Monday's Male ~ The Deliciously Dashing Mr. Darcy ~ Part 2 - Revisited

Today we are going to look at the made for television adaptations of Pride and Prejudice. This is the one that surprised me. In all, there have been eight productions for television made, that is not including ‘Lost in Austen’, but I’m going to throw it in here as well, just because Elliot Cowan, is hot, but not as hot as Colin Firth.

I don’t have pictures of all the actors who played the role of Mr. Darcy, and the one’s I do are not all dress in the Darcy role. But it will give you an idea of how different producer/directors see our Mr. Darcy.

The first television production of Pride and Prejudice was made in 1938 with Andrew Osborn as the lead (This is suppose to be Andrew, but I'm not 100% sure it is).

That was followed in 1949 with NBC Philco Television Playhouse where one episode was ‘Pride and Prejudice’. Mr. Darcy was played by John Baragrey.

I couldn't find a photo of dear John on his own.

In 1952 Peter Cushing stepped into the role. Not sure about this one, he just doesn't look like a Mr. Darcy to me.

An Italian version was released in 1957 with Franco Volpi playing the part of Mr. Darcy. I'm not convinced I'd be able to watch Mr. Darcy talk in a foreign language.

umm... I have no comment!

 

In 1958, there were two productions of Pride and Prejudice, the first starred Alan Badel, in the role of Darcy.

While the second was a General Motors Theatre production first aired in December 1958. Darcy in this instance was played by Patrick Macnee.

This photo is one of Patrick in Jane Eyre.

A Dutch adaptation was released in 1961 titled De vier dochters Bennet, Dutch singer and actor Ramses Shaffy play Fitzwilliam Darcy. Again I'm not sure how Darcy would go with a foreign accent .

In 1967 Australian actor Lewis Fiander stepped into Mr. Darcy’s shoes.

Now there's something I didn't know, an Aussie playing the role of Mr. Darcy. Interesting.

David Rintoul took on the role in 1980. Umm, now he's not too bad, may have to see if I can't fish out the DVDs of this one.

This now brings us to the most famous of the Mr. Darcy actors Colin Firth. Colin stepped into the role in 1995, and made the character his own.

Now you had to know I was always going to use the wet photos of Colin and Elliot. What would be the point not to use them. This is called hero inspiration. It is all done for the sake of our craft.

2008, saw a new spin and the Pride and Prejudice script with ‘Lost in Austen’. Elliot Cowan, while hot and brooding, still doesn’t carry the role as well as Colin. Like, Matthew Macfadyen, Elliot doesn’t carry the air of arrogance, Colin is able to portray.

Of course, this is just my unbiased opinion. So what do you think? Who is your all time favourite Mr. Darcy?

Thanks for dropping by.

Sandie

1812 Regency Shopping ~ Hunting Party Weekend

This will be the last of my Saturday Shopping blogs for a while. I’ll come up with something new for new week.

Lady Heroine has been invited to the estate of a good friend for a weekend. The weekend is the chance Lady Heroine has been waiting for to impress her good friend’s brother and hopefully ignite a romance between them. Lord GFB is of course not looking for a romance at the moment he is quiet content to live the bachelor life.

On the shopping list today:

A New Riding Habit. After all what better way to show a man how capable she is than out on a hunt.

A habit of pale blue and decorated soft dove gray braiding. The jacket is fitted to show off the best features of Lady Heroine’s figure A cravat of soft muslin is worn under the high necked jacket collar trimmed with lace. The hat of pale blue satin and trimmed with ribbons and feathers.

A morning dress made of muslin with a high neck collar and laced front and embroidered hem and sleeves. A sky blue pelisse with fur trim and matching bonnet is ordered.

For the evening a gown with a low square bodice tightly fitted to her figure and one slight strap over each shoulder, leaving the bust, shoulders and arms bare. A small sash under the bust and the dress has a short train.

For accessories and shoes, Lady Heroine has ordered a pair half-boots with rear lacing, and a pair of slippers with squared insteps. Gloves for evening, day and riding are also ordered.

And a few other outfits that have taken Lady Heroine's fancy.

That ends my shopping trip for today.

Sandie

Women on Wednesday ~ Elizabeth (Lizzy) Bennet ~ Part 1

Elizabeth Bennet is the much loved heroine of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. In 1940 this first film adaptation of the novel was released with Greer Garson playing the role of Elizabeth. Unlike Laurence Olivier I don’t mind Ms. Garson portrayal of Lizzy. Garson in fact received critical acclaim for her role as Elizabeth Bennet.

Elizabeth is twenty years old and the second eldest of the five Bennet sisters.  She is her father's favourite, and the least valued of her mother, especially after she refuses a marriage proposal from a Mr. Collins.

In 2005 the role of Elizabeth is reprised by Keira Knightley . In this adaptation I think the roles of both Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy are played out closer to the novel. At least Matthew Macfadyen tried to make Darcy pompous, even if it didn’t quite come off.

