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

Two children run away from home and stay at the New York museum. Sound unbelievable! Well, it happens in this film, "The Hideaways." Based on a children's book, the film centers its attention more on the older sister than the younger brother. I had never seen this before, but I feel like I would have loved it had I seen this when I was younger. But even as an adult now, I really like it a lot. The film may not seem like much, but we are completely immersed in their own little world as they discover art in the museum. The movie is so well written and made believable by the actors' credible acting. Then much of a to-do is made of a Madonna sculpture and who actually made it. They come to find out it was donated by a rich and eccentric lady. When the girl decides she has to know all about it, they find out where she lives and visit Mrs. Frankweiler, played by Ingrid Bergman. In one of her last films, Ms. Bergman is a delight as she toys with their curiosity and ultimately has a long talk with the girl about life and one's choices. I particularly enjoyed that; it was a very touching moment, maybe made even more poignant for those people who know of Ingrid Bergman's life and career. (She would live only another 7 years.) This is a very endearing, sweet film that children (and Ingrid Bergman fans) would love. I wish it were shown on television, so that today's younger generations could discover this great little film about growing up. Discover "The Hideaways," or "From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler" today.

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?

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.

That's about it - imagine running away from home, living in a tree-house and having great adventures. This film was fantastic fun. It may not be highbrow art, but it is a fun film for the kids!

The other guy who commented on this film was obviously looking for something more adult and intelligent. I found that this film was well meaning and had good moral standing.

It is a film to take you on a journey and allow you to see things that you otherwise would not. A good exploration of posh kids meeting with street kids, alien experiences like living alone and being self-sufficient.

Very entertaining for a young mind hungry for stimulation.

It is about friendships and trust, independence and coming of age. Fighting your own battles and finding yourself.

I really liked this film when I saw it the first time in the 80's on television. I think I would enjoy it again, although I doubt I would watch it unless I chanced upon on television one night. I would consider watching it if I have kids, I would like them to see it.

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.