Miss Fisher Costumes

Anne here, and today I'm talking about a little excursion I took recently with a small group of writer friends. It's still a huge and rare pleasure to get out of the house and meet up with friends, and we were lucky to have gorgeous weather for it as well.

Ripponlea is a National Trust house and garden in Melbourne and they are currently showing an exhibition of costumes used in the film Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears. 

It was supposed to be staged last year when the movie was released, but because of CoVid and Lockdown it was postponed. But now things are loosening up again, and the exhibition has finally opened.

Some of you will know the Phrynne (pronounced fry-nee) Fisher books by Kerry Greenwood, and also the Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries TV series. The Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears movie is the latest development.

Last year I attended an opening of the movie presented by Sisters of Crime, and Kerry Greenwood and Fiona Eagger, the film producer spoke afterwards. It was a fun night and I blogged about it here. 

That was early March 2020 and it was almost the last time I went out with friends for more than a year.

In my blog I described the movie as "Indiana Jones with fabulous frocks" and as you can see here, there were indeed fabulous frocks galore.

The staging consisted of scenes set up, with mannequins wearing the fabulous frocks and other costumes, and big blown up images from the movie also helped set the scene.

There were fun little touches, like the occasional sinister silhouette of Phrynne pointing a gun.

There were interiors of the kind of tent she stayed in for a while, and a glamorous outfit in a pilot's leathers. I took heaps of photos, but alas can't fit them all into this blog.

After we'd looked our fill at the costumes, we wandered around the garden, which is beautiful and amazingly extensive for what is now a suburban area.

 

A favorite area of mine is the ballroom, which opens out onto a terrace and what was once one of the first swimming pools in Melbourne/ It is so easy to imagine a warm summer's night, music playing, and couple dancing out onto the terrace.

Less easy to imagine — still keeping romantic thoughts in mind — was the idea of the same couple slipping into the conservatory for a few kisses.

It's a beautiful conservatory, but though we loved wandering through it and admiring the tall tree ferns and lush green vegetation, we all shook our heads at the thought of being in there on a warm summers evening in a low-cut dress. Almost as one, we said, "Mozzies!" (Mosquitoes) LOL. 

We walked around the lake and watched the ducks, and peered into the water to see the fish and eels (I don't like eels)

We thought about spending a few hours sitting on one of the small islands and writing there.

There's even a man-made "mountain" to climb and you can see the sea from the top.

Afterwards we went to a nearby hotel for a meal and a good catch up — we're all writers so there was a years worth of talk to catch up on. New covers were passed around and it was all very satisfying and fun.

All in all it was a lovely escape from our everyday lives. And so nice to catch up with friends.

 

What about you — have you managed to get out recently? Have you read the Kerry Greenwood books or watched the Miss Fisher TV series? Seen the movie yet? And do you have a favorite National Trust or historic house?

Comments

[Katja]

Getting out: No chance at all, despite the fact that Switzerland has not the strictest regime in Europe. Still Restaurants are closed, and it is too cold still for picnics.
As for the Kerry Greenwood books, I admit I haven't managed to get into the Miss Fisher books, but I simply adore the Corinna Chapmann series. I only wish they all were availably in Europe, the last one was still missing the last time I checked :(

[theo]

So glad to hear you were able to get out once again. And a lovely place to visit! I do love the costumes in that show. The costumer has really done his/her homework when it comes to period correct as well as fabulous.

Miss Fisher's Mysteries runs here two mornings a week, two episodes each before Midsomer Murders comes on. I do with they'd done more episodes. That last one, the "finally!" kiss...it's too bad that was the end of the series.

[Anne Gracie]

Katya, Melbourne had several episodes of really strict lockdown, one of which lasted four and a half months, and that brought the infection rate right down. That was through winter, and now it's summer and things are easing a little. Let's hope Switzerland gets the virus under control soon and you can enjoy summer.

Kerry Greenwood's Corinna books are my favorites too. The characterization is much deeper and I find the stories more engaging. But a lot of people enjoy Phrynne.

[Anne Gracie]

Wow Theo what a crime TV feast, Miss Fisher followed by Midsomer Murders. The series ended because the actress who played Miss Fisher now lives in England and is getting a lot of work there — no surprise — she's a very good actress. But it makes it hard to leave that and come back to Australia for the long period it takes to film a series. So . . . Still I'd rather it finish on a high note than be strung out until it runs out of steam. A few series have done that.

