10 fictional darlings

SO!

Olivia tagged me with the '10 favourite Screen Characters Tag'! Thank you, old sport. I'm one of those delightful little creatures that has tons and tons of favourite fictional characters, so, as other people have done before me, I won't pick my ten favourite characters - I'll pick ten of (mark the of) my favourite characters. It'll be fun.

By the way, the first five will be male and the last five will be female. Just, in case you can't see the difference between the two. Or just in case you scroll down and meet only men for awhile and don't understand why there aren't any females - they will come.

#1. Lionel Logue

(Geoffrey Rush, The Kings Speech)

Lionel Logue is Awesome. I just love him. If I had a pick a father of the Period Drama world, I'd pick this one, without a doubt. He's childish. He's funny. He's serious. He's smart. He loves people and he has flaws. He's definitely one of my all-time favourite screen peeps. I want to spend an afternoon with him and give him a big bear hug. I basically want him to exist.

#2. Bertram Wooster

(Hugh Laurie, Jeeves and Wooster)

Ah, Bertie. I have devoted an entire post or more to him, but I had to add him. Because, to be frank, he's that one character that cheers me up and I can never have enough of. He must be so much fun to doodle around with. Just imagine going for a walk with Bertie Wooster at your side - I really want to do that.

#3. Tevye

(Chaim Topol, The Fiddler on the Roof)

What even is Tevye's last name? Or is that it? What is his first name then? It'll always be a misty unknown-ness to me, it seems. Anyway, about him. He's just AMAZINGLY funny and awesome. I just love him. I even love how he shouts and loses his patience after five seconds of waiting and how he mumbles and kicks the chickens. He's just hilarious and one of the best characters, ever.

#4. Roger Hamley

(Anthony Howell, Wives and Daughters)

Roger Hamley is one of my favourite heroes and, to be naomi (well, my name isn't Frank, is it?), I don't understand why more people share my love for him. He did fall for Cynthia, yes. But he felt sorry for it afterwards and he's super kind and sweet and handsome. He can even pull of a beard.

#5. Mr Knightley

(Johnny Lee Miller, Emma)

I did think of adding Mr Palmer in Sense and Sensibilty or Sparkler in Little Dorrit but then I remembered Mr Knightley and all thoughts about the grumpy hilarious Hugh-Laurie-role and the Sparkler-ideas vanished. I LOVE Mr Knightley. Yes, love as in love. He's the kind of man I want to marry one day, if you see what I mean. He's just SO kind and good and wise and so handsome-especially-when-he's-super-angry. He'd also make a really good father, don't you think? He's my favourite hero, period.

#6. Beatrice Potter

(Renee Zellweger, Miss Potter)

I love Miss Potter. Aside from she being a huge animal-lover and me not that huge, I relate to her a lot. We both love to write, we both love to paint and have a super artsy bedroom. She's quirky and special and does things. 

#7. Elizabeth Bennet

(Jennifer Ehle, Pride and Prejudice)

BECAUSE SHE'S AMAZING. How can you not love her? She's just the nicest character. Quick tongue, pretty starry eyes, sweet smile, witty one-liners, kind kind heart. She could be my friend, please. I will never tire of her. Indeed, there is not a tiry bone in her body - one can be entertained by her for hours in succession. Lovely heroine.

#8. The Dowager Countess

(Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey)

Oh my goodness, how can she not be everyone's favourite Downton character? She definitely is mine. She just SUCH a character. I want her to be my Grandma so bad. Is it possible to have three Grandmothers? I want her to be my third. (Want, want.) She's HILARIOUS. Everything she says - every little syllable that whisps out of her body - is hilarious. Her facial expressions are hilarious. And what makes it even more hilarious is the fact that she's the most serious character at the same time.

#9. Melanie Wilkes

(Olivia de Havilland, GONE WITH THE WIND)

She deserves more friends. She loves everyone. She never sees wrong. She's almost soppy. But yet I love this beautiful darling doll. She's so sweet. Olivia de Havilland did her so well. What does annoy me about Melanie is the fact that she so adores that witch-Scarlett. But still, I can't dislike Melanie. She's just a pot of shining gold. I always cry when I read her death scene.

