"Backstairs at the White House" (1979) (mini)TV mini-series

Director:

Michael O'Herlihy

Writers:

Lillian Rogers Parks (book) &
Frances Spatz Leighton (book) ...

Release Date:

29 January 1979 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | History

Plot:

Behind the scenes at the White House during eight administrations, as told by the people who work there.

Plot Keywords:

Usher | Mother Daughter | Maid | Housekeeper | John F Kennedy

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 10 nominations

Cast

Olivia Cole	...	Maggie Rogers
Leslie Uggams	...	Lillian Rogers Parks
Louis Gossett Jr.	...	Levi Mercer
Robert Hooks	...	John Mays
Leslie Nielsen	...	Ike Hoover
Cloris Leachman	...	Mrs. Jaffray
Hari Rhodes	...	Butler Coates
Paul Winfield	...	Emmett Rogers Sr
Julie Harris	...	Helen 'Nellie' Taft
Bill Overton	...	Doorman Jackson
Victor Buono	...	President William Howard Taft
David Downing	...	Butler Dixon
Helena Carroll	...	First Maid Annie Gilhooley
Robert Vaughn	...	President Woodrow Wilson
Kim Hunter	...	Ellen Wilson

Runtime:

540 min (4 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Ed Friendly Productions

Trivia:

Olivia Cole, who played the role of Maggie Rogers, is less than a year older than Leslie Uggams, who played the role of her adult daughter, Lillian Rogers Parks. In ‘Roots’ (1976), Leslie Uggams played Oliva Cole's mother.

Great Series

This was a wonderful mini-series. I too, am puzzled as to why this was never released on video in one form or another. It was very popular when it was run on television. If you have not read the book, I highly recommend both of them, they are excellent. There are two out there, the one that Mrs. Parks wrote and one Gwen Bagini(?) and Mrs. Parks collaborated on that went along with the mini-series. The producers couldn't have picked a better cast to play the characters. They were all exemplary. The series was pretty accurate historically too, maybe that's why it was never released on video, it insulted someone some how. I too would like to add my voice to the growing number that want to see this mini-series released.