A Warm Welcome

“The bell at the gate had scarcely sounded when Mr. Meagles came out to receive them. Mr. Meagles had scarcely come out, when Mrs. Meagles came out. Mrs. Meagles had scarcely come out, when Pet came out. Pet had scarcely come out, when Tattycoram came out. Never had visitors a more hospitable reception.” 

~ Charles Dickens, Little Dorrit

Have you read Little Dorrit?

Period Drama Actor: Matthew Macfadyen

Matthew Macfadyen (heretofore to be referred to as MM) is a hugely talented British actor well known for his many roles in period dramas on TV and the big screen. 

He was born David Matthew Macfadyen on October 17th, 1974 in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England. 

During his childhood his family lived in England, Scotland and Indonesia where his father worked for a period of time. His mother is a drama teacher and former actress. He was accepted to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art at age 17 and studied there from 1992 to 1995. He did stage work for a few years before being cast in the BBC's 1998 production of Wuthering Heights. Since that time he has appeared in numerous TV show, miniseries and film. He's also added his distinctive voice to documentaries, radio plays and audio books.

Let's take a look at his period drama roles:

Wuthering Heights (TV 1998) as Hareton Earnshaw

MM's first onscreen role. Not a favorite film or story but MM is in the interesting ending part of the story.

 

The Way We Live Now (TV 2001) as Sir Felix Carbury

This is one of his few scoundrel roles and he plays it so convincingly but it's hard to dislike the character completely because it's MM! :)

Pride & Prejudice (2005) as Mr. Darcy
Not quite my favorite Mr. Darcy but he's one of the best parts about this P&P interpretation. He had a different approach to Mr. Darcy portraying him as a bit shy and not as confident as other Darcys. 

Marple: A Pocket Full of Rye (TV 2008) as Inspector Neele

As a police inspector he collaborates with Miss Marple in solving a series of murders and is more considerate than most chief investigating officers. A completely likable character if only they hadn't given him that crazy mustache.

Little Dorrit (TV 2008) as Arthur Clennam
My favorite of MM's role! Kind, honorable, generous and very sweet, Arthur Clennam is one of my all-time favorite period drama and literary heroes. His portrayal is just brilliant!

Robin Hood (2010) as Sheriff of Nottingham
I haven't seen this film yet but it's a very interesting casting. MM as a villainous Medieval Sheriff? Well he certainly can play almost any character he puts his mind to. Since I'm such a big Robin Hood fan now I hope to see this sometime soon. 

 

The Pillars of the Earth (TV 2010) as Philip

Another film I haven't seen but the ancient time period is quite interesting. He plays a church prior.

 The Three Musketeers (2011) as Athos

I recently saw this film and am hoping to review it soon. I found MM's character to be more of a leader of the group, a great swordsman, a romantic lead and he has several hilarious lines! Despite the longer mane and facial hair (a look I'm not too fond of on him) it was a great role for him.

Anna Karenina (in production) as Oblonsky
Currently filming Anna Karenina where he's act alongside Keira Knightley again. Looks like he'll be sporting a full beard in this film but I haven't found any photos of him yet (the one photo is Jude Law with Keira). The story isn't very interesting to me but the cast is.

Random Facts about MM:

--Married to lovely actress Keeley Hawes since 2004. (Read my post about Keeley here.)

--They have three children: Myles, Maggie and Ralph.

--Is 6 feet, 3inches tall.

--Mother of Welsh heritage, father of Scottish.

--Awarded a BAFTA in June 2010.

--Is apparently allergic to cats. :(

MM's wife Keeley & kids visit him on the set of Little Dorrit in 2008. 

MM Quotes:
'Like, the actor in me would always like to be more dashing, or slimmer, or have nicer hair. You know what I mean? I see pictures of Colin Firth and think, "That’s Darcy." I see my big face and my funny hair and I think, "Pudding head!"'

[on approaching the character of Mr. Darcy for Pride and Prejudice:] "I find Darcy very sympathetic, I find it heartbreaking that he's seen as very haughty and proud - and he is those things - but he's a young man who is still grieving for his parents. He's from an ancient family and has this huge responsibility, but it seemed to me that he's still trying to work out who he is and how to be in the world. I found that very interesting, and I found him very sympathetic."

"I have felt some twinges recently, about parts I wanted to play that I may be getting too old and fat to do. Hamlet, for example – maybe that’s gone. I would love to play Richard II." - from a February 2010 interview

Didn't make this but love it! haha :)

Matthew Macfadyen is one of my all time favorite actors and who I hope to see in many other period drama roles. 

