Humor in P&P2 and Other Austen Adaptations...

The last part should read,"...particularly and elegantly humorous." Sorry. I'm lame.

In P&P2, I very much enjoy the incidental music played along to scenes with Mr Collins. The bassoon part is so descriptive, and humorous too!

All the "old and young biddies" -hens- characters had feathered hats, ruffly outfits, and/or cackling laughs, clucking voices, etc. in their most irritating scenes (Mrs. Bennet, Aunt Phillips, etc.). This would be ironic humor, I suppose.

Let's move this to Amy2's "Light, Bright" topic when we collapse topics. I like Mrs Bennet's animated hanky.

"Animated Hanky" I like that Amy, cute.

Hey maybe some of our graphic whizzes could really animate a hanky!

The animated hanky also came in to play at Lambton Inn, when Lizzy was crying in front of Darcy. When I first saw it, I immediately thought of Mrs Bennet and was shocked to think that Lizzy had already some of Mrs B's mannerisms!

Don't forget Lydia's snorts. She's got no couth, that one!

Collapse topics...my, what a circus that will be! ;)

The whole area of Mr. collins could keep us busy here for weeks. I liked Kitty running away and hiding form Mr. Collins at the time of his "condolence visit", and peeking in through the window during the visit. Mr. Collins responding to El's sarcastic "How shall I bear the dedprivation (of Lady C's company) as though it were meant seriously: "My poor young cousin..." El telling Maria that she can pack her trunk any way she likes - "Lady C will never know".

I love Mr. Collins descending the stairs humming a religious hymn and then hearing Lydia & Kitty laughing hysterically when L. reveals he caught her in a state of undress!

In Emma, I loved when Mrs Elton (having tea w/ Emma) takes a bite out of a cookie, then puts it back on the tray -- Julie Stevenson (?) does a good job on Mrs E's character. Also in Emma, however, I did not like the slap stick way that Harriet acted when she & Emma called on the poor family w/ soup, etc. In Persuasion, a personal fave is when Anne goes to visit her sister Mary. Mary has been "sick" all day but manages to get up and eat several courses!

In Emma, I loved when Mrs Elton (having tea w/ Emma) takes a bite out of a cookie, then puts it back on the tray -- Julie Stevenson (?) does a good job on Mrs E's character. Also in Emma, however, I did not like the slap stick way that Harriet acted when she & Emma called on the poor family w/ soup, etc. In Persuasion, a personal fave is when Anne goes to visit her sister Mary. Mary has been "sick" all day but manages to get up and eat several courses!

in P&P2; the way that Mrs Bennet keeps on looking at herself in mirros the way Mr Collins has to physically stop himself from gushing on when Lady Catherine speaks again during the first scene in the drawing room at Rosings.

LOL !! I love the scene where Mr. Collins is dancing with Lizzie. When he performs his bow the picture in the background has a horse's rear end right above him... Katherine

]a horse's rear end right above him... in fact that scene had equine rumps all over the place. As someone else pointed out long ago another shares the frame with Darcy whilst he was smirking at Lizzy's discomfort at Mr Collins dancing. This may have been merely an unplanned fortuitous result of the pre-existing decor, but I like it very well indeed. I too found Mrs Elton in Emma2 funny; I also like the aside after the George Knightleys' wedding when she says "very little satin" (paraphase?)

Favorite humorous scenes from P&P2: ---when Georgiana tosses a nosegay into Elizabeth's bosom when Elizabeth and Darcy are leaving the church. (I assume that this was not intentional, but her countenance bears an expression of such wicked glee!) ---when Bingley is shown riding down a lane on his way to the Bennet's to propose--the music seems designed to make this a comic moment (along with his bouncing ride) ---Lydia and Kitty plotting an early morning visit to town in order to hopefully catch Denny undressed

Very likely only some of these were intentional, but I was amused by: *Mary's shoveling in and chewing a dessert item at the ball, in full view behind dancers; *the bees attacking Maria as she & her father were viewing Collins' prized hives and garden; *Caroline's being ignored (or unable to rouse a remark from) by Mr. Hurst when she commented to him about all the Bennets having come; *the two times Charles's "I think" was rudely interrupted by his "polite" relatives; *almost everything Collins did- the hand to the lips to halt his speech near Lady C., and especially the first meal with the Bennets when Mr. Bennet jested about his talent with complimenting ladies (extemp or prewritten)- I loved the way dad and Lizzie passed each other looks and Collins played the straight man!

