A year from now, our presidential election will be over and campaign rhetoric will hopefully come to an end.
Then, the real retorts will begin – a Masterpiece.
Season 3 of Downton Abbey is in the works across the big pond, and I, lover of period costumes and films, will enjoy something I already enjoy even more. I just read that a new character will be introduced and I’m sure it is going to be simply delicious to watch. Have you heard about who has been cast as Lady Grantham’s American mother, Martha Levinson?
Shirley MacLaine
I can just imagine the dialogue between Shirley and Dame Maggie; the lifting of the Dowager Countess’s eyebrow or tilt of her head, the fencing of words, the gossip and plotting and, perhaps, a uniting of forces to save fortune and castle?
It will be grand fun, indeed.
The news led my thoughts to the many movies Shirley MacLaine has starred in and the range of characters she has played (including a few of herself). The mother in Steel Magnolias. The young teacher in The Children’s Hour. The nun in Two Mules for Sister Sara.
The obsessive mother, Aurora, in Terms of Endearment. A movie I laughed and cried at in quick succession and left the theater emotionally spent. There are so many scenes to remember in the movie, but, who can forget new mother Aurora coming home and climbing into the baby’s crib?
Do you have a favorite scene of Shirley MacLaine’s or one of Maggie Smith’s?
I can’t wait to see Shirley MacLaine in this part! And pairing her with Maggie Smith’s character will be brilliant! Not even through Season 2 and I’m now looking forward to Season 3. And I still have to go back and watch the first season, which I missed completely except for the last episode. Kate is now in on the fun and watched the entire Season 1 on Netflix last week and is now caught up with Season 2!
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I know. I can’t wait to see them together. It’s a mad obsession, isn’t it, and now your Kate is involved? It would be fun to talk to her about it at length, and, of course, with you. The first episode sets up the characters and you get to know the start of the animosity of some of the downstairs characters.
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What synchronicity to read your post this morning, because last night I saw my first episode ever, of Downton Abbey, after being invited by friends to view the first part of the Xmas special, at their house. I can’t get the channel so had never watched it, but now I’m hooked! The plan now is to get the series on DVD from the library and catch up. It was your blog that first alerted me to its merits. I thought Maggie Smith was superb – and what good lines she has. And now Shirley MacLaine! – what an inspired piece of casting. I can’t wait to see them together. I can see I’ll be making regular visits to my friends’ house, which is fun actually as it’s sociable to watch a programme like this with others. Thank you for letting me know of more delights to come.
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Oh, Juliet, I am turning green with envy, for you are “one up” on me if you’ve seen the Christmas special. It hasn’t shown here, though I know it did in GB in December. I’m thinking it will air here in the States next Christmas. I sure hope it will. How fun to watch it with like-minded friends! I’m so pleased to hear you enjoyed your first outing with Downton Abbey, with more episodes to come. I can’t wait to see these two gifted women together. Enjoy!
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I loved Terms of Endearment! And I love Shirley McLaine. Here, everyone’s looking forward already to the face off between her and Maggie Smith. Unstoppable force meets immoveable object.
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“Unstoppable force meets immoveable object.” Leave it to you, Kate, to come up with perfect description. I’ll be writhing with envy when season 3 airs on your fair island.
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Dear Penny,
I laughed at Kate Shrewsday’ s last line: “Unstoppable force meets immoveable object.” Like you, I’m so eager for Season Three. I’m wondering how many more episodes there are of Season Two. Do you know?
As to Maggie Smith. She will always be Professor McGonagall to me. The arched brow when Harry, Hermione, and Ron got into another tight spot. The pursed lips when correcting students in her classroom. The determined eyes when she issues her orders to defend the castle. The Harry Potter books, DVDs, and movies tickle my fancy.
Peace.
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Isn’t it the best line, Dee? Kate has such a delightful way with words. I’m not sure how many episodes. I thought there were seven, but, am thinking I saw it as a different number somewhere else. All I know is that there won’t be enough.
I just love Maggie Smith as Professor McGonagall. She can say more with one arched eyebrow than anyone else can, can’t she? The books tickle my fancy as well. I just shared the first book with one of my grandnephews and hope he’ll tell me if he likes it sometime soon. One of my best friend’s teenage daughter and I would be in a mad dash to read each book. She finished the third, or maybe the fourth, before she left for college and let me know she was ahead of me. I finally finished it and then bought a stuffed owl, rolled a note to her announcing my successful completion, and sent it to her in her dorm. She, and her friends, loved it! She had a baby on Monday.
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My Shirley Moment: The scene in the hospital in Terms of Endearment where her dying daughter is in great pain, and it is “too early” to get more pain meds. Her rant at the nurses’ station is moving beyond words. I cry just typing about it. Her performance is the embodiment of every mother’s passion for the well-being of her child. Boo-hooooo!
