Behind the scenes at the White House during eight administrations, as told by the people who work there.
Top-Rated Episodes
S1.E4
WWII brings changes to the White House, including Russians as guests. Mrs. Roosevelt brings Maggie back to supervise the visit of Mrs. Chiang Kai-Shek. After all the Roosevelt years, the staff has ...
S1.E1
In 1909, Maggie starts working at the White House as second maid, but is run ragged with her usual work and extra tasks as a beautician. Daughter Lillian has an operation for her crippled leg but is ...
S1.E3
The Depression hits even the White House, with pay cuts for the staff while Mrs. Hoover continues to entertain extravagantly. Maggie collapses but is unwilling to rest. A visitor captures Lillian's ...
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Title: Backstairs at the White House (1979)
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Storyline
No fewer than eight Presidential administrations--from Taft through Eisenhower--are examined through the eyes of the White House staff--maids, assistants, servants, doormen and other "menial" workers. The main character is Lillian Rogers Parks, a maid at the White House for three decades and the author of the non-fiction book upon which this miniseries is based. Written by Marty McKee <mmckee@soltec.net>
Plot Keywords:
president | the white house | maid | politics | mother daughter relationship |Taglines:
What Happens at the White House You'll Never Find in a History Book See more »Parents Guide:
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Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson: Charlton Heston/Johnny Yune/Jack Douglas/Blair Brown (1979) See more »Frequently Asked Questions
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Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
29 January 1979 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Backstairs at the White House See more »Filming Locations:
Samuel Goldwyn Studios - 7200 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, California, USA See more »Company Credits
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I think I lost this the first time.
I am so delighted that this terrific mini series is finally available.
My mother gave the the book that it is based on many years ago. The mini is quite faithful to that book. (By the way),unless i am mistaken, Lillian Rogers Parks lived to be almost 100 years old, and was a consultant on the film.
This series has one of the best ensemble cast ever assembled. Leslie Uggams and Olivia Cole as Lillian and Maggie are superb, although Uggams may be too tall...Remember Lillian was crippled by polio at a very young age, and was less than 5 feet tall, but why quibble. Robert Hooks and Louis Gossett are great as Maggie and Lillian's friends, Mays and Mercer.
The Presidents and their first ladies represent the best from Television, film and Broadway. One of the best sequences in the film involves Calvin Coolidge(well played by Ed Flanders)taking on the head housekeeper, Mrs Jaffray( A wonderful Cloris Leachman.. shades of Frau Blucher!), when she attempts to tell everyone to stop tracking up "her" floor(They are trying to shore up the roof). President Coolidge says, "Mrs Jaffray, wouldn't you be happier in Buckingham Palace??
Julie Harris as Nellie Taft is splendid in this film,especially when Maggie and President Taft(A rotund Victor Buono) help her learn to speak after a stroke. Also effective are Celeste Holm and George Kennedy as the Hardings.(Can we say scandal). Estelle Parsons, Harry Morgan and Nancy Morgan are also in top form. Robert Vaughn and Claire Bloom are very effective as the Wilsons.
Because they come along late in the story, Andrew Duggand and Barbara Barrie seem to get short shrift as the Eisenhowers.
(In a recent episode of the Food Channel's White House, reference is made to serving hotdogs to the British Royal family. According to Lillian, this really did happen at is a humorous bit when she tells the visiting royalty's staff.... you just try one with all the fixin's.
An excellent history lesson very well played out by a brilliant cast!