Which of MM's roles is your favorite?

Which of his roles do you most want to seen?

Dickens on Masterpiece Theatre

Douglas Booth as Pip in Great Expectations (2011)

Masterpiece Theatre is celebrating the bicentennial of Charles Dickens' birth by airing two new adaptations of his works and re-airing others.

Take a look at these delightful offerings for Dickens and period drama fans:

Watch Little Dorrit - Preview on PBS. See more from Masterpiece.

Little Dorrit (2008) is currently available for viewing online at the Masterpiece Theatre website (in five episode parts) from now until April 2nd. If you haven't yet been able to watch this wonderful miniseries I highly recommend you check it out. You can watch a preview above and read my review of the series here.

They also are offering special online features such as Cast and Crew Interviews, Behind-the-scene videos, slideshow of the characters narrated by screenplay writer Andrew Davies and Dickens scholar Tatiana Holway's view on Little Dorrit.

Watch Great Expectations Preview on PBS. See more from Masterpiece.

Great Expectations (2011) - The new BBC adaptation will being this coming Sunday! It will be aired in two episodes the first part on April 1st and the second on April 8th. The first part will be available for online viewing April 2nd at the Masterpiece Website. According to the website the first episode will be 60 minutes long and the second episode will be 120 minutes long - this info give me great hope that they won't be cutting out any of the original scenes! The adaptation will be available on DVD on April 3rd.

I'm not a great fan of the trailer above (it's clips with a pop song played in over top) but I found two lovely clips of scenes and several interview with the actors at my local PBS website which I am linking to below.

A Scene from Episode One
A Scene from Episode Two
Actress Gillian Anderson on portraying Miss Havisham
Actor Douglas Booth on Gillian Anderson's portrayal
Actor Douglas Boorth on Becoming an Actor
Actress Vanessa Kirby on her Inner Estella
Actor Douglas Booth on What to Expect from this adaptation
Various Actors on Why Dickens is Still Relevant

Read my review of Great Expectations (2011) for details of the adaptation. I'm quite excited to see it again!

Watch The Mystery of Edwin Drood Preview on PBS. See more from Masterpiece.

The Mystery of Edwin Drood (2012) - I was SO excited to find the first preview for this new adaptation is now up on the Masterpiece Theatre website! Edwin Drood (2012) will air April 15th on Masterpiece Classic and be available for limited time watching online at their website the next day.

I can not wait to watch and review! I'm only sorry I couldn't review it sooner for those interested in it. This is a murder mystery tale so it might not be great for younger children. You can read my post about the story synopsis and various adaptations here. 

Take a look at this lovely photo of Edwin & Rosa!

Which of these Dickens adaptations are you most looking forward to?

     

My Very Dear Miss Dorrit

Time is almost up for reply entries for the third letter in Miss Elizabeth Bennet's Period Drama Advice Event and I am just slipping in an entry on time. This week has been so busy but inspiration for a reply struck me today so I  scribbled something which I hope will be enjoyable. 

This time Miss Amy Dorrit of Charles Dickens' Little Dorrit has asked advice:

Dear Period Drama Advice Column,

I received a proposal from a dear friend of mine, John Chivery. I refused him because I do not love him. I am very fond of John, but I could never feel that way about him. I wish I could; it distresses me to see him unhappy, but I can't love him -- not in that way, not to be his wife. I would rather stay and look after my father than marry someone I do not love. I hope he will find a good wife one day because he deserves one. I am in love with another man, Arthur Clennam, but he is in love with someone else who I don't know. And now because I refused John, everybody is unhappy or angry with me. What should I do?

Sincerely,

Amy Dorrit

Having often been stuck by the similarities between Amy's story and that of Fanny Price from Jane Austen's Mansfield Park I couldn't resist writing a reply from that sweet young lady:

Dear Miss Dorrit,

Please excuse me taking the liberty of writing you but your predicament touched my heart for in many respects it seems similar to what my own situation was a few years ago.

