From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

Rare kid film that's actually charming rather than just cute. Director Fielder Cook and scenarist/adapter Blanche Hanalis make the wise decision to focus largely on Claudia and her kid brother Jamey rather than do what a lesser film would and cut away to the worried parents (especially considering that the dad is played by veteran scenery chomper, Richard Mulligan). This pays off 'cause Sally Praeger is a really good actor and invests her dreamy, frustrated, intelligent twelve year old with equal parts likability and pathos. Indeed Praeger is so good that she manages to hold her own in the final scenes with Ingrid Bergman and when you are up against a Hollywood legend doing her usual fine work and not disappearing then you're a better than average young thesp. Wonder whatever happened to Praeger? Gonna Google her as soon as I'm done with this review. Hopefully she had a decent adult career or if she left acting then it was by choice. And as far as her little brother is concerned the actor playing him, Johnny Doran, with Cook's help I imagine, manages to stay just on the right side of too adorable. So, if you're a kid who likes kid films or, like me, in their second childhood and not in the mood for Abel Ferrara, and you can, as I did, wrap your mind around the story concept of the world's greatest art museum hiring the world's most inept security then you will, as I did, have a pretty fun time watching this one. B plus.

PS...Coulda used a bit more of Madeleine Kahn.

PSS...Wonder if the international food court at Macy's still offers free samples? Hell, I wonder if Macy's still has an international food court?

Enchanting family film depicts the overnight adventures of two siblings from a wealthy family who hideaway overnight in the local museum to cure their boredom. They become fascinated with a statue and find that its previous owner (Bergman), while reclusive and seemingly unkind, is actually a benevolent art lover who becomes taken with the older sister in whom she sees her reflection as an adolescent.

Bergman is heavily caked in make-up and is consequently witch-like in appearance, but her elegance remains unmistakable. Her affection for the little girl is heart-warming, revealing the treasures she and her late husband coveted and offers a glimpse into her lonely, withdrawn existence since the death of her beloved. For a brief moment, her enthusiasm and kind-heartedness is restored by the presence of the youngsters and as Bergman's character closes in freeze frame, you wonder if their impact will be long-lasting.

I found the film's score moving, the scenery colourful and the characterisations earnest. Overall, an unexpectedly humble but enjoyable picture elevated by Bergman's presence and a little bit special as a result.

I loved E. L. Konigsberg's book, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. It is one of a few books that I remember fairly vividly from childhood, and I recently read it with my son, so we decided to watch this movie. I liked the movie, and thought that the children and Ingrid Bergman all gave fine performances. However, the movie differs from the book on minor details that I could see no rationale for changing (saying that Mrs. BEF lived in New Jersey, rather than Connecticut, for example). Mainly, though, I was very disappointed in the way the story ends in the movie in comparison to the book. In the book, Mrs. BEF gives the children a time limit and lets them figure out the answer to the mystery themselves. But in the movie, Mrs. BEF leaves Jamie playing cards with her butler, while she takes Claudia to another part of the house, where Mrs. BEF essentially solves the mystery for Claudia. I would still recommend the movie, but it's not nearly as good as the book.

I found Sally Prager's portrayal of Claudia delightful. The character is intelligent, curious, full of wonder, and caring toward her younger brother. Her independence and courage are admirable. I sympathized completely with "Mrs. Frankweiler's" attraction to this spunky young girl. Ingrid Bergman's appearance toward the end of this movie elevates the film to a new level; as ever, her acting is superb.

I have to disagree with the posters who didn't like the film because it "isn't believable". My question to them is... Who would believe that a pregnant woman could live in a Wal-Mart or that a movie ticket can bring an action star out of the silver screen. It's a delightful little movie that I would watch over and over and over again either by myself or with the kids. It says something about the perseverance of and dedication of siblings, I only hope that my own children feel like that about their siblings... I haven't read the book yet, but am going to now that I know there is one. I have to be honest here... I was a preteen when I first saw this movie and I can remember going into my mother's medicine cabinet and taking some of her Alka Seltzer just to try it with chocolate sauce... After growing and having kids of my own... I STILL have one every once in a while! Still trying to find this move on DVD or VHS so we can have a copy here at home.