#10. Maria von Trapp

(Julie Andrews, The Sound of Music)

Starting off as a wild, getting-into-trouble, big-hearted, challenge-accepting, problem-solving tomboy. Ending as a mature wife, darling mother, beautiful-smile-owner. I just love Maria von Trapp. She's a lovely nanny and a lovely mother. Exactly what Geog and the children needed, I should say. And she's funny too, isn't she?

Have you seen these movies?

Do you enjoy the same characters as I?

10 Reasons why you can't NOT like Bertie Wooster

What-ho! 

Some of you may or may not know this: I am a big Bertie Wooster fan. While Jeeves is a good sport too, Wooster has always been my favourite one of the duo - both in the books and in the TV Series. And not to mention, Hugh Laurie's performance is so spot-on-ridiculously-perfect that it's not even funny. Wait... of COURSE it's funny. Wooster is the very key of funny-ness. 

So here are ten reasons why you can't not like Bertie Wooster. (Now I sound like Blimeycow.)

#1. He's Hilarious

I am not a big comedy person. In fact, I loathe practically every comedy laugh movie there is. I can't stand Mr Bean - he makes me squirm ashamedly instead of giggle hysterically. But there is one comedy series I can't get enough of and that is *ting* Jeeves and Wooster. 

Fact is, Wooster is hilarious. Just plain-inside-out funny. Everything about him is funny - the way he talks, the way he rolls his eyes, opens his mouth, walks, views people and solves problems. And what I like about his funniness is that it's not funny to him - or to any other character in the movie. People over there at the Jeeves and Wooster world look at Bertie as if he's the most normal person there ever was. 

But he isn't normal. He's soooo funny.

#2. He thinks he's a genius

 Let's face it. Wooster isn't the cleverest of men. The brain of the show is, as we all know perfectly well, Jeeves. There are times when Wooster fully admits that Jeeves is an amazing genius and that he has some what less knowledge. But then there are times when he proudly states that the Woosters have the cleverest ideas and solutions there ever were, and insists that he knows how to solve problems JUST as well as Jeeves does. This guy has a lot of self-confidence.

And his solutions and ideas are just SO freaking stupid it's HILARIOUS. :-P

#3 He's a boy

Wooster is ADORABLE. In reality he's a middle-aged bachelor, but to me, he's a boy. He's still a boy - he plays with a yellow ducky in the bath and loves eating and getting involved in silly schemes. He's cheeky. He hangs out at the Drones Club, which is a pretty boyish place, if you ask me.

And Jeeves is like his dad. :-)

 #4 He can't say no (and it's adorable)

He can't even refuse offers of marriage!

This is so adorkyble. He just can't say NO. Well, he can, but not in a persisting way. In more than one episodes, one of his annoying aunts will barge into his easy life with a task for him - often involving theft. He starts to stammer, 'I say! No! Aunt Dalia, I... I say, what a dashed thing to ask!' and stuff like that. But he never wins the say and always ends up doing what people ask him. HE CAN'T SAY NO AND IT'S SO ADORABLE.

Wooster is actually a really kind person. He's very careful about not hurting people, very careful indeed. Sometimes it causes him loooads of problems. 

#5 His fashion sense

Jeeves may not always agree, but I think Bertie Wooster's fashion sense is rather dapper and corny and fun. He goes for three-quarter-trousers and white-short-vests even if his valet doesn't agree. But then he gets rid of the special garments after a short time, because when Jeeves doesn't agree life can't go on. So, with the help of Jeeves, Bertie always looks like a good gentleman - good vests, tweed jackets, evening black wear. He really looks good.

#6 He's so innocent

Bertram Wooster? Innocent? He gets blamed for EVERYTHING!

Basically the average Jeeves & Wooster episode goes like this: Aunt tells Wooster he has to do something - he messes it up - he gets blamed by everyone for everything - Jeeves solves everything.

Poor little Bertie gets all the blame, while he's actually as innocent as a fella can be. Poor chappie.

 #7 He TALKS amazingly

This is the main thing I love about Wooster. THE WAY HE TALKS.

A list of Wooster-like words you are going to use in the future (you just are):

- What-ho! This is Wooster's famous way of saying 'hello'. He says it in practically every scene. :-P The word, I warn you, is seriously addicting.

- I say! Wooster says this when he's surprised or disappointed. It's a cool way of saying, 'NO!' or 'OH DEAR!' or other useless phrases such as that.

- Pip pip! Toodledoo! This is his way of saying goodbye. I told you he wasn't normal (wait, did I?)

