"Upstairs, Downstairs" (1971) TV series 1971-1975

User Rating:

8.7/10   

Directors:

Bill Bain
Derek Bennett

Writers:

Alfred Shaughnessy (writer) (15 episodes)
Jeremy Paul (writer) (14 episodes)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Release Date:

6 January 1974 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

The series follows the lives of both the family and the servants in the London townhouse at 165 Eaton Place...

Plot Keywords:

Parliament | Espionage | Kidnapping | Abortion | Masterpiece Theatre

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 11 wins & 19 nominations

Cast

Gordon Jackson	...	Hudson (60 episodes, 1971-1975)
David Langton	...	Richard Bellamy (56 episodes, 1971-1975)
Jean Marsh	...	Rose (54 episodes, 1971-1975)
Angela Baddeley	...	Mrs. Bridges (52 episodes, 1971-1975)
Christopher Beeny	...	Edward / ... (46 episodes, 1971-1975)
Jenny Tomasin	...	Ruby (41 episodes, 1972-1975)
Simon Williams	...	James Bellamy (38 episodes, 1971-1975)
Jacqueline Tong	...	Daisy (32 episodes, 1973-1975)

Runtime:

Sweden:50 min | UK:60 min (68 episodes) | USA:60 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Portugal:M/12 | Finland:K-18 (2007) (DVD) (self applied) | New Zealand:PG (season 1) | Australia:M (some episodes) | Australia:PG (some episodes) | Portugal:M/6 (DVD rating)

Filming Locations:

65 Eaton Place, Belgravia, London, England, UK

Company:

London Weekend Television (LWT)

Trivia:

The line drawings in the opening title sequence were taken from Edwardian editions of the British satirical magazine Punch.

Goofs:

Continuity: Hamish and Dorothy Matthews' names are spelt Mathews in the credits of episode 3.11 and Matthews in episode 4.6

Quotes:

Maude Roberts, Lady Bellamy's maid: [regarding Sarah] After all she's done, and the shame she's brought on us all!
Rose Buck, housemaid: What shame has she brought on you, Miss Roberts?
Maude Roberts, Lady Bellamy's maid: She's a stuck-up, lying minx! Huh! Thinks she's better than all of us... puts on airs! Gets Captain James into such trouble that he has to be sent to India. Then she thinks she can walk in here as though nothing has happened!
Mrs. Kate Bridges, cook: We're none of us perfect, Miss Roberts!
Rose Buck, housemaid: Oh have a heart, Miss Roberts, how would you like to be...
Maude Roberts, Lady Bellamy's maid: [furiously] I wouldn't be ever in such a disgusting position in anyone's house!
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Kate & Allie: Upstairs, Downstairs (#4.15)" (1987)

The Best Drama Ever on Television

It wasn't a huge budget that made this series great, immensely popular, much honored, and the biggest hit in PBS history. It was the fabulous writing and the rich characterizations presented to us every week. All these people we cared about, even negatively in the case of James. And that's why even now there is a U/D web site. Interwoven were the historical events of Edwardian England stretching through World War One into the Twenties. The series reached it's peak halfway through the war with "Women Shall Not Weep" - a magnificent episode available on video. By the Twenties the upper class was cracking more than the lower - a theme of the series. U/D was such a hit America tried its own hand at the wealthy/servants scenario with "Beacon Hill" - highly touted but dismally written flop. Special credits to Jean Marsh as Rose (who never found happiness, but wouldn't have been happy anyplace but the world she was brought up in!); Marsh also was a creator of the series. It was an absolute joy.

P.S. In case the credits don't reflect this, Daisy's last name was 'Peel".