I like the way the messenger, who comes to Longbourne with the message that Lydia has been found, remounts his horse. I always think that the actor wanted to make his mark and did it deliberately to gain attention.

Do you think Ann that CF ever tried to do that? I would have like to see him try. Like "Berringer" in The Big Chill.

Margaret: "---Lydia and Kitty plotting an early morning visit to town in order to hopefully catch Denny undressed" mmmmmmmmmmmMMMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!!! ;-)

Margaret: "---Lydia and Kitty plotting an early morning visit to town in order to hopefully catch Denny undressed" mmmmmmmmmmmMMMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!!! ;-)

I swear, I did not hit that button twice! Most vexing! I am quite put out! :-(

Cheryl: :::) Being an Emma person, I must say I like the scene in which Emma and Jane do their thing on the pianoforte...Frank's chiming in is amusing, but the best part is when Emma, peering over at Mr. Knightley to gauge his reaction to Jane's performance, is caught by him doing the same thing to her...the smirk on JN's face is priceless, as is Paltrow's instinctual gaze-break and attempted nonchalance...

When Paltrow's Emma is in on her way to town and her chaise's wheel gets stuck among the river rocks, Frank Churchill remarks: "Oh, you'll just have to live here then, Goodbye!" And of course JN's Mr Knightley's line: "Try not to kill my dogs!"

RE funny lines from Emma adaptation -- and neither was in the book. And both were in the promo. Something about that bugged me. Like when a nonaddicted friend recently said her fave part of Persuasion was Capt Wentworth's public request for Anne's hand. Why should this be. I don't understand why it bugs me. It's like, alright, changing things for adaptations is okay if it is in the spirit of JA --- but don't anybody dare like that material above all. You know?

Amy, YIKES! That public asking for Ann's hand is a very jarring note for me in a movie that I otherwise think is absolutely wonderful. Jane

Amy, I have never understood that scene. If they had to make it public I wish at least they had allowed us to see the reaction of more people. Then it would have made more sence. Mich

Amy: I don't understand why it bugs me. I think what bugs me about this is that people are accepting the adaption as the work of Jane Austen. A completely erroneous interpretation. I want always want to see the adaptation interpreted in light of the original.

]the adaption as the work of Jane Austen. A completely erroneous interpretation. shades of the deplorable M!

Despite, the asking for the hand, I think that Persuasion was probably more true to the novel than most of the other adaptations. I loved it. A funny scene (which is from the book) is when everyone confides to Anne their complaints about each other (Mary's complains about her in-laws, her in-laws complain about here...). In P&P2, I find ample source of humour in Lady Catherine's dialog. As in "it seems to me you have a pretty little sort of wilderness..." Blah, I can't remember exactly. Also in Mrs. Phillips, after Lydia elopes and she's explaining Wickham's seductions, intrigues, etc.

"The whole area of Mr. collins could keep us busy here for weeks." Oh, indeed. I love the way he sidles up to the piano at the Netherfield ball, only to be forestalled (mercifully) by Louisa Hurst. In Persuasion2, I love the sequence in which Anne is visiting the Musgroves and has to put up with each member of the family complaining, one after the other, about how much they have to suffer from all the others. And in S&S2, of course, the scene where Margaret breaks the awkward silence surrounding Edward's sudden reappearance (they think he's married Lucy) by remarking on the weather. No, that wasn't in the book. But right after that, when Elinor bursts into tears--that's funny, too. It's not funny in the book but it is in the movie, I think because we all share her relief and joy.

The ending of Persuasion: Maybe the announcement at thge party was to give Sir Walter an opportunity to show his ass in front of all his "friends" with his comment: "Anne??. Whatever for??" Remember, in the book, his 'public manners' were usually perfect. I agree that we should have seen the reactions of more of the characters to justify this 'ensemble' scene.

The ending of Persuasion: Maybe the announcement at thge party was to give Sir Walter an opportunity to show his ass in front of all his "friends" with his comment: "Anne??. Whatever for??" Remember, in the book, his 'public manners' were usually perfect. I agree that we should have seen the reactions of more of the characters to justify this 'ensemble' scene.

"the way Mr Collins has to physically stop himself from gushing on when Lady Catherine speaks again during the first scene in the drawing room at Rosings." - This hand to the mouth has become standard in our house - can you imagine trying to tick off your kid and they do that to you????! cracks me up every time. " changing things for adaptations is okay if it is in the spirit of JA --- but don't anybody dare like that material above all.' Exactly.

] - This hand to the mouth has become standard in our house - ___ We do that too, Hil! We should think of a good name for it. I've been calling it the "Shushing Himself" gesture, but there must be something better, funnier.

lip-finger?

