A Black Jazz Singer at Downton | Downton Abbey

[@DowntonAbbey]

SURPRISE! SceneScreen has uploaded one amazing video where our favourite characters of Downton Abbey are trying to guess 1920's Slang Terms 😱Let us know what you think about it! 🥰We've had lots of fun watching it: bit.ly/34F8faE

[@Chr.U.Cas1622]

👍👌👏 I like it. Thanks for the recommendation. Best regards luck and health.

[@josedominicbicol5090]

I love how mrs crawley took and treated Tom as her own after matthew died. Its lovely

[@KeepAnEyeOnDan]

They both lost the one person in life they truly truly loved. They found solice in each others grief. So sad yet so beautiful

[@Xerxes2005]

She's a middle class woman, he's lower class. The social gap is smaller.

[@tangenty6987]

And then later, God smiled upon them. Isobel, Mary, and eventually even Tom, found new love to build on the foundations laid by their departed heart-mates.

[@pipoo1]

@@Xerxes2005I always got the impression early on Tom was something of a loner and didn’t really fit into any social class. He may not have had Matthew’s formal education but he was clearly highly intelligent,articulate and well read, which is why he caught Sybil’s eye and, which put him above the other servants. He was working as journalist in Dublin, a rather middle class occupation.

[@pipoo1]

@@KeepAnEyeOnDanmore than that Matthew and Tom had become close/best friends, losing Matthew so soon after Sybil would’ve been another devastating blow for Tom, which the series glossed over because of the time jump and focus on Mary. It’s telling as the series progressed the two people Tom was always most open/close with were the same two people Matthew loved the most.

[@erinjohnson1124]

I expected Lady Mary to be the one most put off by the singer but it was Lady Edith with the commentary. I love how the dowager shut that down quick. Lol

[@Diamondelle84]

Ironic that Violet would tell Edith not to be racist 🤣😂🤣

[@Scotiacottage]

The dowager was something else lol 😅😂🤣😀

[@Scotiacottage]

@Ber P.I can't imagine what Edith would have made of the Beatles lol 🤣😂

[@Xerxes2005]

@AB. B. Well, Edith would have been around 70 years old when the Beatles became famous. There's a good chance she would have known them. In that episode, Edith is worried because Gregson hasn't sent news from Germany and I believe she has learned she was pregnant. Maybe that explains why she's such a party pooper. And seeks the approval of the matriarch of the family... Remember the fuss they've made three episodes before with that diva, not inviting her to dine with them.

[@Xerxes2005]

Lady Violet probably didn't approve, but she always prefered to go with the flow and avoid scandal.

[@yafizachary5540]

i really love how corra eyes shines with glaring excitement as she enter and see the band playing. its look as if someone transport the downton great hall to be her own lovely home, the fun and splendid american gilded age

[@ss6truks]

Patiently waiting for the Gilded Age series

[@bunnycortland353]

@@ss6truks so am I. My field of study is the guilded age and the million dollar princesses.

[@Super_Middleman]

The Dowager is a reminder that every generation thought "young people's" music was hard on the ears.

[@westaussieeggs8867]

oh gawd, i am 70 and one of those!!!

[@xr6lad]

No. That only became an issue with the invention of loudspeakers and youths belief that you didn't have your own space but have to listen to theirs. Even as a ten I was taught you respect others and not okay anything loud with others around.

[@mother3crazy]

@@xr6lad You’re wrong xlad. Just factually wrong.

[@respectfulconversation944]

Yeah i remember talking about it with my grandfather. We found some common ground like Comedian Harmonists or Max Raabe, but mostly my choices of music were more noise in his ears. Still we took the time to find out about each others musical taste and why we liked what we liked. 😊

[@Overtime-sn7xi]

@@xr6lad Learn to spell and then we'll take you seriously, illiterate troll

[@choryllis6646]

Oh my goodness that jazz singers has such a smooth voice, I melt every time!

[@withonelook1985]

Rose is a genuinely beautiful person. She doesn't honestly doesn't think that people would be bothered that Jack was black or Atticus was Jewish.

[@sofiyah9552]

That sounds like the bare minimum

[@guardianoftheduat]

@@sofiyah9552 no that sounds like being a humanist because in truth none of that matters

[@taylor6311]

@@sofiyah9552 it's the bare minimum now but it certainly wasn't back then lol

[@EstherHulst-Artist]

@@sofiyah9552 its very liberal for the time, considering how she is brought up, both culture and parenting

[@cinderellajones208]

Oh please!!

