Yes, its true. There is a definite May-December romance going on here, make no mistake. I know it is probably wrong but I simply cannot help myself. She is just too charming and too cute to resist. And so I am lost. I cannot stop seeing her and have already scheduled more time together in the near future. Does my wife know, you might ask? Well….yes she does. And what’s more, she approves. Truth be told I think Mary is in love with her as well. And my daughter Tori. I suppose it is all a bit untoward, but there is the truth of it.
Okay, while I am being a bit facetious, the truth is that our whole family has developed quite the crush on this lady…or at least on two of the characters that she plays. And who is this mystery woman you might ask?
It is none other than British stage and screen star Geraldine McEwan!
I have mentioned many a time that Mary, Tori and I are fans of many of the British comedies that make there way over here to the states. Our latest treasure is the series, Mulberry.
After watching just one episode we decided we had to get the entire series from Netflix and start at the beginning. Mulberry is the story of what happens when Death’s son comes to Farnaby Manor to collect Miss Farnaby. Death’s son, Mulberry, arrives at the home by way of applying for the job as Miss Farnaby’s personal assistant. Her reputation as a crotchety spinster leads him to believe that rather than being ready for death she in fact has not really lived. Mulberry determines to neglect his duty in order to extend her time for as long as he can while he works to bring back the joy of living to Miss Farnaby.
This British comedy, like another of our favorites, As Time Goes By, can be summed up quite accurately in just one word: Charming. It is the sort of comedy that is not laugh out loud funny…though there are those moments. It is not slapstick. It is whimsical and a bit silly and sweet and somewhat melancholy and it is….charming. From the opening song to its repeat at the end of the show, each episode is delightful and tugs a bit at the ol’ heartstrings. Geraldine McEwan plays the role of Miss Farnaby and we all instantly fell for her. She has the most wonderful voice and a sparkle in her eyes that has to be seen to be believed. Not all actresses have that certain something in their eyes but Geraldine McEwan has it in spades. She makes you like her instantly eventhough at first she is not portrayed as a likeable character.
The one sad note regarding this series is that it lasted two seasons, was slated to go three, and was abruptly cancelled at the end of season two. That means that there is no final resolution to the show. One doesn’t know what happens at the end of her reprieve. It doesn’t take away from the enjoyment of each show as they are all very good, but it did make us very sad as the result was that it was all over too soon.
When a fella’s in love and cannot see his paramour anymore what is he to do? Well, he goes after her, that’s what! I quickly discovered that Geraldine McEwan was currently filling the role of Agatha Christie’s Miss Jane Marple in the aptly titled series, Marple.
As a surprise I Netflixed the first disc in series one and we watched it last night. Geraldine McEwan is every bit as cute and charming as Miss Jane Marple as she was as Miss Farnaby. I haven’t watched many of the series that have been based on Agatha Christie’s novels (though I have watched and enjoyed some Poirot) so I cannot compare this series to the other Marple series. I can say though that we really enjoyed this first film. An excellent cast and an entertaining story filled with red herrings. And Geraldine McEwan is just so cute…and I don’t mean that in a condescending way. She plays Miss Marple as the kind of character that, if she were your neighbor, you would want to be over visiting every day. She is wonderful. I believe they are currently working on season 3 now and we are looking forward to watching all of these episodes.
Well, that’s it. That’s my big Thursday confession. I honestly do think she is a very beautiful older woman…it is all about the eyes and the voice. I don’t know what she is like in real life but in the roles I have seen her in she is (and I’m sorry for using it again) charming.
I’m so glad I have an understanding spouse. 😉
(Alternate title for today’s post: mulberry season is over and I think I’ve lost my marples.)
You’ve done it again! We have the same taste! Mulberry has always been very dear to my heart, and here you are blogging about it. If you finish Marple and are pining for more Geraldine McEwan, see if you can find the Mapp & Lucia series. She plays the delicious Lucia, all archness and artifice, with Prunella Scales as her hapless rival. I think you’ll enjoy it!
I saw that she was in Mapp and Lucia when I brought up her website we all enjoy Prunella Scales in Fawlty Towers so we will definitely check those out.
