To Autumn- Ben Whishaw

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,

Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;

Conspiring with him how to load and bless

With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eaves run;

To bend with apples the moss'd cottage-trees, 

And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;

To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells

With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,

And still more, later flowers for the bees,

Until they think warm days will never cease,

For Summer has o'er-brimm'd their clammy cells.

Who hath not seen thee oft amid thy store?

Sometimes whoever seeks abroad may find

Thee sitting careless on a granary floor,

Thy hair soft-lifted by the winnowing wind;

Or on a half-reap'd furrow sound asleep

Drows'd with the fume of poppies, while thy hook 

Spares the next swath and all its twined flowers;

And sometimes like a gleaner thou dost keep

Steady thy laden head across a brook;

Or by a cider-press, with patient look,

Thou watchest the the last oozings hours by hours.

Where are the songs of Spring? Ay, where are they?

Think not of them, thou hast thy music too-

While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day,

And touch the stubble-plains with rosy hue;

Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn

Among the rivers sallows, borne aloft

Or sinking as the light wind lives or dies;

And full-grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourn;

Hedge-crickets sing; and now with treble soft

The red-breast whistles from a garden-croft;

And gathering swallows twitter in the skies.

John Keats Ode To Autumn brings back memories of a lovely trip to England in September of 2015. Ben Whishaw reading the poem is divine. Transcendent!

Enjoy the coming Autumn season my friends.

Cheers!

Love & Friendship - The Film AND The Book

Jane Austen meets Oscar Wilde meets Monty Python? Yes, please!

First let me say, I loved Whit Stillman's Love & Friendship (based on Jane Austen's Lady Susan). Just wonderful. Second, I saw this on a middle aged double date! My friend enjoyed it almost as much as I did and our husbands were good sports (I think Kate Beckinsale helped). However, another of my friends happened to be sitting behind me in the theatre on a girls night out and when the film was done said "Well, THAT was different!"

So, a super film but not necessarily to everyone's taste. As you are reading my blog, you will likely love it as much as I did. I can't wait to own it and watch all the DVD extras. It might also be an idea to leave the captions on in order to appreciate the quick paced dialogue.

Kate Beckinsale, who in her younger days dove enthusiastically into the two slightly bossy/comic roles of Emma Woodhouse (BBC Emma 1996) and Flora Poste (BBC Cold Comfort Farm 1995) now gets another juicy role with the very wicked and quite funny Lady Susan Vernon. Created by a young Jane Austen and embellished by Whit Stillman, you can tell she is having the time of her life.

The other characters are also well cast, and you will see new faces amongst well loved period drama players such as James Fleet, Stephen Fry and Jemma Redgrave (I used to love watching Jemma Redgrave as Dr. Bramwell in the 1990s).

It was brilliant to release a hilarious version of the film script in book form as well, as it is difficult to pick up on all of the witty dialogue. Mr. Stillman also had the good sense to include--as a bonus--the original Lady Susan written by Jane Austen, the "spinster authoress" as he puts it, amended constantly by a certain Rufus Martin-Colonna de Cesari-Rocca (a supposed great-grandson of said Lady Susan whom he tries to vindicate).

Very smart move as I have bought both the Love & Friendship book and pre-ordered the DVD of Love & Friendship which is coming out on September 6 2016.

Please comment below and tell me whether you liked it too. It is a rather wry, satirical film and not to everyone's taste but I will leave you with an example of Lady Susan's view of the world:

    "That's the parent's lot! We bring these delightful creatures into the world--eagerly, happily--and then before long they are spying upon and judging us, rarely favourably. Having children is our fondest wish but, in doing so, we breed our acutest critics. It is a preposterous situation--but entirely of our own making." 
    Susan spoke not in exasperation but with a charming laugh.


Cheers!

Belgravia by Julian Fellowes

If you haven't yet heard about Julian Fellowes's new book/app Belgravia you are in good company, as  I just heard about it today. Julian was on the CBC radio show q this morning (heard all over Canada) promoting this project, which comes out in hardcover book form on July 6, 2016. I will admit to being a fan of Baron Fellowes of West Stafford, as I watch my DVD of Gosford Park at least once a year and bought both of his other novels, Snobs and Past Imperfect (and enjoyed the books very much although they will never be mistaken for high English Lit).

If you want to see if it is for you, download the app and listen to or read the first installment for free. It was released one chapter per week in the style of Charles Dickens or Elizabeth Gaskell starting in April, but I believe the entire novel is now available online if you like to binge. My sister will be happy to hear that Juliet Stevenson is doing the narration and she has done a bang up job, if you prefer to listen instead of read. There are lots of extras too on the app with maps and photos and even plans of the large country homes in the story which correspond to the narration. I find this very cool as I am one of the geeks who watches all of the extras on my fave DVDs. Numerous times!

