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The '''''[[Grande Dame]]''''' is the stately old woman -- usually of wealth and [[Blue Blood|rank]], though often enough only wishing to appear so -- who is very often a large woman of [[Gag Boobs|ample physique]], uptight, [[No Sense of Humor|humorless]], and the [[Acceptable Target|butt of jokes]]. The ''Grande Dame'' is usually a spinster or widow, in which case she is likely to become an [[Old Maid]] or an [[Abhorrent Admirer]]; if she ''is'' married, it will usually be to a [[Henpecked Husband]] (very often an [[Uncle Pennybags]]), whom she will drag to operas (where she will doubtless wear [[Opera Gloves]]) and ballets because [[Men Are Uncultured]], though she will more often be a patroness of the arts than [[The Prima Donna]] herself. She will also quite often have some sort of spoilt and pampered (and very often overweight) child or pet, a Persian or a Pomeranian or a parrot, on whom the rest of her dependents must dance attendance. In most cases, any attempt at frivolity will draw from her either a frigid stare of disapproval or [[Completely Missing the Point|sheer, blank incomprehension]]. Nevertheless, she will ''occasionally'' turn out to be a sympathetic character as well -- ''very'' occasionally she will turn out to have a screwball or eccentric streak herself.
The '''''[[Grande Dame]]''''' is the stately old woman -- usually of wealth and [[Blue Blood|rank]], though often enough only wishing to appear so -- who is very often a large woman of [[Gag Boobs|ample physique]], uptight, [[No Sense of Humor|humorless]], and the [[Acceptable Target|butt of jokes]]. The ''Grande Dame'' is usually a spinster or widow, in which case she is likely to become an [[Old Maid]] or an [[Abhorrent Admirer]]; if she ''is'' married, it will usually be to a [[Henpecked Husband]] (very often an [[Uncle Pennybags]]), whom she will drag to operas (where she will doubtless wear [[Opera Gloves]]) and ballets because [[Men Are Uncultured]], though she will more often be a patroness of the arts than [[The Prima Donna]] herself. She will also quite often have some sort of spoilt and pampered (and very often overweight) child or pet, a Persian or a Pomeranian or a parrot, on whom the rest of her dependents must dance attendance. In most cases, any attempt at frivolity will draw from her either a frigid stare of disapproval or [[Completely Missing the Point|sheer, blank incomprehension]]. Nevertheless, she will ''occasionally'' turn out to be a sympathetic character as well -- ''very'' occasionally she will turn out to have a screwball or eccentric streak herself.


As she sinks down toward the cynical end of the [[Sliding Scale of Idealism vs. Cynicism]], she will on uncommon occasions become a [[Deadpan Snarker]], though if she goes too far, she may turn into the [[Rich Bitch]]; as she rises toward the idealistic end, she may become the more friendly [[Maiden Aunt]] -- in very rare cases (like [[Gone With the Wind|Ellen O'Hara]]) she may become [[Proper Lady|the saintly "great lady]]". Both extremes are uncommon, however, as in general she preserves the ''status quo'' as a [[Moral Guardian]] -- she may well have started out as an [[Apron Matron]] -- and her watchword is "Respectability." If she loses this and begins to hit the bottle, there is a good chance she will turn into [[Lady Drunk]].
As she sinks down toward the cynical end of the [[Sliding Scale of Idealism vs. Cynicism]], she will on uncommon occasions become a [[Deadpan Snarker]], though if she goes too far, she may turn into the [[Rich Bitch]]; as she rises toward the idealistic end, she may become the more friendly [[Maiden Aunt]] -- in very rare cases (like [[Gone with the Wind|Ellen O'Hara]]) she may become [[Proper Lady|the saintly "great lady]]". Both extremes are uncommon, however, as in general she preserves the ''status quo'' as a [[Moral Guardian]] -- she may well have started out as an [[Apron Matron]] -- and her watchword is "Respectability." If she loses this and begins to hit the bottle, there is a good chance she will turn into [[Lady Drunk]].