Love As Time Goes By and will definitely check into Mulberry. There are a number of these British comedies (and dramas) that I enjoy and prefer to our often copied versions. Someone else has mentioned Mapp & Lucia with enthusiasm, so I’ll be checking that out as well.
They are pretty good with TV shows, those Brits, aren’t they?
Well, as you mentioned it in the same post as Poirot I will have to give it a try as I adore Poirot.
Poirot is fantastic. I have those in the Netflix queue as well because I would like to watch them in order.
I think I’ve seen all the episodes, but didn’t watch them in order. Hmmmmm.
I don’t know that they even need to be in any order. I would just like to watch them that way because actors often get better each season.
I get seduced by the sets and the costumes. Love it!
Just as long as you don’t get seduced by the dark side you’ll be okay!
Carl you are so fun!
I would highly recommend the Mulberry series (it is a bit quirky so some might not like it as much as we do…). She was great as Ms. Marple. I can’t wait to watch the next one.
SPOILER Warning (kind of): I was very taken aback by the ending when we see the murderer being prepared for hanging by the “state” or whatever you would call it in Britian. Nothing graphic was shown, but I did like the seriousness of the end. You often have the dective wind up the case and that is the end. It made me think more seriously of the story in general.
Yep, she sure is old.
I was too Mary, that was quite the cold, sobering ending.
Maybe Tom, but she’s a cutie. I hope I look as adorable when I am that age. (and you don’t have to say it Tom, I know you find me adorable now.) 😉
Oh, and by the way….if you’ve seen Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves then you’ve seen Geraldine looking quite creepy…she was the witch!
I loved As Time Goes By and am off to Netflix to add this to my queue. Another fun series I recently discovered is Rosemary & Thyme (two female gardening sleuths, one of whom I have a girl crush on – I want to be just like her!).
Talk about being in the dark! I haven’t heard of any of these shows or of Netflix either. So I just investigated Netflix and am happy it exists. I will be using it to rent these charming videos. Thanks for all the good suggestions Carl and everyone else. I think I better start a MRL (movie rental list) in addition to my TBR list.
If you join Netflix you should let me know BL and I’ll put you on my friends list. It is a cool way to refer movies and to just get ideas from what the people on your friends list are renting.
I’ll have to take a look at Rosemary & Thyme!
And by the way, the co-creator of As Time Goes By is the creator of Mulberry and if you like one I daresay you’ll like the other.
I like the alternate title best.
I can’t tell you how long it’s been since I’ve read an Agatha Christie. What’s wrong with me? Poirot was my fave, but I did like Miss Marple.
Did you ever see Murder By Death? I think she was called Miss Marbles in that one.
No I didn’t. And to be honest I have never read any Agatha Christie at all.
Thanks, by the way…I decided to only subject the groan inducing alternate title to those who pushed through til the end.
You’ve piqued my curiosity. I am going to have to get Mulberry. It sounds very sweet!
Carl always has great movie suggestions for me–films I’ve either never heard of or simply didn’t think I’d be interested in.
That’s me…forcing movies upon the masses, one person at a time!!!
I echo my dear wife’s sentiments though, the Brit coms are not everyone’s cup of tea.
More British comedy for me to look for. I absolutely love Keeping Up Appearances. Now I can branch out to something new! 🙂
Since anything British is my cup of tea I’ll have to add this one to my Netflix list. I love Keeping up Appearances and I think the actress in it, I’ve forgotten her name, is also in Rosemary and Thyme.
Carl, if you haven’t seen Murder by Death, you really should.
It’s a Neil Simon comedy, made in the mid-80s (might have to blog about it on one of my Retro Tuesdays) that spoofs fictional detectives. It’s an all-star cast and is hilarious.
Sounds good!
You’re too funny. I love British shows and British humor. I will have to look for these!
The plot sounds like the play and book I just finished…Everyman. They should have titled this sitcom Everywoman. 😉
Doing a search on Google brought me here to your piece on G McE! You may or may not be interested to know that she also appeared as a guest star in one episode of the 8th and (so far) last season of SciFi comedy Red Dwarf – the episode is entitled “Cassandra” and she is the Cassandra of the title – a computer that can see into the future…