Episode #1.1's primary photo

Backstairs at the White House

Episode #1.1 (Season 1, Episode 1)
TV Episode | 160 min | Drama, History

In 1909, Maggie starts working at the White House as second maid, but is run ragged with her usual work and extra tasks as a beautician. Daughter Lillian has an operation for her crippled leg but is heartbroken to learn she will still need...See moreIn 1909, Maggie starts working at the White House as second maid, but is run ragged with her usual work and extra tasks as a beautician. Daughter Lillian has an operation for her crippled leg but is heartbroken to learn she will still need crutches. Maggie asks Mrs. Jaffray to hire grown-up Lillian, but she refuses to hire a handicapped woman. Written by mama.sylvia See less
Read more: Plot summary
Writers
Lillian Rogers Parks (book "My Thirty Years Backstairs at the White House") | Frances Spatz Leighton (book "My Thirty Years Backstairs at the White House") | Gwen Bagni (developed for television by) (teleplay) | Paul Dubov (developed for television by) (teleplay)
Composer
Cinematographer
Casting Directors
Jane Feinberg (as Fenton & Feinberg) | Mike Fenton (as Fenton & Feinberg)
Status
Edit Released
Updated Jan 29, 1979

Release date
Jan 29, 1979 (United States)

Contacts

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Cast

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44 cast members
Name Known for
Olivia Cole
Maggie Rogers Maggie Rogers   See fewer
Leslie Uggams
Lillian Rogers Lillian Rogers   See fewer
Louis Gossett Jr.
Houseman Levi Mercer Houseman Levi Mercer   See fewer
Robert Hooks
Chief Barber John Mays Chief Barber John Mays   See fewer
Leslie Nielsen
Ike Hoover Ike Hoover   See fewer
Hari Rhodes
Butler Coates Butler Coates   See fewer
Bill Overton
Doorman Jackson Doorman Jackson   See fewer
Helena Carroll
First Maid Annie Gilhooley First Maid Annie Gilhooley   See fewer
David Downing
Butler Dixon Butler Dixon   See fewer
Cloris Leachman
Mrs. Jaffray Mrs. Jaffray   See fewer
Paul Winfield
Emmett Rogers Sr Emmett Rogers Sr   See fewer
Julie Harris
Mrs. Helen 'Nellie' Taft Mrs. Helen 'Nellie' Taft   See fewer
Victor Buono
President William Howard Taft President William Howard Taft   See fewer
Robert Vaughn
President Woodrow Wilson President Woodrow Wilson   See fewer
Kim Hunter
Mrs. Ellen Wilson Mrs. Ellen Wilson   See fewer
Claire Bloom
Mrs. Edith Galt Wilson Mrs. Edith Galt Wilson   See fewer
Celeste Holm
Mrs. Florence Harding Mrs. Florence Harding   See fewer
George Kennedy
President Warren G. Harding (voice) President Warren G. Harding (voice)   See fewer
Ed Flanders
President Calvin Coolidge (credit only) President Calvin Coolidge (credit only)   See fewer
Lee Grant
Mrs. Grace Coolidge (credit only) Mrs. Grace Coolidge (credit only)   See fewer
Larry Gates
President Herbert Hoover (credit only) President Herbert Hoover (credit only)   See fewer
Jan Sterling
Mrs. Lou Hoover (credit only) Mrs. Lou Hoover (credit only)   See fewer
Eileen Heckart
Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt (credit only) Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt (credit only)   See fewer
John Anderson
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (credit only) President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (credit only)   See fewer
Harry Morgan
President Harry S. Truman (credit only) President Harry S. Truman (credit only)   See fewer
Estelle Parsons
Mrs. Bess Truman (credit only) Mrs. Bess Truman (credit only)   See fewer
Barbara Barrie
Mrs. Mamie Eisenhower (credit only) Mrs. Mamie Eisenhower (credit only)   See fewer
Andrew Duggan
President Dwight D. Eisenhower (credit only) President Dwight D. Eisenhower (credit only)   See fewer
Kevin Hooks
Emmett Jr. Emmett Jr.   See fewer
Tania Johnson
Young Lillian Young Lillian   See fewer
Murphy Robinson
Young Emmett Young Emmett   See fewer
Dana Wynter
Mrs. Colgate Mrs. Colgate   See fewer
John Randolph
Sen. Fall Sen. Fall   See fewer
Anna Mathias
Maureen Maureen   See fewer
Brendan Dillon
Kearney Kearney   See fewer
Joe Lowry
Michaels Michaels   See fewer
Dan Mason
Dr. Irving Dr. Irving   See fewer
Gary Bordon
Charlie Taft Charlie Taft   See fewer
Sara Ballantine
Woodrow Wilson's Daughter (uncredited) Woodrow Wilson's Daughter (uncredited)   See fewer
Gregory Itzin
White House Tour Guide (uncredited) White House Tour Guide (uncredited)   See fewer
Jacqueline Kennedy
Self (archive footage) (uncredited) Self (archive footage) (uncredited)   See fewer
John F. Kennedy
Self (archive footage) (uncredited) Self (archive footage) (uncredited)   See fewer
Pamela Munro
Margaret Wilson (uncredited) Margaret Wilson (uncredited)   See fewer
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