I enjoy watching and re-watching the Miss Marple movies with Geraldine McEwan more than any other version...but I think some of you may have preferred Joan Hickson or Julie McKenzie instead? It really doesn't matter, but I would be interested to know your favourite.
In Murder at the Vicarage, the vicar's wife Griselda loves hats, and has many beautiful ones to choose from.
In fact, in every Marple movie (they were set in the 1950's) all women wore a hat.
I have often pondered with Blossom our combined love of these movies, and how we never, ever, tire of them...and you know, it's all about the little English villages, the flower fronted cottages, the afternoon cups of tea and scones or cake, hats and dresses, and the homes. We are very much drawn to the very simple, ordinary life which is portrayed by everyday people in many of these movies.
My Nana wore hats, though we rarely took photos 'back in the day' as we did not have a camera, but I do have this one from the mid 1950's of her and Pop.
And this is a photo of my mum, aged 19 (1960) at a family wedding, and me at that same wedding a little later when mum took off her hat and placed it on me. (((my favourite pics to remember her by)))
Blossom loves hats, and has one of those heads that really suits them! Here's an old photo of her (aged 20) from 2014 when we tried on all sorts of dress-up hats one day at Spotlight.
And this trend carried on with her daughters Cully May and Rafaella, who also like trying on headwear at Spotlight! This is a photo from 2019...
Now all this hat stuff today was to explain why there's a hat in this month's free pattern for my Joy in the Ordinary BOM!
I was thinking about Griselda's hats when I watched Murder at the Vicarage for the umpteenth time last month, and well, it inspired me. Hope you like it. Thought I'd add the phrase too, as it has always been my intention to have it displayed somewhere on this small quilt before we finished it.
Do you wear hats?? Do you have childhood memories of hat wearing women? I only wear one for gardening these days, but to slip back into the 1950's would be such a treat if I could wear those lovely dresses and a pretty hat like Griselda's.
Use the link below to download the free pattern.
If you missed the previous four blocks you will find them HERE
Now I'd best be away and water my garden. Barefoot. It's a wonderful thing to walk in the grass, don't you think? God bless and have a wonderful first week of May!
hugs
Don't miss out on any Elefantz news or free patterns.
Subscribe to my blog posts HERE and receive them direct to your email inbox.
Or sign up HERE for my free newsletter which often has extra benefits, freebies & tutorials!
31 comments:
Oh definitely Joan Hickson every time! And David Suchet is the best Poirot.
Lovely family hat photos Jennifer, thank you for them.
I loved Joan Hickson although each of the ladies have been wonderful and as you say the clothes are beautiful too.
Love to you & your family. Gid bless.
Hi Jennifer,
Thanks for the stitchery .
BBC First sometimes show Miss Marple.
I thought Midsomer murders was mid summer murders for the longest time. Now the newest season is on BBC First. There's a few murders per 2 part series !
hugs, take care,
Joanne
I have never watched a Miss Marple movie, but you have me curious and I'll be watching one soon. I do remember my mom and Grandmother wearing hats. They also wore gloves. I do miss those days also. It seems like it was a much gentler life back then. I also wanted to say thank you for all the encouragement Jennifer. Your posts always brighten my day.
Oh dear Jennifer, I still feel some sort of connection with you with each post I read. I, too love watching and re-watching all the Miss Marples. My favorite is Margaret Rutherford, who did several funny movies back in the 1960s. But I agree with you, I really enjoy Geraldine McEwan's version best. To me, she brings a bit of fun and a different side to Miss Jane Marple.
Joan Hickson is my least favorite, before I get flamed, let me explain. I have watched all the Marple's one can, and I even have recently re-watched the Joan Hickson series, they are very dry and dull. After seeing the McEwan/McKenzie ones, the Hickson ones seem so lifeless and no emotion in them at all. Again, just my opinion.
I also enjoyed the scene with Griselda's hats. My daughter's and I have watched that scene many times and we always talk about which hat we would've chosen. My dear Grandma was born in 1902, she kept all the hats she wore from the 30s & 40s. At Easter time, for all of us granddaughter's, our "Easter basket" was always one of her old hats. Mine was always a little pillbox styled navy blue woven straw hat with netting and a sprinkle of flowers. Sadly, when she passed away, one of my cousins grabbed the box of hats.
A bit of fun trivia is that in the 1961 move, Murder She Said, starring Margaret Rutherford as Miss Marple, it also starred a younger future Miss Marple,Joan Hickson as a maid, Mrs. Kidder.
