Butlers in Books and Films

The other day a patron asked for books on butlering. There's not much out there but it made me think about butlers in literature, movies and TV.

Of course, the ultimate butler was Hudson, of "Upstairs, Downstairs" which ran from 1971 until about 1976 I believe. Played by distinguished actor Gordon Jackson, Hudson's judgement was unparalleled and almost always correct - at least in household matters.

Sir Anthony Hopkins protrayed the impeccable James Stevens, butler to Lord Darlington in the 1993 Merchant/Ivory film, "Remains of the Day". This beautiful film explored the unflinching loyalty of servant to master and its consequences. It was based on the book by Kazuo Ishiguro.

In Robert Altman's Gosford Park (2002) the inimitable Alan Bates (1937-2003) protrayed the flawed butler Jennings with his usual magnificence. In that film, another prominent actor, Derek Jacobi protrayed the master's valet, Probert.

Some better known books about butlers include the Jeeves books by P. G. Wodehouse, Fallen Idol by Graham Green (also a film starring Ralph Richardson) and Walking Into the Night by Olaf Olafsson.

It's interesting and poignant to read about the parallel lives of "them upstairs" as Mrs. Bridges would say -- the sometimes oblivious snobs who were their employers and the loyal downstairs staff -- snobbish too, in their own way at times. The BBC-TV series, "Upstairs, Downstairs" perhaps portrayed the relationship between staff and employer beautifully. So did "Gosford Park" - the idea that the servants were essentially nonentities, when they were more observant and perceptive than their "masters".

Inaugural Address

Let the blogging commence!

This blog will be devoted to books, reading, and writing.

To get things started, I just signed up over at Notable Books for the 2009 Notable Books Challenge. I tend to read mostly mysteries and need a little prodding to get out of that rut.

More later!