Jane Austen Movie Throwdown: Which Actress Walked Best in the Rain?

Ah, Sense and Sensibility. There are many scenes in the last two film adaptations that simply are not in Jane's novel. Nevertheless, they make for great cinematic melodrama. Take the reason for Marianne's illness, for example. Jane describes the onset of her illness at Cleveland as being a tad less dramatic than the rain walks depicted in the films:

Kate Winslet quotes Shakespeare in the rain as she gazes longingly at Willoughby's house

Two delightful twilight walks on the third and fourth evenings of her being there, not merely on the dry gravel of the shrubbery, but all over the grounds, and especially in the most distant parts of them, where there was something more of wildness than in the rest, where the trees were the oldest, and the grass was the longest and wettest, had—assisted by the still greater imprudence of sitting in her wet shoes and stockings—given Marianne a cold so violent as, though for a day or two trifled with or denied, would force itself by increasing ailments on the concern of every body, and the notice of herself. Prescriptions poured in from all quarters, and as usual, were all declined. Though heavy and feverish, with a pain in her limbs, and a cough, and a sore throat, a good night's rest was to cure her entirely; and it was with difficulty that Elinor prevailed on her, when she went to bed, to try one or two of the simplest of the remedies.

The wind WHIPS Kate/Marianne's cape and gown

Marianne got up the next morning at her usual time; to every inquiry replied that she was better, and tried to prove herself so, by engaging in her accustomary employments. But a day spent in sitting shivering over the fire with a book in her hand, which she was unable to read, or in lying, weary and languid, on a sofa, did not speak much in favour of her amendment; and when, at last, she went early to bed, more and more indisposed...

In 2009, Charity Wakefield WALKED the walk

Such a scene would not have been dramatic enough for a film,and thus we have Marianne wandering in the rain searching for Combe Magna, Willoughby's house.

Charity as Marianne welcomes the rain drops

Who walked the walk best? Curious minds want to know.

Whose Walk in the Rain is Best?
	Kate Winslet as Marianne Dashwood
	Charity Wakefield as Marianne Dashwood
pollcode.com free polls

Jane Austen Mashup Throwdown

Have Jane Austen mashups turned the corner? Has the trend been drained of blood, now that Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, the movie, has been shelfed? Do you care if the trend lives on or not? Now is your time to give us your opinion!

Kate Winslet aka Marianne Dashwood, Vampire

Jane Austen Mashups
	They're dead and buried for good.
	They're among the walking dead, and barely moving
	Eh. Meh. Bleh. Feh! I could care less.
	Regency vampires are kinda cute. I'll read a few of them.
	I keep baring my neck hoping that one will bite me. Keep bringing them on
pollcode.com free polls

Keira Knightley, aka Lizzie Bennet, Vampire

Images, Worth 1000.com

Kate Winslet: Third Time's the Charm?

Louis Dowler and Kate Winslet

Can our beautiful Marianne Dashwood (Kate Winslet in Sense and Sensibility 1996) find true love the third time around? She had married young (to Jim Threapleton), then found her Colonel Brandon (Sam Mendez), and now is dating a man who could be the epitome of Willoughby (male model Louis Dowler). If radiant looks are anything to go by, Kate has found her MAN. Click on this article to read the rest of the story ....

Submitted by Raquel Sallaberry, Jane Austen em Português

Truth or Fact? Sense and Sensibility

Did Greg Wise date Kate Winslet while they were filming Sense and Sensibility and before he married Emma Thompson?

Vote here, then check the facts.

Did Greg Wise date Kate Winslet while they were filming Sense and Sensibility?
	Yes
	No
pollcode.com free polls

Read the article in this link.

Lucy Steele Comes Clean about Sense and Sensibility

Remember Lucy Steele in 1996's Sense and Sensibility? As played by Imogen Stubbs, she was a conniving mean spirited b--tch, er, witch. Imogen is currently playing Anna in The Glass Menagerie at the Cambridge Arts Theatre. In a recent interview, she fondly recalled playing as Lucy opposite Kate Winslet and Emma Thompson:

“It was a terrific cast, it was a bit like the Harry Potters, you know. On the whole British actors are lovely so it’s always a good atmosphere.

“Ang Lee was gorgeous and Emma Thompson, along with Judi Dench, is up there with the nicest women in the history of the universe. And I knew Hugh anyway because his mum was a great friend of my mum’s, and we grew up in Chiswick together.”

Surely another plus when working on a good old British period drama are the costumes. However Imogen found she’d been a little left out when it came to dress rehearsals – and the less said about her bonnet, the better.

“I had rather silly costumes. It looked as though I had a bucket on my head! Initially I was blonde and we started like that but I looked too much like I was related to Kate (Winslet) and Emma. We were all too blondy, so I had to go dark. So I had this silly little mean wig and a bucket on my head and no make-up – I looked slightly piggy.”

Imogen went on to say about Lucy: "Everyone thinks, ‘oh, awful little Lucy’, because everyone loves the two main girls, but Lucy’s a survivor – almost more like Becky Sharpe in Vanity Fair.

“I’ve played a lot of heroines but I think villains are a lot more fun." - Cambridge News Co.UK

Jane Austen Movie Fashion Throwdown: Bonnets

Today is Easter, a time for celebration and family, and wearing hats and bonnets. Which bonnet is your favorite? I chose the three that have always caught my eye.

Front view (above), Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet at Rosings. And (below) back view.

Kate Winslet as Marianne, Sense and Sensibility, 1996

Carey Mulligan, Isabella Thorpe in Northanger Abbey 2007. Front view (top) and side view (bottom).

