Rumpole of the Bailey Audiobook by John Mortimer, read by Leo McKern

Ойын-сауық

Rumpole of the Bailey by John Mortimer and performed by Leo McKern.
Horace Rumpole is a British barrister (lawyer) who defends criminals at the bailey (courthouse). Rumpole is old, overweight, smokes, drinks, and does the best he can for his clients. He's intelligent, humorous, and cynical. He wins some, he loses some.
This audiobook contains the first, second, and fourth stories of Rumpole written by John Mortimer who was a barrister himself. They include:
1. Rumpole and the Younger Generation
2. Rumpole and the Alternative Society
3. Rumpole and the Married Lady
Now sit back and enter the world of British criminal law. Enjoy!
Note: Click VIDEOS located between Home and Playlist to see all the audiobooks available on this channel. If you're not sure about an audiobook, give it a 10 minute listen.
John Mortimer (1923-2009) was himself a barrister. Among other things, he defended clients from obscenty prosecutions including Virgin Records for putting out a record album in 1977 that had the word "Bullocks" on the cover. That album was Never my the Bullocks, Here's the Sex Pistols. It's a angry, controversial, headbanging album. Four decades later the lead singer, Johnny Rotten, was the Jester on Masked Singer. He made the appearance in order to bring a smile to his wife whose personhood and health are disappearing due to dementia.
Leo McKern (1920-2002) Was an Australian actor who not only read this audiobook but also played Horace Rumpole on TV for which he is best known. For fans of the bizarre TV show The Prisoner, Mr. McKern played Number 2, and for horror fans, he played an uncredited role in the first two Omen movies. As for Great Books On Tape fans, Leo McKern gives a terrific performance on A Town Like Alice which, when I last checked, was first in popularity on this channel.
P.S. Rumpole often refers to his wife of many years as "She who must be obeyed." This came from a title given to a mysterious goddess by local villagers in a famous adventure book titled She by H. Rider Haggard. It's a good read though with Victorian attitudes towards natives. It seems a common human failing to look down our noses at certain groups of people. Well, I'd be more critical if I didn't have so many faults of my own.

Пікірлер: 89

  • @kenmccaffrey5040
    @kenmccaffrey5040 Жыл бұрын

    McKern and Rumpole were made for each other. Leo was brilliant and the series was unforgettable and a representation of an unforgettable time.

  • @jellyfishattack
    @jellyfishattack2 жыл бұрын

    It's a treat to hear Leo McKern narrating Rumpole. Thank you.

  • @greatbooksontape782

    @greatbooksontape782

    2 жыл бұрын

    You can also hear Mr. McKern read "A Town Like Alice" on this channel.

  • @petermorris9818

    @petermorris9818

    Жыл бұрын

    A real treat. I wish he had read more.

  • @MrDavey2010
    @MrDavey20102 жыл бұрын

    What a treat is this reading! McKern was a superb actor.

  • @twt3716
    @twt3716 Жыл бұрын

    Lovely. Curl up on bed on a raining and cold evening. Let the dog jump up and use as a hot water bottle for your feet, large glass of brandy and optional cigar. And relax to the voice and excellent writing. Cold winter evenings in old blighty are now something to be cherished. Have a splendid evening everyone.

  • @ruffian25505

    @ruffian25505

    Жыл бұрын

    lol ok😅😅😅 lol Pool pp😅😅pl 😅 loop 😅😅😅pp😅 😅p😅😅p I’m lll

  • @johnreinke8763

    @johnreinke8763

    8 ай бұрын

    Here in Alaska we call that, a 3 dog night. Especially when it's below -20F.

  • @lauralake7430

    @lauralake7430

    7 ай бұрын

    Ahh, the dog as hot water bottle. Finest kind!

  • @MaryKane-qv5vz

    @MaryKane-qv5vz

    6 ай бұрын

    I thought I was the only one who used my dog as a hot water bottle.

  • @thomasdonovan3580

    @thomasdonovan3580

    5 ай бұрын

    What’s the difference between a hotdog and a warm puppy…. Nothing if you’re Chinese.

  • @archidonagodezano322
    @archidonagodezano3222 жыл бұрын

    I have loved Mckern eversince I was introduced to the Rumpole TV series years ago. Loved his booming voice. Delightful listening. Thank yoy.

  • @bootstrapperwilson7687

    @bootstrapperwilson7687

    2 жыл бұрын

    Yoy.

