Upstairs, Downstairs

All of the following are in the popular mp3 format. All are in mono unless otherwise stated. The files often differ from the mp3 norm (i.e. stereo 44.1kHz sampling at 16-bits/sample, mp3 encoded in stereo at 128kbps) in order to maximise the quality to file-size ratio, but should play on the latest version of Microsoft's Windows Media Player.

To download a clip, do a right-click on one of the icons below (on the left) and select "save link as" (or "save target as") and save the file to your hard disk. Durations and approximate file sizes are given on the right.

Themes and trailers etc:
Upstairs, Downstairs theme: The Edwardians (Alexander Faris) - South Bank Orchestra. This is the "official" LWT version of the full theme music but differs slightly from the arrangements heard on the actual TV show, and includes a "new" melody part. (Stereo)	3'14	6.1MB
Thomas & Sarah full theme (Harry Rabinowitz) - South Bank Orchestra. (Stereo)	2'38	5.0MB
The opening waltz theme in the version heard on the episodes themselves. (Stereo)	1'24	2.7MB
The "Uncle Arthur" version of the closing theme in the version heard on the episodes themselves. (Stereo)	1'03	2.0MB
The third and last screen version of the theme music, known by the composer, Alexander Faris, as the "Elgar" version. (Mono)	1'14	2.3MB
Opening of the second part of The Mistress and the Maids. This trails off into a high trumpet (cornet?) part which was never heard again in the series.	0'34	0.2MB
Pauline Collins sings What Are We Going To Do With Uncle Arthur? for her 1973 Decca single. (Stereo)	2'14	4.1MB
The B-side of Collins' single with an interesting vocal version of the slow, waltz theme to the series. (Stereo)	2'47	5.1MB
The wonderful haunting theme music used for American PBS showings in Masterpiece Theatre. (Rondeau from Symphonies & Fanfares For The King's Supper - J. J. Mouret arr. Cellier) (Stereo)	0'52	1.7MB
TV trailer for the LWT repeats of 1996/7. (Stereo)	0'29	0.9MB
Opening of the first episode in LWT's 1996 re-runs (Stereo)	0'39	1.3MB
TV trailer for Granada Plus transmissions of the show.	0'29	0.2MB
The late Frank Muir introduces the first episode for Channel 4's TV Heaven in 1992. The anecdote about Gordon Jackson actually applied to the junked black and white version of On Trial and not to the colour version which was then presented! The episode is prefaced by the 70's LWT jingle which would have been heard before all the original transmissions.	1'28	0.6MB

Interviews:
Jean Marsh (co-creator and Rose) talks about the genesis of the show.	1'01	0.4MB
Jean Marsh on the read-through of the first episode, On Trial.	0'22	0.2MB
Jean Marsh on Gordon Jackson's nervousness as an actor.	0'29	0.2MB
Gordon Jackson talks to Russell Harty (in 1974) about his attitudes to his own domestic staff.	0'26	0.2MB
Gordon Jackson talks to Russell Harty (in 1974) about public recognition.	0'59	0.4MB
Jenny Tomasin (Ruby) on Angela Baddeley's attention to detail.	0'23	0.2MB
John Hawkesworth (producer) on how Angela Baddeley would sometimes slip into her Mrs Bridges persona.	0'29	0.2MB
Angela Baddeley talks to Russell Harty (in 1974) about being padded up for her role as Mrs Bridges.	0'38	0.3MB
Angela Baddeley talks to Russell Harty (in 1974) about a proposal of marriage from a viewer!	1'28	0.6MB
Angela Baddeley talks to Russell Harty (in 1974) about her sister Hermione's TV show of the time, South Riding.	1'17	0.5MB
Simon Williams talks about his inspiration for how to play James.	0'52	0.4MB
Jean Marsh on the real food used on the set.	0'36	0.2MB
Jean Marsh on her poor eyesight.	0'34	0.2MB
Jean Marsh on the different dressing-rooms given to the "upstairs" and "downstairs" members of cast.	0'54	0.4MB
Jenny Tomasin on her interview for the series.	0'42	0.3MB
Chris Beeny (Edward) and John Hawkesworth on Beeny's near-fatal road accident during the second season.	0'49	0.3MB
Jean Marsh on her initial impressions of A House Divided.	0'27	0.2MB
Jackie Tong, Lesley-Anne Down and Simon Williams on their relationship on and off screen. Narrated by actress Linda Robson.	1'00	0.4MB
Gordon Jackson talks to Russell Harty (in 1974) about the return of the series for Season Four.	0'32	0.2MB
Jean Marsh talks to Russell Harty (in 1974) about her publicity trip to the USA.	1'19	0.5MB
Jean Marsh talks to Russell Harty (in 1974) about a proposed Upstairs, Downstairs massed streak!	0'24	0.2MB
John Hawkesworth on writing out Hazel.	0'52	0.4MB