I did not mean to write a novel. Thank you for a fun stitchery and the story. I truly enjoyed it! Kathy from Indiana, USA
Lovely stitchery Jennifer, thank you. Yes, I love hats but somehow they don't love me! Definitely Joan Hickson. xx
Lovely stitchery Jennifer, thank you. Yes, I love hats but somehow they don't love me! Definitely Joan Hickson. xx
I agree with you about my favorite Miss Marple! What a joy to watch her and see the lovely villages.
I remember when I was probably from age 4 to 10 my sister and I would get a new dress and hat for Easter to wear to church. I don't recall wearing the hat at any other time except to church.
Hi Jennifer. Love the pictures. Your Mom is very pretty, and the picture of you is adorable!
My Mother wore a hat every once and awhile, and usually gloves. Also, both of my grandmother’s.
Margaret Rutherford is the only Miss Marple I have seen, and she is fun to watch. I love seeing the English village life.
Thank you for all the things you share. I look forward to each new post. You are a blessing to me. I am praying for you and your family.
Jennifer, you look so much like your grandmother and your granddaughters so much like Blossom. I’m not so much of a hat person but I love a sweet summer straw one with a ribbon around it. I wear it when we walk. I feel so feminine in it even with jeans and a tee. My grandmother and mother wore hats to church all the time when I was a kid. My daughter has several of her hats and hat boxes that she doesn’t wear but displays.
Like you, I'm a fan of Geraldine McEwan. I have watched them many times and never tire of her protrail of Miss Marple. In 2008 I belonged to a knitting group and we tried to figure out the patterns to all Miss Marple's knitted clothing items. So fun! I'm a canner and I made some Damson Gin for a Miss Marple party our knitting group had.
Thank you for your inspiring blog and beautiful needlework.
Hugs,
Shannon
Dear Jennifer,
Your posts bring such joy and encouragement to my days. I think that if we lived close to each other, we would be great companions. Your interests so echo mine! I am a fan of Miss Marple also. And yes, I think I am drawn to watching series that depict a time of family and fun as well as the struggles that go with life - but all are presented in a way that encourages. Now, hats - how fun - and each hat has its own personality - just like people :)
Hugs and Hugs,
Blessings to you and yours,
Roxanne
Dear Jennifer,
Your posts bring such joy and encouragement to my days. I think that if we lived close to each other, we would be great companions. Your interests so echo mine! I am a fan of Miss Marple also. And yes, I think I am drawn to watching series that depict a time of family and fun as well as the struggles that go with life - but all are presented in a way that encourages. Now, hats - how fun - and each hat has its own personality - just like people :)
Hugs and Hugs,
Blessings to you and yours,
Roxanne
Lovely post. I love hats also but I don't have any occasions to wear them.
Joan Hickson is my favorite Miss Marple. I think because she is the first one I saw. Have you ever seen the early movies with Margaret Rutherford as Miss Marple? They are Murder Ahoy 1964, Murder Most Foul 1964, Murder at the Gallop 1963, and Murder She Said 1961.
Have a wonderful weekend coming up and give Molly a big hug! Cynthia
Hello Jennifer, what a special column today! I grew up in the generation where you wore hats and absolutely on Easter with a new dress, shoes and white gloves. The pictures of your girls are delightful. Thanks for sharing! Gail
I have never watched Miss Marple but I plan to watch over the weekend as a treat for myself. Seeing the hats and dresses makes me want to visit the local consignment shops and look for a "feel pretty" dress and maybe if I am lucky, a hat . Last week, I was at the AQS quilt show in Paducah, Kentucky and a woman came by wearing a gorgeous white dress with a red rose design . She looked so happy as she sash-shayed by flashing her deep red crinoline!!! Her smile was contagious
Ciao, very nice post today. I can't say who is my favourite Miss Marple but I say that I love Mrs MC Cathy of Father Brown.
As for my childhood , then there where a few old women at my village who used still to put on a shawl or a headscarf.
Thank you for let me dream every time I read your posts.
Big hug,
Miriam
My mother was not a hat person, but I remember that older ladies always wore them on a special occasion, such as a church fete. I grew up watching Margaret Rutherford, so she holds a special place in my affections, although I think Joan Hickson is the most authentic Miss Marple. I once had a neighbour who grew up in the village where Margaret Rutherford and her husband Stringer Davis (who played her sidekick in the films) lived. Stringer would cycle to the pub for a pint and she would walk there, have a drink and walk him back home, probably to make sure that he didn't have one too many and fall off! It makes me smile whenever I think of it.
