Between the Wars discussion

Inspired by lively discussion in the Victorians group, I though we could share ours for this era. I loved the Jeeves BBC series. Imagine "House" (for those in North America who've watched that medical drama) as Bertie Wooster! He's brilliant as a "complete ass" of his time. The Poirot series with David Suchet was impeccably wonderful. Brideshead in both incarnations is memorable. Marjorie Allingham's Campion series with Peter Davison is delightful. I'm sure more will spring to mind, but I've got to go and check the dinner!!!

I loved The Forsyte Saga but I didn't understand Soames (Damian Lewis did a great job) obsession with Irene she had a personality of a wet noodle. Oh and you can't get much better than The Duchess Of Duke Street but don't think that was based on a book. But it was loosely based on the real-life career of Rosa Lewis (née Ovenden)

Tracey wrote: "I loved The Forsyte Saga but I didn't understand Soames (Damian Lewis did a great job) obsession with Irene she had a personality of a wet noodle. Oh and you can't get much better tha..."
Just proves you can`t have much control over who you fall for.I have to admit I have always felt very sorry for Soames!And I do not usually have much sympathy for men!It came as quite a shock to Husband to hear me say it.

Forsyte**************Spoiler*************************

Tracey,
Kindred spirit here -- I think Duchess of Duke Street is unmatched! My favorite.

DJ, sympathy for Soames? Because he was just stumbling through life really? Well, the Fosytes would have been a tough family to be a part of, that's one thing. Poor Bosinney though, run over by a bus though. Can't get much worse than that. (!)

Agree with Gabriele in regard to David Suchet's Poirot. He is exceptional - I even have the DVDs! The Miss Marple film I like less, because I don't think she's as strong a character, and they keep swapping the actresses.

I love Gosford Park, The Remains of the Day (set before and after the war), I Capture the Castle.

Must track down the Forsyte Saga. I think there is more than one adaptation though? :S

Sarah wrote: "Forsyte**************Spoiler*************************

Tracey,
Kindred spirit here -- I think Duchess of Duke Street is unmatched! My favorite.


Yeah but look at the family he came from?Did he really ever stand a chance...and do not start me on Irene!!
DJ, sympathy for Soames? Because he was just stu..."

I agree, Lauren - Gosford Park and the Remains of The Day were great. I'll have to get myself a copy of I Capture the Castle - book and DVD.
Sarah, I'm hoping to get the Duchess of Duke Street DVD collection for Christmas, as I loved the series, but saw it so many years ago.
Loved the Forsyte Saga, too. I wish they'd bring that back on TV, or I might have to put that on my wish list as well.
I have the entire Upstairs Downstairs series, some of which takes place in the 20s of course.

Also, there's a biographical film of Agatha Christie's life (Agatha Christie: A Life in Pictures) based on her autobiography. It's brilliant. Obviously, though, only a portion of it takes place 'between the wars'.

How have I missed the Agatha Christie one?I thought the only one they
Did was AGATHA?

DJ, I think it's a 'made for TV' film. It has Olivia Williams in it, playing Agatha. Mainly it focuses on her unexplained disappearance.

I would post a link to its IMDB page but my computer is playing up big time.

Lauren thanks so much for information.Will get Husband to look
Up IMDB (one of his favourite sites).
Your a Doll!
DJ.

My all time favorite is Mapp and Lucia with Prunella Scales and Geraldine McEwan. I must admit living in Los Angeles whenever it does rain-that is what goes into my DVD player!

Sbaird wrote: "My all time favorite is Mapp and Lucia with Prunella Scales and Geraldine McEwan. I must admit living in Los Angeles whenever it does rain-that is what goes into my DVD player!"

Ooh, what's that about? I really liked Geraldine McEwan as Miss Marple, although apparently Joan Hickson was the ultimate (I wouldn't know).

Sbaird wrote: "My all time favorite is Mapp and Lucia with Prunella Scales and Geraldine McEwan. I must admit living in Los Angeles whenever it does rain-that is what goes into my DVD player!"
I really enjoyed those as well. Lots of DVDs for me to put on my wish list!

