Backstairs at the White House

Veteran Television Music Composer Morton Stevens, ("Hawaii Five-O", "Police Woman") wrote an outstanding music score for this fine TV mini-series. It featured a beautiful main title theme that really set the tone for each episode. I join the other comments here in hoping that there will be a video release soon of this wonderful show.

Excellent mini-series from the time when the major networks crafted them with care. Olivia Cole is very strong in the lead providing a through line for the stories of the many administrations she witnessed. A fascinating peek at the life behind the white pillars by people who were actually there. The stories of the lesser known president's and their families is a definite draw, the Roosevelt's are legendary of course but their tenure has been examined many times. The Coolidges and Trumans come across well the Hoovers do not. Lou Hoover in particular seemed to be a cold, autocratic iceberg. One of the great things about these shows is the opportunity to see so many great actors and actresses all in the same program and they all deliver good work. For history buffs this will be heaven.

I, too, wish this was available on videotape! In 1979, I was teaching a Special Education class in rural Ohio when this series was aired. My students all arrived the following day of the first installment excited, asking many questions about what the first part had shown. They asked to "study history" just like the other regular classroom students. I borrowed eighth grade American History textbooks from one of the other regular classroom teachers, and we began an adventure that lasted for the remainder of the school year. My students rode the school bus carrying a regular textbook for the first time ever! Self-esteem soared, and we all had fun!

Believe it or not, I just called Borders on a whim, and they actually had a copy. I ran down, bought it, and watched the whole thing that same night. This miniseries was even better than I had remembered. (Of course, I was 9 or so the first time, and watched it with my mommy.) Younger viewers, such as my roommate, have a difficult time looking past the sets, which don't look anything like "The West Wing", but I quickly began to ignore him, and just sat there and soaked it all in.

I feel like there could have been a better attempt to clean up the film from the original airing, but it still was absolutely enjoyable.

All in all, worth the seven and a half hours I spent in front of the TV last Tuesday night!!

This was a wonderful mini-series. I too, am puzzled as to why this was never released on video in one form or another. It was very popular when it was run on television. If you have not read the book, I highly recommend both of them, they are excellent. There are two out there, the one that Mrs. Parks wrote and one Gwen Bagini(?) and Mrs. Parks collaborated on that went along with the mini-series. The producers couldn't have picked a better cast to play the characters. They were all exemplary. The series was pretty accurate historically too, maybe that's why it was never released on video, it insulted someone some how. I too would like to add my voice to the growing number that want to see this mini-series released.