BLANCHE FURY - OF THE MANOR BORN?
Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 9:02PM
JASON JOBSON in BBC, Blanche Fury, Downton Abbey, Maggie Smith, PBS

For all those fans salivating for the second season of Dowton Abbey, I have a perfect movie to tide you over for just a little bit longer.   A brilliant classic from 1948, Blanche Fury has it all!  Romance, class struggle, adultery and a murder or two! VALERIE HOBSON AS BLANCHE FURY Add to that breathtaking cinematography of French director Marc Allegret, and this British classic set in the dark and brooding countryside of 1800's England will make you swoon!   Valerie Hobson plays Blanche, a young woman forced into a life of service following the death of her mother.  After several years of serving a mean old woman,  Blanche receives a letter from her wealthy uncle asking if she would come and be the governess on his estate.  You bet your pale, white, 19th century ass she does!   Blanche hightails it to the estate and that's where things really get interesting.STEWART GRANGER   Of course, there is a perfectly appropriate cousin to marry (fans of batman will find a familiar face here- Michael Gough aka Alfred) and guarantee her permanent place at the estate.   Do I have to mention there is a much hotter rebel, Philip- played by Stewart Granger.  Philip despises her uncle and lays claim to be the rightful owner of the estate?  Guess what happens next?   The acting is wonderful, but it is the costuming, cinematography, and sets that are brilliant.    Rent or buy yourself a copy today!

The British sensation Downton Abbey has taken the U.S.A. by storm!  The most successful British miniseries in recent history, the classic tale of upstairs / downstairs had everyone on the edge of their sofas all year long.   Elizabeth McGovern and the legendary Maggie Smith lead an impeccable team of actors.  The level of intrigue and dramaACTING LEGEND - MAGGIE SMITH is outrageous and instantly addictive!  Smith is at her best as the iron fisted, and out of touch dowager, Violet - Countess of Grantham.  Her delivery of already infamous lines such as "What are these weekends people speak of" or "put that in your pipe and smoke it".   If you haven't seen Downton Abbey - click the photo at right and start downloading episodes today!   Netflix customers you can also find it there. 

Incidentally, there was an indie rock band formed in the early 1990's in Dallas by the name Blanche Fury.   The all girl group had a cult following and the songs are available on iTunes.   Click Blache Fury Rocks to listen today.   CLICK BELOW TO WATCH ON YOUTUBE:


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