  • @jerryjohnson8485

    @jerryjohnson8485

    2 жыл бұрын

    I love the voice,the inflection of the words 🧐

  • @ThomasHyland-eb4ol
    @ThomasHyland-eb4ol7 ай бұрын

    Rumpole was one of those tv series that I made sure I was home for. Now these audio readings bring back those wonderful memories. Thank you John and Leo.

  • @blackbird5634
    @blackbird5634 Жыл бұрын

    Ah the sonorous tones of Leo McKern! What a joy!

  • @warplanner8852
    @warplanner8852 Жыл бұрын

    To those who are relatively new to the Rumpole phenomenon, the late Mr McKern has read scads of Horace's adventures. Being a devoted fan of John Mortimer's hero, I took up reading his tales incessantly and with rapt fascination. As middle age gave way to the diminished attention span of my senior years, these narrations served to entertain with inviolable joy. They abound on KZread as do a lot of the Thames TV episodes wherein Rompole is portrayed by Leo McKern. By the way, Beatles fans will note that McKern played the high priest of Kaili in their second movie, _Help_ and was memorable in that as well. A touch of irony is that Leo McKern passed away on 23 July 2002 and Maurice Denham - who acted Rumpole on a number of BBC radio dramas, died one day later on the 24th.

  • @colinwarner7762

    @colinwarner7762

    5 ай бұрын

    The two actors you mentioned at the end, were such great entertaining performers and by me and many others, so greatly missed. Regards, Colin.

  • @greypilgrim26
    @greypilgrim26 Жыл бұрын

    Wow this bizarre. I had memories as a young kid, my parents playing Rumpole on tape in the car on road trips, then today, a good 20+ yrs later, I finally watch Ladyhawke for the first time, and the second I hear the voice of Leo Mckern my ears prick up. I know that voice. So well. But I can’t put my finger on it. A quick IMDb later and here we are. What a voice. What a personality able to chisel its way into one’s memory so easily.

  • @j.dunlop8295
    @j.dunlop82958 ай бұрын

    Listening to, watching and reading Rumpole for +45 years, never a waste of time! A real slice, or tipple, it is! LoL

  • @jeremypearson6852
    @jeremypearson68522 жыл бұрын

    I’ve watched all TV episodes multiple times, so its easy for me to picture Rumpole delivering his lines as only he can. One of the best shows ever to come out of the UK and a part made for Leo McKern. I just wish John Mortimer has written more stories.

  • @booshaboo1

    @booshaboo1

    2 жыл бұрын

    Totally agree ♥️

  • @dickiegreenleaf750

    @dickiegreenleaf750

    Жыл бұрын

    Agreed! I was glad the book came out a few years ago with stories I never knew of.

  • @mrFalconlem
    @mrFalconlem Жыл бұрын

    I used to watch these with my dad when they first came out on mystery! On PBS in America…watched three the other night, these old trained actors were the best! Glad to see this audio series.

  • @jacquelineharrod6386
    @jacquelineharrod6386 Жыл бұрын

    The glorious Rumpole, read by Rumpole himself. Thank you.😊

  • @corringhamdepot4434
    @corringhamdepot44342 жыл бұрын

    "The Old Bailey" is the nickname of The Central Criminal Court of England and Wales. Which is located on Old Bailey street in London. Old Bailey street is named after part of the ancient wall around the City of London. A bailey is part of a castle, or fortification.

  • @lauralake7430

    @lauralake7430

    7 ай бұрын

    Thank you! I always wondered.

  • @joeoconnor5400
    @joeoconnor5400 Жыл бұрын

    Leo McKern got on quite well with The Beatles during the making of Help! He was the definitive Rumpole and much missed as an actor.

  • @nathelondon3719
    @nathelondon37192 жыл бұрын

    Who better to narrate Rumpole than Rumpole himself! RIP Leo McKern....there will never ever be another Rumpole!

  • @jerryjohnson8485

    @jerryjohnson8485

    2 жыл бұрын

    Leo, the one and only Horace Rumple,to me!

  • @carolynseivard2021

    @carolynseivard2021

    Жыл бұрын

    @@jerryjohnson8485 ..m... .

