What did everyone think of Shirley Maclaine? I liked some of her scenes but for the most part there seemed to be something a little off. Maybe if I watch again in re-runs it will sit better with me.
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What did everyone think of Shirley Maclaine? I liked some of her scenes but for the most part there seemed to be something a little off. Maybe if I watch again in re-runs it will sit better with me.
I watched that last night and didn't really like Shirley in it too much. She seemed to be very unnatural and forced in her anti-anything British lines. However my favorite line was from Maggie Smith when she was asked how she felt about Shirleys upcoming visit. Maggie's character responded that (shirleys character) always made her so proud to be British. When someone responded that Shirley was an American not British, Maggie Smith said: "exactly!".Quote:
Originally Posted by Lainey
I agree that Shirley McClain's part was just not well written. The part could have been so much better. And I very much resent the dinner scene where she is boorishly slurping her food in to portray Americans as having no table manners.
I'm glad Downton Abbey is back on Sunday nights. Mrs. Levinson's (Shirley Maclaine) references to being able to entertain the family in Newport, R.I., got me to researching Gilded Age mansions on this side of the pond. I'd like to see Biltmore Estate in North Carolina, for starters, and there are some museum/mansions in Newport that can be toured. Biltmore has an add-on butler's tour of the downstairs so I'd like that.
The Dean of my seminary has a niftly segment from Religion and Ethics weekly that addresses issues of faith in the world of Downton Abbey:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionande...n-abbey/14519/
I was a history major but never was interested in this particular period until Downton Abbey.
Well, here's the thing: I don't think that Downtown Abbey has excellent writing. I think everything else about it is so fab (actors, visuals) that I tend to forget that the writing isn't first rate. But don't get me wrong, it's better than "ok."Quote:
Originally Posted by Florence
Maggie Smith's part isn't well written but she does so much with it.
I will say that the latest plot device (erm, spoiler....about the money of the estate )is interesting. I think that I missed an episode so now don't knwo wheterh to watch as broadcast or just wait for the 3rd season dvd, out soon (but with long wiating lists at the Library or Netflix.)
If you want to catch up, PBS is streaming the first two weeks online right now, if you can do that. You can also download from Amazon for $1.99 if you care for that option.
Apparently one of the American TV networks is planning a similar series set in Gilded Age New York (so around the time Cora the American Countess was a young girl). I have also heard that ITV is considering a "prequel" set at the time of the Earl and Countess's marriage. I would love to see that...although it would be difficult to find a younger actress who could play the Maggie Smith role. Still, I have always wondered what went on early in their marriage, since the Earl has mentioned he wasn't in love with Cora at the time they married. And can you imagine being a newlywed with the (current) Dowager Countess as a mother-in-law? Anyway, I hope both come true, I would happily watch them.
Amelia - the Crawleys really needed the $$$ to keep Downton going. If you've ever read (or seen on PBS) The Buccaneers (Edith Wharton?), it's exactly about that sort of situation. I recently read a wonderful book about the American heiresses going over to Britain to catch themselves a titled aristocrat for a husband. The titled aristocrats needed the American cash. The book explains a great deal. The book is To Marry an English Lord.
Probably the most well-known of these American heiresses was Consuelo Vanderbilt who married the Duke of Marlborough.
I hadn't watched it until recently and got interested in it. I love watching the upstairs/downstairs stuff, the scenery, the relationships, the lifestyle, etc. But since its 3rd season just started, I had questions about what led up to it to this point. I was in Walmart yesterday (forgive me!) and saw seasons 1 and 2 for only $35 (is about $60 on Amazon), and I splurged and bought it. Its so much fun to watch. Today I watched some of the extras and they were really good too.
It will still take me awhile to figure everyone's relationships out. I wonder if the rules about heirs was really true back then. I can't believe some people had so much money and so many servants........and had nothing to do but whatever they wanted to do.
Tradd, thanks for those recommendations....sound really interesting!
Julian Fellowes has filmed a factual programme about some grand English homes. The first programme was shown on ITV earlier this week. I found it interesting, even if JF can appear pompous at times.
Here's a review.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/t...TV-review.html
Spoiler Alert!
Weill, last night when Sybil died in childbirth just caught me totally by surprise.
It certainly threw me, a bit of too much realism...
I can't read the above comments, 'cause I'm only in the middle of season two. haha I taped the season 3 show last night and can't watch it until I get through a few more episodes.
Maybe there will be an answer to this in the future......and don't tell me anything about what I say, but why the heck do they keep Thomas and Mrs. Obrien around when they are such troublemakers?
(I know, I know......they are the ones we love to hate) haha
I've been watching way too many past episodes in too short a time, but I want to get caught up. I'm only to the point where they are using Downton Abbey as a rehabilitation hospital for the wounded soldiers.
I told DH last night, when I watch this show, I end up feeling 3 things: I feel like eating, cleaning up the house, and ordering people around. :~)
Oh no! She was one of the characters I liked the most - the rebellious child who escewed the family lineage and trappings for a simple life with the commoner "help".Quote:
Originally Posted by Florence
Well I didn't see THAT coming. I thought it was very well done and the scene between mom and daughter brought tears to my eyes. The scene between sisters left me wanting to kick somebody.
I was shocked too. And kind of glad that it happened. Life wasn't perfect for anyone back then.