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That was such a heart wrenching scene, Mike, and it brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. I think it was that moment that won her the Academy Award as best actress that year. I’m so glad you reminded us here. Thank you.
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Of course, Maggie Smith is always magnificent. Shirley MacLaine is always interesting. My favorite movie of Shirley’s is Irma La Duce. Not because it is such a wonderful movie but because of the memories. When Linda and I were still pretty young, I think I was eight so Linda would be ten, Grandmother Anne took us to the movie. One of her friends recommended it to her. She told her it was a light hearted musical. When she realized that the subject of the movie was a good hearted lady of the evening in Paris, Grandmother was horrified. She told Mom that she would have left early, but she was afraid someone would see her at that awful movie with two little girls. I had no idea what the movie was about, but I loved the music and the bright costumes. I knew that things were funny because the audience laughed. When the movie was over, she made us walk out ahead of her and walk to the corner and wait for her. She crossed the street and walked down the other side to meet us. She was so afraid that someone would see her. When she apologized to Mom, I think she was near tears as she described what happened because of her embarrassment. Mom got so tickled that she couldn’t suppress the giggles which, at first, had Grandmother a little miffed, but she came around and laughed about it. After that, the story was told often and all the cousins were warned about going to “racey” movies with Grandmother.
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Oh, Janet, this is such an endearing story of Grandmother Anne, though I did giggle at the telling just now with you and your sister walking ahead and waiting for her so nobody would know she had brought the two of you. I will never be able to watch Irma La Douce without thinking of your grandmother. You carry such vivid memories of your childhood and always tell them so well, but this is one of your best ever. Thank you, dear friend, for such a “racey” tale.
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Weezer in Steel Magnolias is delightful Shirley. I would watch Maggie Smith read the phone book.
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She is, isn’t she? Oh, Andra, that is such a very funny scene to imagine. Thank you.
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I’m so delighted to share your enthusiasm! I didn’t first hear the report, but my dad actually made a point of telling me. I thought that was so great. He knows I’m crazy about Shirley and Maggie, so the two of them together? I don’t know if I can stand it! When it comes to scene stealing, I guess I go back and forth between Weezer and Aurora. Aurora ripped my heart out, and Weezer made me laugh and love her despite being so prickly. Yet I have always loved Shirley, I think! I don’t want Season 2 to end too soon, but Season 3 should be landmark. And to any of our British friends who read this gushing and aren’t sure why…I’d love to have you sit and watch American TV with me for a bit. You’d get it! Ha! Debra
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I know, Debra, I don’t think I can stand it either. How nice of your dad to tell you about it. I’m feeling a bit like a teenager . . . giggle.
“Aurora ripped my heart out, and Weezer made me laugh and love her despite being so prickly.” How well you describe the emotive qualities of the characters and the actress.
I’m hoping that while all of Great Britain is watching Season 3 next year, Masterpiece Theatre will at least give us the Downton Christmas episode come December to tide us over. Thanks, Debra.
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Shirley MacLaine? Steel Magnolias and Terms of Endearment. Maggie Smith? The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, Tea with Mussolini (which also had Judi Dench, Cher and Lily Tomlin) and the Harry Potter films (though I prefer the books). The clash of the Titans should be the highlight of Series 3. 🙂
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I once blogged on the Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. I was a young girl when I saw that, Perpetua. Then, again, Maggie Smith was pretty young too. I’d forgotten about Tea with Mussolini. Wasn’t that a magnificent cast! The clash of the Titans – wonderful! It is rather nice and fun to have these things to look forward to.
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I was astonished but thrilled when I saw this on Facebook. I hope they include many scenes with Shirley and Maggie Smith!
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I do, too, Cath. It is going to be so much fun to watch, I’m sure.
PS I’m not able to make comments on your blog. There is some problem with the word verification. I’ll keep trying, but, I wanted you to know I’m still reading you and, as always, enjoy your posts.
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Ah… thank you so much for telling me about that. I had no idea. I’ll turn it off for a while and see how the spam goes (it was never too bad anyway).
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I’ll give it a go, Cath, and see if I can leave a comment now. It seems to be a blogger/blogspot issue that others are having as well, so, if some familiar names are leaving comments, that’s why. Hope the spam isn’t a problem. Penny
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I don’t even want to think how long we’re going to have to wait for season three! An eternity! I am addicted to this show–it has turned into such a drama–it will be impossible to wrap it all up in two (is it just two now?) more episodes.
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I knew. Danielle. It will seem an eternity for sure. I think there are just two more episodes, one this Sunday (where I am hoping to get the remote for just one hour of Downton while up here. tee hee
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