In the tv series Jeeves and Wooster, Bertie (played by Hugh Laurie) discovers the challenges of tea making while Jeeves (Stephen Fry) is away. He wisely refers to Mrs Beeton's book of Household Management for guidance. Trying to fill the whistling tea kettle with water without removing the stopper was the first hurdle to overcome. Fortunately Jeeves arrived back in time to complete the task
Bertie puts his feet up after his exersions while Jeeves takes over the tea making. Tea is served in Royal Worcester Raffles China cups from a set that is used in Berties flat throughout the series.
Royal Worcester Raffles Cup and Saucer
Above is a vew of the page Bertie is reading in Mrs Beetons book and some similar items for a Jeeves and Wooster themed kitchen found on eBay:
Bertram Wooster likes his cup of tea- in the afternoon he favors Earl Grey tea. In the Wooster residence tea is usually served by Jeeves from a silver tea pot and bone china cups.
Tea is served at Bertie Wooster's Flat in a scene from the TV series Jeeves and Wooster
In the above scene from the Jeeves and Wooster TV series tea is being served by Jeeves, played by Stephen Fry, on a wooden butler's tray. On top of the tray is what appears to be a Madeira style embroidered linen placemat.
Below is a solid mahogany butlers tray with brass side rails that looks like the one used on the show.
In the first episode of Jeeves and Wooster, the TV series starring Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry (based on "Jeeves Takes Charge" by P.G. Wodehouse), Bertie and Jeeves pay a visit to Ditteridge Hall. Above is a view of Bertie having his morning cup of tea while Jeeves prepares the bath and fills Bertie's shaving mug.
Jeeves attends to his morning duties
The props used in the scene are most appropriate for a gentleman visiting the country seat of the Glossop family - the scene was filmed at Englefield House, Berkshire.
Spode Sheffield Cup and Saucer
Bertie Wooster takes his morning tea from a Spode Sheffield Cup and Saucer.
Art Deco Photo Frame in a scene from The Halcyon Credit: ITV The Halcyon
Here is an interesting 30's style art deco photo frame prop you might have noticed in Episode One of ITV's The Halcyon. Lady Priscilla Hamilton is seen holding the photo frame while she waits to see Mr Garland in his office in a scene from the first epidode of the ITV series. If you are interested in collectibles from the era you can find similar frames on eBay. Below is one example I saw on eBay today.
Mrs Hughes discovers the benefits of modern technology on Downton Abbey when she treats herself to a state of the art Art Deco style english made Toaster. It took a bit of searching to identify the make of the toaster. Continue reading Downton Abbey: Mrs Hughes Toaster→
Sarah and Gerald Murphy and their children liked to walk to the Garoupe beach from the house they build nearby 'Villa America' (112 Chemin des Mougins ). Here is a Google map of the walk so you can follow in their footsteps.
When The Murphy's first came to Antibes and discovered the Garoupe beach, they were staying in hotels such as Hotel Du Cap or rented accomodation. The eventually bought a property and renovated it and called it Villa America.
Some popular books on the Murphys. I have recently read "Everybody was so Young" and "Making it New" each of which I highly recommend. "Everybody was so Young" is a comprehensive account of the life and times of the Murphys. "Making it New" examines the evolution of their stylish lifestyle including Gerald's paintings and is a good one to read following the other book.
"Nick' Formerly Headwaiter At The Brown Derby, Recalls His Experiences Serving The Stars.
As told to Muriel Babcock
ALL head waiters have nervous indigestion—particularly those who work in Hollywood. But that's natural. By the time you take an order for a rare steak without any seasoning and a glass of grapefruit juice, for Suzie Blotz, one for raw vegetable salad with non-fattening mineral oil dressing forSadie Glutz, rush through a couple of lobsters for Gary Cooper, and get Papa and Mama Tourist satisfied with a 40-cent plate of scrambled eggs, you don't care much about eating. You have indigestion from trying to keep other people's digestions working well.
People are always asking me what movie stars like to eat. Why, I don't know. They are just like everybody else with their food preferences. Some like cold, some hot food. Jean Harlow likes sour cream and cottage cheese salads and always a glass of claret wine with a meal. James Cagney likes sea food salads, while Pat O'Brien enjoys stews and Irish bacon and eggs. Continue reading 1936 Headwaiter At The Brown Derby, Recalls His Experiences Serving The Stars→
Constance Bennett in a scene at the Wilshire Brown Derby in George Cukor's What Price Hollywood?
Constance Bennett plays a star-struck waitress in a scene at the original Wilshire Brown Derby restaurant in the 1932 movie What Price Hollywood? The story line is loosely based on the experiences of actress Colleen Moore and her husband, alcoholic producer John McCormick.
The above clip opens with a view of the exterior of the derby hat shaped restaurant.
The following clip takes place on a set based on the interior the very first Brown Derby building that soon had to move to another Wilshire location to make way for construction of the women’s village for the 1932 Los Angeles Olympic Games .
A photo of the interior of original brown Brown Derby for comparison above ( Thanks to the commenter below - Link to Source).
. The Brown Derby initiated the use of phones for guests at the restaurant tables as can be seen in the clip below.
Constance Bennett wears the Brown Derby waitress uniform.
Constance Bennett is seen wearing a Brown Derby waitress uniform in the movie. This was the famous starched bell shaped short dress that showed off the waitresses legs.
Florence Knapp a former waitress at the Brown Derby recalled applying to an ad, “Waitress Wanted,” in the newspaper for the position at the Brown Derby in 1936. The manager selected 18 women out of 263 applicants for interviews, and she was one of them.
“The first thing we had to do was raise our skirts so he could see if we had shapely legs, as the uniform skirts barely came to our knees,” she said.
"It was hard work, 5-1/2 days a week. The uniforms had to be spotless, and waitresses could wear no jewelry. They had to be polite and do everything just right because of the shining stars frequenting this famous eatery."
The Brown Derby restaurant seen on the movie was the very first one in the shape of a derby located on Wilshire between Alexandria and Mariposa It had to move when the land was requisitioned for the women’s village for the 1932 L.A. Olympic Games. So the Brown Derby moved to a temporary location at 3927 Wilshire (photo: http://bit.ly/1thC7Fg) until a new hat shaped building was constructed at the famous location at Wilshire and Alexandria next to the Gaylord. The original site of the first Brown Derby was later used for the Chapman Hotel (http://www.martinturnbull.com/?p=4788) Recommended Reading
Two good books to evoke the era - must have for anyone interested in the golden years of Hollywood:
