Reviews

I recently re-watched some taped episodes of this television series and my original impressions of how terrific this series was, has been confirmed. It is clever and witty; the cast is terrific; and the period sets and costumes are outstanding. Although there is a hilarious "camp" quality to many of the dramatic events in the storyline, I found the characters believable and endearing. What I had initially overlooked is how cleverly the story commented on social issues. Being a movie buff, I thoroughly enjoyed viewing this series about a fictitious Hollywood studio and its employees, set in the golden years of movie-making. I wish the whole series was available on DVD.

As the center of this story, Helen Mirren is miscast as the fading beauty, Mrs. Stone. She is a fine actress, but you can't act "beauty", and this is essential to the story line: her career and life fade as her beauty and youth fade. She wants to reclaim it with a beautiful young man. Ms. Mirren, unlike Vivian Leigh in the film version, is not and never was noted for her physical beauty.