The show takes place between 19031930 and gives us an insight of the good old days. Upstairs downstairs is the sequel to the popular 1970s television show of the same name. Upstairs, downstairs is a british television drama series created by jean marsh and eileen. When the color facilities became available again, the first episode, on trial, was. Initially set in 1904, the first season comprises episodes, 5 of which are 5 blackandwhite episodes not aired during the first season of the original u. This blog is for people watching upstairs downstairs on bbc1. Upstairs, downstairs was something veddy different for pbs acclaimed. Roosevelt brings maggie back to supervise the visit of mrs. For that alone, id recommend this set of dvds because seeing them all in. Since the original series broadcast in the us did not include the blackandwhite episodes, i was not familiar with the development of the series and how. Upstairs downstairs rose soon finds she has her work cut out as she recruits a new downstairs family to help run the elegance and finery if the upstairs world, it soon becomes apparent there. The new upstairs, downstairs is more period than drama. Since the original series broadcast in the us did not include the blackandwhite episodes, i was not familiar with the development of the series and how it grew from a rather simple initial season to rather involved arcs.
There are tragedies happening to both upstairs aristocracy and downstairs working class each responding in different ways. Written by heidi thomas, the nineepisode story of 165 eaton place picks up in 1936, six years after the original family and staff vacate. A decade of masterpiece theatre by alastair cooke 1981 an american book with one chapter on upstairs, downstairs and a photo section some in colour. Industrial action at lwt caused the first six episodes of upstairs, downstairs to be taped in black and white. Upstairs, downstairs was the series that most successfully captured imaginations. Upstairs, downstairs is a british television drama series created by jean marsh and eileen atkins, and developed by alfred shaughnessy for london weekend television. A few minutes into the longawaited upstairs downstairs sequel, launching sunday on pbs masterpiece, the new mistress of 165 eaton place walks into. List of upstairs, downstairs 1971 tv series episodes. Upstairs downstairs axed as bbc admits defeat in battle of. The book is a story based on the bellamy family upstairs and their household staff members downstairs.
The colour episodes of the first series were released in 2001 followed by the other series finishing in 2003. As 1936 comes to a close, 165 eaton place is in turmoil. It was billed as the bbcs bigbudget fightback in televisions sunday night ratings battle. While the video is not as clear as the new shows today, and in season 1 some of the shows are black and white, this all adds to the shows charm. Known as roberts upstairs and miss roberts downstairs, she is often fussy and suspicious of those around her, both upstairs and downstairs. I found upstairs downstairs just as interesting to read as if id been watching it. Upstairs downstairs is like a book that you cant put down until it is finished. Watch upstairs, downstairs online full episodes of.
The complete series 40th anniversary edition look quite good, considering how vintage english tv programs from this period generally go. Upstairs, downstairs was originally released on dvd by vci in region 2 uk. Shop upstairs downstairs series 1 the black and white episodes dvd 1971. Oviously picture quality is not up to present day standards, but eminently watchable nevertheless. The novelisation of the first series, upstairs, downstairs or the secrets of an edwardian household, was written by john hawkesworth and published in 1972. Upstairs downstairs, 2000 live album by radio massacre international. Initially bogged down by what hawkesworth later realized was the wrong decision to continue full speed ahead with series production in the face of technician strike that resulted in several premiere season episodes being filmed in black and white, upstairs had to work doubly hard to make a good first impression as the stark photography enhanced. Watch all upstairs, downstairs episodes from season 3,view pictures, get episode information and more.
We chose upstairs downstairs because it documented social and. It doesnt take anything away from the enjoyment of the story. The intertwining lives of the wealthy bellamy family and its servants in edwardian england unfold in several editions of this 1970s series, perhaps the most popular and praised to ever air on pbs. The british love their period costume dramas, except when they dont. Backstairs at the white house tv miniseries 1979 imdb. Meanwhile, hazel deals with her own fears for her young airman. The original untransmitted blackandwhite version of the first episode is. The series consists of 68 hourlong episodes that aired in great britain on itv from 1971 to 1975 and in the united states as part. Owing to industrial action at the itv companies when upstairs, downstairs was being filmed in 1971, the first six episodes of the series were taped in black and white. Upstairs, downstairs is a british television drama series produced by london weekend television lwt for itv. The entire cast were uniformly excellent and i can only hope that the episodes were successful enough to result in a full blown series. The first six episodes were made in black and white due to a strike at the itv companies. Some episodes from the first season are in black and white due to industrial action by the technicians union in a dispute over the introduction of colour tv.