Anyway, just thought I would post this to give you all a heads up as I was thrilled to hear about this project. Very Dickensian and just in time for beach season. Yay!

Cheers!

P.S. Will be seeing Love & Friendship this week (finally!) so should be able to give you my review on that soon. 

The World of Mr Selfridge Book Giveaway!

The final season of Mr. Selfridge is now airing on PBS and if any of you would like the chance to win one of 2 gorgeous companion books, The World of Mr. Selfridge, jammed with sumptuous photos, all you need to do is leave a comment with your contact info (and your favourite character or aspect of the show if you like) and I will choose the winners on the night of the finale (Sunday May 27th on PBS). Retweeting one of my twitter or facebook posts about the draw will also get  you another entry!

Season four of Mr. Selfridge, based on the book Shopping, Seduction & Mr. Selfridge (which I also adored) is running on PBS right now. If you need to catch up on the new episodes, US residents can watch it on the PBS website and the first three seasons are on Netflix.

Please forgive my terrible photos of the book as I was getting reflections off of the glossy pages. The new season does not feature my fave character from the show, long suffering Rose Selfridge played by the amazing Frances O'Connor but she does play a big part in the first two seasons. Jeremy Piven is a good choice for Harry Selfridge as he is fascinating to watch but none too likeable, much like the real man himself.

The early seasons follow Agnes Towler, an adorable sales clerk played by the luminous Aisling Loftus (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and War and Peace) who gives us the perspective of the working-class girls who made Selfridges run smoothly. At a time when women were just getting used to the freedom of shopping as well as working in retail it is an amazing peek into their world.

With many peripheral characters like Kitty, Mr. Crabb, Miss Mardle, Mr. Grove and Agnes' love interests Henri LeClair and Victor Colleano there is plenty of plot to keep this show rolling through four seasons.

Lady Mae Loxley

Friends and especially love interests of Harry Selfridge wander in and out of the plot with infuriating regularity. Was the man really this much of a player? And if you know anything about the real Harry Selfridge, you know which direction the last season is going. A little hint...things are not rosy after the demise of the lovely Rose.

I had forgotten that Samuel West plays newspaper man Frank Edwards whose friendship with Harry hits some rough spots along the way. If you haven't had a chance to check out Sam West's parents on Great Canal Journeys (actors Timothy West and Prunella Scales) it is well worth checking out on YouTube.

It is lovely to think of tea (the most perfect the world produces) being a mere tuppence a cup and half scone or jam tart a mere penny each. However considering the wages of the times, that was probably not considered inexpensive for afternoon tea at the Palm Court Restaurant.

Again, forgive my horrid photography of the book, but views of the props like these hat pins and fans are absolutely breathtaking!

And in this US election year (our Canadian national election was last year) just remember that even the makers of this book and the Mr. Selfridge series want to remind you that your vote was hard won by your ancestors so please ladies and gentlemen, exercise your right to vote!

Now feel free to add a comment and your contact info below to win a copy of this brilliant book.

Cheers!

Later edit-I have chosen the winners:

Sheila Majczan
Jenna Oksanen

Congrats and I will be contacting you to get shipping info. Thanks to all who entered here and on Twitter!

The Grand Sophy Film: Latest News March 2016

I recently had a tantalizing comment on my last post about The Grand Sophy film on this blog which went like this:

Financing is being pulled together now. Film will shoot in either May or September 2016 with Colin Firth and Helena Bonham Carter in supporting roles.

It was anonymous and so could not be directly followed up. However I took the liberty of contacting Jennifer Kloester, the author of Georgette Heyer: Biography of a Bestseller to see if she knew anything about this. She is a wonderfully knowledgeable source and she was recently speaking at the unveiling of the blue plaque on the Wimbledon birthplace of Georgette Heyer, with Stephen Fry!

Photo by Elizabeth Hawksley from historicalromanceuk.blogspot.ca
Jennifer Kloester speaking at the blue plaque ceremony

Jennifer was able to contact the agent for the Heyer estate who said:

 "They've got a great young actress called Jessie Buckley for Sophy, and Rob Ashford as director, and they're working on yet another draft of the script, but no production date has been set. The producers are talking about trying to attract A-listers for subsidiary roles, but no names have been mentioned."

Jessie Buckley as Princess Marya from War and Peace

Jessie Buckley seems a good choice for Sophie as she got rave reviews for her performance in the recent BBC version of War and Peace by Andrew Davies (Viv Groskop of The Guardian called her a marvel). I haven't seen War and Peace yet but have been advised to track down the UK version as the American version was ruthlessly edited (thanks Janeheiress).

