Reviews for Granny's Secret Desserts

The average rating for Granny's Secret Desserts based on 2 reviews is 4 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2014-05-24 00:00:00 Ford Ruggieri Fun to read.

Review # 2 was written on 2012-11-21 00:00:00 Josslin Smith For the Celebrity Death Match Review Tournament, Mary Poppins (32) versus Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management (16) [Breakfast at the Banks's. MR BANKS eats his toast with an irritated expression] MR BANKS: Winifred? MRS BANKS: Yes dear? MR BANKS: Don't you sometimes think that Mary Poppins is a little too, how shall I put it, magical? MRS BANKS: Yes dear. MR BANKS: Then don't you think we should do something about it? MRS BANKS: Yes dear. MR BANKS: Well, what are we going to do then? MRS BANKS: Don't worry, dear, I've engaged a new nanny to help her. She's not magical at all. I'm sure you'll like her very much. MR BANKS [deflated]: Oh. Good. [JANE and MICHAEL rush in, followed by MARY POPPINS and MRS BEETON] MRS BANKS: And here she is. Children, you have a big day ahead of you. Michael, have you taken your cod-liver oil? MICHAEL [truculent scowl]: No. I don't like it. MARY POPPINS: Now, Michael, remember what I always say. A spoonful of sugar... [She has taken out a spoonful of white sugar. Michael eyes it disgustedly] MRS BEETON: Ah, Mary, I think Michael might prefer some unrefined cane sugar, with just the smallest hint of vanilla. We tried it last night and he said it was a vast improvement. Here we are... [She takes out a second spoonful. Michael swallows it avidly, followed by the cod-liver oil. MARY looks surprised] MRS BEETON: But we must hurry, mustn't we? There was that tea-party we were going to attend... [The scene rapidly flips to a tea party on UNCLE ALBERT's ceiling. MARY pours out the tea. JANE takes a sip and is visibly unimpressed] BERT: What's wrong, Jane? JANE: Where do I start? This is Earl Grey, and not my favourite brand either. The tea-pot hasn't been warmed. And the milk is off. [UNCLE ALBERT, BERT and MARY look helpless. MRS BEETON reaches into her handbag] MRS BEETON: As it happens, I do have a little Darjeeling here and a bottle of fresh milk. Please let me help. [She tips out the offending tea, expertly makes a fresh pot and pours out new cups for everyone. JANE gazes at her with shining eyes, while MARY tries hard to seem unconcerned. The children drink their tea contentedly] MARY POPPINS: I'm terribly sorry, we must go. You're visiting your father's bank. CHILDREN: Awwww, already? [The scene flips again to the street in front of Saint Paul's Cathedral. The BIRD WOMAN is selling bags of crumbs] BIRD WOMAN: Feed the birds! Tuppence a bag! MICHAEL: Can I buy one? [MRS BEETON bends down, picks up a stray crumb and examines it carefully] MRS BEETON: Well, this is simply monstrous! Cheap, stale, white bread, I'm sure it's giving those poor sparrows stomache-aches. And tuppence a bag must be at least a 1000% markup. MICHAEL: But I want to feed the birds! MRS BEETON: Fortunately, I came prepared. [She reaches into her bag again] The loaf I baked this morning, for a total cost of one ha'penny, was enough to make a bag for you [she gives one to MICHAEL], Jane, [one for JANE], your father [one for MR BANKS] and even one for this kind gentleman here [she hands one to THE OLDER MR DAWES, who has just joined them]. [Everyone feeds the birds, who can't get enough of the delicious bread] THE OLDER MR DAWES [to MICHAEL]: So what brings you here, young fellow? MICHAEL: I'd like to invest my tuppence in your bank, sir. THE OLDER MR DAWES: Would you indeed! MICHAEL: Yes, I would! Then I'll be part of... railways through Africa! Dams across the Nile! JANE [whispers to MICHAEL]: The ships! Tell him about the ships! MICHAEL: Fleets of ocean greyhounds! Plantations of ripening tea! JANE: Darjeeling, of course. MICHAEL: All for tuppence, prudently, carefully, invested in the... THE OLDER MR DAWES: You seem to have a good head on your shoulders, young fellow. It must come from your father. MICHAEL: No, from Mrs... [JANE kicks him], I mean, yes sir. Father's taught us all about finance. It's very interesting. THE OLDER MR DAWES: Has he now? That reminds me, Banks, there's a place coming up on the Board. Perhaps we should talk about it. MR BANKS: I'd be honoured, sir. THE OLDER MR DAWES: Well, don't just stand there! Do come in [he ushers them into the bank], Banks, your two charming children, this delightful lady here [he gives a courtly bow to MRS BEETON], and, ah, wasn't there another member of the party? [He looks around, surprised, but MARY POPPINS has unaccountably disappeared]