Like you I received a proposal of marriage from a gentleman who I could not love. But unlike Mr. Chivery the gentleman who proposed to me, Mr. Crawford by name, was someone I could not think well of and I knew his attentions were all nonsense. My family was also unhappy and angry with me for refusing an offer which to them seemed so agreeable. But they were not in possession of all the facts, they did not consider that even though a gentleman may have all the perfections in the world, it should not to be set down as certain that he must be acceptable to every woman he may happen to like himself. I tried to explain my convictions that were we to marry I could never make him happy and would be miserable myself, but they did not understand and instead encourage his attentions. My uncle even enlisted my dear cousin Edmund to speak to me about accepting Mr. Crawford. I would usually be pleased to do anything Edmund asked, for I love him better than anyone in the world except my brother William, but I could never do that.

Like you I was in love with another man, dearest Edmund, but he was beginning to fall in love with Mr. Crawford’s sister and was deceived in her - he gave her merits which she had not. My heart was breaking and everyone seemed so displeased with me but I had to stick to what I knew was right. Later my family learned Mr. Crawford’s true nature and I was able to help them in their time of need. My very dear Edmund also learned of Miss Crawford’s duplicitous nature and I am now his wife, blessed to serve alongside him as he ministers to the Parish here.

I encourage you Miss Dorrit to stay true to your own conscience and do what is right even though your family are unhappy with you now. You have a better guide in yourself, if you keep attending to it, than any other person could be to you. Your attentiveness to your father does you a credit - nothing can equal a daughter’s care. You should not marry a man you do not love, and if the man you do love does not love you the best thing you can do is to fervently pray for his happiness. Entrust Mr. Clennam and your affection for him to the good Lord who sees the hearts of all people and orders things to the good of those who trust him.

I earnestly hope that these few words will be an encouragement to you to not lose heart.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Fanny Bertram (nee Price)

Mansfield Parsonage, Northampton

Have you ever noticed the similarities in Amy Dorrit and Fanny Price?

Are there any other similarities you can think of?

Very Truly Your's,

Spring Is In The Air!

The last few days where I live have been surprisingly and unseasonably warm! Spring is officially here and I think it's here to stay!

In honor of this delightful season Old-Fashioned Charm has been redecorated in purples, greens and flowers! In my header, left sidebar and new blog button Amy Dorrit and other Little Dorrit characters are lending their smiling faces to brighten up the place! :)

This was my lovely St. Patrick's Day header:

Also for anyone interested my background was this lovely shamrock swatch tiled:

I'm quite pleased with the way the St. Paddy's Day theme looked so I might reuse it next year. :)


For anyone interested in a change here is a new blog button with a coordinating Amy Dorrit theme:

<center><a href="http://old-fashionedcharm.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Old-Fashioned Charm" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_81QI3zJxmBk2Ed5aXqm1hddLnZhC94QC7WO9VlvsJ6jZj4bTKEpG2Rj3VWZMAHNuTFi0wx10r3GpZ2WRkFPj-xbuLk6facUXr9IKxkfzTbq_yoD_EGQWSK1QisXI255IGH8wOjePS4T/s160/0140.jpg" /></a></center>

I'm also testing out a couple new Amy Dorrit signatures.

What do you think of the new Little Dorrit theme?

Has the weather been warm where you live?

Running Into Nonsense With Flora Finching

The elusive Mrs. F!

Flora Finching is probably the funniest character in Charles Dickens's Little Dorrit. She definitely makes me laugh no matter which film adaptation I'm watching! Her ridiculous sentimental expressions and blundering slips are quite comical.

When I was looking up some of her quotes I was only the teeniest bit surprised to find that her long-winded dialog has few punctuation marks - a couple commas but hardly any period marks! Her lengthy speeches are akin to Miss Bates in Jane Austen's Emma! They just go on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and on....(clears throat) anyway!

In the book Arthur and Flora were once in love but never married. Years later when he sees her again nothing is left of the pretty and sweet girl he once new. I love his expression at first seeing Flora in the 2009 miniseries! 

Astonished!

Haha! Poor Arthur! Not quite what he was expecting! :)

Let's take a look at some of Flora's comedy gold:

"Dear old days gone for ever!"

'You mustn't think of going yet,' said Flora--Arthur had looked at his hat, being in a ludicrous dismay, and not knowing what to do: 'you could never be so unkind as to think of going, Arthur--I mean Mr Arthur--or I suppose Mr Clennam would be far more proper--but I am sure I don't know what I am saying--without a word about the dear old days gone for ever, when I come to think of it I dare say it would be much better not to speak of them and it's highly probable that you have some much more agreeable engagement and pray let Me be the last person in the world to interfere with it though there was a time, but I am running into nonsense again.' 