Again, I didn’t mind Keira’s delivery of Lizzy. I know a lot of people don’t go much on Keira’s acting abilities, but I like her for some reason. I love the scene where she gets the letter from Jane about Lydia running off and she walks around and around the rooms. Poor Darcy doesn’t know whether to stand or sit.

After a turbulent start to their relationship, in the end Elizabeth and Darcy (well Lizzy really) realize they do love each other and live happily ever after.  The U.S. version of the 2005 film, an additional last scene shows a newly-married Elizabeth and Darcy outside of their Pemberley estate showing affection for each other.

Next week we look at the made for TV adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and Miss Elizabeth Bennet.

Sandie

Monday's Male ~ The Deliciously Dashing Mr. Darcy Part 1 - Re-Visited

Yes, this is another of my recycled blogs. But than, I love Mr. Darcy as much as I love Rhett Butler.

Oh, Mr. Darcy, where for art thou Mr. Darcy. Sorry wrong genre, author, and character. Well the character is the right one for another of my ‘MONDAY’S MALE’ Fitzwilliam Darcy or Mr. Darcy as he is better know, has been, and still is one of the all time favourite heroes. Of course, I think Colin Firth has had a lot to do with the interest in this somewhat interesting character.

When I decided to do this blog on Mr. Darcy, I believed somewhat mistakenly that there had been four or five productions of Pride and Prejudice, hence only needing to find the five actor who portrayed the role. How wrong was I? Now bear in mind I am only looking at the actors that played the role in Pride and Prejudice, not movies that have a modern day spin on the novel. Well except for ‘Lost in Austen’, but then, we do have Mr. Darcy of Pride and Prejudice. So, I’ve decided to split this into two posts, this week I’ll have the movie production of Pride and Prejudice.

Let’s first look at films. Those of the big screen. The first movie production of ‘Pride and Prejudice was in 1940, with Laurence Olivier casted in the role of Fitzwilliam Darcy. While the production was very much Hollywood, at least Mr. Olivier was British. But I’m afraid he just doesn’t hit me as Mr. Darcy.

The second movie reproductions of Miss. Austen’s novels was in 2005, when the Matthew Macfadyen stepped into the role. Now while Macfadyen was very easy on the eye (shame the was no lake scene), I wasn’t knocked over with his delivery of the character. He just didn’t seem to have the right degree of snobbery needed in the early scenes of the pompous Mr. Darcy.

I wonder what Miss Austen would think of Mr. Darcy today. Next week we'll look at the the mini-series made for television.

Sandie

An 18th Century Shopping Trip

This week we are taking a stroll town the streets of London for our shopping trip. Invitations to the ball of the season have arrived and Lady Heroine is excited to be attending her first ball.


Only the latest fashion will do for this young lady and her grandmother will do all she can to make sure her charge snarls herself a wealthy husband.

Undergarments:






Corset

Although our Lady Heroine may have a corset or two in her wardrobe, Grandmamma insists that only the best and newest of clothing will do for this occasion. A heavily boned and tightly laced in the back corset for a serious fit is required. A new linen chemise is also ordered to wear under the corset. NOTE: The purpose of the corset was to create erect posture and to force the breasts up and together into a position known as ‘Rising moons.’ The showing of her bosom was considered sexual or immodest, but rather a way to show her as feminine.

Bustle

A bustle to go under the new gown to be made is ordered.




Outer Clothing:

The Dress

Oh yes, only the very best is what is required here and Grandmamma is very willing to pay whatever the cost may be.

An ivory silk gown, decorated with diamonds and lace, and an embroidered bodice to show off the young lady’s figure and femininity.

Accessories:


Stockings & Shoes

Stocking of only the finest silk will do for this occasion. A pair of silk shoes made from the same fabric as the dress with silver buckles have been ordered.

Fan

A ivory silk lace fan with a mother of pearl stick.









Okay this was a very short shopping trip this week as I’ve either been up waiting for foals to be born, or sick.


See you next week when we visit the Regency period.

Sandie

Women on Wednesday ~ Scarlett O'Hara

Scarlett O’Hara (Full name:- Katie Scarlett O’Hara- that’s without the Hamilton, Kennedy Butler added on.) Scarlett like Rhett is one of my all time favourite characters. Scarlett is the girl who doesn’t know wants until she loses it, namely Rhett Butler. According to the novel; Scarlett O’Hara was not beautiful, but men seldom realized it when caught by her charm …

I love Vivien Leigh in this role. She had that added something that jumps out at the screen at you. Unlike Joanne Whalley (Still trying to work out what possessed someone to cast her as Scarlett).

