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Original poster

Dorothy Sayers' Whimsey novels - do you know the (1980s) TV adaptations?

366 replies

JeanneDeMontbaston · 10/01/2015 11:33

I wasn't sure where to put this thread, but it feels as if it'd be more at home here that the TV threads. I love Dorothy Sayers. MN introduced me to her. I wish they'd do another adaptation, but the 1980s ones are surprisingly good.

The wonderful sconerhymeswithgone showed me the existence of these on youtube. (The link is to Gaudy Night, because that's what I'm watching, but there are lots of earlier ones).

What do you think? I liked the casting, but I have quibbles. And the ending to Gaudy Night is a travesty, right?

OP posts:
Catmint · 14/01/2015 17:09

I just wanted to thank you for this thread OP. I enjoy the novels and loved the 80's versions. I've been ill for a few days so I watched some - fab! I'd never have thought of looking for them, so I'm really chuffed.

I once shared a lift with Harriet Walter. She is very tall.

YonicSleighdriver · 14/01/2015 16:16

No no no to Hugh Laurie!

SconeRhymesWithGone · 14/01/2015 16:11

Hugh Laurie was born to play Peter Wimsey. Too bad the opportunity never came his way. Sad

Original poster
JeanneDeMontbaston · 14/01/2015 15:18

Ooh, yes, that would work perfectly!

Though, my housemate and I reckoned, talking it over last night, when they were young and lovely, Hugh Laurie as Peter and Stephen Fry as Biggs could have worked. Laurie would have the advantage he can actually play the piano, row, punt, etc.

I do love Nine Tailors. friendly, that is a beautiful reading.

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YonicSleighdriver · 14/01/2015 15:08

Can we have Benedict Cumberbatch as Impey Biggs instead? Whoever they picked for the 1980s version was certainly not the handsomest man in England!

YonicSleighdriver · 14/01/2015 15:03

I love the old bell ringer's epitaph too, the one that finishes "The Lord will raise him up, tuneable and sound"

ArcheryAnnie · 14/01/2015 11:43

Oh, FrendlyLadybird, that's lovely!

FriendlyLadybird · 14/01/2015 10:37

ArcheryAnnie The description of the peal in The Nine Tailors was one of the readings at my father's funeral. (He was a lifelong bellringer who rang 30 peals in one year as a student. Hm. Might have got a better degree if he'd rung fewer!)

YonicSleighdriver · 13/01/2015 22:22

Mrs Wrayburn is worth the entrance fee alone!

YonicSleighdriver · 13/01/2015 21:32

"Mr Freddie"???

Original poster
JeanneDeMontbaston · 13/01/2015 20:22

The credit goes to scone, who shared the link on another thread. I just passed it on.

I'm sorry you're feeling rotten - hope Sayers is effective cheering-up.

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MarrogfromMars · 13/01/2015 19:25

Just a quick post to say thank you to Jeanne for the YouTube links to these - feeling pretty shit about stuff at the moment and they are a real comfort blanket!

YonicSleighdriver · 12/01/2015 23:16

Ah, started watching it now, yes it's quite different.

TheFallenMadonna · 12/01/2015 22:24

I watched the TV adaptations first, at school, and then read the books when I was at college. I haven't watched the adaptations since, and it's odd going back to them. I have read the books many, many times.

In my head, Peter and Harriet have always looked like Edward Petherbridge and Harriet Walter of course, as that's how I was introduced to them, but I only fell for Peter when I read the books. I seem to remember that I found Bunter more to my liking as a teenager... When I read the books, I see Richard Morant, but he sort of fills out in my mind. And ages about 10 years. And grows a few inches. Hmm.

PetulaGordino · 12/01/2015 21:49

archeryannie, this is completely off-topic, but every time i see your name i read it as Ado Annie so i picture you with a straw hat and a bow under your chin

SconeRhymesWithGone · 12/01/2015 19:25

I think he would be a good choice. And I don't think his height would be all that much a factor except for most viewers. I mean if people can accept a shortish dark haired Henry VIII who never gains weight (JRM), I doubt many will object to a tall LPW if all the rest is right.

And maybe his aunt Joanna David could be the Dowager Duchess? She did a good duchess turn in Downton Abbey.

LadyPeterWimsey · 12/01/2015 18:21

Laurence Fox is almost 6'3"!

But he looks right.

PetulaGordino · 12/01/2015 16:14

i realised while watching harriet walter yesterday that keira knightley has a very similar intonation and voice (i recently watched her in the imitation game). i'm not much of a KK fan (though i don't dislike her as much as some people do, and on stage i thought she was very good), and i'm not saying she is anywhere near the level of HW, but there is a certain tone that is similar

SconeRhymesWithGone · 12/01/2015 16:06

Prince Charles sounds a bit upper class 1930s to me. Grin

ZeroFunDame · 12/01/2015 15:47

Not even Brits can do that now.Grin

Off topic, I was very excited when Radio 4 trailed a serialisation of Molesworth. When it arrived the voices were totally wrong. To the point of being unlistenable.

Original poster
JeanneDeMontbaston · 12/01/2015 15:32

The thing is, I think they would need to do, not a British accent, but some approximation of a British 30s accent.

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SconeRhymesWithGone · 12/01/2015 15:15

Not offended at all. Smile There was a bit on the Globes where Amy Poehler did an imitation of a British actor doing an American accent, which was mainly an issue of over enunciation. I think they all have to pass the native speaker's ears test.

As a Southerner, I have the opportunity to cringe constantly at American and British actors trying to do a Southern accent, of which there are many varieties, but seemingly only one acting version.

ZeroFunDame · 12/01/2015 15:08

Oh Scone - how offended would you be if I did this faceHmm at your American ears?

She was incredibly lovely in the part - but to English ears her painstakingly careful enunciation did sound troublingly forced and unnatural. Still think she could be Harriet. Just needs to spend more time hanging out with non-luvvy English people.

SconeRhymesWithGone · 12/01/2015 14:59

I like the Maggie Gyllenhaal suggestion. I haven't seen the Honourable Woman, but I understand she does a pretty good English accent. I just played the trailer on youtube and it sounds good to my American ears.

I saw her on the Golden Globes last night where she won an award and gave a very charming and intelligent acceptance speech. Another winner was Ruth Wilson. I think she might be a candidate for Harriet.

Original poster
JeanneDeMontbaston · 12/01/2015 12:21

Oh, see, I thought the last one was better than the one before that. But I like Oxford-set stuff, so am a bit tolerant.

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