Which bonnet do you prefer?
	Jennifer Ehle, 1995 Elizabeth Bennet
	Kate Winslet, 1996 Marianne Dashwood
	Carey Mulligan, 2007 Isabella Thorpe
pollcode.com free polls

Jane Austen Movie Throwdown - At the Oscars

I hate to, well, brag, but during last night's live Twitter chat during the Oscar Award Show, yours truly picked the 6 top winners. Which meant, of course, that I though Colin Firth and Carey Mulligan would not win. This week, I extend the JA Movie Throwdown by asking you to vote on their Red Carpet Appearance. Carey has the advantage in that she was photographed many times, and I could find only one BBC video of poor Colin, whose deliciousness seems not to be appreciated by the American press. It is nice to see him smile and a dimple appear in his cheek. (Update - I found a dashing image) I could not find Emily Blunt, nor do I recall her making an appearance, but Ive included Kate Winslet, who has become a fixture at these events.

Colin and wife Livia on the Red Carpet

Just found this lovely shot of Colin on the red carpet

Colin Firth Looks
	Like the quintessential Mr Darcy
	I think he would look better with his shirt off
	He looks tired and his hair is a little wild
pollcode.com free polls

Carey Mulligan (Kitty Bennet)

Carey Mulligan
	She looks princess perfect
	From the waist up she looks fine, but those clunky shoes have to go
	I agree with the Huffington Post column that placed her in the worst dressed category
pollcode.com free polls

Kate Winslet played Marianne Dashwood

Kate Winslet
	Looks fabulous as always
	Her hair and makeup are perfect, but her look is a bit boring
	Only a Valkerie would be proud to wear this stiff corseted column
pollcode.com free polls

To vote for your favorite Oscar gown, go to Enchanted Serenity of Period Films and vote!

Jane Austen Actors Shine at Golden Globes

While the Brits came up empty-handed at the Golden Globes, they sparkled as nicely in their dress up clothes. Last year's winner for Happy Go Lucky, Sally Hawkins (Anne Elliot, 2007), looked fit and sassy in her short gown.

Colin Firth (Mr. Darcy, 1995) and wife Livia managed to keep dry on the red carpet. He was nominated for A Single Man.

Caret Mulligan (Kitty Bennet, 2005 & Isabella Thorpe, 2007) brought her mom, and sported a cute hair band. Sadly, she did not win for An Education.

Kate Winslet (Marianne Dashwood, 1996) looked regal and spectacular in an Yves St. Laurent gown. She presented a Golden Globe to Jeff Bridges for Best Actor in Crazy Heart.

And although Emily Blunt (nominated for Young Victoria) has not yet portrayed a Jane Austen character in a film, she is removed by only one degree of separation, having performed opposite Anne Hathaway (Becoming Jane) in The Devil Wears Prada and as Prudie in the Jane Austen Book Club

Addition:
Mention must be made of Janet McTeer, Mrs. Dashwood, 2007, (Thanks Deborah) for HBO's Into the Storm. Unfortunately, I could find no image of her at the Award Ceremony.

Congratulations, Revolutionary Kate Winslet

The sixth time is the charm for Kate Winslet, who won an impressive two Golden Globes on Sunday for ‘Best Actress’ in Revolutionary Road and ‘Best Supporting Actress’ for‘The Reader’. What a singular feat. At the age of 22, she broke the record for the youngest person to receive two Oscar nominations, and at one point tied the record for the most Academy Award nomination for an actress before the age of 30 (she has thus far garnered 5 Oscar nominations). Considered one of the best actresses of her generation, there is absolutely no doubt that Kate will receive many more nominations, wins, and honors in her acting future.


Kate's association with Jane Austen is through her role as Marianne Dashwood in 1995's Sense and Sensibility, for which she received an oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. For my part, her interpretation of Marianne is my favorite.


Read more about Kate's Golden Globe wins at these links:

• Celebrity Gossip

• Kate Winslet: Slider

Posted by Vic, Jane Austen's World

View Sense and Sensibility (1995) on Hulu.com

Watch Sense and Sensibility (1995) instantly on your own computer by streaming video at Hulu.com (US residents only). This stunning, and award winning adaptation of Jane Austen's classic novel stars Kate Winslet and Emma Thompson as the Dashwood sisters, romantic Marianne and pragmatic Elinor. Here is Hulu.com's slightly erroneous description!

Emma Thompson stars in the captivating romance based on Jane Austen's classic novel of two sisters' search for love in strict Victorian society.

Did you catch the slip? Why do people often think that Austen's novels are Victorian? Ack! The future Queen Victoria was born two years after Jane Austen died in 1819, and did not ascend to the thrown until 1837, ushering in the Victorian era. So get a clue, people!

Enjoy the movie. It's FREE

posted by Laurel Ann, Austenprose

Oh, My, Look At These Jane Austen Icons from Kayla Daniels

Inquiring readers: Kayla Daniels sent in 13 lovely icons for the A Walk With Jane Austen contest. The winner will receive an autographed copy of Lori Smith's beautiful journal. By sheer dint of numbers, Kayla is a strong contender. Here, then, are Kayla's icons in the order she sent them!!

1 & 2 Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy

#3-7 Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet
#8-9 Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Bennet
#10 Jena Malone as Lydia Bennet
#11 & 12 Emma Thompson as Elinor Dashwood
#13 Kate Winslet as Marianne Dashwood (To view this icon as you should, click here.)

Remember, you have until November 4th to send in your entries. Response has been such, that second and third place will also receive a prize, to be announced.