CathyA, you'll see a different side of Thomas and Miss O'Brien soon.
Yes, likewise! Edith to sister Mary, after their sister dies: "can we be friends now?" Mary: "I think not, but maybe we can be more like sisters." or words to that effect - geez, your sibling dies and you can't forget the past and reach out to your last remaining sibling??Quote:
Originally Posted by Simplemind
Okay........I can read all these posts now, since I spent the entire day watching season 2 and the latest episode of season 2! good thing I didn't have to be productive today!
Even though the cook's assistant Daisy can drive me crazy, I really liked the progression of her dealing with her guilt of being dishonest about marrying William, and finally her realizing that it was a good thing. I loved how William's father wanted her for a daughter now. How sweet!
I have one question about something...........I thought it was very strange when Robert (the Earl) kissed that maid a few times. It just didn't make sense to me. He wasn't that kind of person, and hadn't she only been working there a very short time?
Oh....one more question..........Does anyone know how the Earl came to marry Cora, an American? Also, Patrick (who supposedly died on the Titanic, but really didn't...maybe) had an American accent. Why did he have an American accent, yet he was the next heir in line.
Can't answer the bit about Patrick's accent...Quote:
Originally Posted by CathyA
But as for Robert and Cora's marriage, I'll just repeat my post from earlier in the thread...
The Crawleys really needed the $$$ to keep Downton going. If you've ever read (or seen on PBS) The Buccaneers (Edith Wharton?), it's exactly about that sort of situation. I recently read a wonderful book about the American heiresses going over to Britain to catch themselves a titled aristocrat for a husband. The titled aristocrats needed the American cash. The book explains a great deal. The book is To Marry an English Lord.
There were a great many of these sorts of marriages.
Probably the most well-known of these American heiresses was Consuelo Vanderbilt who married the Duke of Marlborough.
Mary is always practical. That's what makes her Mary, in the same way being scheming makes Edith Edith, and being sweet made Sybil Sybil.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lainey
The line was more along the lines of, "... let's be sisters for each other now ..." - i.e., in their time of mourning, at least as I took it to mean.
The progression I found most remarkable is how she changed from this meek, put-upon, bumbling scullery maid, repeatedly brow-beaten by Mrs. Padmore, into this bossy, assistant cook brow-beating the (new) scullery maid. :laff:Quote:
Originally Posted by CathyA
I just want to get one of the "Free Bates" t-shirts!
http://www.shoppbs.org/product/index...uctId=17355766Quote:
Originally Posted by Lainey
How can the 3rd season DVD be out already?
Those shirts are funny!
The UK broadcast the third season this past Fall.
ha ha! They're pretty popular - all on backorder.Quote:
Originally Posted by Spartana
oh you guys! I had a serious crush on Brendon Coyle when he was in Lark Rise. I may have to get that shirt.
LOL!! I know that I won't buy the tee shirt but it really tickles me! The question of the day is Will Anna and Bates ever find happiness??
If its like any other soap opera, they'll finally be together, and start arguing. :~)
I think Anna is one of my favorite characters on there........among many others!
I'm finding the Bates-in-prison story line to be dull at this point - I just want it to be over.
+1Quote:
Originally Posted by bUU
LOL........I was just watching on TV "Back to the Secret Garden", when I suddenly realized that the castle looked really familiar. Its the Downton Abbey (Highclere) castle! I got confused for a minute, not knowing which show I was watching. "Back to the Secret Garden" was done in 2001. It must be a popular place for films.
Well, they will have to figure out some other way to torture him because that's the role he plays best: tortured soul.Quote:
Originally Posted by Florence
Bumping this thread for the new season. Spoiler alert, so stop reading if you didn't see the latest episode.
So, what the ? Is this violence added because they've run out of story ideas? I'm not liking this dark turn.
I'm also p*ssed off she's starting to move on with her life wtih romance and business and not with taking care of her kid. Yea romance is really more of a priority in life that taking care of kids you brought into the @#$@ing world. Yea, yea, it's only a t.v. show .....
That scene shocked me and I don't know why. I'm sure it was as common then as it is now. What pissed me off was the way she needed to handle it. I'm really hoping Bates' character is smart enough figure this out, and I'm really hoping that Anna gets revenge somehow. Maybe that was the point, a shock out of left field. The author seems to enjoy those.
I haven't been watching this season, but honestly, I have to say that this show is over-rated. I've seen so many costume dramas over the past 30 years out of the UK that are so much better.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lainey
This one happens to have an original screenplay and while that is lovely, it's just not up to par with classic costume dramas based on literature.
That said, of course I will, at some point, devour all of it. I've seen season 1-3 and will watch 4 when it comes out on DVD.
More spoiler alert............
You know she'll get pregnant and will take forever to tell Bates what happened. I was a bit disappointed that it might be turning too much into the likes of U.S. daytime soaps. I hope I'm wrong.
I do think they were smart to advance 6 months after Mathew's death. I love the character that plays his mother.
I had similar thoughts.Quote:
Originally Posted by CathyA
I find it strange all the dissatisfaction cased in the context of it "turning into" an American-like soap opera. Julian Fellows has consistently said, since the start, that that was precisely what he was interested in bringing (to British television). I don't see such melodrama any differently than the machinations of O'Brien and Barrow early on - perhaps I view those even worse because they were so petty and trivial by comparison.