  • @ninaholmes4120
    @ninaholmes4120 Жыл бұрын

    From the genius mind of Sir John Mortimer and out of the trained and perfected, grumbling voice of Leo Kern…a miracle of literary history😊

  • @msmltvcktl

    @msmltvcktl

    11 ай бұрын

    *Leo McKern

  • @joanr3189
    @joanr31892 жыл бұрын

    Thanks from Canada for this “treat”. It keeps on giving.

  • @mwatts-riley2688

    @mwatts-riley2688

    Жыл бұрын

    And so thanks, too, from northern Illinois. Elgin. I'm 64 f, my father recently died, in April, he was 91. He was from a small town named Streator. He loved Rumpole and Fibber and MASH(tv) I loved him, so I listen to Rumpole, and Fibber and Hawkeye. And I grin. 👋 M. Illinois. 🇺🇸

  • @LuciThomasHardylover-qx6ts
    @LuciThomasHardylover-qx6ts8 ай бұрын

    Rumpole works at 'The Old Bailey ' , not a bailey,a funny name for a law court! The Old Bailey is the central law court and hears the major criminal trials from the London area and the most serious trials from beyond . So named because it was built on the site of the old wall of London,a Bailey. The courts and their records go back to medieval times, when it was a court like the assizes, it was then attached to the infamous Newgate Gaol, reportedly with money allocated by Dick Whittington as mayor. The current building I think was open in 1904, and is a familiar site on the national television news as it's facade regularly provides a handsome backdrop to press statements from distressed families, defiant defendants and protesters and supporters of either side ina trial. It is a great honour and matter of status to be representing someone at the most senior law court which is The Old Bailey.

  • @clovelly1946

    @clovelly1946

    5 ай бұрын

    Thankyou for the info,very interesting.

  • @Fadem12forReal
    @Fadem12forReal9 ай бұрын

    Had never heard of Rumpole. This is great.

  • @granthurlburt4062
    @granthurlburt40622 жыл бұрын

    Thanks hugely for posting this. I actually have already listened to some of these stories recently with another narrator but it is like another story with the very fine reading by Leo McKern. I watch the TV series about every two years.

  • @alexhayden2303
    @alexhayden2303 Жыл бұрын

    He really is Rumpole, although he had a long career with a wide range of roles. I would never have guessed that he was an Australian or that he had a glass eye.

  • @mwatts-riley2688
    @mwatts-riley26882 жыл бұрын

    This is a damn great time. What a way to spend a ☕ cold windy nasty 🌊 Chicago Saturday afternoon 🌀 Popcorn. Sweet tea. Hubby is cleaning the microwave all by himself. Later I'll fold clothes and crank out another tea. But For now- I'm not moving. 🛌 Elgin. Illinois.

  • @shelleymcafee8197
    @shelleymcafee81977 ай бұрын

    Lol! SO Good, I’m reminded-exceedingly of My Grandfather and Great-Uncle; they must have been Fans!! Thank-You for this, I’m hooked! …

  • @nancybingham7298
    @nancybingham7298 Жыл бұрын

    Rumpole always entertaining - Thanks.

  • @jackiewhite4204
    @jackiewhite42042 жыл бұрын

    Thank you, from Australia.

  • @msmltvcktl

    @msmltvcktl

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank YOU, Australia, for Leo McKern

  • @micheler4120
    @micheler41202 ай бұрын

    I had the entire series on cassettes so long ago. Thank you for this wonderful and delicious walk down memory lane. Such excellent writing, such excellent acting!

  • @littlebrookreader949
    @littlebrookreader949 Жыл бұрын

    Oh! How I love this book! Thank you!

  • @roelienpostma2367
    @roelienpostma2367 Жыл бұрын

    Lovely to hear the original!

  • @jackie9600
    @jackie9600 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you from 🇯🇲

  • @fatfrreddy1414
    @fatfrreddy14142 жыл бұрын

    Mr Mckern at his drollesst...Many Thanks...

  • @derekwallace2278
    @derekwallace2278 Жыл бұрын

    Adore rumpled. This version cool Leo mckern brill

  • @cgarby
    @cgarby2 жыл бұрын

    thank you!!

  • @FF-so3su
    @FF-so3su2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks🙂👍❤️

  • @MaryKane-qv5vz
    @MaryKane-qv5vz6 ай бұрын

    I mentioned I used pepper to keep my feet warm. To explain to the puzzled looks as to how pepper wld warm my feet I comfirmed he is my dog.

