Backstairs at the White House works on several levels. It is the inspiring personal story of two extraordinary women who had a unique and privileged perspective of the people and events that shaped the first half of the 20th century. It also presents vivid snapshots of the presidents and their families in all their quirks (Mrs. Taft felt that bearded servants brought bad luck), failings, and greatness, as well as such now-obscure personages as New York critic Alexander Woolcott. The stellar cast is comprised of stage and screen veterans and TV favorites. Robert Vaughn (as Woodrow Wilson), Celeste Holm (as Florence Harding), and Ed Flanders (as Calvin Coolidge) were nominated for Emmys, as was Roots costar Louis Gossett Jr. as houseman Levi Mercer. Also notable are a pre-Airplane Leslie Nielsen as chief White House usher Ike Hoover, Cloris Leachman as the chilly supervising housekeeper Mrs. Jaffray, Victor Buono and Julie Harris as reluctant president William Howard Taft and his more formidable wife "Nellie," Eileen Heckart as energetic Eleanor Roosevelt, and Harry Morgan, giving 'em hell as Harry Truman. Backstairs at the White can be melodramatic ("You're not married to me, you're married to the White House," Lillian's estranged husband tells her at one point), but it never descends to soap opera. The Emmy-winning makeup is convincing, and the Emmy-nominated screenplay does an admirable job of compressing more than 50 years of history. "What is heard within the walls of the White House is to be forgotten," Maggie is instructed early in her employ. Luckily, daughter Lillian ignored this directive to create a compelling document that puts a human face on the occupants of the real West Wing. --Donald Liebenson

Customer Reviews Average rating - 5.0

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-10-31
Content: One of my favorite miniseries of all time; so glad I found it. Brilliantly cast and performed. If you have never seen it, do it; you won't be sorry. A great view of history.
Summary: A classic

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-10-13
Content: I found this one of the most interesting mini-series I had seen when it was originally on TV. At that time there was no recording capability or if there was, it was too new for us to have. Since then I've watched for this many times and have searched for it on TV for over a year. It's just as good now on DVD's as it was originally on TV. In fact, it's better since the commercials are now gone and there's no waiting for the next episode. For anyone interested in our history or our presidents, this is a must see item.
Summary: Great Mini-Series

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-10-09
Content: People could actually walk by the White House separated
only by a black iron fence. This mini-series covers
the presidencies of Taft through Eisenhowe snd includes
the great events such as the Teapot Dome Scandal, WWI,
The Great Depression and WWII. Interwoven are the lives
of the staff who work at the White House and truly own
it as they welcome in and bid farewell to each First
Family. The drama settles on Maggie Rogers, the first
African-American maid to work in the White House quarters,
and her daughter Lillian, a talented seamstress who is
lame as a result of polio. FDR sees that he and Lillian
have this affliction in common and makes sure that
Lillian always has the use of the elevator in the
family quarters.
Olivia Cole and Leslie Uggams head an excellent cast
that includes Leslie Nielsen, Louis Gossett, Jr.,
Robert Hooks and Cloris Leachman. Actors playing
roles as First Family menbers include Julie Harris,
Robert Vaughn and Eileen Heckart. Particularly
poignant, I thought, are the episodes covering
the death of the Coolidges' young son and the
tragic, scandal-ridden administration of Warren
Harding. Celeste Holm plays his heartbroken
First Lady.
Definitely worth an evening or two to remember
how it used to be: good and not so good, Especially
during this most interesting election season.
Summary: history and nostalgia

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-09-09
Content: This is an oldy but a goody. If each person could see this you would learn the History of each President and enjoy it thru a childs eyes.
I hunted for this for years and it is NO disapointment it is great and entertaining at the same time.
Summary: I would purchase this again

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-05-22
Content: I first saw this mini-series back in 1979 when it first aired. I was 10-years-old. I never ever forgot it (or the historical tidbits I learned from it), and I'm thrilled to now have a chance to view it again. This should be a must-see for all kids, especially those of middle school age. It makes a lasting imprint.
Summary: Unforgettable!