Complete Jane Austen News and Stuff Roundup: Firthmania Edition
The last part of P&P95 aired tonight on Masterpiece Whateveritisthisweek, and we have to admit that even your tar-hearted Tilney-lovin’ Editrix’s toes curled a bit at “dearest, loveliest Elizabeth.” And then we’ve been bombarded by overstimulated Alert Janeites letting us know that there’s a very special treat available for auction at eBay for Firthaholics–a Pride and Prejudice Anniversary Edition DVD set signed by His Darcyness himself, AND a personal note from Mr. F. (tee-hee) to the winning bidder! There also are some other auctions featuring Colin’s other work, so do a search and see what’s out there. It all benefits Oxfam, so open your wallets and bid. You know you want him. 
Thanks to Alert Janeites Karen, Lisa, and another who sent a message through eBay and didn’t leave his or her name.
In other P&P news, the 15,000 members of Australian bookseller Dymocks’ booklover program have chosen Pride and Prejudice as their favorite novel. Several Jane Austen novels ended up in the Top 100: Persuasion at No. 57, Emma at No. 69, and Sense and Sensibility at No. 72. Thanks to Alert Janeites Lisa, Maria, and Lucy for the info!
In other news related to the Complete Jane Austen, Alert Janeite Liz let us know that the Behind the Scenes show from ITV, featuring the making of MP07, NA07, and P07, are available at YouTube: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5. Liz said, “Some questions are answered but don’t expect to find any explanation about Billie Piper’s hair.” Darn!
And lastly, Alert Janeite Marybeth wrote to tell us something interesting about P07:
It seems the PBS broadcast includes two very small scenes - totaling 20 seconds -that did not air on ITV and is not on the Region 1 DVD.
In the American broadcast, during the scenes at Lyme, after Anne and Captain Harville’s conversation about Captain Benwick’s ability to get over his recent loss, the sequence introducing us to Mr Elliot for the first time is edited out and instead the scene switches to a shot of crashing waves and then a shot of Anne standing on the Cobb looking out at the sea and then into the camera. (Neither of those shots were a part of the original British broadcast.) The PBS version then picks up with the British version showing Anne in front of the mirror at the inn.
Like I said, the whole thing takes about 20 seconds and replaces a sequence that lasts for 1 minute and 20 seconds. My guess is it was done to help match up the musical cues. But still, I just find it rather ironic that after all the scenes that were taken out, they decided to add something in for us.
The same thing happened with the second Hornblower series–the American cut was different from the British cut, and then the DVDs had less stuff than was shown on the television broadcast, and other stuff that wasn’t shown on the television broadcast. It was very weird.
Marybeth also sent a link to Ask Andrew Davies a question via PBS. Hope he has a bouncer handy.
February 25th, 2008 at 2:14 am
Ah, You Tube. Don’t you just love these Jane clips that keep cropping up? Those behind the scenes ITV clips you describe are simply lovely. There are also podcasts of the condensed versions of two of the novels, Persuasion and Northanger Abbey. Click on the following link to Learn Out Loud to subscribe. http://www.learnoutloud.com/Podcast-Directory/Literature/European-Classics/Jane-Austen-Season-Audio-Books-Podcast/22759
February 25th, 2008 at 8:17 am
I love how there is not a photo of the actual item for sale on eBay, but simply a photo of Colin. It’s like bidding on the man himself!
How long does one get Colin? Would his wife miss him? What would my husband say?
February 25th, 2008 at 8:42 am
Every time Darcy appeared on screen last night, my Tilney-loving wife giggled and muttered “Cranky McJerkpants.” Thanks, Mags!
February 25th, 2008 at 10:54 am
Heh, great pic. I must admit, I watched the Oscars instead (but I switched at the commercial breaks!) I mean, I do have it on dvd, to enjoy at my leisure.
