The first six episodes of Upstairs, Downstairs were originally taped in black and white due to industrial action at the ITV companies during shooting. LWT realised there would be a problem with overseas sales if the opening episode, in particular, was only available in black and white. So, when colour facilities became available again halfway through production of the season, the original recording of the first episode was withdrawn and the story was re-recorded in colour at the end of the first season block. The original black-and-white version (often erroneously referred to as the "pilot") was subsequently junked as being of no further use and no copies are known to exist. In itself, the colour version exists in two different edits. The first ("Sarah stays" version) is designed for use when the other five black-and-white episodes are also to be shown/used and features an extended night-time chat between Rose and Sarah. The second edit ("Sarah leaves" version) cuts short the night-time chat but adds extra sequences showing Sarah leaving Eaton Place (similar to those at the end of Board Wages) and is for when broadcasters/distributors intend to omit the black-and-white episodes.

Date: November 1903 (from opening caption).

The first person on the screen in the whole of Upstairs, Downstairs is Sarah (0'26"). The film sequences here represent the earliest work shot for the series and were filmed in the real Eaton Place on 30th October 1970.

Goof: The area door appears to have a white frame when seen on the film insert, but black when we cut to the studio footage (1'02").

Goof: The back doorbell rings before Sarah has pulled the handle (1'19").

Evin Crowley (Emily) and George Innes (Alfred) had both already exited from UpDown when the colour, transmitted version of this episode was recorded, and were brought back to reprise their roles.

Rooms: In the first season, the morning room is lilac, with the fireplace section in light blue. The laurel-leaf motif above the fireplace has a octagonal border to it. Two portraits of, presumably, family ancestors hang on the wall to the right. There is a bookcase against the wall to the left.

Sarah background: Much, if not all of the "half-French" background Sarah gives (including the name Clémence Dumas) is presumed to be false (but see Board Wages). Nevertheless, she seems to have picked up a French song from somewhere. Lady Marjorie gives her the name Sarah as she finds Clémence unsuitable for a servant. Sarah cannot read or write because she didn't go to school much and stayed away to look after her family after her mother died. She is a good seamstress, says she has some gypsy blood, and can tell fortunes. She has a cousin in Ilford (see also the Thomas & Sarah episode Made In Heaven).

Mr Hudson background: His grandmother "was a proud woman and died of starvation" (9'26").

Goof: Miss Roberts calls Hudson, "Mr Hudston" (11'05" – see also A Cry for Help).

Mrs Bridges background: She nearly ran off with the gypsies when she was a girl (13'54").

Goof: Did servants in 1903 really have shaved armpits (18'57")?

Goof: Through Rose's long drawers you can see some underwear which is more 1971 than 1903 (19'37" – see also Sarah at 45'36").

Goof?: Sarah washes her face in the water that Rose was earlier cleaning her teeth with (19'40")!

Rooms: Mrs Bridges' larder is the door to the right of the back door (23'04").

Rooms: Mr Hudson indicates that his pantry is to the near right of the kitchen (as we usually look at the set) (see also A Cry for Help) (29'37").

Goof: The bedroom light goes out before Sarah completely snuffs out the candle (46'25").

 

"Sarah stays" version (see first note, above) of episode only –

Goof: The bedside table next to Sarah magically slides out of the way so the camera can get a close-up (46'32").

Rose background: She lived on Lady Marjorie's family estate when she was a girl, and her mother put her into service there. Later on, she was going to get married, but her man died in the war in Africa (presumably one of the Boer Wars). (47')

 

"Sarah leaves" version (see first note, above) of episode only –

The under-houseparlourmaid before Sarah was a girl called Kate. Kate went with soldiers and got pregnant ("caught the scarlet fever" – soldiers wore scarlet in those days), then was sacked. She later lost her baby and is now "on the streets, taking care of herself" (i.e. is a prostitute). (47'34")

Goof?: Sarah leaves with a wicker case which she didn't have when she arrived (but she may have been given it or even pinched it!) (48'58")