Backstairs at the White House

This mini-series needs to be shown in all schools as well as homes during family viewing.

This was one of the BEST shows ever done and I can not wait until November when it gets released on DVD.

It would be nice to have commentaries by the actors who are still living included in the set.

After this series, there never has been another one that is even close to the class of Backstairs at the White House. This series was so fantastic on so many levels and yet, you never got bored ... on the contrary, you couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next.

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!

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.

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.

Outstanding. Superlative. Out of this world. No other words seem adequate regarding this magnificent series.

I am a retired social studies teacher. This series would have been so perfect for my grade 8 history students. It was so rich in history and personal emotions.

As far as the Emmy awards go,Backstairs should have tied with Roots for the best mini-series of the season.

The acting was outstanding. Robert Vaughn brought the perfect touch to Woodrow Wilson. Whoever thought that the character of Florence Harding, who died in 1924, under mysterious conditions was so interesting? Celeste Holm was simply memorable as Mrs. Harding. Eileen Heckart was memorable as Eleanor Roosevelt. Lee Grant brought the perfect touch to Grace Coolidge. Julie Harris set the tone as Nellie Taft.

Actresses Olivia Cole and Leslie Uggams, in a totally non-singing role, were just fabulous as the mother and daughter who worked for so many years at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

This is another Best Years Of Our Lives.

We all realize the sacrifices that were made during the extremely informative period of history. We are also shown that the White House was a scene of constant tragedy mixed with a total triumph of the human spirit.

We need more series of this quality.