Upstairs and Downstairs 1959
"m-m-m-m-Mylene's m-m-m-m-Marvelous!"
Ralph Thomas's sparkling 1959 British comedy Upstairs and Downstairs spins domestic chaos into hilarious gold as Richard, a newlywed whose father-in-law insists on live-in help, quickly discovers that good servants are harder to find than a quiet weekend.
Director: Ralph Thomas
Cast
Michael Craig
Richard Barry
Anne Heywood
Kate Barry
Mylène Demongeot
Ingrid
Claudia Cardinale
Maria
Barbara Steele
Mary
James Robertson Justice
James Mansfield
Eric Pohlmann
Mario
Joan Hickson
Rosemary
Joan Sims
Blodwen
Marie Devereux
Italian Hotel Maid (uncredited)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Upstairs and Downstairs (1959) about?
This 1959 British comedy follows Richard, who marries his boss's daughter and follows the elder's advice to hire a live-in maid. Chaos ensues as his household becomes a revolving door for eccentric characters, from a boozy housekeeper to an Italian guest who transforms the house into a lively social hub. When a no-nonsense Swedish au pair arrives, she brings order—until fresh complications turn his domestic bliss upside down.
Who directed Upstairs and Downstairs?
Ralph Thomas directed this lively British comedy, known for his work in mid-century comedies and dramas that blend wit with everyday situations.
Who stars in Upstairs and Downstairs?
The film features Michael Craig, Anne Heywood, Mylène Demongeot, Claudia Cardinale, and Barbara Steele, supported by James Robertson Justice.
Is Upstairs and Downstairs (1959) worth watching?
Though unrated on IMDb, the film's blend of farce, cheeky humor, and a spirited cast makes it a charming period comedy worth revisiting. Fans of classic British comedies or lighthearted marital misadventures will find plenty to enjoy in its witty script and buoyant tone.
How long is Upstairs and Downstairs?
The film runs for 101 minutes, offering a brisk, entertaining runtime packed with laughs and mishaps.
🎥 Trailer
Upstairs and Downstairs (1959) — A British Comedy Classic Full of Domestic Mayhem
Ralph Thomas's sparkling 1959 British comedy Upstairs and Downstairs spins domestic chaos into hilarious gold as Richard, a newlywed whose father-in-law insists on live-in help, quickly discovers that good servants are harder to find than a quiet weekend. Between dodging a tipsy housekeeper, fending off a bank robber who mistakes his home for a getaway, and watching an Italian guest turn his tidy household into party central, Richard's marriage and sanity teeter on the brink. When the pragmatic Swedish au pair Ingrid arrives, she brings order—until her arrival kicks off a new round of misunderstandings that push every boundary, from social to marital.
With a playful wink at class divides and the surprises of married life, Upstairs and Downstairs brims with mistaken identities, culture clashes, and enough farcical mishaps to fill a West End revue. Thomas's direction keeps the energy buoyant, while the ensemble cast delivers rapid-fire quips and slapstick charm that make every scene a delightful tangle of upstairs privilege and downstairs pandemonium.
