IN THREE WORDS

Dame Maggie Natalie Smith

Dec 28 1934- Sept 27, 2024 

We at the Casa du Borghese are heartbroken...

IN THREE WORDS.....

In this weekly feature, I'll share a picture of a weekly guest and you tell me in only three words what come to mind.

In three words.....

Dame Maggie Smith

MONDAY.

Happy Monday Everybody! It's been some time since I did a Monday post. And you know what? I still don't like them. Very depressing today as last night Downton Abbey has ended. I think the Dowager Countess sums up best a Monday morning......

 I will miss the Dowager Countess the most.

IN HONOR OF TWO GREAT DAMES.....

A pre post of sorts till I arrive home, but had to take a moment to honor two great Dames as they both turn 80. Dame Maggie Smith, today, and Dame Judi Dench, who turned 80 on December 9th. Judi Dench and Maggie Smith first shared a dressing room almost 60 years ago and their friendship has spanned the decades ever since ...

Dame Margaret Natalie "Maggie" Smith
born December 28th 1934 

 "I believe that I am past my prime. I had reckoned on my prime lasting till I was at least fifty."

 "My career is chequered. Then I think I got pigeon-holed in humor; Shakespeare is not my thing"

"I tend to head for what's amusing because a lot of things aren't happy. But usually you can find a funny side to practically anything"

 "Speak your mind, even if your voice shakes."

Dame Judith Olivia "Judi" Dench
born December 9 1934

"I think you should take your job seriously, but not yourself - that is the best combination."

"Actually, what I miss are people corpsing on stage."

"There are very few things that surprise me"

"Sometimes nudity is gratuitous. We just live in a society where everything goes."

"The more I do, the more frightened I get. But that is essential. Otherwise why would I go on doing it?"

80 and still fabulous, I'd say!!!

A Perfect Quartet...with Dame Smith

Dame "Maggie" Smith,  is one of my favorite English film, stage and television actress. And has she ever had an extensive career both on screen and in live theatre, and is known as one of Britain's preeminent actors. Plus I enjoy her in interviews, where she has the quotes.....

“The performances you have in your head are always much better than the performances on stage.”

"It's true I don't tolerate fools but then they don't tolerate me, so I am spiky. Maybe that's why I'm quite good at playing spiky elderly ladies"

"People say it gets better but it doesn't. It just gets different, that's all.”

"I believe that I am past my prime. I had reckoned on my prime lasting till I was at least fifty!"

So you can imagine my surprise when I saw two weeks ago that her new movie Quartet was finally arriving.... and low and behold opened tonight in Doylestown at the vintage County Theatre.I almost took a lady off the sidewalk!

Quartet is a 2012 British comedy-drama,  and stars Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay, Billy Connolly and Pauline Collins. The story centers on  Reg, Wilf, and Cissy,  all retired members of an operatic quartet, living in Beecham House, a retirement home for gifted musicians and opera singers. The musicians and singers living in the house put on a concert on Giuseppe Verdi's birthday every year. However, the arrival of the fourth member of the quartet, Reg's ex-wife, Jean, played by Dame Maggie Smith, results in old rivalries and theatrical temperaments and it becomes unclear if the show will or will not go on, however the arrival of Jean,  disrupts the equilibrium. It was filmed in its entirety at Hedsor House, Buckinghamshire in autumn 2011. The film is actor Dustin Hoffman's directorial debut, and by the looks of it , he's done a great job I'd say.

 I also figure with Downton Abbey wrapped up, this will be just the ticket for my Maggie Smith fix.

E-vile Under the Sun

It was a overcast day and a bit of a rain, so what better day to have a good watch of Evil Under the Sun. Peter Ustinov stars as Hercule Poirot, the master detective in this Agatha Christie who done it, where an opulent beach resort provides the scenic setting for the film. And any movie with the likes of Diana Rigg, Maggie Smith and Sylvia Miles is bound to be dramatic, campy and memorable..........

Diana Rigg singing in her role as Arlena Marshall, along with the wonderful Maggie Smith. This scene could be a Saturday night at the Casa, what with all the drama and drunks sitting about.......

The movie is worth watching, it has a fine cast, the day wear is over the top, but the hats however...... were the crowning glory for me.