It occured to me, though, that Janeites should hold their own Oscars. God knows there’s enough adaptations by now! I started dreaming up categories like Best Darcy, Best Performance by a Supportive Sister, Best Performance by an Unsupportive Mother Figure, Costume Design (Best Bonnet? Definitely not that thing Jennifer Ehle wears in the final proposal, she looks like the blue ribbon winner at a county fair), Best Country Dance Choreography, Best Declaration of Love…
February 25th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Julie B: http://cgi.ebay.com/Meet-Colin-Firth-2-VIP-Mamma-Mia-Tickets-London-7-1_W0QQitemZ250218115380QQihZ015QQcategoryZ16071QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262
Meet & greet with Cranky himself at the Mamma Mia premiere!
February 25th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Does anyone know why PBS is waiting a month before showing Emma? What will they be airing in the meantime?
February 25th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Begathon time. Jane Austen won’t bring in the bucks, I guess.
February 25th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Must have an award for Best Supporting Performance by breeches.
February 25th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
… or Least Support by breeches!
(See topic below “P&P95 Part 2 Open Thread,” re. underclothing, or lack thereof.)
February 25th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
How about Best Wet Scene? We’ve got the damp Darcy of course, bath and pond; Catherine-Moreland-in-the-fantasy-tub in the Davies NA; Fanny- with-wet-hair in the recent Mansfield Park; there’s the wet Marianne/Willoughby/Brandon scenes in both S&S’s–I am sure there are others I’ve missed. I think it would be a great category for the Austen Oscars! (I also think Colin Firth might win in this category…)
February 25th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Somehow I’m not surprised that the producer of Mansfield park calls Fanny “boring” and identifies Edmund as “the middle son.”
Why did she even make the adaptation?
February 26th, 2008 at 6:36 am
Maria, I nominate Edward chopping wood in S&S for best wet scene. I downloaded S&S from YouTube and watch the wood-chopping and proposal scenes regularly.
February 26th, 2008 at 7:46 am
Oh yes Julie P. I forgot that one! You are right, I think he could give Colin a run for the money; who would’ve thought Edward was such a manly dude! (Apologies to the Edward lovers out there.) I have to say another personal favorite in the Wet Category is Alan Rickman carrying back Kate Winslet, though the new Brandon might also provide some competition there….
February 26th, 2008 at 9:35 am
I second the nomination of Alan Rickman carrying back Kate Winslet for best wet scene! How about a sub-category of most pathetic wet scene? Jane Bennet riding to Bingley’s estate springs to mind.
February 26th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Wet Alan Rickman… Wet Colin Firth… Discussions of 18th century underwear… I love this site.
February 26th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Someone should totally host the Janeite Awards and let everyone vote. That would be so much fun. I love this blog. The comments are what makes it so enjoyable. Thanks for the laugh everyone!
February 26th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
I second the vote for a Janeite Awards! It’ll give us something to do while we endure the PBS begathon.
I’ve got another category to suggest: Best and Worst Animal Performance in an Austen Adaptation. I’d give the Best award to Pug in MP 07; he really nailed the role and stole the show.
Worst…I’d have to give it to the pig with the dangling, um, privates in P&P 05. I just don’t think he “gets” Austen…
February 26th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
I propose a Top Athlete award and nominate Anne Elliot and Fanny Price for their vigorous running and exercise scenes in the latest adaptations.
February 26th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Good heavens, I’m so glad I found this blog. And I would love to see and vote for the Janeite Awards.
February 27th, 2008 at 3:16 am
Just want to know what you all think about Gillian Anderson’s intro. I feel like she needs to lighten up a bit and not appear so serious. Also her intro to P&P Part 3 is kind of awkward, saying Jane and Cass are no more but the Bennet sisters live on…something to that effect. If there’s ever a live Janeite Awards, she’d better not be the host!
February 27th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Let’s not ignore the hair! Good hair, bad hair, sketchy wigs, out of control sideburns…I’m not feeling clever enough to think of an award name at the moment, however.
February 27th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Can’t stand the Gillian Anderson intros. All that lip-pursing and stylized narration. Alistair Cooke she’s not.
February 27th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
If you don’t like the intro’s don’t watch the intro’s.
It’s not like she writes the intro monologues.
What do you all want? An Emmy award winning performance???
February 29th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Julie B,
How long does one get Colin? Would his wife miss him? What would my husband say?
1. Until he can no longer stand up.
2. Nah. She’s probably tired of him.
3. What time is dinner?
That photo nearly gave me heart failure (in a very good way).