[Kareni]

What an uplifting post, Anne. I'm glad you were able to get together with friends in such a picturesque setting.

I haven't visited too many historic homes, but one that was memorable was Hearst Castle in San Simon, California. Like Ripponlea, Hearst Castle also has a swimming pool (or two). You can see pictures here ~ https://hearstcastle.org/history-behind-hearst-castle/the-castle/pools/

[Christina Courtenay]

I love all National Trust houses - they're all fabulous in their own way! I think my favourite so far is Tyntesfield though (which I blogged about a while back). The exhibition you went to looks wonderful and it sounds like the perfect day out - historical costumes, a stately home, writer friends, a meal and writerly talk. It doesn't get much better than that! I'm still waiting to be let out but hopefully soon ...

[Sue McCormick]

Thank you for another virtual tour. This is the type of exhibit I love to see. But even without the covid-19 factor I am almost entirely housebound these days, so virtual tours aremy new reality.

[Mary Jo Putney]

What a wonderful day out, Anne! Food, Friends, and Fabulous Frocks. *G* I'm another one who loves Corinna Chapman and doesn't read Pryne, but really liked the TV series. The movie was good over-the-top fun also.

I'd love to have joined you and the other Melbourne writer for the exhibition!

[Anne Gracie]

Thanks for that link, Kareni. I'd love to visit Hearst Castle some day. Ripponlea is on a much smaller scale — it still would work as a family home.

[Anne Gracie]

Thanks, Christina. Yes I made a note of Tyntesfield in case I ever get to travel overseas again. And if I do, I'll be picking Nicola's brain and yours for fabulous houses —and gardens—to visit. I've mostly been to the UK and Europe in winter, as that's when the long summer holidays are in Australia, but I'd love to visit some English gardens in spring and summer.

All the best for getting let out shortly. We haven't started the vaccination process yet — but severe lockdown has kept things under control here.

[Anne Gracie]

Thanks, Sue. I really think we've been lucky to have so much amazing technology during such a difficult time. Virtual travel, virtual meetings, people working from home instead of in a crowded office. And tonight the Australian Romance Readers Assoc. is running their annual awards night on Zoom. Imagine if we had none of that. I think we would have all been so much more isolated.

[Anne Gracie]

Thanks, Mary Jo, yes it was a lovely excursion and the writerly talk was wonderful. And you know, the last time I saw that group in the flesh was a year ago, when we went to the launch of the Crypt of Tears movie — even though we all live in the same city.

[Shelagh]

We’ve been lucky here not to have been too severely affected by lockdown. We’ve got plenty of space in the garden and an orchard surrounding that so there’s always somewhere to walk. The worst thing to happen was the closure of all our lovely restaurants and pubs every now and then so I feel almost guilty when I think of what my Melbourne friends went through.
I loved reading about your visit to Ripponlea. The costumes sound very glam and I’d love to have seen them. I loved reading your descriptions of the gardens. I visited there with two of my cousins when I was fourteen and remember raving about the place in my weekly letter to my parents, who were ion a posting in South Africa at the time. It still resonates with me as one of my favourite outings in Melbourne.

[Binnie Syril Braunstein]

Anne - What a fun post! I'm so envious of your outing. I have seen the Miss Fisher series on PBS here in the states, but have not seen the movie. I've always thought the costumes were smashing.

[Constance]

Lucky Anne - what a wonderful day! I agree with those who would have liked more Miss Fisher episodes, but appreciate your sharing why we won’t get them. I must admit I’ve re-watched them all several times just to look at the clothes - OK, and to look at Jack. Tried the books but, for one of the few times ever, found the TV series much better. Now adding the Corinna books to my TBR. It is extremely hard to choose a favorite NT house, and not just because I hope to add more to my list of possible bests once we can travel again. For now, my choice would be Brodie Castle in Scotland. Castle, yes, but “life size” if that makes sense, with wonderful light in the drawing room and the most gorgeous dining room. And the laird of Brodie in the early 20th century developed hundreds of varieties of daffodils, many of which still bloom in the grounds each spring. Many thanks for posting about 3 favorite things: beautiful fashion, great houses, and books!

[Annette N]

Thanks for the lovely post.

I am a fan of the TV series. And one of the reasons is the fact that I love the costumes. The stories are fun too of course. I am not ashamed to say it, I buy some books because of the outline of a 1920's beauty on the cover....what can I say, I am a sucker.

I am going to watch the film this weekend. Thanks for the reminder.

