Upstairs and Downstairs (1959)

On marrying the boss's daughter, Richard takes his father-in-law's advice to hire a live-in domestic. He soon finds good help is hard to come by. Run-ins follow with dipsomaniacs, bank ... See full summary »

Director:

Ralph Thomas

Writers:

Frank Harvey, Ronald Scott Thorn (novel)

Stars:

Michael Craig, Anne Heywood, Mylène Demongeot

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Craig	...	Richard Barry
Anne Heywood	...	Mrs. Kate Barry
Mylène Demongeot	...	Ingrid (as Myléne Demongeot)
James Robertson Justice	...	Mansfield
Claudia Cardinale	...	Maria
Sidney James	...	P.C. Edwards
Joan Hickson	...	Rosemary
Joan Sims	...	Blodwen
Joseph Tomelty	...	Arthur Farringdon
Nora Nicholson	...	Edith Farringdon
Daniel Massey	...	Wesley Cotes
Austin Willis	...	McGuffey
Margalo Gillmore	...	Mrs. McGuffey
Reginald Beckwith	...	Parson
Cyril Chamberlain	...	Guard

Storyline

On marrying the boss's daughter, Richard takes his father-in-law's advice to hire a live-in domestic. He soon finds good help is hard to come by. Run-ins follow with dipsomaniacs, bank robbers, a Welsh lass who takes one look at London and runs, and an Italian charmer who turns the place into a bawdy house. Then when Ingrid arrives from Sweden things actually start to get complicated.

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Plot Keywords:

antonyms in title | husband wife relationship | servant | based on novel | 

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Taglines:

m-m-m-m-Mylene's m-m-m-m-Marvelous!

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dirk Bogarde was asked to play Richard.

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Quotes

McGuffey: [continuing dinner table conversation] And there in San Francisco you have a completely different kind of people.
Mrs. McGuffey: Oh, and you will find Chinatown absolutely fascinating!
McGuffey: Ellen, I am talking about churches, and there are very few of them in Chinatown.
Mrs. McGuffey: [apologetically] Yes, you are right Alvin. Very few indeed.

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Soundtracks

Men of Harlech
(uncredited)
Traditional

User Reviews

The ups and downs of domestic servants

I see we have here quite a collection of the "Carry On" gang so expect a lot of hilarious mayhem. Newlyweds Richard (Michael Craig) and Kate (Anne Heywood) are advised by her father (James Robertson Justice) to hire a servant and that's when the troubles begin. From tipster lady to a genteel duo of bank robbers, and others, they encounter some rather eccentric hired help.

Hiring Ingrid (Mylene Demongeot) is their next try at domestic help but she's far too pretty and smart to settle into that role for long. I must admit that when I first saw her she reminded me so much of another lovely young actress, right down to the accent, named Christine Carere, who stars in "A Certain Smile" (1958).

There are lots of funny scenes that keep you laughing, yet later on a mood of thoughtful sadness grips you as hearts are laid bare and broken. What can be sadder than unrequited love but it's a part of life's experiences that help us grow into maturity.

A fun film with a realistic touch as we view the frailties of human nature.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

2 November 1959 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

Las pícaras doncellas

Filming Locations:

Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Rank Organisation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1