Growing up, I don't remember anyone wearing hats. Late 50's through now. I wonder why? Anyway, I thought your post was interesting since one of my grand daughters is making me a crochet hat in yellow. Not sure how it will turn out but how could I not wear it? :-) The only hat I wear is a baseball style hat from when I was in the Navy or my quilting one.
And can you believe I've never seen a Miss Marple movie? Where have I been? LOL!
Blessings!
Growing up, I don't remember anyone wearing hats. Late 50's through now. I wonder why? Anyway, I thought your post was interesting since one of my grand daughters is making me a crochet hat in yellow. Not sure how it will turn out but how could I not wear it? :-) The only hat I wear is a baseball style hat from when I was in the Navy or my quilting one.
And can you believe I've never seen a Miss Marple movie? Where have I been? LOL!
Blessings!
Joan Hickson is my favorite Miss Marple. I love those stories too, Jennifer. I am a huge Anglophile. I’ve always loved stories set in England, possibly because I so loved Mary Poppins growing up. I imagined living with the Banks family! England just has a pull on my heart.
I grew up in the Episcopal church and wearing a hat was a requirement! That all changed when Jackie Kennedy favored the lace head scarf and that became my head covering for church. Now few of us wears hats to church. Life has become so very informal.
I think you are right about the Miss Marple stories. Those English villages with their beautiful gardens and fences and parlors and teatimes remind us of simpler lives, even in the midst of murders!!!!!
Dear sweet Jennifer, you have been such a great blessing in my life over the years, I strive to be better and sometimes the struggle is more real than I can handle but I always remember your gentle kind words and somehow that and prayers get me thru. I am just getting ready to start the Joy of the Ordinary BOM and absolutely love the fabrics you are using. Are they from your stash or is it a new collection that you can share with us? Also what size with the finished wall quilt end up being? Thanks so much for your wonderful patterns and words,
Lisa (from Texas)
Hello Lisa :-)
I rarely buy new fabrics. The pieces from my new BOM are all scraps from my stash, some dating back more than 12 or 13 years. The finished quilt info is on page 2 of every free BOM pattern. :-)
Love Miss Marple & it's got to be Geraldine McEwan. She's the best. :)
My favourite Miss Marple is Joan Hickson, who was the choice of Agatha Christie herself. Several years ago I visited the village where the series was filmed in the 1980s and had my photo taken outside Miss Marple's cottage. I love all the various adaptations of the books and the actresses playing the role. They all bring something different to the part. Hats were still definitely a thing in the 1950s particularly for church but went out of favour in the swinging 60s in the UK.
Thank you for your blog posts and letting us have this lovely peek into your life.
Oh Joan Hickson by far - she always seems most like the book Miss Marple to me. And I have been reading the books since I was 8 years old, lol! I enjoy Geraldine but she's not how I always saw her in my mind, reading the books.
I too love hats, and used to wear them all the time. I adore the pics of your mum, and her hat on you, how precious and priceless of a memory is that!! You're adorable, and mum is stunning. Blossom could be a hat model, you're right about her having the head for them. Looks like her girls do too!
LOVE the hat block, very appropriate, depicted beautifully, thank you love!
I liked Joan Hickson the best. Even Agatha liked her the best according to one of the one of the reviews of Agatha Christie on TV.
The old town you showed us today reminds me so much of the show with Phyrne(? Spelling) Fisher. Maybe it was filmed --- Robin K.
i don't watch TV - never have, really. I certainly have memories of hats, but I detested them - I worn one fancy 'dress' hat only one or twice - even when I was only 7 ot 8, I would take off my sun hat... school uniform hats were an anathema to me! I do wear a cap or hat when gardening now, but don't necessarily enjoy it - it is more a necessity as my fair skin is now showing the ravages of too much sun when a child...
Blessings
Maxine
I really love Geraldine McEwen and Julia McKenzie’s portrayals of Miss Marple. I recently watched the Joan Hickson episodes on Britbox and thought she was very good, but that the stories took way too long and were not as interesting as the later versions. I understand that they were probably more accurate to the novels, but really could have done with some editing. The later versions really look like the 1950’s! Beautiful interiors and fabulous hats and costumes. I am rewatching the episodes now and thoroughly enjoying them. As my late mother said, “People really knew how to dress back then!” Much love to you, Jennie❤️❤️
Post a Comment