Your online source for Jane Austen and her legacy
Nominated for seven Academy Awards®, the 1995 movie Sense and Sensibility remains one of my most cherished interpretations of a Jane Austen novel. Everything about this film project seems to be touched with gold; from the award-winning screenplay by actress Emma Thompson; to the incredible depth of British acting talent: Kate Winslet, Alan Rickman, Gemma... Continue Reading →
The new residents of 165 Eaton Place have a “day full of unimaginable things” in The Cuckoo, the third and concluding episode of the revival season on Masterpiece Classic PBS. Last week’s episode two, The Ladybird, had strong political overtones as rebellious Lady Persie (Claire Foy) and the chauffeur Harry Spargo (Neil Jackson) joined the... Continue Reading →
This year marks the 40th anniversary of Masterpiece Theatre, now with a new name of Masterpiece Classic under the umbrella of Masterpiece: which includes the trifecta of presentations in the Classic, Mystery and Contemporary categories. This television show premiered in 1971 and is produced by WGBH in Boston. It airs on PBS in the US... Continue Reading →
After a thirty-four year wait, many faces will be beaming and hearts gladdened by the concluding scenes of the first episode of Upstairs Downstairs’ triumphant return to Masterpiece Classic tonight. As the camera panned the front façade of the stately Georgian townhouse at 165 Eaton Place, my heart was in my throat, and Goosebumps covered... Continue Reading →
Lots of news in the media this week over the upcoming release of Jane Eyre, the new major motion picture adaptation of Charlotte Bronte’s 1847 classic novel produced by the UK trifecta BBC Films, Focus Features and Ruby Films. It premieres in the US on Friday March 11, a full six months before its native... Continue Reading →
This 1981 BBC seven-part miniseries of Sense and Sensibility is a solid but flawed adaptation of Jane Austen’s masterpiece. In my mind, the character of Marianne Dashwood is always the benchmark for a superior adaptation. She is a complicated creature driven by emotion and racked with vulnerability, and if the actress portraying Jane Austen’s most... Continue Reading →
Last night, UK television viewers had a chance to return to 165 Eaton Place and all the nostalgia, charm and drama of the 1970’s beloved series Upstairs Downstairs when the first episode of the new series, "The Fledgling," premiered to much acclaim. *goosebumps* We have seen it. We were mesmerized. We won’t reveal spoilers for... Continue Reading →
The Masterpiece Classic season premiered last night on PBS with Return to Cranford. For those of us who loved Cranford, the award winning 2007 miniseries set in an idyllic English village populated by bustling bonnets and a bit of melodrama, this new two-part period drama was tagged as must see TV. Dame Judi Dench reprises... Continue Reading →
I was quite excited when the news hit the blogosphere that the elusive 1971 mini-series of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility was being resurrected from the vaults and reissued by the BBC. It originally aired in the UK, but had never jumped the pond until this re-issue. Now, I think I know why. If you... Continue Reading →
Just a reminder to all to tune into the second episode of Cranford (2007) encore on Masterpiece Classic on PBS tomorrow night at 9:00 pm. Here is a brief synopsis: As winter approaches, Cranford is beset by sorrows and struggles to regain confidence. Dr. Harrison's housekeeper, Mrs. Rose, discovers a leg of mutton has been... Continue Reading →
An encore presentation of Cranford (2007) a three part mini-series begins this Sunday, December 20th at 9:00 pm ET on PBS with the first episode. Here is brief synopsis: Mary Smith (Lisa Dillon) arrives in the small, rural town of Cranford to stay with two spinster sisters, Deborah (Dame Eileen Atkins) and Matty Jenkyns (Dame Judi Dench).... Continue Reading →
Affairs of the heart populate episode two with hopes and aspirations for all of the unattached characters in Masterpiece Classic's miniseries of Little Dorrit. The episode opens with a wrenching blow to John Chivery (Russell Tovey), when Amy Dorrit (Claire Foy) rejects his tender marriage proposal. The touching scene played out with chilling sadness as... Continue Reading →