The trope is nearly always a [[Comedy Tropes|Comedy Trope]], associated particularly with the Comedy of Manners; as such, it serves as a useful device for mocking social pretensions, and dates back to the ancient Roman plays of [[Plautus]] and Terence, where the ''Grande Dame'' appeared as the ''Matrona''. She was not used much in the uninhibited [[The Middle Ages|Middle Ages]], but made a comeback as the humorless, self-important ''dueña'' of the 16th and 17th century Spanish theater. The prude and bluestocking of the Restoration (such as [[Moliere|Molière]]'s [[The Misanthrope (Theatre)|Arsinoé]] and his ''Précieuses ridicules'') and Sentimental comedies (for instance, Mrs. Malaprop in Sheridan's ''The Rivals'') have some affinities with the type, insofar as they made pretensions to virtue and culture, but it was only with the [[Victorian Britain|Victorian]] age that the great era of the ''Grande Dame'' opened. Here, with her [[Ermine Cape Effect|fur stole]] and her ancestral [[High-Class Glass|lorgnette]] in hand, the ''Grande Dame'' quashed social climbers, sought advantageous marriages for her daughters and repelled impossible matches for her sons, and maintained the natural order of Society with frigid hauteur for a good hundred years and more. In England, she was generally in [[wikipedia:Debrettchr(27)s|Debrett]] and was called "Lady" something; in America, she was one of the [[wikipedia:Boston Brahmin|Brahmins]] or [[wikipedia:Ward McAllister|the Four Hundred]] or the [[wikipedia:First families of virginia|FFV]] and was called "Mrs. Van" Whoozis or Miss Firstname. She will still turn up occasionally, to preside over banquets and to be aghast at the excesses of [[Straw Feminist|Feminism]] or the [[Teens Are Monsters|Youth movement]] and to wonder why [[Ye Goode Olde Days|no young ladies bother to go to the cotillion any more]].
The trope is nearly always a [[Comedy Tropes|Comedy Trope]], associated particularly with the Comedy of Manners; as such, it serves as a useful device for mocking social pretensions, and dates back to the ancient Roman plays of [[Plautus]] and Terence, where the ''Grande Dame'' appeared as the ''Matrona''. She was not used much in the uninhibited [[The Middle Ages|Middle Ages]], but made a comeback as the humorless, self-important ''dueña'' of the 16th and 17th century Spanish theater. The prude and bluestocking of the Restoration (such as [[Moliere|Molière]]'s [[The Misanthrope|Arsinoé]] and his ''Précieuses ridicules'') and Sentimental comedies (for instance, Mrs. Malaprop in Sheridan's ''The Rivals'') have some affinities with the type, insofar as they made pretensions to virtue and culture, but it was only with the [[Victorian Britain|Victorian]] age that the great era of the ''Grande Dame'' opened. Here, with her [[Ermine Cape Effect|fur stole]] and her ancestral [[High-Class Glass|lorgnette]] in hand, the ''Grande Dame'' quashed social climbers, sought advantageous marriages for her daughters and repelled impossible matches for her sons, and maintained the natural order of Society with frigid hauteur for a good hundred years and more. In England, she was generally in [[wikipedia:Debrettchr(27)s|Debrett]] and was called "Lady" something; in America, she was one of the [[wikipedia:Boston Brahmin|Brahmins]] or [[wikipedia:Ward McAllister|the Four Hundred]] or the [[wikipedia:First families of virginia|FFV]] and was called "Mrs. Van" Whoozis or Miss Firstname. She will still turn up occasionally, to preside over banquets and to be aghast at the excesses of [[Straw Feminist|Feminism]] or the [[Teens Are Monsters|Youth movement]] and to wonder why [[Ye Goode Olde Days|no young ladies bother to go to the cotillion any more]].


Her plot function will usually be as an obstruction to the plans of the protagonist, though she will occasionally convert to his side -- more rarely, she may assist from the first.
Her plot function will usually be as an obstruction to the plans of the protagonist, though she will occasionally convert to his side -- more rarely, she may assist from the first.
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== Film ==
== Film ==
* Mrs. Rittenhouse in ''[[Animal Crackers]]'', Mrs. Teasdale in ''[[Duck Soup]]'', Mrs. Claypool in ''[[A Night At the Opera]]'' and other similar rôles in various [[Marx Brothers]] films were gloriously sustained by Margaret Dumont, who may be considered the [[Trope Codifier]] ''and'' the best example of this trope.