If you love downton, upstairs downstairs is for you. Behind the scenes at the white house during eight administrations, as told by the people who work there. The series consists of 68 hourlong episodes that aired in the united kingdom on itv from 1971 to 1975 and in the united states as part of masterpiece theatre on pbs from 1974 to 1977. Charles hammond, harold bennett the book shop assistant uncredited.
Claire foy discusses whats in store for series two of upstairs downstairs and the excitement around the new series. For the episodes of the 2010 bbc revival, see list of upstairs downstairs 2010 tv series. In 2004, the blackandwhite episodes and the first episode with the original ending were released. Both react with stiff upper lips but downstairs has a better system of family support, unlike upstairs who view most things emotional as a weakness. Although a few of the episodes in the first series are in black and white due to a strike by lwt at the time, it doesnt detract from the overall experience of watching this. Bbc ends production on upstairs, downstairs revival. The complete series contains 68 episodes on 20 dvds. The actors, the sets, the costumes, and the music all combine wonderfully to make a captivating experience. Upstairs, downstairs follows the rich bellamy family and their servants at their luxurious house in london. The book inside updown has a detailed production history. Its american premiere was withheld until the release of the lost upstairs, downstairs episodes in 1988.
Fortunately, the sixth episode a cry for help the last in black and white is. The budget is obviously low bloopers are often left in and the sets are sparse a simple eyelevel shot of an opera box stands in unconvincingly for a night at covent garden in magic casements, for example. I literally forget where i am when i am watching and feel like i am actually in that time period. Yes, a few episodes are in black and white because they were filmed that way technicians strike. See more ideas about tv series, eaton place and jean marsh. Created and written by heidi thomas, it is a continuation of the london weekend television series upstairs, downstairs, which ran from 1971 to 1975 on itv.
The first batch of upstairs, downstairs episodes was all made in one block but ultimately shown in two separate miniseasons. The tragedy of war strikes at 165 eaton place, both upstairs and downstairs. I thought it would be in colour but it seems not some of the episodes are in black and white but then they do go back to the. Upstairs, downstairs books and magazines nonfiction. Songs upstairs downstairs, 1971 tv series theme song issued as a single by mantovani 1973 upstairs, downstairs, a song by hermans hermits from the 1967 album blaze. This was the original and youll have hours, no, weeks of a great show. In a familiar tale of a teacher being surpassed by its student which, come to think of it, would make a pretty good british period costume drama, the bbc said it would not order another season of its revival of upstairs, downstairs, a revival that came on the heels of downton abbey, which in turn owes a. I used to watch upstairs downstairs when it was first out, as a child. The complete series contains 68 episodes on 20 dvds, as well as the series retrospective upstairs downstairs remembered. Claire foy on series two of upstairs downstairs bbc. The original version of upstairs downstairs ran for five seasons and 68 episodes, from 1971 until 1975. Watch upstairs, downstairs episodes online season 1. Series 1 available in dvd ship this item qualifies for free shipping buy online, pick up in store is currently unavailable, but this item may be available for instore purchase. The corporation hoped its lavish new version of upstairs downstairs would serve up the same sort of.
There wont be a third series of episodes according to the broadcaster. Upstairs, downstairs fact sheet boob tube, idiot box, telly. Wwii brings changes to the white house, including russians as guests. Each series of upstairs, downstairs was accompanied by a novelisation, with additional detail in each, but also with some episodes missing. I always been a fan to the old tv episodes of upstairs, downstairs. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Tvguide has every full episode so you can stayuptodate and watch your favorite show upstairs, downstairs anytime, anywhere. Because i enjoyed this book, ill be watching the tv series very soon.
This book is based on the television series that aired in the 1970s. The first few are in black and white but the rest are in colour. Upstairs downstairs is a british drama series, broadcast on bbc one from 2010 to 2012, and coproduced by bbc wales and masterpiece. During an afternoon tea in the servants hall she reveals a little about herself to the other servants stating that as a young woman her father had caught her dating a. It ran for 68 episodes divided into five series on itv from 1971 to 1975. Twenty seasons of mobil masterpiece theatre 19711991 by gregory vitiello 1991 a bit vacuous with limited upstairs, downstairs content and black and white photos.