Jessie Buckley- much prettier when not playing a pious Russian Princess!

A bit more unusual is the choice of Rob Ashford as director. He is originally a Broadway stage choreographer and now director but he has been working closely with Kenneth Branagh lately both directing in the West End and also doing choreography for the film Cinderella. I wonder if Ashford could talk Ken B into a cameo role. I would also be surprised if Stephen Fry wasn't interested in being a part of this project. Although if Colin Firth is truly involved, we may run out of older male parts (unless they leave in the horrid moneylender scene!).

If Helena Bonham Carter IS involved, I wonder if she would she make a better Marquesa or Lady Ombersley? Or how about Emma Thompson for one of those fun supporting ladies? Oh, here I am trying to help with the casting but it is really fun to imagine oneself as a casting director.

I would imagine Stephen Fry to be a wonderful Sir Horace Stanton-Lacy wouldn't you?

Now maybe I will have to try to contact the scriptwriter Olivia Hetreed to see how the project is progressing. Perhaps we should start a Twitter campaign to show the BBC et al that there is an eager audience waiting patiently for this to happen. And of course, if any of you haven't yet signed the petition for a Georgette Heyer film the link is here:

http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/georgetteheyerfilm

Comments below are very welcome!

Cheers!

Update: Petition Buzz is now defunct and so our wonderful petition for a Georgette Heyer film is gone, although it had almost 2000 names from all over the world! Keep leaving comments here and on GoodReads (or anywhere searchable) and hopefully the powers that be will hear us. Fingers crossed...

Downton Abbey Season 6 FINAL EPISODE Best Lines

I can't believe this is the end! There is some talk of a Downton film in the future and there were also rumors of Julian Fellowes penning a prequel to Downton Abbey. A story of young Cora as a "Buccaneer"- a debutante from America with money wishing to marry into the English aristocracy. Now THAT would be worth watching!

Well, after finishing the brilliant final episode and wiping away a few tears (from the last few episodes actually) here are some of the best lines. Feel free to comment below and add any fave lines I might have missed.

Lord Grantham: You'd be happy to live alone?
Lady Edith:  I'll have Marigold. Anyway, I'm a spinster, aren't I? And spinsters live alone.

Isobel: I know (Dickie) went with them to London but I haven't heard a squeak since.
Lady Violet: Well, that settles it. You must beard him in his den.
Isobel: Won't that encourage him?
Lady Violet: Your feelings do you credit, my dear, but never let tenderness be a bar to a bit of snooping!

Thomas: That's enough love talk, Andy.

Daisy: Love talk?!
Mrs. Patmore: He's nice. You could do worse.
Daisy: I could do a lot better, an' all.

Lady Edith: Your tips on how to keep your husband happy have gone down particularly well. And you wrote so well about dressing for town and country in autumn. Could we have a little more of that?
Spratt: Oh, I'm full of ideas when it comes to combining comfort and elegance m'lady.

Henry Talbot: Hang on, Spratt is your agony aunt?
Lady Edith: You must promise to keep it secret.
Henry Talbot: (chuckling) Won't your grandmother be furious?
Lady Edith: If she finds out.

Bertie Pelham: I want you back.
Lady Edith: Nothing's changed.
Bertie: I've changed.
Lady Edith: Well if  you have, you haven't said a word to me about it.
Bertie: Would you believe me if I said I can't live without you?
Lady Edith: You've done a pretty good job of living without me lately.
Bertie: I've done a very bad job.

Bertie: I want you to marry me.
Lady Edith: There could be gossip. Are you ready for it?
Bertie: Well, I hope to avoid it, but I'm ready if we can't. The only thing I'm not ready for is a life without you.

Lady Violet: Why wouldn't you (burst into tears on hearing that Lord Merton has pernicious anemia), when you're in love with him?
Isobel: Am I? That phrase conjures up for me dance cards and stolen kisses and mama waiting below in the carriage. Not two old fuddy-duddies who can barely manage the stairs.
Lady Violet: It's good to be in love, whatever age.
Isobel: After Prince Kuragin, did you ever fall in love again?
Lady Violet: You must know by now I never answer any question more incriminating than whether or not I need a rug.

Mrs. Patmore: Do you know your problem?
Daisy: I bet I soon will.
Mrs. Patmore: You despise anyone who thinks well of you. You were soft on Alfred, mad for him when he only had eyes for Ivy. But when he made a play for you, you'd have nothing to do with him.
Daisy: That's different.
Mrs. Patmore: How?