* Mrs. Rittenhouse in ''[[Animal Crackers]]'', Mrs. Teasdale in ''[[Duck Soup]]'', Mrs. Claypool in ''[[A Night at the Opera]]'' and other similar rôles in various [[Marx Brothers]] films were gloriously sustained by Margaret Dumont, who may be considered the [[Trope Codifier]] ''and'' the best example of this trope.
** Especially because many reports paint her exactly this way ''off stage''. (''But see ''[[Real Life]]'', below.'')
** Especially because many reports paint her exactly this way ''off stage''. (''But see ''[[Real Life]]'', below.'')
** There is also Mrs. Claypool's spiritual successor, Lillian Oglethorpe (Nancy Marchand), in the 1992 remake of ''[[A Night At the Opera]]'', ''[[Brain Donors]]''.
** There is also Mrs. Claypool's spiritual successor, Lillian Oglethorpe (Nancy Marchand), in the 1992 remake of ''[[A Night at the Opera]]'', ''[[Brain Donors]]''.
* Nora Charles' formidable Aunt Katherine in ''[[The Thin Man (Film)|After the Thin Man]]''.
* Nora Charles' formidable Aunt Katherine in ''[[The Thin Man (film)|After the Thin Man]]''.
* In the movie ''[[Arthur (Film)|Arthur]]'', Arthur's grandmother Martha Bach demands that he marry Susan Johnson or she will cut off all his money.
* In the movie ''[[Arthur (film)|Arthur]]'', Arthur's grandmother Martha Bach demands that he marry Susan Johnson or she will cut off all his money.
* Elizabeth Random, Susan Vance's aunt, in ''[[Bringing Up Baby]]'', who displays little tolerance for David Huxtable, but who is eccentric enough to want her own leopard.
* Elizabeth Random, Susan Vance's aunt, in ''[[Bringing Up Baby]]'', who displays little tolerance for David Huxtable, but who is eccentric enough to want her own leopard.
* Lady St. Edmund in [[Disney]]'s ''[[Candleshoe]]'' is the sympathetic rich widow version; her butler hides the fact that she is an [[Impoverished Patrician]] for fear it would break her heart. However she's [[Obfuscating Stupidity]] and is actually a [[Genre Savvy]] grandmotherly type who's enjoying the game.
* Lady St. Edmund in [[Disney]]'s ''[[Candleshoe]]'' is the sympathetic rich widow version; her butler hides the fact that she is an [[Impoverished Patrician]] for fear it would break her heart. However she's [[Obfuscating Stupidity]] and is actually a [[Genre Savvy]] grandmotherly type who's enjoying the game.
* The eponymous Daisy Werthan of ''[[Driving Miss Daisy]]'' appears to begin the movie as a cynical version of this trope and move over towards the idealistic by the end.
* The eponymous Daisy Werthan of ''[[Driving Miss Daisy]]'' appears to begin the movie as a cynical version of this trope and move over towards the idealistic by the end.
* A [[Grande Dame]] appears in the "Rhapsody in Blue" section of [[Disney]]'s ''[[Fantasia (Disney)|Fantasia 2000]]''.
* A [[Grande Dame]] appears in the "Rhapsody in Blue" section of [[Disney]]'s ''[[Fantasia|Fantasia 2000]]''.
* "Mother" in [[Disney]]'s ''The Happiest Millionaire'' is related to the type.
* "Mother" in [[Disney]]'s ''The Happiest Millionaire'' is related to the type.
* The Countess of Trentham, played toward the cynical end of the scale by Maggie Smith in [[Gosford Park]]
* The Countess of Trentham, played toward the cynical end of the scale by Maggie Smith in [[Gosford Park]]
* "Mother" Baldwin in ''[[His Girl Friday]]'' is close to this type.
* "Mother" Baldwin in ''[[His Girl Friday]]'' is close to this type.
* Judi Dench's version of M in the new [[James Bond (Film)|James Bond]] films (''e.g., [[Casino Royale (Film)|Casino Royale]]'') is portrayed in this manner:
* Judi Dench's version of M in the new [[James Bond (film)|James Bond]] films (''e.g., [[Casino Royale]]'') is portrayed in this manner:
{{quote| ''Bond:'' I always thought M was a randomly assigned initial; I had no idea it stood for--<br />
{{quote| ''Bond:'' I always thought M was a randomly assigned initial; I had no idea it stood for--<br />
''M:'' Utter one more syllable and I'll have you killed. }}
''M:'' Utter one more syllable and I'll have you killed. }}
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* The faded actress Miss Luther in ''[[Stage Door]]'' -- and, indeed, most parts played by Constance Collier.
* The faded actress Miss Luther in ''[[Stage Door]]'' -- and, indeed, most parts played by Constance Collier.
* In ''[[Titanic]]'' Rose's mother is a tragic variation on the character, while "Molly" Brown is a subversion.
* In ''[[Titanic]]'' Rose's mother is a tragic variation on the character, while "Molly" Brown is a subversion.
* Mrs. Van Hoskins in 1972's ''[[What's Up Doc (Film)|What's Up Doc]]''.
* Mrs. Van Hoskins in 1972's ''[[What's Up, Doc?|What's Up Doc]]''.
* Mrs. Arness in ''Bringing Down the House''.
* Mrs. Arness in ''Bringing Down the House''.
* [[Last of Her Kind|Baylene the Brachiosaurus]] from ''[[Dinosaur (Disney)|Dinosaur]]'' appears to act like one of these.
* [[Last of Her Kind|Baylene the Brachiosaurus]] from ''[[Dinosaur]]'' appears to act like one of these.




== Literature ==
== Literature ==
* [[PG Wodehouse (Creator)|PG Wodehouse]] (very likely under the inspiration of [[Gilbert and Sullivan|W.S. Gilbert]], whose works he adored) and his collection of "aunts" may well claim to be the literary patron saints of this trope, on which for well over sixty years he rang the changes of every possible variation imaginable, from the lovable Aunt Dahlia in ''Right Ho, Jeeves!'' to the truly horrible Heloïse, Princess von und zu Dwornitzchek, in ''Summer Moonshine'', a [[Rich Bitch]] who is not even funny. Perhaps the most typical is the formidable Lady Constance (she is, of course, the sister of the many-sistered Lord Emsworth in the "[[Blandings Castle (Literature)|Blandings Castle]]" saga), but the most famous is probably [[Jeeves and Wooster (Literature)|Bertie Wooster]]'s Aunt Agatha, who "chews broken bottles and kills rats with her teeth."
* [[P. G. Wodehouse|PG Wodehouse]] (very likely under the inspiration of [[Gilbert and Sullivan|W.S. Gilbert]], whose works he adored) and his collection of "aunts" may well claim to be the literary patron saints of this trope, on which for well over sixty years he rang the changes of every possible variation imaginable, from the lovable Aunt Dahlia in ''Right Ho, Jeeves!'' to the truly horrible Heloïse, Princess von und zu Dwornitzchek, in ''Summer Moonshine'', a [[Rich Bitch]] who is not even funny. Perhaps the most typical is the formidable Lady Constance (she is, of course, the sister of the many-sistered Lord Emsworth in the "[[Blandings Castle]]" saga), but the most famous is probably [[Jeeves and Wooster (novel)|Bertie Wooster]]'s Aunt Agatha, who "chews broken bottles and kills rats with her teeth."
* [[Evelyn Waugh]] also enjoyed this trope, ''e.g.'', Lady Circumference in ''Decline and Fall.''
* [[Evelyn Waugh]] also enjoyed this trope, ''e.g.'', Lady Circumference in ''Decline and Fall.''
* Mrs. Proudie, in [[Anthony Trollope (Creator)|Anthony Trollope]]'s "Chronicles of Barsetshire," is an example of the social-climbing type.
* Mrs. Proudie, in [[Anthony Trollope]]'s "Chronicles of Barsetshire," is an example of the social-climbing type.
** How wonderful to find a reference to Trollope. How about Glencora's aunts: The Countess of Midlothian and the Marchioness of Auld Reekie.
** How wonderful to find a reference to Trollope. How about Glencora's aunts: The Countess of Midlothian and the Marchioness of Auld Reekie.
* Helen, Duchess of Denver is a humourless ''young'' woman in [[Dorothy L Sayers]]' [[Lord Peter Wimsey]] novels; Lady Hermione Creethorpe, in "The Queen's Square," is a more typical elderly example.
* Helen, Duchess of Denver is a humourless ''young'' woman in [[Dorothy L. Sayers]]' [[Lord Peter Wimsey]] novels; Lady Hermione Creethorpe, in "The Queen's Square," is a more typical elderly example.
* Hector Hugh Munro, aka [[Saki (Creator)|Saki]], was very fond of this type, both in the humourless, unintelligent version (for instance, the mothers in "Morlvera" and "The Schartz-Metterklume Method" and Hortensia, Lady Bevel, in ''The Watched Pot'') and also in its [[Deadpan Snarker]] variant (for instance, Lady Caroline Benaresq in ''The Unbearable Bassington'').
* Hector Hugh Munro, aka [[Saki (author)|Saki]], was very fond of this type, both in the humourless, unintelligent version (for instance, the mothers in "Morlvera" and "The Schartz-Metterklume Method" and Hortensia, Lady Bevel, in ''The Watched Pot'') and also in its [[Deadpan Snarker]] variant (for instance, Lady Caroline Benaresq in ''The Unbearable Bassington'').
* Pretty much the whole female cast of ''[[The Picture of Dorian Gray]]'', besides Sybil Vane and her mother, is portrayed in this way.
* Pretty much the whole female cast of ''[[The Picture of Dorian Gray]]'', besides Sybil Vane and her mother, is portrayed in this way.
* [[Jane Austen]] features the arrogant Lady Catherine de Bourgh in ''[[Pride and Prejudice]]'', who, though she does not seem entirely unaware, is rather humorless.
* [[Jane Austen]] features the arrogant Lady Catherine de Bourgh in ''[[Pride and Prejudice]]'', who, though she does not seem entirely unaware, is rather humorless.
* Mrs. Van Hopper in Daphne du Maurier's ''[[Rebecca]]''; du Maurier may have been inspired by her father, George du Maurier, who was fond of portraying the type in his cartoons for the English humour magazine ''Punch''.
* Mrs. Van Hopper in Daphne du Maurier's ''[[Rebecca]]''; du Maurier may have been inspired by her father, George du Maurier, who was fond of portraying the type in his cartoons for the English humour magazine ''Punch''.
* The Comtesse de Tournay in ''[[The Scarlet Pimpernel (Literature)|The Scarlet Pimpernel]]'' (and in the [[The Scarlet Pimpernel (Film)|film]] of it, too) is a stiffly dignified old lady, implacably opposed to Marguerite -- but forced by the Prince Regent to acknowledge her nonetheless.
* The Comtesse de Tournay in ''[[The Scarlet Pimpernel (novel)|The Scarlet Pimpernel]]'' (and in the [[The Scarlet Pimpernel (film)|film]] of it, too) is a stiffly dignified old lady, implacably opposed to Marguerite -- but forced by the Prince Regent to acknowledge her nonetheless.
* Lady Shrapnell in Connie Wills' ''[[To Say Nothing of the Dog]]'' is a direct allusion to [[Oscar Wilde]]'s Lady Bracknell (''See'' [[Theatre]], ''below'').
* Lady Shrapnell in Connie Wills' ''[[To Say Nothing of the Dog]]'' is a direct allusion to [[Oscar Wilde]]'s Lady Bracknell (''See'' [[Theatre]], ''below'').
* William Makepeace Thackeray displayed a number of haughty, humorless old ladies in ''[[Vanity Fair]]'' -- for instance, Miss Pinkerton, Lady Bareacres, and Lady Southdown.
* William Makepeace Thackeray displayed a number of haughty, humorless old ladies in ''[[Vanity Fair]]'' -- for instance, Miss Pinkerton, Lady Bareacres, and Lady Southdown.
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* Hyacinth Bucket in ''[[Keeping Up Appearances]]'' is a glorious example of the pretentious social climbing version of this trope, complete with [[Henpecked Husband]] Richard.
* Hyacinth Bucket in ''[[Keeping Up Appearances]]'' is a glorious example of the pretentious social climbing version of this trope, complete with [[Henpecked Husband]] Richard.
** "[[Its Pronounced Tropay|It's pronounced]] ''[[Its Pronounced Tropay|Bouquet!]]''"
** "[[Its Pronounced Tropay|It's pronounced]] ''[[Its Pronounced Tropay|Bouquet!]]''"
* T'Pau (played by Celia Lovsky), a clan elder in Spock's family in the ''[[Star Trek the Original Series (TV)|Star Trek the Original Series]]'' episode, "Amok Time." Compared to other examples here, T'Pau is a deeply commanding figure of respect with unquestioned authority. For instance, she makes sure Kirk does not get into trouble diverting to Vulcan to get Spock for the ceremony.
* T'Pau (played by Celia Lovsky), a clan elder in Spock's family in the ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series|Star Trek the Original Series]]'' episode, "Amok Time." Compared to other examples here, T'Pau is a deeply commanding figure of respect with unquestioned authority. For instance, she makes sure Kirk does not get into trouble diverting to Vulcan to get Spock for the ceremony.
** And in [[Star Trek the Next Generation (TV)|the Next Generation]] we have Lwaxana Troi, daughter of the Fifth House of Betazed, holder of the Sacred Chalice of Rixx, heir to the Holy Rings of Betazed, who spent her visits to the Enterprise sticking her nose into ship's workings in a stately manner, trying to marry off her daughter and flirting with Picard, to his chagrin.
** And in [[Star Trek: The Next Generation|the Next Generation]] we have Lwaxana Troi, daughter of the Fifth House of Betazed, holder of the Sacred Chalice of Rixx, heir to the Holy Rings of Betazed, who spent her visits to the Enterprise sticking her nose into ship's workings in a stately manner, trying to marry off her daughter and flirting with Picard, to his chagrin.
* Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham, on ''[[Downton Abbey]]''.
* Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham, on ''[[Downton Abbey]]''.
* On ''[[Mad Men]]'', Mona in her appearances, and Mrs. Francis in season 4, are examples.
* On ''[[Mad Men]]'', Mona in her appearances, and Mrs. Francis in season 4, are examples.
* Lucille Bluth from ''[[Arrested Development (TV)|Arrested Development]]''
* Lucille Bluth from ''[[Arrested Development (TV series)|Arrested Development]]''
* Delenn in her widowhood in ''[[Babylon Five]]''. Notably when she is snarking at would-be revisionist historians.
* Delenn in her widowhood in ''[[Babylon 5]]''. Notably when she is snarking at would-be revisionist historians.
** Side note: in the DVD commentary for the episode Interludes and Examinations, as Delenn descends a staircase Bruce Boxleitner says 'here's the Grande Dame'.
** Side note: in the DVD commentary for the episode Interludes and Examinations, as Delenn descends a staircase Bruce Boxleitner says 'here's the Grande Dame'.
* Mrs. Slocombe of ''[[Are You Being Served? (TV)|Are You Being Served]]'' attempted to affect this demeanor, but she almost always backslid to her working class roots in language and attitude when angry or upset.
* Mrs. Slocombe of ''[[Are You Being Served?|Are You Being Served]]'' attempted to affect this demeanor, but she almost always backslid to her working class roots in language and attitude when angry or upset.
* Shada, the mother of Mike Frank's daughter in law, is an Arab style Grande Dame who ruled her tribe after all the men had died in battle. She carries a [[Iron Lady|ferocious and atavistic]] air to her and no one would ever want to mess with her except Mike Franks.
* Shada, the mother of Mike Frank's daughter in law, is an Arab style Grande Dame who ruled her tribe after all the men had died in battle. She carries a [[Iron Lady|ferocious and atavistic]] air to her and no one would ever want to mess with her except Mike Franks.


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== Tabletop Games ==
== Tabletop Games ==
* Mrs. Peacock in ''[[Clue (Tabletop Game)|Clue(do)]]''.
* Mrs. Peacock in ''[[Clue (game)|Clue(do)]]''.




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* Baba the Turk in ''The Rake's Progress'' is one of the few [[Grande Dame|Grande Dames]] with a beard.
* Baba the Turk in ''The Rake's Progress'' is one of the few [[Grande Dame|Grande Dames]] with a beard.
* The Countess de Lage in ''[[The Women]]''.
* The Countess de Lage in ''[[The Women]]''.
* Madame Pernelle in [[Moliere]]'s ''[[Tartuffe (Theatre)|Tartuffe]]'', as well as Arsinoé in his ''[[Le Misanthrope (Theatre)|Le Misanthrope]]'', as mentioned above.
* Madame Pernelle in [[Moliere]]'s ''[[Tartuffe]]'', as well as Arsinoé in his ''[[The Misanthrope|Le Misanthrope]]'', as mentioned above.




== Video Games ==
== Video Games ==
* The "Lady Smith" splicers in ''[[Bio Shock]]'' invoke this trope: part Elizabeth Taylor in ''[[Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf|Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?]]'', part [[Katharine Hepburn]]. There is a remarkable synergy with the horror setting. It is a credit to the voice actress that the trope is palpable even when the splicers can't be seen.
* The "Lady Smith" splicers in ''[[Bioshock]]'' invoke this trope: part Elizabeth Taylor in ''[[Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?]]'', part [[Katharine Hepburn]]. There is a remarkable synergy with the horror setting. It is a credit to the voice actress that the trope is palpable even when the splicers can't be seen.
* Gertrude Dijon in ''[[Laura Bow|The Colonel's Bequest]]''.
* Gertrude Dijon in ''[[Laura Bow|The Colonel's Bequest]]''.
* The "Elegant Lady", Emma, in ''[[Ghost Trick]]''.
* The "Elegant Lady", Emma, in ''[[Ghost Trick]]''.
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== Western Animation ==
== Western Animation ==
* Elizabeth II was depicted in this manner once on ''[[Animaniacs (Animation)|Animaniacs]]'':
* Elizabeth II was depicted in this manner once on ''[[Animaniacs]]'':
{{quote| '''Queen Elizabeth II:''' We are ''not'' amused.<br />
{{quote| '''Queen Elizabeth II:''' We are ''not'' amused.<br />
'''Yakko, Wakko, and Dot:''' But we are! }}
'''Yakko, Wakko, and Dot:''' But we are! }}
* In several [[Classic Disney Shorts]], [[Classic Disney Shorts (Animation)/Characters|Madame Clara Cluck]] (herself a parody of noted operatic contralto [[wikipedia:Clara Butt|Dame Clara Butt]] ([[Unfortunate Name|yes, we know]]) was able to [[Everything's Better With Chickens|pullet]] off.
* In several [[Classic Disney Shorts]], [[Classic Disney Shorts/Characters|Madame Clara Cluck]] (herself a parody of noted operatic contralto [[wikipedia:Clara Butt|Dame Clara Butt]] ([[Unfortunate Name|yes, we know]]) was able to [[Everything's Better with Chickens|pullet]] off.
* Lady Richington from ''[[Sheep in The Big City]]'', whose [[Catch Phrase]] is "[[Other Stock Phrases|Well, I never...!]]" is a [[Grande Dame]].
* Lady Richington from ''[[Sheep in The Big City]]'', whose [[Catch Phrase]] is "[[Other Stock Phrases|Well, I never...!]]" is a [[Grande Dame]].
* A recurring character displaying most of the classic characteristics of the type appears on ''[[The Simpsons]]''; Martha Quimby and Lady Bouvier also show similarities to this type.
* A recurring character displaying most of the classic characteristics of the type appears on ''[[The Simpsons]]''; Martha Quimby and Lady Bouvier also show similarities to this type.
** [[Hates the Job, Loves The Limelight|Krusty]], if [[Dorian Mode|I]] recall correctly, identified her as the "Wealthy Dowager" in the Clown College episode:
** [[Hates the Job, Loves the Limelight|Krusty]], if [[Dorian Mode|I]] recall correctly, identified her as the "Wealthy Dowager" in the Clown College episode:
{{quote| (paraphrased) '''Krusty''': So, a Wealthy Dowager shows up, the party's over, right? Wrong! Hit her in the face with a pie!<br />
{{quote| (paraphrased) '''Krusty''': So, a Wealthy Dowager shows up, the party's over, right? Wrong! Hit her in the face with a pie!<br />
'''Homer''' ''taking notes'': ...Kill...Wealthy...Dowager... }}
'''Homer''' ''taking notes'': ...Kill...Wealthy...Dowager... }}
Retrieved from "https://allthetropes.org/wiki/Grande_Dame"