[@errrno1761]

It’s not a surprise to me that Violet didn’t find this weird. She doesn’t enjoy the music, now that’s not a surprise, but she was not shocked by it. She did say once that her husband was a traveller and that she spent many evenings not understanding a word. So she’s used to meeting new people from all sorts of backgrounds

[@JasonTodd971]

“Do try and let your time in London rub off on you a little” LOVE THAT LINE

[@WillScarlet16]

My favorite moment is Mr. Carson trying to start a conversation with Jack in the kitchen. "Our country led the fight against slavery!"

[@CanImperator]

So... have you ever thought of visiting...Africa?

[@ikraadil8425]

@@CanImperator I'm not more African than you are 😂

[@nulnoh219]

@@CanImperator Note that he said "visiting", implying he understands that Mr Ross is not actually from Africa.

[@amanekabbaj]

Lady Grantham may not know what jazz is but she described it as exactly what it is. Everyone playing their own thing.

[@MinhNguyen-ff6xf]

She’s from a different generation with Strauss, Tchaikovsky, Mahler, Rachmaninov, Schubert, Schumann, and Verdi. Yet, she still amazingly enjoyed it.

[@rolom3]

In jazz they have listen to each other more intently than any other genre because they are improvising on the spot.

[@rolom3]

Also it's ridiculous to make that joke about this kind of jazz. Of all the styles that jazz encompasses, that joke fits the worst on this... it's so straight forward, no one is improvising, the melody is being sung and the instruments are backing it up.

[@juancarlosmontes]

@@rolom3 facts...this was everybody playing off the same sheet. Of course each knew what the others were playing.

[@JPW3]

That's not really true. They might play "their own thing" in a solo. However, the players know the pitch, time, key, and notes of the song. They also know what their peers are playing. The good Lady needs some Fletcher Henderson or Duke Ellington in her life. :-)

[@Mxyzptlksac]

Violet reminds me of my grandma when faced with changing times. She wasn’t thrilled but she went with it and eventually got used to it.

[@jamesfracasse8178]

Same here with my grandparents, teaching them the 📲📱 lingo and such technology was a thing in itself but it's what you remember years later

[@eya8256]

We all need a Rose in our life, love her, she so cheerful 😄

[@ss6truks]

She will never replace my love Sybil I'm still quite hurt 😭

[@kristaeder8210]

The music? Jazz. The singer? Black. The guests? Shook. The Abbey? Downton. It's a good episode.

[@DUCKDUCKGOISMUCHBETTER]

"Jazz? Oh, is THAT what it is? Do you think any of them know what the others are playing?" 😂😂😂 What a hilarious description of jazz!

[@tomstanford7997]

I was always more team Edith than team Mary, but I'm surprised at Edith's reaction to a black man singing in her home. So many people talk about how Edith was much kinder than Mary. Perhaps, but not always. Mary may have been difficult and a bully at times, but she had an open mind. She could be kind-hearted and considerate though she didn't care to show it. When people were in need of help, they came to Mary if at all, not Edith. Mary showed compassion and understanding regarding this black man when he gets into a relationship with Rose. She was also understanding about Thomas being gay. She supported Sybil when Sybil chose Tom, a working class man, as her husband. She was also there to help Anna when Anna struggled with her pregnancy. If it wasn't for Mary, Anna would have miscarried her baby. Mary had her flaws, but she also helped change lives for the better. Cheers to Mary in this case.

[@yevgeniyaleshchenko849]

Exactly, well-said! Mary was the progressive and tolerant one.

[@purpurina5663]

I think Mary is the type to behave very well towards people she sees as beneath her (maybe not in a mean way but out of her awareness of her high station), where she doesn't feel threatened. A social climber may have been another story. And I think Edith doesn't really mind, but that she was looking for attention and approval, which she always did in the worst possible way (as she was often neglected)

[@tomstanford7997]

@@yevgeniyaleshchenko849 yes. What's also interesting is how Sybil was kind and selfless and not the least bit stuck up. Mary and Edith were so mean in the beginning - especially to each other. Still, both of them loved Sybil and admired her and were kind to her. After Sybil died, we start to see Mary and Edith slowly, over time, become more like Sybil. Though Sybil was younger, she had a positive influence on Mary and Edith.

