A couple ladies still remember well the 1958 six-part Pride & Prejudice series featuring Jane Downs (Elizabeth Bennet) and Alan Badel (Mr Darcy); one fan expressed a hope for at least a picture. Sue Parrill, familiar to JASNA members as the Book Review Editor for JASNA News, supplies just that! Visit her website AUSTEN POWER.
Jane Austen in Vermont 
Sue Parill has also published a book about Jane Austen adaptations titled, Jane Austen on Film and Television. You can preview it on Google Books
http://books.google.com/books?id=l6dsN6KfXUkC
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This photo of Jane Downs – for some reason – makes me think of several “Suzannas” in Le nozze di Figaro. Makes me wonder if Austen knew Figaro at all?
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I also remember the 1958 series and am so pleased that it hasn’t been totally forgotten. Mention “Pride and Prejudice” these days and most people cite Colin Firth as the definitive Darcy but those of us fortunate enough to have seen Alan Badel’s portrayal know differently. What a shame the BBC ditched so many of these early classic serials!
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Is there any way of procuring this 1958 version. I remember it well and I agree with Kay he was definitely the most arrogant and dashing Darcy. Dot Sharman
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I have been boring people for years by saying my favourite Mr Darcy is Alan Badel (closely followed by Mr Firth of course!). But it does rather reveal my age. Shame this version isn’t still available – it would give all the others a run for their money.
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Thanks Annie for stopping by and giving that earlier P&P another plug – maybe if enough people holler about it, it will be made available… let’s hope!
Best,
Deb
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At last – more people who remember Alan Badel as the definitive Darcy!! I was beginning to think I was alone in the world!!
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Ha! Love that you remember him!
Deb
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