This season, the best advice is dispensed by Mrs. Patmore, Spratt and the Dowager Countess Violet! And Tom Branson of course.

Lord Grantham: It reminds me of when she ran the house as a convalescent home during the war.

Lady Rose: You have a wonderful marriage, and with my parents, I should know. Don't spoil it now by asking her to choose. Please.

Tom: We'll set up a dealership for new cars and in time, we'll go into production. There's nothing wrong with being married to Mr. Rolls or Mr. Royce.


Henry: A new baby, a new business. I suppose I must have been as happy as this but I can't imagine when.
Lady Mary: Honestly! Shhh! And remind me never to tell you a secret again.

Lady Rosamund: We didn't always think there would be a happy ending for Edith.
Lady Violet: Well, there's a lot at risk, but with any luck, they'll be happy enough. Which is the English version of a happy ending.
Lady Rosamund:  What do you think makes the English the way we are?
Lady Violet:  I don't know. Opinions differ. Some say our history, but I blame the weather.

Bertie Pelham, Marquess of Hexham: What a wonderful life we're going to have!

Lady Violet:  Makes me smile the way every year we drink to the future, whatever it may bring.
Isobel:  Well, what else can we drink to? We're going forward to the future not back into the past.
Lady Violet:  If only we had the choice!


On that note, a final Cheers! and good night to all.

Downton Abbey Season 6 Episode 8 Best Lines

Lady Edith: I'd accept him in a trice if it weren't for Marigold. If I stay silent, there's a lie at the heart of my marriage. But if I tell him the truth, will I ruin it?

Lady Cora: Make a clean breast of it. Please. You'll regret it if you don't.
Lady Edith: With my luck, I'll regret it either way.

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Bertie Pelham: The 7th Marquess of Hexham weds the daughter of the 5th Earl of Grantham? What could be more suitable?

Bertie Pelmam: Won't you send me to bed happy?
Lady Edith: Sounds like an indecent proposal!

Mrs. Patmore (and everyone else at Downton Abbey): A house of ill repute????

Fits of giggles both upstairs and downstairs served as some welcome levity to this wonderful episode.

Anna: No, and I'm not laughing but...
Bates: But you're laughing.

Carson: And what makes you think you'll be any good (at teaching)?
Mr. Molesley: I don't know exactly. Perhaps because I want it so much.
Carson: There are plenty of little boys who want to be famous cricketers. It's not enough to make them champions.
Mr. Molesley: I just want to try, Mr. Carson.
Carson: And so you shall.

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Ever the ray of sunshine, our Mr. Carson!

Lord Grantham (about Lady Violet): Mama is swanning around the south of France without a word to any of us.
******************************************************************************

Lady Mary: But that's absurd! If Bertie's a Marquess, then Edith...
Lord Grantham: Edith would outrank us all! Yes, that's right.

Lord Grantham: Golly gumdrops! What a turn-up.

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Lord Grantham: A genuine, copper-bottomed marquess for Edith. Who'd have thought it? If anyone had told me Mary would hitch up with a mechanic and Edith would marry one of the grandest men in England, I'd have knocked them down.
Lady Cora: Mary has got rid of her mechanic and Edith is not yet married.
Lord Grantham: I know. But for poor old Edith who couldn't make her dolls do what she wanted, it is rather wonderful.

Tom: We'll all bow and curtsy to Edith. You'll enjoy that Mary.
Lady Mary: Hardly! And if Bertie IS Lord Hexham, which I still don't believe, he won't want to marry her now.
Lady Cora: Careful. People will think you're jealous dear. We don't want that.

********************************************************************************
Anna: She loves him but she can't control him. That's what frightens her. He's stronger than she is, really.
Mr. Bates: She's a bit of a bully, your Lady Mary. She likes her own way.

********************************************************************************

Tom: You're a coward Mary. Like all bullies, you're a coward.

Lady Mary: I admire you, Bertie. Not everyone would accept Edith's past.

Lady Edith: The truth is, my life was about to be perfectly wonderful and now I've thrown it all away.

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Lady Edith: I know you! I know you to be a nasty, jealous, scheming bitch!
Lady Mary: Now listen, you pathetic-
Lady Edith: You're a bitch!

Lady Edith: You're wrong as you so often are. Henry's perfect for you. You're just too stupid and stuck up to see it! Still, at least he got away from you. Which is something to give thanks for, I suppose!

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Oh, how I loved this episode. You ARE a nasty, jealous, scheming bitch Lady Mary. And yet you always seem to land on your feet and get what you want. Fingers crossed for Edith in the final episode.

Cheers!