- Flora Finching, Charles Dickens's Little Dorrit, Chapter 13

I enjoyed the 1988 adaptation's portrayal of Flora, especially the extra bits they took straight from the book! 

"Hush!"

Arthur clearly doesn't love Flora anymore and she seems to feel that Arthur must definitely be devoted to young Amy Dorrit. 

  'Ask me not,' said Flora, 'if I love him still or if he still loves me or what the end is to be or when, we are surrounded by watchful eyes and it may be that we are destined to pine asunder it may be never more to be reunited not a word not a breath not a look to betray us all must be secret as the tomb wonder not therefore that even if I should seem comparatively cold to Arthur or Arthur should seem comparatively cold to me we have fatal reasons it is enough if we understand them hush!'

  

All of which Flora said with so much headlong vehemence as if she really believed it. There is not much doubt that when she worked herself into full mermaid condition, she did actually believe whatever she said in it.

  'Hush!' repeated Flora, 'I have now told you all, confidence is established between us hush, for Arthur's sake I will always be a friend to you my dear girl and in Arthur's name you may always rely upon me.' - Flora Finching, Charles Dickens's Little Dorrit, Chapter 24

Poor Amy! There was little need for Flora to keep saying "hush, hush" as Amy couldn't get a word in edgewise if she wanted to! :)

"Arthur not Doyce and Clennam"

During the story Amy Dorrit does some sewing for Flora at her house. When Arthur Clennam has some life-changing news for Amy he seeks her out and whisks her away leaving Flora to make this departing speech: 

"The dress will never be finished but shall be laid aside and called Little Dorrit!"

'...everybody will congratulate you some in earnest and some not and many will congratulate you with all their hearts but none more so I do assure you from the bottom of my own I do myself though sensible of blundering and being stupid, and will be judged by Arthur not Doyce and Clennam for this once so good-bye darling and God bless you and may you be very happy and excuse the liberty, vowing that the dress shall never be finished by anybody else but shall be laid by for a keepsake just as it is and called Little Dorrit though why that strangest of denominations at any time I never did myself and now I never shall!' - Flora Finching, Charles Dickens's Little Dorrit, Chapter 35

Oh dear! Are you giggling as much as I am? and I haven't even mentioned anything about Mr. F's aunt! 

Flora and Mr. F's aunt make a visit to Doyce and Clennam, Arthur's offices:

'Good gracious, Arthur,--I should say Mr Clennam, far more proper--the climb we have had to get up here and how ever to get down again without a fire-escape and Mr F.'s Aunt slipping through the steps and bruised all over and you in the machinery and foundry way too only think, and never told us!'
Thus, Flora, out of breath. Meanwhile, Mr F.'s Aunt rubbed her esteemed insteps with her umbrella, and vindictively glared.
- Charles Dicken's Little Dorrit, Chapter 24

Dear, delightful, ridiculous Flora! How we love to laugh at you! And how glad we are of poor Arthur Clennam's narrow escape from your nonsense. (boy, that sounded a bit harsh but it's true!) :)
The phrase "excessively diverting" comes to mind with regards to Flora. I think Jane Austen's Elizabeth Bennet would have laughed her head off if she'd ever met her! hehe :)

What are your favorite Flora Finching quotes?

Which Jane Austen character do you think would have laughed the most at Flora's silliness? 

My Tag Questions Answers

Since there's two sets of Charles Dickens tag questions circulating I decided to combine my answers into one post.

Charles Dickens Birthday Week Tag Questions

1. How were you first introduced to Charles Dickens?
Probably through A Christmas Carol, either seeing a film adaptation or I remember my mom reading a bit to us one year close to Christmas. Also through the musical Oliver! which I've watched several times through my growing-up years.

2. Which Charles Dickens novels and stories have you read? Which are your favorites?
I have read A Christmas Carol twice and I'm in the middle of reading A Tale of Two Cities. I've also read a few chapters of Bleak House and Nicholas Nickleby but mostly for research.

3. Which Charles Dickens novel(s) do you most want to read?
Great Expectations. I'm planning on reading that right after I finish A Tale of Two Cities. I also really want to read Little Dorrit now because I keep hearing how good the book is! :)

4. What are your favorite Charles Dickens quotes (up to three)?
"Heaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tears, for they are rain upon the blinding dust of earth, overlying our hard hearts." - Charles Dickens, Great Expectations

All of A Christmas Carol is very quotable (even Scrooge's "Bah Humbug" and "There's more of gravy than of grave about you.") but this is a favorite:
"But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round -- apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that -- as a good time: a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time: the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. And therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!" - Scrooge's nephew Fred, A Christmas Carol

And I recently found this one and rather liked it:
"Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts."