[@pipoo1]

@@purpurina5663good point. In the same way the worst hostility towards Tom came from the servants, especially Carson (and Edna). I’m also reminded of when Matthew insulted Moelsley and was so ashamed when he realised what he’d said he couldn’t even look at him and stay in the same room. Mary never found herself in that position, and whenever she did speak out of turn to Anna, Carson or the others she’d always apologise to them, she didn’t see it as beneath her.

[@MrAlcazar]

This song gets stuck in my head at least twice a day. Love this series.

[@Hsc1002]

Any idea the song’s name?

[@MrAlcazar]

@@Hsc1002 "Wild About Harry!" it's from the 20s.

[@Hsc1002]

@@MrAlcazar thank you!!!!!!

[@hollisjo4023]

This song is such a bop, and the actors really talented.

[@ThePierre58]

" do you think to others know what they are playing" a very old criticism of jazz. Brilliant writing.

[@ChristinBlueSky]

I love the thumbnail! The Dowager's look is hilarious!!

[@lolabrini3758]

he's really handsome. In a delicate way.

[@earlofwickshire5416]

you know he’s large where it is of grave importance too

[@morbidlyabyss5670]

@@earlofwickshire5416 Yeah, hopefully his self-esteem, so he never tolerates being fetishized by people like you.

[@earlofwickshire5416]

With a username like yours, I’d think you’d be able to accommodate a member of his callibre

[@stephaniemazvita]

@Martin Dennis honestly 🙄

[@Liwah]

@@earlofwickshire5416 What a nasty comment.

[@davidreed9849]

There are a few moments here and there where the Dowager Countess of Grantham is the most progressive on the show.

[@tacosmexicanstyle7846]

David Reed It’s maybe because she doesn’t want to be predictable; I don’t think she makes progressive comments for the sake of human rights or anything-it’s mostly to limit scandal and to not spoil the party by being the one to call out what everyone else must have been thinking imo

[@Mxyzptlksac]

She understands change is inevitable and she knows what battles to fight.

[@felipeestopado2346]

That Mother-Son convo between Violet and Robert is sooo relatable.

[@imtheonewhobroughtthebeans915]

The music? Jazz. The singer? Black. The guests? Shook. The Abbey? Downton. Hotel? Trivago.

[@earlofwickshire5416]

You forgot "The cock? Black."

[@KoiYakultGreenTea]

Earl of Wickshire that’s implied in the singer being black

[@lionharehart]

This clip reminded me of the Muppet Show ballroom vignettes. The odd conversations between characters dancing to a lively tune. Extraordinary!

[@benjaminjohannessanchez3310]

Lol same

[@jws1948ja]

I love the snips and pieces.

[@tam7509]

I love how mrs Crawley is soo open

[@ninnghizhidda93]

Is it possible to hear the full version of the song somewhere? He is just amazing.

[@jonathancineus6424]

2:52 That the black man sings: “he’s sweet just like chocolate candyyyy...” 🤔 🎶 🍫

[@earlofwickshire5416]

🍫🍆

[@taroman7100]

They could have chosen a better looking one .

[@jpaxonreyes]

Lady Grantham pressed on the topic of jazz: Oh, is that what it is? Do you think any of them know what the others are playing?

[@williamorlandomaestrevilla4291]

The face of the medieval count, the surprise of seeing an Afro-descendant in his rugged culture, what a good reflection of the societies of all times, that a good number of messages send us these returns to the past so that we "try" not to repeat them ... What a good series ...

[@katherinewilson1853]

I think a lot of people are really misinterpreting this clip. Obviously everyone is smoothing it over in order to be kind to Rose and express love and gratitude for her true but immaturely expressed thoughtfulness. The number one important thing in society is to smoothe over situations that could cause discomfort. It is not to present REAL reactions. Cora is signaling as a hostess she expects the host, Robert to behave, and he follows suit. All of the guests follow suit. Violet of course delivers a line to Edith about this, because Edith is socially awkward and slow on the uptake.

[@bogdancristea9270]

That's true, but they were polite enough not to dismiss the band or act awkwardly, which is significant social progress for the time. After all, civility is the first step towards a better society: we won't be able to love one another all the time, but so long as we don't hurt one another, there's hope for improvement. Larry Merton would have chucked them out of the house the next instant. These people, on the contrary, are intelligent enough to understand the direction the world is moving into and, even if they aren't excited at first, they embrace such changes and eventually grow fond of them. Who would have thought that Lord Grantham would ever have accepted a working class Irish Catholic, a chauffeur with no social credentials whatsoever as a member of the family and even to love him dearly in the end?

[@CrystalizedKatanaFandubs]

Edith> But Granny, is it really.. suitable, that Rose brought this man here? Me> You got pregnant with the love of your life, before marriage. {Gregson x Edith UwU}

[@eriknewland3686]

When your grandma has to tell you to not be racist lmao

[@Furienna]

How was Edith racist?

[@SerenaOkoli]

Love how Rose was so comfortable with the Grantham's and Robert as well. He really was an uncle and It was her home

[@greencello599]

Jazz is one of the very distinctive styles of music that can be properly classified as American. Its roots come from other places of course, but Jazz, the Blues and Rock 'n' Roll are part of the American contribution to the Arts. The Blues and Jazz weren't as immediately accepted in the US upon initial introduction but both styles hit Europe and became wildly popular. It was after other musicians from outside nations who performed in the US as Blues or Jazz singers that Americans began to accept and enjoy these styles of music. Among the greatest Blues singers for many years is English man Eric Clapton.

[@jamescopeland8050]

I would say rock and roll was more influential coming from the UK actually lol.

[@kdhoward83]

I want this version of the song, dammit.

[@Nyquil5]

Violet has seen and heard many things in her long life. Very little truly surprises her.

[@florian8599]

3:18 The Dowager. 'nuff said.

[@Hal09i]

Notice the overhead shot-- even Isis by the fireplace is getting in on the fun!

[@awarenessmotivatio5779]

Such a beautiful music

[@maxheadrum9030]

Lady Mary put a stop to that immediately ! good for her

[@nextoprism2442]

Amazing video to happen and just clicked and can already see first xD

[@GoldenRose116]

It seem out of character that Edith was the one who was putt off by this. Especially since she is more accepting then Violet, Robert and Mary

[@micheldejong1813]

It does seem rather out of character, but then again a black jazz singer would be quite a spectacle in 1920s Yorkshire. At the time I thought Edith's comments were a prelude to a rather grim storyline, what with her lover going to Munich and all.

[@GoldenRose116]

@@micheldejong1813 yeah i don't think its weird that someone off them is putt of with it, its just weird it was Edith, especially since like Violet said she comes in London more then anyone.

[@micheldejong1813]

@@GoldenRose116 You are quite right. Of all the family members, Edith seemed the most open minded (well, after Sybil and Tom). Perhaps the writers were afraid that a derogatory comment from (public favourite) Violet would make her too unlikable for modern audiences. To have Edith be the voice of 'contemporary racism' was maybe the safest option.

[@GoldenRose116]

@@micheldejong1813 i supose your right. Violet is to popular to be openly racist. Mary is to much of a creators pet and if Robert would be against it he would make a huge scene, like he did with Ethel

[@micheldejong1813]

@@GoldenRose116 We have reached complete agreement!

[@julietcunningham852]

Jack, the jazz singer, is based on a real person, Leslie Hutchinson. He was born in Grenada (the island Margaret Thatcher went to war over in the 1980s), went to the USA to study medicine, but ended up as a jazz singer, and a very big star in the 20s and 30s. He was not nearly the gentleman Jack is. According to his wikipedia page, Hutchinson fathered at least 7 children with at least 7 mothers, was rumored to have had affairs with Cole Porter and Ivor Novello, and just barely escaped being hailed into the divorce courts (as co-respondent) by none other than Lord Mountbatten. Rose gets of very easily.

[@timothysmith7888]

Leslie Hutchinson. Thank you for posting this. I need to go off in search of recordings by Leslie Hutchinson. Whatever his faults may, or, may not have been, I expect he was an actual singer. I take it Mr. Carr was cast for something other than his weak signing ability. It pains me to think that there are so many truly talented triple-threat, African-American actors who would have pulled off an authentic American crooner of the 1920’s and, been brilliant in this part. I found Mr. Carr’s inability to hold a pitch or make a sound that is remotely pleasing to the ear so distracting, I had to turn off the tele. IF, somehow, Leslie Hutchinson was ALSO as weak a singer as Mr. Carr, then, that news will be most welcome.

