I was thinking back about some of the best television series I have watched, and Upstairs, Downstairs immediately came to mind. I have watched this series three times, and think it’s one of the best period piece series ever made. Sure, it is from the 1970s, so the production values aren’t what they aren’t anything like today’s slick looks. However, the story line and acting are (in my opinion) much better than most television series.
Upstairs, Downstairs is yet another dazzling jewel in British period-piece television productions. The show initially ran in the USA on Masterpiece Theatre in the early 1970s. It is set in Edwardian London, and features the life of all who inhabited “165 Eaton Place.”
The “Upstairs” at this opulent residence consists of an aristocrat family. The Bellamy family hob-nobs with all of England’s wealthy. The patriarch is a member of Parliament, and as such, entertains many of the ruling class. His wife is a perfect hostess, and is the one who brings the title and money into the family.
The “Downstairs” is comprised of many house maids, a chauffeur, the cooking staff, and a very competent & efficient butler at the top of the working people’s hierarchy. Mr. Hudson (the butler) runs all of the tasks required to keep the household running smoothly. Of course, there are sometimes mishaps, but Mr. Hudson is quick to get things back on track.
Upstairs, Downstairs follows the lives of the Bellamy family and their staff. The set is realistic, opulent, with deep, rich-colored furniture and curtains. The wardrobe, hair and make-up are exactly as I would have expected of the early 1900s.
Jean Marsh, the actress who plays Rose (the head parlour maid) is one of the two creators of the series. Her co-creator, is a fellow actress, Eileen Atkins. The London Weekend Television is the production company responsible for this beautiful, interesting view of life in London during the first thirty years of the twentieth century.
For me, Upstairs, Downstairs works so well because of the head of the family, Richard Bellamy, with his extremely kind nature. Because this member of Parliament is such an honorable man, his household is a place where even the lowest on the totem pole (the scullery maid ?) is treated fairly. Perhaps the reason for Richard Bellamy’s good nature toward the household staff is because he was not born into the aristocracy, he simply married into it.
The two “Downstairs bosses” (so to speak) are the butler (excellently portrayed by Gordon Jackson) and the cook (delightfully played by Angela Baddeley). All the acting is superb. It is such a treat to see Pauline Collins (Sarah) & John Alderton (Thomas) in this production from the 1970s, who incidentally, have been married since the late 1960s.
I strongly recommend Upstairs, Downstairs – especially seasons 1, 2 & 3. In 2010, the BBC brought Upstairs, Downstairs back. Unfortunately Rose (Jean Marsh) was the only character from the “real” Upstairs, Downstairs cast. To me, this didn’t fit in with the original Upstairs, Downstairs television series I have loved for many years. However, keep in mind that this was released in the 1970s, so don’t expect the visuals of today’s pieces.
P.S. It is available on Netflix. This is not a mystery series.
mary kennedy says
I love Upstairs, Downstairs…ah, the Bellamy family with all its complicated interactions. Easy to get hooked!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Mary, I know its production values aren’t as slick as they are today, but these shows are definitely worth a watch. I wish PBS would re-air some of their old series. Sherlock Holmes (with Jeremy Brett), Brother Cadfael, the earlier Agatha Christie’s Poirot shows, I, Claudius, The Duchess of Duke Street, Elizabeth R, are just a few that I think would me nice for them to introduce to a new generation of viewers. (A & E used to be a good channel for re-airing these high-quality British shows.)
TXRed says
Yes to PBS’ older series I, Claudius and Brother Cadfael. I watch the earlier Poirot and Miss Marple shows on Netflix streaming. There are so may series from the past that are worth re-running on PBS.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
TXRed, seems like the local channels should dust off their VHS tapes of these shows and air them instead of some of the other shows they deem air-time worthy. (Though I,Claudius may be a little too risqué for today’s PBS stations…)
Lynn says
Mary, Another to check out is Jewel in the Crown, and I almost forgot – the Pallisers. American acting and writing is so awful compared to the Brits, especially the older productions. They have redone Poldark, for some reason. The original was just wonderful, so I’m not sure how they can improve on it. Lots of romance and intrigue. I own I, Claudius and the Duchess of Duke Street. Excellent shows. I hope you get a chance to see the new Upstairs Downstairs, which is running now as a repeat in my area – Bucks Co. PA
Anne says
I remember it well. The signature tune was very clever, morphing from a waltz into a music hall jig and back again, to symbolise the upstairs and downstairs entertainments.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Anne, I’ll have to get one of my discs out and listen to the intro music. I don’t remember it at all, but what you describe would be very clever.
