UPSTAIRS AND DOWNSTAIRS
UK, 1959, 101 minutes, Colour.
Michael Craig, Anne Heywood, Mylene Demongeot, James Robertson Justice, Sidney James, Daniel Massey, Claudia Cardinale, Joan Hickson, Joan Sims.
Directed by Ralph Thomas.
Upstairs and Downstairs is still a pleasant comedy from the late 50s. Colourful, it is the tradition of so many of the domestic comedies of the previous decade. Michael Craig is a sufficiently dashing, yet ordinary hero. Anne Heywood is an attractive heroine. There is excellent support from a very wide range of British supporting actors and actresses including Sid James and an expert Joan Hickson and Joan Sims. James Robertson Justice does his usual turns. Mylene Demongeot has a good role and there is a glimpse of Claudia Cardinale at the beginning. The film reflects British society and its transition in the '50s and '60s from an upstairs and downstairs society to a much more democratic society. While the emphasis is on the light touch and some farcical situations, there is an underlying serious theme. The title was very popular with a later British television series highlighting the memories of class distinctions in British society. Direction is by Ralph Thomas who made so many of the Doctor films, A Tale of Two Cities and various adventures.
1. A pleasant English comedy? Domestic comedy with social comment? In its time? Now?
2. The production values: colour photography, London locations, authentic atmosphere? Jaunty score and songs and lyrics? The English star cast and gallery of characters actors and actresses? Quality comedy?
3. The basic domestic situation: marriage, buying property, careers, family, interfering in-laws, au pair girls, service in the house? Farcical mix-ups? Mishaps? The range of types involved - dangers, the happy solutions? Echoing a social distinction that has become less and less?
4. The focus on Richard and Kate: the buying of the house, preparations for the wedding, the honeymoon - and the interference of Kate's father and his employing Maria? Characters in their own right? Types? Richard and his handling of situations, sacking Maria? Employing the various maids? The countering his father-in-law? Entertaining international guests? The plight over the period? His friendship with Wesley? Wesley as babysitter? The problems with Ingrid - and his fascination with her? Preparations for her marriage? Her leaving Wesley? Response to Richard? Kate and her career, managing the household? Love for Richard? Crises? Children?
5. The neighbours - the old ladies and their spying, complaints, Sid James as the policeman - and his lady love? His continually coming and complaining? The happy wedding - and he and his wife going into service?
6. The gallery of comic characters:
* Maria and Claudia Cardinale and her Italian style, the happy life, the sailors?
* Irene Handl and her dog at the employment agency? The agency woman, critical attitude towards Kate?
* Joan Hickson's gem as Rosemary, Tiny her dog, her prim and proper manner, her story about Emily, her drinking, the long sequence of her serving the dinner?
* Joan Sims' humour as Blodwyn and her Welsh background, the ride in the car, the train, being locked in the toilet, her return home?
* The minister and the embarrassing situations in the train? The American minister and his wife, their talk, American style, the disastrous meal? The husband and wife and the enjoyment of the 1812?
* Nicholas Phipps and his attraction towards Ingrid, his incessant talk about his car? Ingrid and the attractive au pair girl, becoming part of the household, learning English, attraction towards Wesley, towards Richard? Looking after the children? The crises, the preparation for the marriage, her leaving Wesley and returning home?
* James Robertson Justice and his thunderous humour as the father-in-law, his attraction towards Ingrid?
7. An enjoyable English comedy, visual and verbal humour? The entertainment as well as the social comment? The English knack of being able to highlight the idiosyncrasies of characters?
