about international popularity are not readily available.

While there wasn't a single main antagonist, His Honour Judge Roger Bullingham, nicknamed 'The Mad Bull,' was often Rumpole's courtroom adversary due to his dislike of defending barristers, especially Rumpole.

Rumpole of the Bailey was created and written by John Mortimer, a British writer and barrister.

Rumpole's legacy includes championing the importance of defending the liberty of individuals and the independence of the legal profession. He showed that protecting the innocent was a core principle of justice and influenced public and legal perceptions of criminal defense.

Yes, there have been reboots and spin-offs. Emily Mortimer, the daughter of the original creator, has been working on updating the series for modern times, with plans for a new version featuring a female lead.

The public reaction was largely very positive, with the series being critically acclaimed. Viewers loved Rumpole's quirks, his wit, and his unconventional approach to justice, making him a beloved character in English crime literature.

There were seven seasons of Rumpole of the Bailey, with a total of 44 episodes produced between 1978 and 1992.

Rumpole was inspired by the real-life experiences of his creator, John Mortimer, who was a barrister. Mortimer also drew parallels with his earlier radio play 'The Dock Brief'.

The television series Rumpole of the Bailey came first, and John Mortimer later adapted its scripts into a series of books, starting in 1978. So, the TV series was the original inspiration for the book series.