"Upstairs, Downstairs" (1971) TV series 1971-1975

Directors:

Bill Bain
Derek Bennett
(more)

Writers:

Alfred Shaughnessy (writer) (15 episodes)
Jeremy Paul (writer) (14 episodes)
(more)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Release Date:

6 January 1974 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

The series follows the lives of both the family and the servants in the London townhouse at 165 Eaton Place...

Plot Keywords:

Parliament | Espionage | Kidnapping | Abortion | Masterpiece Theatre

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 11 wins & 19 nominations

Cast

Gordon Jackson	...	Hudson (60 episodes, 1971-1975)
David Langton	...	Richard Bellamy (56 episodes, 1971-1975)
Jean Marsh	...	Rose (54 episodes, 1971-1975)
Angela Baddeley	...	Mrs. Bridges (52 episodes, 1971-1975)
Christopher Beeny	...	Edward / ... (46 episodes, 1971-1975)
Jenny Tomasin	...	Ruby (41 episodes, 1972-1975)
Simon Williams	...	James Bellamy (38 episodes, 1971-1975)
Jacqueline Tong	...	Daisy (32 episodes, 1973-1975)

Series Directed by
Bill Bain		(16 episodes, 1972-1975)
Christopher Hodson		(14 episodes, 1972-1975)
Raymond Menmuir		(12 episodes, 1971-1974)
Derek Bennett		(11 episodes, 1971-1975)
Cyril Coke		(5 episodes, 1972-1975)
Joan Kemp-Welch		(3 episodes, 1971-1972)
Brian Parker		(2 episodes, 1972)
Simon Langton		(2 episodes, 1975)

Series Writing credits
Alfred Shaughnessy		(16 episodes, 1971-1975)
Jeremy Paul		(14 episodes, 1971-1975)
John Hawkesworth		(12 episodes, 1972-1975)
Rosemary Anne Sisson		(11 episodes, 1972-1975)
Fay Weldon		(3 episodes, 1971-1973)
Charlotte Bingham		(3 episodes, 1971-1972)
Terence Brady		(3 episodes, 1971-1972)
Anthony Skene		(3 episodes, 1972-1973)
John Harrison		(2 episodes, 1971-1972)

Series Produced by
Rex Firkin	....	executive producer (66 episodes, 1971-1975)
John Hawkesworth	....	producer (66 episodes, 1971-1975)

Series Original Music by
Alexander Faris		(66 episodes, 1971-1975)

Series Casting by
Martin Case		(66 episodes, 1971-1975)

Series Production Design by
John Clements		(33 episodes, 1971-1975)
John Emery		(14 episodes, 1974-1975)
Roger Hall		(13 episodes, 1973-1975)
Rodney Cammish		(2 episodes, 1975)

Series Makeup Department
Wendy Liley	....	makeup supervisor (66 episodes, 1971-1975)

Series Art Department
Terry Griffiths	....	graphics (65 episodes, 1971-1975)

Series Sound Department
Paul Faraday	....	sound supervisor (65 episodes, 1971-1975)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Trevor Saunders	....	lighting director (66 episodes, 1971-1975)
Bert Wilkins	....	lighting director (66 episodes, 1971-1975)

Series Music Department
Alexander Faris	....	music theme (1 episode, 1972)

Series Other crew
Eileen Atkins	....	associate series creator (66 episodes, 1971-1975)
Anne Clements	....	secretary to producer (66 episodes, 1971-1975)
Jean Marsh	....	associate series creator (66 episodes, 1971-1975)
Vicki Miller	....	production assistant (66 episodes, 1971-1975)
Nicholas Prosser	....	stage manager (66 episodes, 1971-1975)
Lee Rowe	....	stage manager (66 episodes, 1971-1975)
Alfred Shaughnessy	....	script editor (66 episodes, 1971-1975)
Valerie Unwin	....	production assistant (66 episodes, 1971-1975)
Kenneth Ward	....	stage manager (66 episodes, 1971-1975)

Production Companies

• London Weekend Television (LWT)

Distributors

• Future Film (2008) (Finland) (DVD)
• Independent Television (ITV)
• London Weekend Television (LWT)
• Masterpiece Theatre
• Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)

Other Companies

• Punch  title drawings from
• Sagitta Productions Ltd.  series created by

Runtime:

Sweden:50 min | UK:60 min (68 episodes) | USA:60 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Portugal:M/12 | Finland:K-18 (2007) (DVD) (self applied) | New Zealand:PG (season 1) | Australia:M (some episodes) | Australia:PG (some episodes) | Portugal:M/6 (DVD rating)

Filming Locations:

65 Eaton Place, Belgravia, London, England, UK

Company:

London Weekend Television (LWT)

Trivia:

Rachel Gurney loathed her character (Lady Marjorie) and was written out of the series at her own request. This was achieved by having her make a journey to Canada on the ill-fated maiden voyage of Titanic.

Goofs:

Continuity: Hamish and Dorothy Matthews' names are spelt Mathews in the credits of episode 3.11 and Matthews in episode 4.6

Quotes:

Maude Roberts, Lady Bellamy's maid: [regarding Sarah] After all she's done, and the shame she's brought on us all!
Rose Buck, housemaid: What shame has she brought on you, Miss Roberts?
Maude Roberts, Lady Bellamy's maid: She's a stuck-up, lying minx! Huh! Thinks she's better than all of us... puts on airs! Gets Captain James into such trouble that he has to be sent to India. Then she thinks she can walk in here as though nothing has happened!
Mrs. Kate Bridges, cook: We're none of us perfect, Miss Roberts!
Rose Buck, housemaid: Oh have a heart, Miss Roberts, how would you like to be...
Maude Roberts, Lady Bellamy's maid: [furiously] I wouldn't be ever in such a disgusting position in anyone's house!
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Simon Williams and Alfred Shaughnessy in Conversation (2006) (V)

Still pure magic.........

Having first watched this series as a mere boy of 10 years in the early 70's, it is indeed a pleasure to see it being repeated on UK cable TV as I write.

To me, it has lost none of it's charm and appeal, particularly the richness of characters, characters which were allowed to develop fully over the period it was screened.

If you haven't seen this, make an effort to do so - it was and is one of the most beautifully written and acted British drama series to grace the screen.