Thursday, July 28, 2016

PHRYNE FISHER CONQUERS AMERICA

It's no secret, I don't watch much television shows on the ole boob tube. And when I do,there are only a handful...8 or less American shows, most shows I watch happen to be on my BBC channel or public tv station. One of the gems I have fallen in love with is an Australian show that airs here twice a week, and is in it's third season. I was curious if any of you watch this show? It's called Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries.
If you have, then you will know why I love this show....it's stunning!!!!! With its sumptuous interiors, beautiful clothes and badass feminist heroine who is neither an ingénue nor matron, the Australian show has won a huge cult following here. First and fore most the talented Essie Davis is delicious in this role and lets just say I am in love with her wardrobe!!!!!  Based on a popular book series by Kerry Greenwood, the show follows Phryne Fisher, an heiress in 1920s Melbourne, as she fights crime and the status quo, who is an independent, glamorous private detective, who is determined to solve any crime,all while impeccably dressed in flapper chic kimonos, beaded dresses, jeweled brooches, furs, and cloche hats. No wonder I love her so much....reminds me of myself!!!!!!!
Whether on a boat......
Flying a plane......
or driving a car......
 
SHE IS FABULOUS!!!
Beyond the sumptuous interiors and beautiful clothes, though, there are major feminist messages. One of Phryne’s close friends, Mac, is an out lesbian doctor, and episodes have touched on everything from women getting clandestine abortions to unsafe labor practices in a factory staffed by female employees. The series, like its heroine, mixes playfulness and resourcefulness: for example, there’s an episode where Phryne traps a poisonous spider – under her diaphragm. The Holmes to Fisher’s Watson is her housekeeper and travelling companion, Dot, who goes from being a soft-spoken religious girl with no life goals outside of making tea to a fine detective in her own right – with her own burgeoning collection of cloches to match. The storylines are always drawing you in. But the cast of characters is also a enjoyable one...along with some very nice eye candy...... 
 
The handsome Nathan Page who plays the head detective Jack Robinson, and who also has some serious chemistry with Phryne, even though she never stops meddling in his cases and who works reluctantly with Miss Fisher
Then there is the adorable young constable, Hugh Collins portrayed by Hugo Johnstone Burt......those eyes and smile....
I was very relived when he finally popped the question to Dot
 
And we can't forget the always looked forward to appearance of the talents of Miriam Margolyes, Miss Fisher's aunt,Prudence Stanley  and a reputation-conscious society matron.
 
Have any of you seen this show. I highly recommend it. Make's Jessica Fletcher look like a house froe. While there has been talk of an American remake of the series, for now the show’s Australian producers are concentrating their efforts on a feature film about Phryne flying around the world in her plane while generally looking and being fabulous. Besides could an American network do this show justice? This actors are so charming. One network is doing a remake of Doc Martian, but I'm sorry...no one will own that role more that Martin Clunes. 

25 comments:

  1. I haven't watched it yet, but when I do, I'm skipping right to the one where she traps the spider with her diaphragm. This begs the question: Was the diaphragm in question used?

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  2. YES!!!!!! Your the ONLY other person who has ever mentioned this show. I LOVE IT! I get an actual endorphin rush just looking at Phryne's outfits on Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries

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  3. Nope...I too ENJOY this show!!! It is on the surface a cosy crime show, but it has a deceptively sharp edge hidden under all the glorious outfits and beautiful sets. And you right... there is the occasional appearance of Miriam Margolyes. Phryne is an unapologetic studlet, in the first 2 seasons she has a new beau in every episode and she is very liberated much like yourself Mistress. Never gets particularly dark, so its like the televisual equivalent of a sharp lime sorbet.

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  4. I've been intrigued by this show but haven't watched any yet, but may have to upon your recommendation.

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  5. Replies
    1. Us Gin Blossoms share so much...how's bout a gin and tonic, shall we?

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  6. I love the show for Essie Davis and Miriam Margolyes alone, and Margolyes ....the real life, very open lesbian and proponent of same-sex marriage rights....

    ....playing a prudish character....wonder if the US audience appreciates the irony?

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  7. I just started watching it!!!!Another thing I like about the Miss Fisher series is that it recognizes many forms of beauty. There are characters of different races and sizes, who all wear different styles, and the photography makes it clear that they are appreciated

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  8. Phryne Fisher is such absolute eye-candy! I agree...we would not do this show justice...or Doc Martin....how could anyone play that part better then Clunes??????

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  9. I was in a grand old mansion museum in Chicago in June, in a room displaying hat pins, when an elderly American couple said 'they look like something out of Miss Fishers Murder Mysteries'! They wanted to know if Phyrne had kissed jack yet... HA!

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  10. Yoli Lawrence7/28/2016

    I agree, this is a really fun delicious light crime series. And not to worry..... an American spin off wouldn't work for the wider public. Miss Fisher is quintessentially Australian with a sense of self and a sense of humour that doesn't translate well to the US TV world. Greg Proops rather famously said in an interview that the average American barely gets single entendre let alone a double one. While I know this isn't true for all viewers, but they would want to mold it too much into an American sensibility and it would lose all the zing that makes Phryne, Phryne.

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  11. I love MFMM. I loved the books first and though the TV series isn't esactly the same, it feels right and I love it seperately for what it is

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  12. I have never seen the show, we didn't get it here on my public stations, but if looks and sound divine.

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  13. An Australian remake with a Miss Fisher replacement wouldn't work. An American one? Nothing makes my blood run cold more than am American remake of anything! The Doc Martin is bound to be a disaster.

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  14. Anonymous7/29/2016

    I'll be tuning in just to see Hugh.
    JP

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  15. I have never seen the show, heard of it. But that Hugo Johnstone Burt!?! WOOF!

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  16. I've never heard of this show, but I'll look for it on my local PBS station. I'm picking up a DVR tomorrow, so I'll record it and check it out.

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  17. Had never heard of it. I wonder if it's even available in my market; sounds quite entertaining. I shall look for it over the weekend. Meanwhile, at the Casa, I hope you have a wonderful time. Many hugs, my mistress!

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  18. I've never heard of it but you make it sound so good... And Miriam Margolyes! I'll have to see if we can get it here!

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    1. You just might...I understand it is in now at least 100 countries.

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  19. LOVE IT! I've watched the whole series twice now. Keep waiting for more...And yes the clothes and interiors are delicious. And Jack and Hugh...

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    1. I should have figured you would have good taste! It is delicious.....

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  20. I've seen this series advertised in my PBS listings but have not watched it -- clearly I should! Thanks for the tip, Mistress!

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    Replies
    1. yes Debs...with your humor, I think you would enjoy it.

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Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!