Does Mr Collins make a symbolic gesture of sucking his thumb at these times? ;-) Oh the Psychological ramifications of gestures in P&P2! Debaucheries, seductions, intrigues...

Ian, you may be right about the thumbsucking. (Shall have to watch again.) I wondered if his thumb were ever farther up- at nose level- so it could be an even subtler Shakespearean flippant response to Lady C.'s cutting him off! (And all the while he seems so nice and sycophantic!) ;-)

I agree about being annoyed by the Wentworth announcement scene -- I really felt the movie Persuasion fell apart at the end, with that scene, and introducing stuff from the inferior cancelled chapter, and a bogus sub-plot about Mr. Elliot being after Sir Walter's money (what money?), and not even getting the concert scene right (benches, not chairs)... It's a pity they felt they had to spice up the ending with some bogus melodrama... I will freely admit that they captured the spirit of Mary Musgrove, however ;-)

I'm with all of you in my cringing at the penultimate scene in PERSUASION. It just so violates the spirit of Austen that I couldn't believe it. And I thought the rest of the film tried to be pretty darned faithful to the period too. Oh well.

Actually I did not cringe over the end. It was 'un-Asuten' only in that Austen would have had each character deal with this burst of knowledge in their separate rooms and ways. She always had her ensemble ending - she just did not collect all her characters together in one room for it. I rather liked this announcement at the card party. I wanted Anne to have that single moment of astonish everyone at the same time.

Katy, I have to admit I liked the idea of Anne getting her moment too. But I still can't come to terms with JA's ending being so altered. It just doesn't seem right. Otherwise I love the movie too, prefer it to S&S.

But Katy, WHY would Capt. Wentworth have had any motivation to make a public scene over announcing Anne's engagment???? All he could do in elevating Anne's standing (inside and outside her family) he would do simply by becoming engaged to her and marrying her; it was not necessary or desirable for him to make a fool of himself in this way...

The theatre trailer for Emma had some deliberately midleading elements, if I remember correctly...aside from the lines/scenes that weren't in the book...

Maybe this is not the best place to post this item - but none of the threads seemed very close and this is the most recent 'near-fit'. We have been discussing duelling on austen-l recently and Dorothy Willis posted this interesting note about Darcy's description of the near-elopment between Georgiana and Mr. Wickham: Another note about duelling: I had always supposed that Mr. Darcy's words, "I wrote to Mr. Wickham, who left the place in consequence." meant that he had sent him a challenge and Wickham had been a coward and not answered it. I can't quote sources, but in several novels I've read that was what was meant by a man "writing to" another under such circumstances. Dorothy Willis Redding, CA

Amy, I agree we should think of a funnier name, but I haven't come up with one yet! 'Lip-finger' doesn't seem quite right, Anna. I shall work on it!

Scenes in P&P2 which always cause me to laugh out loud: 1) The secene after the Meryton Assembly where Lizzy assures her mother...."I promise you never to dance with him (i.e. Mr Darcy)" Not only will she dance with him, but will end up

as his wife 2) The piano scene at Rosings where Lizzy puts Darcy's feet to the fire by her bringing up his "shocking" behavior at the Meryton Assembly. Both of these scenes are so funny to some one who has seen them many times because we know the outcome will be marriage and a happy life ever after.

re 138:45 WHY would Capt. Wentworth have had any motivation to make a public scene By his reaction to Lady Russel (and seen through the director's eyes), I would dare say : sheer resentment and defiance.

Hey, this is cinema...the people who made the movie probably thought it would make for a more satisfying scene...

Yep, it's cinema all right -- stoopid cinema! (Excuse my curmudgeonliness on this topic, but the scene really makes no sense...)

Lady Russsell wasn't at the evening party, anyhow. I think they thought they needed a "surprise" type ending. I didn't like it either,but I didn't think that the Capt. made a fool of himself.He is generally a tell-it-like-it-is kind of guy.It wasn't really out of character. Yes there wasn't any money but there was property and a title. I am still a bit confused by young Mr. Elliot's ploy to stop Mr. Elliot from marring anyone including Mr. Clay

] I didn't like it either,but I didn't think that the Capt. made a fool of himself. __ I didn't like that they changed the story for the movie, but I did like the moment on its own. I would like to think that the Captain's soul motivation was to please Anne by showing he was proud to make the announcement public. (Kind of the opposite of being ashamed of her?)

Amy, I also liked Persuasion much better than Emma Thompson's S&S. To me, the latter was a bloated star-driven vehicle that didn't do much justice to Austen. Sorry to all the fans out there.