The following clip comes from the Russell Harty.... Goes Upstairs, Downstairs special from 1975 which was broadcast shortly after the last ever episode, and interviewed the cast on the Upstairs, Downstairs set. The full documentary is available on UK video on the volume The Best of Upstairs Downstairs - New Arrivals.
Harty introduces the special, walking through the empty set.	0'30	0.2MB

Australian DJ Les Solomon interviewed some of the stars for his radio show World of Entertainment (part of Australia Overnight) at the end of the Eighties to coincide with a nationwide rescreening of the entire series. With many thanks to Les, his original interviews are presented here:
Pauline Collins (Sarah) talks about how she got the role, and how she met John Alderton (Thomas).	1'08	0.5MB
Pauline Collins talks about Gordon Jackson's death.	0'28	0.2MB
Pauline Collins on the UpDown "family", and books about the series.	1'00	0.4MB
Simon Williams on playing James.	5'24	2.2MB
Simon Williams comments on the scene where he argues with Richard for the last time in All the King's Horses (see Sounds 2 page for the actual clip).	2'52	1.2MB
David Langton on playing Richard.	4'21	1.8MB
David Langton comments on one of his many argument scenes with Simon Williams (James).	4'35	1.9MB
Meg Wynn Owen (Hazel) on how special the show turned out to be.	5'01	2.1MB
Meg on her wild riding scene from The Bolter.	2'56	1.2MB
Meg's reactions to the scene from Distant Thunder where she is arguing in the kitchen with Simon Williams (James) (see Sounds 2 page for the actual clip).	6'16	2.6MB

Season One:
Sarah's interview with Lady Marjorie. (On Trial).	1'29	0.6MB
Sarah and Rose chat in bed about being in service. (On Trial).	1'05	0.4MB
Sarah decides to leave 165. (This scene is only present in the alternative version of On Trial).	2'23	1.0MB
Richard confronts the artist Scone about his little "joke". (The Mistress and the Maids).	1'47	0.7MB
Sarah decides to leave Eaton Place, to Rose's horror. (Board Wages).	7'31	3.1MB
Elizabeth runs away from her debut ball and takes refuge with Rose. (The Path of Duty).	5'26	2.2MB
Footman Alfred in trouble with Baron von Rimmer. (A Suitable Marriage).	0'42	0.3MB
Pregnant maid Mary lashes out at her colleagues. (A Cry for Help).	1'54	0.8MB
Captain Hammond's song to Lady Marjorie, My Luve Is Like A Red, Red Rose. (Magic Casements).	1'21	0.6MB
Kitchen-maid Emily and her beau, footman William, talk in the park. (I Dies from Love).	3'53	1.6MB
Lady Marjorie tells Emily that she is forbidden from seeing William. (I Dies from Love).	1'18	0.5MB
The two undertakers wait in the servants' hall for their hearse to arrive to take Emily's coffin. This includes Emily's Butcher Boy song. (I Dies from Love).	3'27	1.4MB
Elizabeth and James have a confusing conversation about Sarah's dusting. (The Swedish Tiger).	0'46	0.3MB
Elizabeth confronts her parents after being arrested by the police. (The Key of the Door).	2'42	1.1MB
Elizabeth reveals to her mother that she plans to live with Lawrence prior to their marriage. (For Love of Love).	1'03	0.4MB
Sarah sings her music-hall number, What Are We Going To Do With Uncle Arthur? (For Love of Love).	1'28	0.6MB

Season Two:
Lawrence talks to his new valet, Thomas, as he packs. (The New Man).	1'39	0.7MB
James reveals a secret to his horrified parents. (A Pair of Exiles).	2'06	0.9MB
Lawrence arrives home and talks drunkenly to his Welsh manservant Thomas. (Whom God hath Joined...).	4'10	1.7MB
Richard confronts the pregnant Elizabeth. (Whom God hath Joined...).	2'43	1.1MB
Richard loses his temper with his brother Arthur. (Your Obedient Servant).	1'02	0.4MB
Nursery maid Sarah tries to warn Elizabeth about the clumsiness of the elderly Nanny Webster. (Out of the Everywhere).	2'27	1.0MB
Mrs Bridges and Mr Hudson interrogate Sarah, who is pregnant yet again. (The Wages of Sin).	5'38	2.3MB
Thomas Watkins manipulates his employers to his own ends. (The Wages of Sin).	2'17	0.9MB
Thomas and Mr Bellamy come to a "Gentlemen's understanding". (The Wages of Sin).	2'24	1.0MB
The family ponder the death of Edward VII. (A Family Gathering).	1'06	0.5MB