The Duchess of Duke Street - Series 1 dvd movie.|
The Duchess of Duke Street - Series 1 buy bestselling dvd movies, videos find reviews, ratings, prices |
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List Price: $79.99 Our Price: $79.99 Features • Box set • Closed-captioned • Color • DVD-Video • Full Screen • NTSC In Theaters : 16 December, 1979 DVD Release : 11 October, 2005 |
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The Duchess of Duke Street - Series 1 description From the golden age of Masterpiece Theatre comes this beloved 1976 British miniseries by the creators of Upstairs, Downstairs. Gemma Jones gives a performance for the ages in this rags-to-riches saga that charts the ascendancy of the indomitable Louisa Trotter, who rose from scullery maid to become "the finest cook in London" and Edwardian society's premier hostess. Inspired by the true story of Rosa Lewis, who held court at her renowned Cavendish Hotel, The Duchess of Duke Street is the video equivalent of a good read. Immerse yourself in this lavishly mounted BBC production that impeccably re-creates a bygone era at the turn of the century and captivates viewers with the tragedies and triumphs of Louisa's story, which includes an ill-fated affair with the Prince of Wales, an unhappy marriage, and struggles with bankruptcy and ill health. But Louisa, Cockney accent intact, prevails as the reigning mistress of Hotel Bentinck. --Donald Liebenson |
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| ♥♥♥♥♥ | Impeccable! |
| I have just finished a marathon viewing of this collection of 5 DVD's. not having seen it since it aired on Australian television, many years ago. I love it more this second time around for its' sheer quality of production, acting, furnishings and dressing, all of which are absolutely first class. Louisa Layton is a working class girl of humble background who is determined to raise her place in life by becoming the first famous female cook in a world dominated by men. Under the tutelage of a French chef, she does exactly this and, while working as a free lance cook, comes under the notice of Edward, Prince of Wales. A notorious womaniser, Edward insists that his ladies are always married, thus avoiding a scandal should any "little" accident ocurr, and so a marriage is arranged between Louisa and Gus Trotter, the butler of one of Edward's friends. Louisa at first objects strongly to the whole idea but is overwhelmed by royal attention and the promise that she would always be under the royal protection, even when the affair faded. With the money earned from her working as a top chef under royal patronage, she buys The Bentinck, a private hotel where she allows only the cream of Society to be guests. After a brief and disastrous marriage to Gus the butler (who squanders all of her money)she meets and is given financial backing by Charles, Viscount Tyrell, later Lord Hazelmere, and a passionate love affair begins. Louisa has Charles' daughter, Lottie, who is boarded out with a couple on his estate in Yorkshire, while Louisa and Charlie agree to have just a friendship as he lives almost permanently at the Bentinck and their love affair is too disruptive to her business life. Charlie is also aware of his need to marry and provide an official heir. I am now waiting impatiently for Series 2 to be released here on DVD, so that I may continue to enjoy the lives of the guests and staff of the Bentinck and to continue to drool over the magnificent gowns worn by Louisa, which are gems of perfection to anyone who has a love of fine costuming in movies. | |
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