Lauren wrote: "Sbaird wrote: "My all time favorite is Mapp and Lucia with Prunella Scales and Geraldine McEwan. I must admit living in Los Angeles whenever it does rain-that is what goes into my DVD player!"

..."
Based on the books by E.F Benson it is a series of vignettes of British upper crust life in the 20's and 30's. Mapp and Lucia have a rivalry which is so much fun to watch in a little seaside town named Tilling. I highly recommend both the books and the TV series. There is a great omnibus called I believe Make Way for Lucia.

On another note I would agree that Joan Hickson was the definitive Miss Marple. I have found that around the holidays-her dvd's go on sale on the Barnes and Noble's site. So I have been able to gradually add to my collection.

Thanks, Sbaird. I'll check them out :)

Lauren wrote: "Sbaird wrote: "My all time favorite is Mapp and Lucia with Prunella Scales and Geraldine McEwan. I must admit living in Los Angeles whenever it does rain-that is what goes into my DVD player!"

..."

Joan Hickson is the ULTIMATE Miss Marple!

Much prefer Joan Hickson as Miss Marple to any of the other Miss Marples I've seen.

Susanna wrote: "Much prefer Joan Hickson as Miss Marple to any of the other Miss Marples I've seen."

I`ll gladly second that motion.I absolutely hated Geraldine McEwan and just didn`t watch...it was horrible!!

What about the newest one? Her name escapes me. I think she's dreadful, and the recent episodes look really quite dated.

So long as they don't change Poirot I'm fine. I once heard a rumour than Rowan Atkinson was taking over from Suchet - but thankfully it was just that: a rumour!

Thank goodness - the mind boggles!

I saw part of a recent one - the acting was so dreadful I switched it off. No, give me Joan Hickson, please.

Lauren wrote: "What about the newest one? Her name escapes me. I think she's dreadful, and the recent episodes look really quite dated.

So long as they don't change Poirot I'm fine. I once heard a rumour than..."

Her name is Julia Fields and I haven`t even tried to watch after the terrible writing previously on "Marple" combined with the fact that Ms Fields would appear to be a comedy actress....

They wouldn`t DARE change Poirot!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi I don`t know if this is the right place to put this but Monday 12th October BBC4 at 8pm is showing a programme"The Twenties in Colour:The Wonderful World of Albert Kahn"-1/4 Archive footage from Albert Kahn`s autochrome images.
Just in case anyone is interested.....

That does sound interesting, DJ. I love anything twenties-related. Sadly, we are still stuck in the dark ages with terrestrial TV :'(

What about BBC I-PLAYER?Or could someone tape it for you?

I am stuck in the U.S. - that sounds like a great program, though, DJ.

Yes, and we can hope that PBS picks it up and shows it sometime! We get that in Canada.

DJ wrote: "What about BBC I-PLAYER?Or could someone tape it for you?"

Maybe :-)

OT:
Can't wait until this switchover thingy (non-UK people, never mind). Having four channels is not enough. We had Sky for a while and yes, most of it is crap, but there are some great shows that you don't get the opportunity to see.

I will tape it and then slowly watch it and send in a review and if Husband will help I will attempt to upload a couple of pictures.
Also will remmber never to mention BBC4 again!!
Apologetically yours,

Has anyone seen The Cazalets series? It was produced by BBC and shown in the US on PBS Masterpiece Theater. It's based on a 4-book series by Elizabeth Jane Howard, although the TV series only covers books 1 & 2.

I loved it. The story actually begins just before WWII and then follows the characters through it, so I'm cheating a bit, perhaps in including it here, but the costumes and sets, the whole feel of the time period is so well done.

Lauren wrote: "Must track down the Forsyte Saga. I think there is more than one adaptation though? :S"

The Forsytes, the most recent one -- had Damian Lewis, Ioan Gruffudd, Rupert Graves, Corin Redgrave, and more and was really good.

The 1960's one was so famous at the time apparently that it helped make form of the British mini-series legendary. Viewers became kind of obsessed with it. I'm American so am not qualified to say a lot about it, I just remember reading about it. It may have even come before Upstairs, Downstairs.