- This takes the bally nerve, Jeeves! What he says after he realises he didn't say 'no.' 'Bally' is sometimes replaced by 'giddy' and 'nerve' is sometimes replaced by 'biscuit.' Creative, right? As a writer who loves to juggle around with word uses, I find this all very good. :-)

- Dashed. "How dashed kind!" or "Dashed friendly of you, old bean," are two examples Wooster would use the word in.

Oh, and if you're as big of a fan of his talk as I am, read the books. They are NARRATED by him and him only. Oh the joy.

 #8 He's never angry long

Wooster really is a NICE chap. He's awfully forgiving, and never angry for a long time. There are times when Jeeves stubborn-ness about, for instance, clothing, irritates him - but he always gives in and returns to the corny golden cheek he is. 

Even after getting blamed loads of times and tricked into cycling for hours in soaking rain, he goes back to the bacon-and-eggs lover with witty cheerful-ness in no time.

#9 His music style (not exactly mine, but it makes me like him more.)

My favourite scenes in the movie are probably the ones where Wooster rummages around on his piano, singing rediculously stupidly funny songs with embarrassing lyrics. Once he made Jeeves sings them too, poor chap. I know all the songs Wooster plays inside out, because I have a brother who's a huge Wooster-songs-fan and plays them on the piano like, almost every day. 

The video above is my personal favourite of the songs. I defy you not go to bed singing "Forty-seven Ginger-headed sailors." These songs are embarrasingly catchy. 

So yeah - I rather like his songs. *sheepish smile*

#10 He always forgets he's the boss

Jeeves and Wooster's roles often seem to reverse - Jeeves tells Wooster what to do, decides what will happen, and not vice versa. Sometimes though, Woosters pops into reality and realises this, but mostly he doesn't even realise. He treats Jeeves like a friend more than a valet and feels dashed lost without the organiser. As I said, Jeeves is like his father. :-P

The following quote describes their relationship perfectly:

Bertie: No, I think I'll wear the blue with the faint red stripe.

Jeeves: Not the blue with the faint red stripe, sir.

Bertie: But I rather fancy myself in it.

Jeeves: Not the blue with the faint red stripe, sir.

Bertie: Oh all right, have it your own way.

Jeeves: Very good, sir. Thank you, sir.

Well done Mr Wodehouse for creating such a character!

What's your favourite thing about Wooster?

Do you prefer Jeeves?

Sink me, weaknesses and others

In our family we have the tendancy to spot out what people's as-we-call-it "words" are. Haven't you noticed that quite a few people have a word or a phrase they keep on saying? Many teenagers nowadays say 'like' far too much, but there are some people who have their own unique phrase they keep on accidentally repeating. Even people in the blogging world have their "words", I've observed. But I shan't go into that now. :) I also like giving my characters in my stories a particular word or phrase they keep on repeating. I love it when my readers go 'oh, their she/he goes again!'

 

Now I shall have a see at the Period Drama people, and their 'words'.

 

Sink Me!

 

Although I haven't seen the Scarlet Pimpernel, I know enough to know that this charming, sophisticated man keeps on saying, 'Sink mehhhhh'. Not 'Sink me', but 'Sink mehhhh.' He's got a charming accent, this fella has.

 

 

My ONE weakness

 

Dorcas Lane with her many weaknesses! How many times do we hear her drooling on about her weaknesses? Food is my one weakness, baths are my one weakness, picnics are my one weakness, velvet is my one weakness... the list goes on and on!

 

 

Beaux

 

I'm sure the ones of you who've watched Sense and Sensibility 2008 have noticed that Anne Steel has a 'word'. Indeed! You've all noticed how she keeps on going on about 'beaux.'

 

 

My poor nerves

 

I've got to add Mrs Bennet with those unending nerves! Nerves this, nerves that. 'Oh, Mr Bennet! You do not know what I suffer! Have you no compassion upon my POOR nerves?' No, I don't have that much compassion, but I must admit I think it's very funny the way she keeps on screeching about those nerves of hers. 'But then I never complain.'

 

 

Mr E.

 

Mrs Elton in 'Emma' (especially the Mrs Elton in the Kate Beckinsale version, that's why I've put a picture of that one) calls her husband Mr E, and says it a lot!