[@derekfancett8218]

Margaret Thatcher did not go to war over Grenada. The invasion of Grenada was an all-american affair. Reputedly the Queen was furious because Grenada is (and was ) in The Commonwealth and, in its case, the Queen remains Head of State and therefore, basically, the USA was invading a territory of which the Queen was still monarch. The Americans had not even had the courtesy of telling HMG their plans. Apparently Margaret Thatcher had been told and she had not told the Queen. This is the legendary occasion (never confirmed or denied) when the Queen kept MT standing throughout their weekly meeting (lasts about an hour).

[@ss6truks]

Granny is the best character fr 😭 I feel like she would have been into hip hop 😂

[@andreafabianbouchard3574]

"Oh, no. It's not a matter of what she likes, it's her Fuel! If some people run on Greed, Lust.., Even Love; *She runs on Indignation.*" This is such an underrated quote by cousin Violet, Honestly.

[@foolslayer9416]

I had a neighbor that listened the jazz like that all the time.

[@warrenk83]

"Do you think any of them know what the others are playing?" OMG

[@aszechy]

To everyone commenting how Edith could be so racist - it really doesn't make sense to project present moral standards back in time and judge people based on that... Like it or not, if you go back about 100-150 years, 99% of the people thought that blacks were somehow inferior, that a woman's place is in the kitchen, etc. It wasn't good, it wasn't right, but that is how it was. Calling someone a "terrible person" just because they held views that they were taught and that basically everyone around them shared is not exactly fair - we all would have most likely had the same views had we been raised in that environment.

[@clarkclarke]

Garry Carr..aka Jack Ross .... is going to be in the movie "21 Bridges " with Chadwick Boseman

[@nicopavvi8494]

Downton Abbey has a lot of good actors, but can we appreciate also that the dog is not doing anything while there is music and people dancing? I have experience with dogs, and it requires some education to have them lie down in a situation like that. Good job.

[@viviankankam9704]

I just love this Episode.

[@Star-dj1kw]

I try to like Edith bc she’s the underdog but wow, what hateful comments!! At this point, I’m just liking Tom and Isobel VS Violet.

[@wrightgregson9761]

I just finally caught on to the dowager asked of the jazz band: Do you think any of them know what the others are playing???!!!

[@ChelseaSierraK.]

Bring back the series

[@patriciaoconnor402]

They've just announced there will be a seventh season.

[@ladyfoxwf1075]

Patricia OConnor What? Really???! 😭❤️ Problem is still want Sybil back, because she was the most forward thinking character; so ready for the future.

[@patriciaoconnor402]

@@ladyfoxwf1075 yes, I read an article where they were interviewing Julian Fellows, and he said given the seccess of the movie, he was going to make a 7th season. Probably will be on Masterpiece Theater.

[@ladyfoxwf1075]

@@patriciaoconnor402 Woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAYYYYAAAAA!

[@KO-vv1oz]

Everyone talks about Mary being a snob but nobody comments when Edith doesn’t like a human for their skin color instead of their class.

[@Furienna]

Seriously, I like to know how you can interpret this as Edith "not liking a human for their skin color". She was only concerned about what other people might say and voiced that concern to her grandmother.

[@clarkclarke]

I enjoyed Gary Carr's character ...he did a great job playing Jack Ross the .. American .... They were fortunate to have someone like Rose being them into reality ....

[@taroman7100]

yes, reality

[@sheismymom]

Scandalous

[@alisonbarlow7836]

I HATED Edith during this scene. I mean I know it's realistic but it really pissed me off how snotty she was about it! She basically thinks black people aren't suitable.

[@Ronkyort0dox]

depends

[@evacope1718]

Sign of the times

[@dreamsteddybearsmaster]

LOL and then its a complete 180 by Laura in The Spanish Princess with The Spaniard.Moors!

[@EjPwned]

You can dislike someone for their world view when they grew up in the early 1900’s

[@RychaardRyder]

Jazz being considered “wild” is hilarious

[@crypticwestwind876]

I know it was a popular 20s song, but with him, would it not have seemed... rather... artistic? Only in the Wilde sense though, of course...

[@Nina-hl5qk]

Does anyone know what sort of dance steps are those .

[@Chr.U.Cas1622]

👍👌👏

[@MrBoliao98]

Dowager's not being provincial haha, she's Modern yet traditional

[@justfine8647]

It's just to save face.