I didn't really mind that the filmmakers sort of disassembled various parts of Sense and Sensibility and reassembled them in different ways for the movie, because Sense and Sensibility was Jane Austen's first published novel, and it shows in some ways. I basically knew nothing about the "stars" of the movie before I saw it, so my opinion wasn't influenced in that way...

That film just did nothing for me -- I'm not sure why. To me, it was all about showcasing Emma Thompson & how wonderful she was. Re: Humor in Austen -- one of my favorites -- in NORTHANGER ABBEY, when the heroine is expecting to find some romantic icon in the bureau drawer, and comes up with an old laundry list!

My favorite humorous scenes: -in P&P2-any scene with Alison Steadman. Most notably, the bedridden Mr Bennet's wide-eyed shock at Mr Wickam's dealings(Oh, Sister, Oh Sister stop)and upon learning of Lydia's elopement-Mr. Bennett are we to be murdered in are beds? WE are all ruined! I also loved the way she flew down the hall, curlpapers and all, -He is here Jane, he is here. Hill! Five more minutes will do the trick. I konw none of these scenes are in the novel but Alison Steadman gleefully made the most of the additions. -in Emma, I loved the scene at the Westons' Christmas party when Mr Elton sits between Knightley and Emma. The look on JN's face when Mr E promises to look after his dear sister-in-law is wonderful!

I just read Katy Kendall's comment re Darcy's comment in his letter about "writing to Wickham" was really a challenge to a duel. I have never read that interpretation before and have not seen it in any of the critical essays that I have read. Anybody have more information on this? What kind of a duel would it have been at that time--swords? No wonder Darcy is practicing fencing in the movie.

According to the folks on the Austen-L, the duel would have been with inaccurate pistols, thus decreasing the likelihood of injury. It was also illegal, and if someone had been killed, the survivor would face a charge of manslaughter or murder.

Speaking of dueling, and Hugh Grant playing the same role over and over; has anyone seen Impromptu, where he played the role of Chopin, and very well, indeed? This ends with a botched pistol duel.

I loved Impromptu. Anybody see the BBC series about Sands? What a character she was herself!

Sands: Only writer I've ever read a biography about but never read the work.

I've seen Impromptu, Mari. Amusing movie, offbeat, funny. Judy Davis was terrific as Georges Sand (she's terrific in everything). If Hugh Grant is going to do his stammering, head-hanging number, he should at least do it with a Polish accent and breeches. Interesting cast--Emma Thompson and Mandy Pantinkin were in it too.

Well, he was not performing one of his cutsy roles as Meredith Potter in An Awfully Big Adventure . That was one comedy that did'nt make me laugh. On the other hand Alan Rickman portrayal was down right touching too say the least.

Sands: Only writer I've ever read a biography about but never read the work. -Amy Good Grief Amy! You have another secret twin! I read her bio during a two year stretch where I only read bios (mostly of non-writing personages), and never went back to read any of her own work. Now, where did I put that reading list.... Anne3 - loved Judy Davis; have you seen in her anything else you can recommend? I agree wholeheartedly with the 'prescription' for Mr. Grant's future performances; perhaps we should fire off a memo to his agent:)

You're right, Johanne--An Awfully Big Adventure showed that Grant can really act when he wants to. But his choice of roles in recent years indicates that he'd rather present a certain unvarying persona to the audience again and again--charming, sexy, bumbling. It's too bad that he'd rather be a celebrity than an actor.

Mari--try to find The Ref with Davis and Kevin Spacey. It's a comedy about an escaped convict who holds a married couple hostage in their home and is driven crazy by their constant bickering. Hilarious! And Woody Allen's Husbands and Wives--Davis is great playing repressed characters who are forced out of their shell (as she did in Where Angels Fear to Tread). Have you seen A Passage to India? Great movie!

Georges Sand is great, but very much feminist seldgehammer propaganda type stuff. Impassioned. No subtlety there. Jane Austen makes her look like a dated relic.

I guess I have always been put off Sands a little by reports that she tended to dash things off -- but she is not the only writer in the history of the world who has done that.

#69 I, too got a kick out The Ref. I'd say the first 1/2 hour is the funniest; it bogged down some after that. But I laughed so hard in the beginning.

Re: Response 67--Mari asks hav e you seen Judy Davis in any othr movies you can recc? I think her best is one of her first--My Brilliant Career. It also stars Sam Neill in one of his best roles. A must-see.