Your day sounds like a wonderful time. Again, thanks for sharing.

I hope everyone is taking care and staying well.

[Susan/DC]

I watched all the Phryne Fisher series. They were great fun and I loved the clothing. What no one has mentioned, however, are the automobiles, which are almost as gorgeous as the costumes.

[Karin]

Alas, the first Miss Fisher book is still sitting on my Kindle. I haven't seen the TV show yet either, but I hear the costumes are one of the best things about it.
The weather has been rather cold and windy here, but I hope to venture to some outdoor gardens and historic sites soon.

[Michelle H]

Thanks for such a fun post, Anne. I loved the T.V. series and not just for the costumes, although I couldn't wait to see what she would be wearing each episode. I hated seeing the end of the series, but I agree with you that it's better to go out on a high note.

Your trip out sounded so lovely. I was just talking to my sister today and we were saying how much we want to get out and shop and have lunch together.

I just saw my Doctor this past week and of course the first thing discussed was the vaccine, (we've gotten our first doses.) He of course has been fully informed of the development and progress along the way with the virus and the vaccine. But he said something that I hadn't thought of and that is this. That if this had happened 20 years ago, even 10, we would've been far worse off. We didn't have the technology to develop the vaccine in this short of time. And we didn't have the capability for people to work from home like we do now so people would've had to go to work out there in the world, spreading the virus in a much worse way. Scary and yet wondrous at the same time.

Sadly, I have not visited any NT sites yet. That's still a dream though. But I live vicariously through the Wenches, and other authors who have visited.

Happy Spring, Anne....oops no, it's going to be Fall where you live soon. So happy weather changing, or happy being able to get out and about way.

[Anne Gracie]

Shelagh, it's a gorgeous garden, that's for sure, and I'm sure it made a great impression on you. Ah, the lost art of letter writing . . . I went to a memorial for a friend yesterday and his wife told of how they corresponded by letter for several years before he moved down to Melbourne. I hope she kept them.

[Anne Gracie]

Thanks, Binnie. Yes the gorgeous costumes are what so many people particularly love about the TV series — me included.

[Anne Gracie]

Constance I think you'll enjoy the Corinna books. I agree the TV series is better — I think by the time they went to make it, the writers had a better idea of creating a whole series and the things that worked and the things an audience would respond well to, whereas possibly the writer just wrote what she wanted each time. I think one of the big improvements in the TV series was having the same hero/love interest throughout, whereas in the books they chop and change.
I would *love* to visit Brodie Castle in the spring and see the daffodils as well as the interior. I wonder if there will be a boom in travel once the restrictions lift. I know I'm dying to explore the world again.

[Anne Gracie]

Yes, those costumes in the TV series are stunning. I hope you enjoyed the film, Annette. It's lighthearted fun, and just the ticket for these grim times.

[Anne Gracie]

Susan, yes the cars are wonderful, I agree. The TV series went to a heap of trouble with the settings and the costumes etc and it really paid off, I think.

[Anne Gracie]

Karin I hope spring comes springing for you soon. Lockdown is hard when it's cold and gloomy but it's even harder when the sun is shining and the outside world is beckoning.

[Anne Gracie]

Michelle, it's great that you're getting vaccinated. I hope you're able to have a lovely outing with your sister very soon.

As for what if Covid had happened 20 years ago — I've been thinking about the "Spanish 'Flu "epidemic that happened after WW1, which killed an estimated 50—100million people. I don't know much about it. Really I probably only remember it because I've seen photos of streets full of people wearing masks.
https://theconversation.com/face-masks-what-the-spanish-flu-can-teach-us-about-making-them-compulsory-137648
and
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/09/health/coronavirus-is-very-different-from-the-spanish-flu-of-1918-heres-how.html

But as well as better health care and greater medical knowledge and expertise, I think the level of other technology has made things a lot easier — home computers enabling on-line shopping, face-to-face talking with friends, loved ones and business colleagues and so on, the streaming of TV and movies to our homes, and more. We've been remarkably lucky in that, I think.

All the best as you head into spring. For me, in my neck of the woods, autumn is a lovely season, with cooler nights and crisp sunny days.

[Pamela DG]

I was thrilled to meet up with a friend of mine at a local B&N. We spent three hours talking about everything from what we did after high school, to married life, and most of the time talking about writing and reading pieces we wrote. She's braver than me, she has self-published two books! It was a pure pleasure to sip lattes and relax with a friend.