I’ve been watching the screen tests of some of the actresses who tested for the role. Here’s a list of the actresses who were considered:


Lucille Ball                                                            Mary Brian
Joan Fontaine                                                      Gloria Stuart
Frances Dee                                                         Jean Harlow
Madge Evans                                                       Anita Louise
Carole Lombard                                                  Margaret Sullavan
Loretta Young                                                     Miriam Hopkins
Joan Crawford                                                     Barbara Stanwyck
Constance Bennett                                              Alice Faye
Ruth Chatterton                                                  Ann Sheridan
Irene Dunne                                                         Maureen O'Sullivan
Claudette Colbert                                                Norma Shearer
Myrna Loy                                                           Janet Gaynor
Ginger Rogers                                                     Dorothy Lamour
Gale Sondergaard                                               Merle Oberon
Linda Watkins                                                     Rochelle Hudson
Mae West                                                            Clara Bow
Glenda Farrell                                                     Jane Wyman
Kay Francis                                                         Andrea Leeds

Scarlett has also been described as selfish, shrewd and vain. Okay maybe not qualities we want in our heroines, but it does give you room for her to grow. As the book or movie continues, you soon realize that Scarlett does grow and is not always so selfish. She has a caring nature when it comes to Melanie even if she does complain about her dear sister-in-law. 

Scarlett believes she is desperately in love with Ashley Wilkes, her childhood neighbor. Only problem is Ashley is going to marry his mealy-mouthed cousin Melanie Hamilton. Thinking she will hurt Ashley by marrying another she agrees to marry Melanie’s brother, Charles the night before the men go off to war. Charles does leaving Scarlett a very young widow. One of my favourite scenes is at the dance when Rhett pays to dance with Scarlett much to the shock of many of the towns good women folk.

The war continues and with the Yankee army descending on Atlanta Scarlett is ready to return to Tara her family home, only to find out Melanie is about to have her child.
After the birth of Melanie and Ashley’s son and with Rhett’s help Scarlett and Melanie begin their return to Tara. Another of my favourite scenes (which I also told you on Monday) is where Rhett leaves the women on the side of the road to go and fight the war. Tara is not the home it once was, and instead of going home to be looked after and pampered, it is left to Scarlett to keep the family feed.
 

With money scarce and the threat of losing Tara, Scarlett goes in search of Rhett hoping he will be able to help her save her beloved home. Rhett however is in jail and in no position to help. On her way back to Tara she runs into her sister Suellen’s beau, and convinces him Suellen has moved on. Frank marries Scarlett and Tara is saved.

Frank dies after a rally meeting goes wrong. While still in her morning period Rhett calls on Scarlett kissing her for the first time, telling her “None of you fools have kissed you like this, not you Charles, or Frank, or your stupid Ashley.”

Rhett and Scarlett finally marry, and are happy for a while, even if Scarlett does continue to believe she is in love with Ashley. When it all becomes too much for Rhett he leaves taking Bonnie with him. Rhett returns to find Scarlett pregnant, he taunts her asking who’s child it is, Scarlett falls down the stair of their mansion losing the baby. After little Bonnie’s death from falling off her horse life is not that same in the Butler house. When Melanie dies, Rhett believes there is nothing to keep Scarlett from having Ashley, Scarlett on the other hand finally realizes it is Rhett she has always loved and confesses her undying love to him. In the movie Rhett utters those heart stabbing words. “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn.”

Does Scarlett live up to the heroine of today? I think she does, after all she grows throughout the story in positive ways.

Below is Vivien Leigh accepting her Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as Scarlett O’Hara.

 


So that is it for Women on Wednesday this week. I haven't decided on Next week's subjects yet.

Sandie 

Monday's Male ~ Rhett Butler - Recycled

Yes I’m recycling again. But really I had these on the other blog, so I may as well use them. Besides IT”S CLARK GABLE.

Here is another Male Monday. This week I thought I’d chat about that devil may care hero Rhett Butler. Gone With The Wind is one of my all time favourite movies. There are some people who can’t take to Rhett or Scarlett for that matter, but I love them both. To me Rhett is the ultra alpha hero, he doesn’t let anyone put crap on him, not even the woman he loves, he’s tough, caring when he needs to be and hot! Clark Gable played the role to perfection, but than most of Mr. Gable’s movies are spot on. Yes, I’m a BIG fan of Clark Gable.







But, back to Rhett. From the start he shows he is a man willing to take risks, not afraid to say what is on his mind and goes after what he wants, namely Scarlett O’Hara. Only one movie was ever made of Gone With The Wind, much to my delight, of course there is the dismal attempt of a tele-movie Scarlett. How could anyone in their right mind cast Timothy Dalton as Rhett, for heaven’s sake, he turned a mucho Rhett into a wishy washy pansy man, and don’t get me started on Joanne Whalley-Kilmer.


My favourite scene is after they fight their way out of Atlanta and tells Scarlett he is going to enlist. Before he leaves he tells Scarlett he loves her more than he has ever loved any woman and he has waited for her longer than he has ever waited for any woman, then he kisses her passionately.