Upstairs Downstairs: Series Three

The aristocratic Bellamy's of 165 Eaton Place, London, live upstairs over the downstairs clockwork servant aid led by butler Hudson (Gordon Jackson). Classic Edwardian masterful plots in this funny and dramatic nostalgic time-travel covering 1912-1914, pre-world war one.
Richard Bellamy (David Langton) and house heir James (Simon Williams) need quite a crew downstairs to keep their house in order. Mrs. Bridges (Angela Baddeley) cooks up a storm, while maid Rose (Jean Marsh, co-creator) helps keep linens and affairs tidy. "You should feel very proud, Rose. Very proud." last dialogue line to Rose, played by a co-creator of the series. It sums up the entire series.

13 episodes, each about 50 min., 4 discs, SUBTITLES,
BONUS: Making of Upstairs, Downstairs; commentaries; Russel Harty Plus with `Hudson'

Episode details:
1 MISS FORREST- spring 1912, Lady Bellamy prepares to sail for a family visit in NY & Canada. Lord B. hires typist Hazel to assist with a book. Hazel attracts James' eye.

2 A HOUSE DIVIDED- Lady Marjorie's ship (Titanic) runs into a problem. Eaton Place awaits news. One of the most successful episodes of them all.

3 A CHANGE OF SCENE- Butler Hudson accompanies James as valet to a shooting trip to Sommerby Park. Will it provide a spring board for new changes-new opportunities?

4 A FAMILY SECRET- Capt. James & Lord B simultaneously court women & consider marriage. Who first?

5 ROSE'S PIGEON- Rose sneaks a former Bellamy servant into the coal room for an overnight warming, drying out, and feeding. How much risk is put upon the family?

6 DESIROUS OF CHANGE- Lord B looks to enjoy the company of an Austrian traveling with her artist brother. Typist Hazel steps into the role of house head.

7 WORD OF HONOUR- Lord Bellamy earns windfall profits from stock purchased after a club member's tip. It leads to a public confrontation over insider trading, integrity, and family loyalty.

8 THE BOLTER- James & Hazel attend a fox hunt. Pranks are played causing more than one bolter. There are more than foxes to watch for.

9 WHAT THE FOOTMAN SAW- Footman Edward (Christopher Beeny) drinks & gossips at the local pub. Scandal, divorce proceedings, & political chaos result.

10 GOODWILL TO ALL MEN- Christmas 1913, A pair of 18-yr-olds. Ward Georgina (Lesley-Ann Down) & parlor maid Daisy (Jacqueline Tong) set out to spread Yule joy with shocking results.

11 A PERFECT STRANGER- Spring 1914, What does an Aussie shepherd, romance, and head house parlor maid rose have in common?

12 DISTANT THUNDER- Summer '14 finds Mrs. Bridges sick & Hazel bedridden following a miscarriage. James proves to be a cad. Troubles aplenty at both ends of the stairs.

13 THE SUDDEN STORM- Servants are treated to a seaside holiday. European War emerges. Marriage is a topic for more than one downstairs.

This show has an amazing cast, not to mention riveting plot lines. As a costume drama, it is pretty enough but due to the age of the show and the budget constraints back then, the production quality is not as great as contemporary period dramas such as seen on hit series Downton Abbey, the recent remake "Upstairs, Downstairs" and others.

The series ran for five seasons from 1971 to 1975. The primary setting for the show is 165 Eaton Place, a roomy townhouse, and the time frame spans Edwardian England, the First World War up till 1930. The series explores the lives of the upper-class Bellamy's (upstairs) and their servants (downstairs), and some of the themes covered during the show is the difference between the upper and lower classes, societal changes, marital strife, relationship problems, and the plight of the poor, among others.

The Bellamy's are made up of Richard Bellamy, MP (portrayed by David Langton) and his wife, Lady Marjorie Bellamy (played by Rachel Gurney), and the couple have two children, James (Simon Williams) who is serving in the military, and strong-willed Elizabeth (Nicola Pagett).

Meanwhile, the servants downstairs comprise competent and firm butler Hudson (Gordon Jackson); cook Mrs. Bridges (Angela Baddeley); head house parlour maid Rose Buck (Jean Marsh, who returns in the remake and takes on the role of housekeeper); a footman, and a kitchen maid (and the occasional changes in secondary staff).

I would advise those new to the show to begin by watching Season 1 first as there is much background to the characters and stories that can be better appreciated and understood if watching chronologically. Season Three is as intriguing as the previous two seasons though dark clouds hang over the Bellamy household. A terrible tragedy causes much strife and chaos in the Bellamy household. Son James falls in love with a woman not of his social class, and the staff downstairs are also experiencing problems of their own. Finances in the Bellamy household are tight this season and the residents of 165 Eaton Place are forced to economize, both upstairs and downstairs.

This third season of the show sees a death in the family, a marriage, a murderer putting the lives of the residents of 165 Eaton in danger, and the possibility of romance! The writing as always is engaging, and the plot lines keep me riveted to the screen! I am hopelessly addicted to this show now, and the new remake truly can't compare to the writing and acting in the original!

Enjoying it even more than I did when it was on television! Watching it on my Kindle Fire and the quality of the product is excellent.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 4 reviews  4.8 out of 5 stars