Mad Men Vs The Hour

Mad Men

The Hour

I think TV is about to get interesting....

I am in Singapore and not even I can escape the lure of another vintage style drama set in 1950s Britain. 

The Hour looks set to be a great BBC drama with Hollywood heavyweights like Dominic West (The Wire) leading the cast, what can go wrong? 

Of course you simply cannot mention the 50s without Mad Men coming up into conversation, it seems Mad Men has become the "50s" which is crazy as it is set in 1960, based in a Manhattan ad agency and features housewives who look like they are stepping onto a catwalk not a kitchen. Whereas The Hour is set in the UK, set in 1956 when rationing was dying out, based in a TV news station and features women who ARE trying to work in a man's world. Confused? 

Mad Men

The Hour

Too similar? Can't wait? I will definitely try and watch - mainly for the fashion and accessories, but hopefully I shall stay for the drama, cast and authenticity to the era. You know they have only just begun filming series 5 of Mad Men, we may as well enjoy ourselves whilst we wait no?

Don Draper or Hector Madden?

Don't make me choose...

1950s Fashion & A Passionate Woman

1950s fashion? Billie Piper? A tale of love? BBC1 you have my attention!

'A Passionate Woman' by Kay Mellor has been adapted for our TV viewing pleasure and is currently being screened on BBC1 on a Sunday night. I only heard about this a week ago and that was only because I was being nosey and reading over a strangers shoulder. Now you know I love all things fifties, but I am also a huge Billie Piper fan so I have been really looking forward to this adaptation and I have high expectations. It was even better than I had hoped. Did you see it? I missed it, but the lovely Laura over at Love Miss Daisy reminded me today and I was straight on the BBC iplayer so I did not miss out and I saw the first part in all it's fabulous fifties glory. 

The tale of Kay Mellor's 'A Passionate Woman' follows Betty who is a housewife and mother who has her world turned upside down when she meets Craze, a polish man who asks her to dance at the local dance hall. The first part shows a young Betty in the 1950s played by Billie Piper. Betty meets and falls in love with Craze and begins an affair to remember. The second part will follow Betty as she deals with the consequences of her fling 30 years later when Betty will be played by Sue Johnston. The story is really moving and even more so because every word, action and feeling is true. You can read Kay Mellor's inspiration behind 'A Passionate Woman' on the BBC blog. Just make sure you have a hankerchief...or at least a shoulder to cry on.

Not only is the story line, eye candy (Theo James swoon) and acting excellent, but the fifties fashion is wonderful. It is a whole 90 minute visual vintage clothing feast for the eyes. Starting with Betty's (Billie) yellow dress. Her one and only 'best' dress that she wears every Friday to the dance hall. Betty also sports an amazing blue velvet jacket with exaggerated shoulders which she teams with a floral tea dress and matching white gloves. C-U-T-E.

If you missed the first part please do not worry you can watch it on the BBC iplayer by clicking HERE. The second part of 'A Passionate Woman' will be on BBC1 at 9pm.