  • @FF-so3su
    @FF-so3su Жыл бұрын

    Wonderful 😊👍❤️

  • @stewartlancaster6155
    @stewartlancaster6155 Жыл бұрын

    The Sex Pistols lp Mortimer defended was called Never Mind the Bollocks, not as described in the notes above Never Mind the Bullocks, which sounds more like an episode of All creatures great and small,

  • @msmltvcktl

    @msmltvcktl

    Жыл бұрын

    Americans don't understand that bollocks = BS / testes while bullock = a young bull (a teenage Bullingham?)

  • @LuciThomasHardylover-qx6ts

    @LuciThomasHardylover-qx6ts

    8 ай бұрын

    Came to write exactly this! And John Lydons wife has died. The kindest thing that can be said about him is that he insisted on nursing her himself until the end. Of only he'd kept his mouth shut on all the other things he knew nothing about instead of attention seeking at the expense of other people 🤷 but he did the right thing by her and her grandchildren.

  • @ianthomas2728
    @ianthomas27282 жыл бұрын

    Wonderful. Thank you.

  • @longcastle4863
    @longcastle4863 Жыл бұрын

    1:04:36 Rumplole and the Alternative Society 1:52:40 Rumplole and the Married Lady 2:14:00

  • @sugarfalls1

    @sugarfalls1

    5 ай бұрын

    Thank you for doing that!

  • @johndaarteest
    @johndaarteest2 жыл бұрын

    It's a shame McKern didn't do poetry readings from the Quiller Couch book of poetry 🙂

  • @belindamay8063

    @belindamay8063

    Жыл бұрын

    @JohnDa Artist . What a delight to hear Rumpole reciting Wordsworth - they belong together in so many ways. The whole collection should be shown again on a main TV channel, as a matter of urgency. Our once-rich culture is breaking up , thanks partly to the dominance of a stripped-down language.

  • @msmltvcktl

    @msmltvcktl

    Жыл бұрын

    Stripped down, humiliated, and forced into menial labour is the once proud King's English.

  • @ashleysaunders9947
    @ashleysaunders994722 күн бұрын

    Spent many a year at the bar, cost a fortune 😊

  • @JohannaLeigh
    @JohannaLeigh3 ай бұрын

    Leo seems to take to playing other characters in the stories of his leading barrister.

  • @FF-so3su
    @FF-so3su Жыл бұрын

    1.52 ..and the married lady

  • @RalphDratman
    @RalphDratman Жыл бұрын

    1:52 Rumpole and the Married Lady

  • @chrisarcher5573
    @chrisarcher55732 жыл бұрын

    It wasn't 'bullocks'

  • @THEBOYHOTSPUR
    @THEBOYHOTSPUR10 ай бұрын

    The sound is banjaxed

  • @stockmarketnotes3441
    @stockmarketnotes3441 Жыл бұрын

    40:10

  • @Mr.Monta77
    @Mr.Monta77 Жыл бұрын

    Poor audio quality 😢

  • @vegansnippets205
    @vegansnippets205 Жыл бұрын

    Pl

  • @michellemccumbers7216
    @michellemccumbers7216 Жыл бұрын

    When he hits the s and soft c sounds, it is unbearable

  • @msmltvcktl

    @msmltvcktl

    11 ай бұрын

    Proper English is unbearable to you? Might you be from the Colonies, perhaps somewhere in the South? 🤣

  • @victorireland8913

    @victorireland8913

    9 ай бұрын

    Superb

  • @myriaddsystems
    @myriaddsystems Жыл бұрын

    Poor quality, sounds like it's being read over the phone

  • @booshaboo1

    @booshaboo1

    Жыл бұрын

    Rubbish comment

  • @xmaseveeve5259
    @xmaseveeve5259 Жыл бұрын

    Bad sound.

  • @booshaboo1

    @booshaboo1

    Жыл бұрын

    Nothing wrong with it

  • @xmaseveeve5259

    @xmaseveeve5259

    Жыл бұрын

    @@booshaboo1 I'm not interested in your garbage.

  • @bbbl8910

    @bbbl8910

    8 ай бұрын

    Ingrate

  • @xmaseveeve5259

    @xmaseveeve5259

    8 ай бұрын

    @@bbbl8910 Groveller.

  • @myriaddsystems
    @myriaddsystems Жыл бұрын

    This really is bad quality upload

  • @theConquerersMama

    @theConquerersMama

    Жыл бұрын

    It sounds exactly like the original I had.

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