[@rolom3]

His singing style is so modern musical theatre and really does not fit the style of jazz in the 20s or 30s at allllll. The musical director could have chosen much better

[@rolom3]

@Martin Dennis yeah I know the song is from the right era, I was talking about the style in which it is sung. It's the way the musicians play it that is inaccurate, not the material.

[@rolom3]

@Martin Dennis I meant he could have chosen better musicians (esp the singer)

[@benfranklin3638]

And they should have given him more access to an accent coach. I liked the scenes and the story line but I thought Jack Carr's American accent was way off...especially in the signing scenes. Someone should have coached him that although American English is indeed rhotic....it becomes less rhotic when sang...his "Rs" are way too hard.

[@spirit12317]

Did anyone else see the goodest boy by the fire? Just me...? Okay 😓

[@patriciaoconnor402]

I didn't see the goodest girl until you mentioned it, so I rewatched the clip. Robert's dog is female. Thanks for pointing it out. It made the clip better. Dogs make everything better.

[@gwyn111]

The modern equivalent would be hiring Lil Nas to perform at your rich conservative Uncle's birthday, with your Grand Parent's there too!

[@noahbueno2168]

Is this a real song? Cause this is actually pretty good

[@omargoodnesssake]

I doubt that this would’ve happened. I worked with someone who’s in-laws are from Africa. When they immigrated to England in the 1960s they worked as dishwashers in a posh London restaurant. The manager told them to make sure they remained unseen because the clientele wouldn’t like the idea of Africans touching their plates and silverware.

[@cannong1728]

Yes...just as many things portrayed in Downton would not have happened in reality.

[@katerinaaqu]

Well humans react all differently. I think it is wrong to assume there were no exceptions to every rule. As you see not everyone in this scene approves while some of them remain indifferent and a handful of them enjoy the music. Jazz also began to gain popularity back then so probably some people had become more open about it. By no means were they a majority but I think plenty of people were open minded back then.

[@sarasamaletdin4574]

Jazz music was played by black people, that was accepted in Europe. One of the grist black people here in Finland was a jazz grew who arrived on a cruise and stayed for a while. For other types of music it was different.

[@zues7706]

Ironic that that most ignored sister 3:03 would be the most prejudiced one lol

[@ss6truks]

Lily James is precious idc what anyone says

[@Pistacchio41]

I’m here because of the Good Fight😂😂

[@ticleve2]

what happened to serve from the left, take from the right?

[@nicnaknoc]

love how the huge chock is the singer's skin color and not the openly homosexual lyrics :D

[@cymrs1406]

I think it's hilarious that Jack is singing a song about 'the heavenly blisses of his kisses' when the upper-class characters are more aghast about a black man being in the house!

[@Madgemulligan]

Mary talking about “a little dull”!!

[@titiwatyuthavisut6485]

i want to know what songs jack ross sings

[@MrAlcazar]

"Wild About Harry," 1921.

[@benfranklin3638]

His American accent is hideous.

[@was4111]

Wow. They sure looked at Mr. Ross like a creature from the "black" lagoon.

[@LeVontrellJones]

They couldn't find a brother who could act or sing a note? This actor was TERRIBLE.

[@neilgerace355]

The British outlawed slavery in their own country, then spent a lot of money and many lives stamping the Atlantic slave trade out, but old attitudes die slowly.

[@peterburke1709]

Oh my god it's Fidel from death in paradise

[@patriciajrs46]

So funny and charming for dashing social norms in your face like a cold glass of ice water. Cheery. I do say.

[@veritysprott1547]

Was Queen Victoria Irish?

[@samb5208]

Cora's expression is delightful. She's not one bit shocked to see a black man in her house singing, but that's probably because she is American, who were far more accepting than the British.

[@Xerxes2005]

I'll try not to laugh... Oh no, I just can't... Haha! More accepting! Hahaha!

[@ulefab7503]

Xerxes2005 Well to a certain extent at least; she might obviously have came across black people before, even having seen a concert or an event with black people so say she wasn’t too surprised... there was at that time people who were accepting a certain degree of proximity with coloured people. But there was a lot of irony like far before during the civil war when people of the north were fighting against slavery but wouldn’t have dream to have them into their houses while in the south in certain houses the servants were black and sometimes there was a special bond so to speak between them and the family they were slaves of...