5. Which Charles Dickens film adaptations are in your top three favorites? (If you've never seen one which three film adaptations do you most want to see?)
I have seen lots but my favorites still are:
Little Dorrit (2009)
Bleak House (2005)
Our Mutual Friend (1998)

And I really want to see the new adaptation of Edwin Drood and the 1994 version of Hard Times.

6. Who are your Top 3 favorite Dickens heroines? and why?
Esther Summerson - Kind, sensible, very bright and stands up for herself and her friends.
Amy Dorrit - Very sweet and caring and loves her family very much.
Bella Wilfer - At the beginning she's a bit selfish but her true good, faithful nature comes out in the end.

7. Who are your Top 3 favorite Dickens heroes? and why?
Arthur Clennam - Honest, kindhearted, honorable, generous, selfless.
John Harmon - Sensible, loving, generous, true-hearted friend, brave.
Nicholas Nickleby - Kind, honorable, brave, stands up for others and defends his sister's honor.

8. Which three Dickens villains do you most love to hate?
Mr. Smallweed - He's slimy, rude and greedy but he always makes me laugh!
Mr. Tulkinghorn - Such a black-hearted villain but he tries to convince himself and everyone else that he's acting for honorable reasons.
Rigaud - A murderous villain with a truly black heart but he moves the story of Little Dorrit along and he occasionally says some ironic things.

9. Which Dickens characters (up to three) do you find the most funny?
Mr. Smallweed - Even though he's a villain his comments are so hilarious!
Flora Finching - Her expressions and silly blunders are a bit annoying but so funny!
Fanny Squeers - She's quite ridiculous but in the movie adaptations she always makes me laugh. :)

10. If you could authorize a new film adaptation of one of Dickens's novels, which would it be and why?
I think we need a new adaptation of  A Tale of Two Cities because there hasn't been one since the 1980's. It needs to be properly redone but it would probably be quite expensive because of the epic-ness of the tale!

11. If you could have lunch with Charles Dickens today, what question would you most like to ask him?
I'd ask him how he came up with such interesting names for his characters because I love how each name can sometimes be ridiculous but also fits each individual character perfectly!

12. Have you ever read a Dickens biography or watched a biographical film about him?
I have seen a couple of documentaries about him and a few re-enactments of his final readings.

Alexandra's Tag Questions

1. How were you first introduced to Dickens?
See my answers above.

2. Which is your favorite Dickens novel?
Right now it would have to be A Christmas Carol but only because that's the only book I've read all of. But I'm liking A Tale of Two Cities and I'm prepared to love his other novels when I read them!

3. How many Dickens adaptations have you seen?
Loads! It's something like 27 adaptations but I might have forgotten one or two. A couple of older adaptations I've only seen bits of.

4. Which Dickens adaptation is your favorite?
Probably Little Dorrit (2009), I love it more and more each time I watch it!

5. Have you seen multiple versions of A Christmas Carol? Which version is your favorite?
Yes, I've seen four adaptations. My family favorite has always been Muppet Christmas Carol because it's fun but keeps the spirit of the book and most of the original story. I also really enjoy A Christmas Carol (1984) which I saw for the first time this past Christmas.

6. Who is your favorite Dickens hero and (if applicable) who does your favorite portrayal of him?
Arthur Clennam as portrayed by the amazing Matthew Macfadyen

7. Who is your favorite Dickens heroine and (if applicable) who does your favorite portrayal of her?
Amy Dorrit as portrayed so amazingly by Claire Foy

8. Who is your favorite Dickens villain and (if applicable) who does your favorite portrayal of them?
Mr. Smallweed as portrayed by

9. Have you seen any musical adaptations of any of Dickens’ stories? If so, which is your favorite song from it?
I've only seen A Christmas Carol: The Musical (2004) and Oliver! which is my favorite. My favorite song from Oliver! is probably "Consider Yourself" or "I'd Do Anything". It is a lovely musical and I love the old film version of it. I didn't know there were many musicals of Dickens stories but now I'll have to look out for more.

10. Do you have a favorite Dickens quote? If so, what is it?
See quotes above.