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

[JeanneDeMontbaston]

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?

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.

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

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.

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

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!

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.

"Mr Freddie"???

Mrs Wrayburn is worth the entrance fee alone!

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!)

Oh, FrendlyLadybird, that's lovely!

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

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

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.

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

No no no to Hugh Laurie!

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.

Is she 5 ft 9, catmint?

Just started on Have His Carcase on YouTube.

No worries, cat.

yonic - ooh! That's the one I thought was done best.

HW's voice is very like Keira knightley's actually.

It ain't deep and honeyed though.

It's funny, HW's voice now is quite different, much deeper. I wonder if she changed it deliberately or it just happened with age.

Fortunately she can act much better than Keira (admittedly not hard).

I don't mind KK... I don't think she has much range but she can pretty consistently produce the middle to upper class young lady, and some roles are written with that as the main requirement.

Not right for Harriet though!

I think it's easier to project with a deep voice. I have noticed there's a particular tone to the voices of women actors (Frankie de la Tour has it, for example), which you also hear in women academics who lecture a lot.

I think KK's problem is she is quite pretty and gamine, and I don't see Harriet looking like that at all.

What did you think to Have His Carcass overall?

No I don't think she's right for HV either, it was just the similarity of tone I noticed. I feel the same way about KK as you do Yonic

I remember HW's desert island discs being really interesting (thpugh of course now I forget the details)

Still not finished it, watched 2 of 4. Enjoying it though! It's the most plot driven (rather than character driven) of the HV ones so agree it televises well.