[@sarasamaletdin4574]

Americans certainly weren’t more accepting, do you know what laws there were place in Us until the mid 60s? In Britain black and white could marry for example during this time and Britain during WWII the American black soldiers were able to go to pubs with white ones unlike in US where everything was segregated and US white soldiers got mad about it and they got banned from the British pubs. Whoever Cora would have seen black people prior. For many others this would have been a first time seeing a black person (even images would have been in black and white). So she would not think that strange to see one singing.

[@evacope1718]

Lol!!! The first black man to vote in britian was in the 18th century, slavery was abolished while America was still practicing it and segregation continued through the 20th century in the states. In America black people are still called African American while in Britian they are called British. Queen Victoria had an African princess as a god daughter. It may of been more rare to see a black person in Britian, but it's hard pressed to say they were more racist than in the states.

[@kcamouse7300]

2:52 2:33 3:08 2:33

[@marcosgarcia2643]

3:15 hahahaha

[@leanie9660]

Ha ha...the dowager gets Jazz on her first try...."do you think any of them know what the others are playing?" Ha ha. I always likened jazz to a bunch of children tuning instruments at the same time...

[@chs75]

I guess it takes one to know one...

[@raghavsagar6362]

People in the comments are misreading Edith. Her racism doesn't stem from a black man performing at Downton, but rather from a black man having a romantic liason with Rose (which see saw in London)

[@raghavsagar6362]

@Alika Fifi arafiah yes of course, i was pointing out the source of racism. You see, I'm a bit of a racism connoisseur, I like to understand why people are being racist too.

[@marsmontufar6319]

Yeah cool motive, still racism

[@raghavsagar6362]

@@marsmontufar6319 Yes yes of course

[@sarasamaletdin4574]

@ Mars Montufar There is a difference between seeing someone perform and romantic relationship. They would have classists issues of relationship with a singer regardless of color already and relationships before marriage.

[@taroman7100]

yah, and so?

[@DavidLS1]

Someone needs to Photoshop a heavy metal band in place of the jazz band.

[@veritysprott1547]

Louis Armstrong-1920s

[@hhywhy]

2:28

[@georgeprchal3924]

Mary: Well not as bad as my wedding singer... Turn around... Every time I get a little bit terrified I see the Fucking look in your eyes... Turn around bright eyes... AND I NEED YOU KNOW TONIGHT...I FUCKING NEED YOU MORE THAN EVER!

[@allyb3510]

Did not expect edith to be the racist..

[@evacope1718]

It would of been rare to see black people in high society at the time, sadly.

[@williamcondon7729]

My mind goes immediately to Dave Chapelle talking about how you have entertain white people to get out of the ghetto.

[@veritysprott1547]

Was Queen Mary German?

[@John_Henry83]

This whole story line was so contrived and transparent i was almost embarrassed to watch it. It was just put there to have a non white character in the show. And this is coming from a Black American. What bothered me is that is was not historically accurate and that made it seem so contrived. #1 There were probably very few black people in Yorkshire in 1921. If it was the East End of London at that time or Manchester and they did not have SOME black people at least in the background then I would have been upset. #2 Black soldiers during WWI did introduce Europe to Jazz. Many of them stayed in Europe because they saw the racial conditions being slightly better there than in the U.S. BUT it would have been a very rare thing to have a black man leading a white band. Most of the bands were all black or all white or had a white band leader with one or two black members The show got it right in season 3 when Lady Rose was in a nightclub in Greek street and there was and all black band called "The Louisiana Boys"

[@derekfancett8218]

Read up on the band that is referred to in another reply: Leslie Hutchinson. He cut a swathe through the British female aristocracy so this storyline is reasonably accurate. Julian Fellowes is really, in his own right, Lord Fellowes and he does know all the aristocratic gossip going back to 1900.

[@susancarlucci3737]

Fidel from death in paradise

[@jerryadams2191]

😎📺✌✌💎

[@tobynsaunders]

Who would have guessed that Edith would be the most racist character in the show?

[@Furienna]

She wasn't. She was only concerned about what other people might say and voiced that concern to her grandmother.

[@tobynsaunders]

@@Furienna I don't see a particular reason to believe that.

[@Furienna]

@@tobynsaunders Why not? You have to remember that this was a century ago.

[@tobynsaunders]

@@Furienna I just don't think that she was written that way. It came across to me like she was written as someone who was saying, in so many words, "Is it right for a black man to be in this house like this? Isn't that morally wrong?".

[@Furienna]

@@tobynsaunders It is more about that this is the first time, that a black person was inside that house. That could have been a source for gossip.