Mary says
I called Guideposts and they told me that book 24 is the last book. I read #24 and the author did not tie things up. So you will be left hanging because you will never know if Mary and Henry ever get married. What a let down.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Mary, I’m sorry to hear that Guideposts didn’t wrap up their mystery series.
robin says
I didn’t watch the Upstairs, Downstairs series, but I’m showing my age by saying I do remember watching Alastair Cooke and watching The Forsyte Saga, The Pallisters and Poldark (which I believe I recently read somewhere they were remaking).
Anne says
Yes, it’s been remade and is now showing on the Beeb. It’s more glitzy than the previous adaptation.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Robin, I didn’t actually watch Upstairs, Downstairs while it aired on TV, but I found out about it when I happened to be living someplace that aired it (in its entirety) on TV. Since then, I have shared it with my husband and daughter.
janie says
I liked Upstairs, Downstairs….but my all ttime favorite Masterpiece Theater was Poldark. Talk about a brooding hero!
Anne says
Janie, check out the current Poldark, the Irish actor Aidan Turner.
Lynn says
I know what you mean. I even bought and read the books. Excellent. Ross was so handsome. For a little less romance, but more drama check out Brideshead Revisited, the series not the movie. Excellent.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Janie, I’m going to have to look up Poldark…
maggie says
I looked forward to every episode. The only show I’ve enjoyed more is Downton Abbey. I’ve wondered often why we are so drawn so much to that period in history. Of course, there’s always that element that some people are above others, and that some people aren’t but they are very happy working for the people above them…and we all seem to love the idea that one can move from lower to upper, or up,,,
Anne says
Yeah, it’s all rot of course. The period before the 1st W.W. was. in Britain, a period of great social unrest with riots and strikes; not to mention the Suffragettes. Time draws a veil over the uncomfortable things.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Maggie, perhaps the lack of modern-day gadgets and gizmos, where everything relied on people’s interaction with each other?
Ann says
I agree it was a great series and I didn’t like the later one much either. Was the Duchess of Duke Street an offshoot of this or am I thinking of something else?
Ann
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Ann, I don’t think it was an offshoot, but I could be wrong.
Ann says
Yes, Poldark has been remade and we should get it soon. I used to live near where they filmed the first one in Cornwall. Ross’s house was actually two houses. They filmed the back of one and the front of another for the series. Can’t wait.
Ann
Carolyn H says
Upstairs, Downstairs and Duchess of Duke Street were my personal favorites and I think they hold up very well. A good story with talented actors beats glitz any day.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Carolyn H, well put! These shows deserve to be dusted off and enjoyed!
Stash Empress says
I LOVE UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Back when it was first aired in the ’70s, I was in high school & for English Lit/History we were assigned to watch it every week & then we had discussions the next day in class regarding different aspects of the culture at that time & so on. It was my favorite coursework!!!
Since then (ie. since I’ve grown up 😉 ) I’ve watched the whole series a couple of times on dvd. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!!!
They did it before Downton was a “thing” & I think “Up/Down” (as it was affectionately called) will always be my first love. (Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge Downton Abbey fan & waiting for the next season to come to dvd — I’m just saying… 😉
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Stash, you English teacher sounds like she/he made it a lot of fun. I can see where this would be a favorite class!
Billie says
I did not see the original Upstairs DownStairs, but saw the newer version and really like it. I have Netflixed the original just to get some background, and watched a few episodes. Wish that Masterpiece would continue the newer one.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Billie, in my opinion, the original Upstairs Downstairs is much, much better than the recent one. Since it was produced in the 1970s it obviously is not as glitzy as the new one, but it is a terrific television series to watch.
Billie says
Glitz is not usually what I look for in a tv series. Right now I am catching up on Call the Midwives. Somehow I missed 3/4ths of the 3rd season. Ive seen at least one book about it and need to look for the memoirs, heard there are 3 volumes. May not read it, but will at least look.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Billie, I’m with you on the “glitz” factor! It’s not something I look for, but know that there are a lot of people who complain about not having the most modern productions associated with some of these older (and in my opinion, wonderful) television series.
Raffles says
I am a very big fan of the original Upstairs Downstairs Richard Bellamy Lady Majorie & Hudson what a fantastic cast I have seen this series many times and never tire of it.
I also like Raffles played by Anthony Valentine.