It is no secret that I am madly in love with Downton Abbey. It's the most wonderful series to have been on PBS Masterpiece since Brideshead Revisited. The Brits really know how to do these things, don't they? Downtown Abbey is about life with the aristocratic Crawley Family, Lord and Lady Grantham and their three daughters, in their English manor house during the Edwardian era. It is filled with drama and intrigue, and of course scandal that could ruin a young woman's life, involving a somewhat shady *gasp* foreigner. It's all there. The cast of the series is perfect, but none is more perfect than Dame Maggie Smith as Lady Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham. She's an insufferable snob, still living in an earlier generation, but she steals every scene she's in with her wonderful one-liners. As soon as her Ladyship enters the room, we know we're in for some fun.Lady Grantham: "You are quite wonderful the way you see room for improvement wherever you look. I never knew such reforming zeal."
Mrs. Crawley: "I take that as a compliment."
Lady Grantham: "I must've said it wrong."
If you haven't seen Downton Abbey yet, you're in for a real treat. In the meantime, here are some of her Ladyship's one-liners.
I absolutely adore this series - superb acting, on spot writing, gorgeous period costumes, excellent directing and camera work! Love it, love it, love. Did I mention I love it?! :-D
ReplyDeletePaula, yes, I love it,love it, love it too. Isn't it wonnnnnndeful> :-)
ReplyDeleteI am also a fan! Love Love Love IT!! Never miss it.
ReplyDeleteLeslie, isn't just the most fabulous thing!?
ReplyDeleteI love Downton Abbey!!!
ReplyDeleteI love so much about it, the writing, acting,sets but oh my the costumes. Mmm... Love.
Oh and Mr. Bates is fabulous.
well now I can't stop... I adore Sybil's character and those two terrible staff members. I can't remember their names right now but I am sure you know who I mean.
So excited for the next episode.
Jennifer, yes, those two terrible staff members. They're so wicked, aren't they? I love them! *heh*
ReplyDeleteuh-oh, I've got some catching up to do...this looks wonderful. And I adore Maggie Smith!
ReplyDeleteYes, 'twas quite a hit in the UK. My few years in Mellerstain House, east wing, working for the Earl and Countess was great too, but nowhere as stuffy as Downton.
ReplyDeleteWhen the 11th and 12th Earls were ruling the roost here I'm told that if one of the cleaners or other house staff (apart from the then butler) would have to face the wall in the countess was walking up or down the main staircase! Unbelievable nowadays but up until the 1930s or even the 1930s it was definitely 'de rigeur'.
Oh, Good! Some WONDERFUL tv to watch! I'd not seen this at all, Jo, so I am excited to catch up.
ReplyDeleteJoJo, you would LOVE Maggie Smith in Downton Abbey. She steals every scene she is in. She's absolutely wonderful...!
ReplyDeletePhilip, after last week's episode of Downton Abbey, there was a show called "Life in a Manor House", and they described all of those formalities. It was very interesting.
Jeanette, you can now get the first season on DVD or Blue Ray, and the second season is now on, and they're filming a third. It's is marvelous, marvelous, marvelous...! I think you would love it. :-)
Maggie Smith is just the best! I've loved her in everything she has been in -- including the Harry Potter series. She puts her wonderful personal stamp on everything. I'm among the tiny minority who have yet to watch this series. You've made me an instant fan with your tribute and the great video. Thanks, Jo!
ReplyDeleteHi, Dr. Kathy, you MUST watch this series. It's absolutely wonderful, and Maggie Smith steals the show. I think you would love it...! :-)
ReplyDeleteYes, LOVE this show. And watching the Life in a Manor house series at the same time is a blessed combination of information.
ReplyDeleteI missed this one. I love this show. Love it! Am waiting for it to begin right now. This video is wonderful, btw.
ReplyDeleteI've just discovered the show and as I was home from work with a nasty cold for two days, I set myself to watch some of the episodes from season 1. By the end of the second day, I'd seen every single episode shown already through season 2! How will I ever stand to wait for season 3?
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