 

 

Monstrous

 

Especially in the book, Sir John Middleton and his merry mother, Mrs Jennings, very often use the word monstrous to describe things. Oh, good things. For example, they describe Marianne and Elinor as 'monstrous pretty girls.'

 

 

What-ho!

 

Ha! I love the way Wooster keeps on saying What-ho instead of hello or Good-morning! Watching the show makes you want to do exactly the same, I tell you. At home we often go around saying what-ho, just because it's such fun to say. Jeeves also has a 'word', which is 'sir', but that hardly counts as one, don't you think?

 

 

Fiddlesticks

 

In the film, Marilla Cuthbert doesn't say 'Fiddlesticks' half as much as she does in the book! The first time she says it is when Anne complains that Cordelia is a far more romantic name than Anne. "Romantic Fiddlesticks!"

 

 

Everything's going to be all right

 

In our family we always joke about the vast amount of times Charles Ingalls, or Pa, says 'Everything's going to be all right,' or 'everything's going to be just fine.' He always says it to comfort one of his daughters or Caroline when they are in the midst of problems. He always says it in the TV shows! I wonder if you've noticed.

 

 

Septimus...

Yes, and Lady Ludlow with her Septimus this, Septimus that.

 

 

I'm sure I could think of more, but now that's all I can think of. Are their any others which come to mind if you think about Period Drama people and their 'words' (or phrases)? Comment and tell me!

 

 

An aunty observation...

Have you ever noticed that, in many books, the annoying character is the aunt? Either the aunt or the great aunt- very often, very, very often the aunt or great aunt is annoying, bossy and strict. Often, they improve as the end draws near, of course, but have you not noticed that it's always the aunt?

 

Wooster: "My Aunt Agatha is sitting out there just waiting to pounce."

 

Let's take a look at those (great) aunts.

 

Aunt Polly

 

 

In 'Pollyanna', her aunt Polly is exactly suited to my description above. Annoying, bossy and strict. Aunt Polly is unkind and grim on top of that. And hardly ever smiles. I love it so much when Pollyanna tells her she loves her punishments. 'Oh, thank you, Aunt Polly! I love bread and milk!'

But in the end, Aunt Polly softens and becomes a much nicer person. But still, there you go, that was the first aunt.

 

Great-Aunt Josephine

 

 

I think Great-Aunt Josephine in 'Anne of Green Gables' changes rather too quickly. At first she's mean, menacing and threats to break all the golden promises she promised her niece, Diana, and then Anne comes (go, Anne) and she forgets all, becomes a bubbly, delightful thing and takes Diana and Anne on a sightseeing trip. Still, it's another Aunt who's got her less magnificent ways.

 

 

Lady Catherine the Bourgh

 

 

Even Jane Austen did it. We sometimes seem to forget that this is Mr Darcy's aunt. And what an annoying, picky, wacky one she is! This one is so stubborn, mean and proud she never changes. In fact, we see a shot of her, dully in her chair at home- face furious- when somewhere else Darcy and Elizabeth get married agaist her approval. Ha.

 

 

Aunt Shaw

I know her role is rather minor in North and South, but I had to add her. In my opinion, Aunt Shaw is dashingly annoying. I had to add her to my list.

 

 

Aunt Elizabeth

 

If you haven't read (or watched) 'Emily of the New Moon' you won't know how HORRID this aunt is. She's supposed to have a good heart, but seriously, I've read the books about five times and she only does like two good things in her life. She's horrible. When you read the books (and I definitely do recommend them, I love them to pieces) you'll notice you actually want Emily, her niece, to disobey her. She's that horrid and that strict.

'Emily of the New Moon' has many other strict aunts and uncles, including a monstrous great-aunt Nancy, who threatens to put Emily in a great clock if she's naughty... Lucy Maud Montgomery was really into that. But, I must say, isn't it fun to read! Same with all the aunts and uncles in her speldiforious book 'The Blue Castle'. Go, read it.

 

 

Aunt Pittipat

I don't know if you have the same feelings on Aunt Pittipat in Gone With the Wind as I do, but... well, yep I thought she was a dashed nuisance. Always fainting and yelling for those smelling salts of hers.

 

 

Aunt Agatha

This is how Wooster looks when he talks/thinks about her:

This is how Wooster looks when Aunt Agatha speaks to him:

That pretty much explains it, doesn't it?

 

 

I'm sure there are more annoying aunts in films and books, but for now, this is all. Do you know any more?