Maud and gang, thanks for the recommendations. I am also a Sam Neill fan, so I don't know how I missed My Brilliant Career. Amy, Cheryl, are you listening? Sam Neill in drool, if you please. ;)

Mari - thank goodness I'm not the only one who'd like to drool over Sam Neill. I can't remember who it was in chat who wouldn't believe I was serious in thinking that he is drool-worthy!

Oh, yes indeed. He has that warm, comfortable presence that makes you feel that you could trust him with anything.

This could also go in the drool topic, but in response to Saman in R75 writing that someone in the chat room..."wouldn't believe...he is drool- worthy!" Did that person see "Reilly, Ace of Spys". He was terrific--very attractive IMO and with an attitude that just made him more attractive. Too bad he hasn't had (chosen?) that caliber of material since.

Sam Neill, huh? Ok.... ;-)

There was an interesting article about Georges Sand in the Smithsonian magazine a few months ago...it said that she would sit down and write an entire novel in a vacation period. I don't know how she could stand being in such close proximity with the same piece of work day in, day out, for such a short period of time... Which Sand works have you read, Amy? Which ones did you like best? I read Indiana (supposedly her best) and Marianne. Indiana was interesting, but I wasn't thrilled with Marianne...it was pretty uneventful for such a passionate writer... --- Boy, have we gotten off topic here!

re #60 (=/-) and dueling. I would also like to learn a little more about this facet of life in that era. Mrs. Bennett expresses great feat and anxiety over Mr. Bennett 'fighting' Wickham after he and Lydia elope. I have always been puzzled by her references and supposed she meant a pistol duel, but I'm really not sure. Any ideas (broad stretch to humor in P&P2, sorry..)

Oops! Make that 'fear' and anxiety.

Moved from the related JA wit topic, now archived. I suppose this topic could be about wit in the adaptations and the novels. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 87 of 192 [austen]: Light, Bright Sparkling -- Wit In P &P Response 94 of 97: Candace (candace) * Sat, Feb 1, 1997 (03:12) * 5 lines I just finally got around to reading Mansfield Park, and on the very first page is a statement which I found so delightful. It seems to be an answer to our own much loved phase from P&P "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." here it is..."But there certainly are not so many men of large fortune in the world, as there are pretty women to deserve them." I just got such a kick out of this, I had to share it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 87 of 192 [austen]: Light, Bright Sparkling -- Wit In P &P Response 95 of 97: Susan Christie (Susan) * Sun, Feb 2, 1997 (01:27) * 1 lines Perfect! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 87 of 192 [austen]: Light, Bright Sparkling -- Wit In P &P Response 96 of 97: ayelet dahan (ayelet) * Mon, Feb 3, 1997 (23:01) * 1 lines Perfectly Harmonic! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 87 of 192 [austen]: Light, Bright Sparkling -- Wit In P &P Response 97 of 97: Kali Pappas (Kali) * Fri, Feb 14, 1997 (07:25) * 3 lines This is not witty per se, but it does represent the wit of the writer: Our first glimpse of Mr. Collins, standing outside the church, seeing off the parisioners. One woman stands there, chatting incessantly to him...Lady Catherine and her entourage, parasol held above her and Anne, approach the door, and Mr. Collins pushes the talkative woman along on her way, to make room for them.

One of my favorite bits is not really wit either. It is during Mr. Collins' "The death of your sister..." speech and Jane places her hand on Lizzy to keep her from go at Mr. Collins.

I loved the beginning of Emma3 - when Mr. Woodhouse talks of losing hens and Miss Taylor in the same breath. I liked the servants standing near Mrs. Elton to move her little kneeling cushions for her during the strawberry picking scene.

when Mr. Woodhouse talks of losing hens and Miss Taylor in the same breath. I liked that, too, Katy. BTW, I've been enjoying your posts on Austen-L. I may delurk soon.

Did anyone notice Mary Bennet's anticipation of Mr Collin's asking her hand for the first 2 dances for the Netherfield ball. She appeared to have been consulting Mr Collins on something when Mrs Bennet remarked that he was also invited by Bingley. Lizzy was sitting there too and obviously the one honoured with Mr Collin's request. Poor Mary, her facial and body expression was priceless.

Mary looked smitten with Mr. Collins all through the time he spent at Longbourn. I thought she was the only one who approved of him during his first dinner there, then later she asked his advice about the sermons she was reading - then wanting to be asked to dance. Yes, those two would have made a great match!! Each one more pompous and pedantic than the other!! Now there's a subject for a good fiction story - what if Mary had married Mr. Collins. I shudder at the thought!!