Ms. Eldred wrote: "Has anyone seen The Cazalets series? It was produced by BBC and shown in the US on PBS Masterpiece Theater. It's based on a 4-book series by Elizabeth Jane Howard, although the TV series only cov..."
How did I miss that? I read the books and would love to have seen the series. Do you think PBS will repeat it?

Sarah wrote: "Lauren wrote: "Must track down the Forsyte Saga. I think there is more than one adaptation though? :S"

The Forsytes, the most recent one -- had Damian Lewis, Ioan Gruffudd, Rupert Graves, Corin Re..."

We saw it in Canada, and yes, it was addictive. I'd like to see it again, or the new one.

Gabriele wrote: Ms. Eldred wrote: "Has anyone seen The Cazalets series? It was produced by BBC and shown in the US on PBS Masterpiece Theater. It's based on a 4-book series by Elizabeth Jane Howard, although the TV series only cov..."
How did I miss that? I read the books and would love to have seen the series. Do you think PBS will repeat it?


It was broadcast maybe 5 years ago. It's available on DVD, I believe. If you do Netflix or something like that you could probably get it through there.

I`ve kept missing it on Tv,but I think it will re-air here sometime in the Autumn.

I`ve kept missing it on Tv,but I think it will re-air here sometime in the Autumn.

Ms. Eldred wrote: "Gabriele wrote: Ms. Eldred wrote: "Has anyone seen The Cazalets series? It was produced by BBC and shown in the US on PBS Masterpiece Theater. It's based on a 4-book series by Elizabeth Jane Howard..."

Thanks, Christine!

DJ wrote: "I will tape it and then slowly watch it and send in a review and if Husband will help I will attempt to upload a couple of pictures.
Also will remmber never to mention BBC4 again!!
Apologetically..."

DJ, that is too much bother! x

Sarah wrote: "Lauren wrote: "Must track down the Forsyte Saga. I think there is more than one adaptation though? :S"

The Forsytes, the most recent one -- had Damian Lewis, Ioan Gruffudd, Rupert Graves, Corin Re..."

Thanks for the info, Sarah. I will definitely have to get hold of it now (I love Damian Lewis).

Lauren wrote: "DJ wrote: "I will tape it and then slowly watch it and send in a review and if Husband will help I will attempt to upload a couple of pictures.
Also will remmber never to mention BBC4 again!!
Apo..."

I`ll just describe it then,confess to being worried about uploading pictures as am very new to the world of computers,I`ll tape it anyway and see if Husband can help!!

DJ wrote: "Hi I don`t know if this is the right place to put this but Monday 12th October BBC4 at 8pm is showing a programme"The Twenties in Colour:The Wonderful World of Albert Kahn"-1/4 Archive footage from..."

Hi DJ thanks for the heads up, I'll stick that in my planner!

Yorky wrote: "DJ wrote: "Hi I don`t know if this is the right place to put this but Monday 12th October BBC4 at 8pm is showing a programme"The Twenties in Colour:The Wonderful World of Albert Kahn"-1/4 Archive f..."

Anytime Yorky......

NEWSFLASH...Just discovered THE TWENTIES IN COLOUR is actually a four part series and so will wait until end to try and put info up...
Didn`t want anyone to think I had forgotten,
DJ

Cool!

NEWSFLASH!!!!
UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS is being revived and coming to BBC1...
Jean Marsh is to reprise her role as Rose but she is to come back to Eaton Square in 1936 as the new Housekeeper..
Not sure when it`s airing but when I find out I will Let you know!!

WOW! I expect that PBS will probably bring it to the US. Something to look forward to!

As soon as I know more I will let you know!!

As 'Vile Bodies' is the next group read, I was wondering if anyone had seen 'Bright Young Things' (dir. Stephen Fry) which is the film adaptation. I'm considering ordering it from Amazon.

I may have, as period pieces are my preferred entertainment. Do you know when it came out, Lauren?

I`ve seen it.Quite enjoyed it.But do not know how it compares to the book as this will be my first reading,sorry can`t be more help!!

I just checked for Bright Young Things at my video store and they don't have it and show it as never having been in stock, so I haven't seen it! I've ordered it, though. I do recall hearing about it when it played at the Toronto Film Festival. Anyway, I should have it by the time we discuss the book, which I should have read by then. What fun!