From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (1995 film)
Encyclopedia
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler is a 1995
television film based on E.L. Konigsburg's novel of the same name
. The story is about a girl and her brother who run away from home to live in the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art and discover what they think is a lost treasure. The children, Claudia and Jamie, are transfixed with the treasure and won't leave without knowing what its secret is. Lauren Bacall
stars in the title role.
The book was previously adapted into a 1973 feature film
starring Ingrid Bergman
, later released on home video as The Hideaways.
in New York City
.
Once they arrive, they spend their days in the museum, exploring and eaves dropping on different school's guided tours. They hide in the bathrooms until after closing time and sleep in antique beds. While there they encounter "The Angel," a marble statue recently auctioned off by the elusive Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. The striking piece is surrounded by mystery. Many experts dispute the artist who created the work, though many suppose it to be none other than Michelangelo
himself. Claudia becomes determined to solve the mystery of "The Angel."
The following day, the two notice a small mark at the base of the piece. After some research, they find that the mark was one that Michelangelo made on numerous works. Claudia disguises herself as an adult in order to make an appointment with a museum worker to inform them of their discovery. Contrary to her hopes, the official informs her that they knew of the mark but are unsure if it is authentic.
Jamie, homesick after a week away, catches a cold. Refusing to go home before they solve the mystery, Claudia suggests that they visit the statue's previous owner, Mrs. Frankweiler. She refuses to tell them right out, but does permit them to attempt to discover the answer for themselves. After leading them to a room lined from floor to ceiling with filing cabinets, she informs them that they have one hour to search for the truth. After 54 minutes of fruitless effort, Claudia uncovers the correct file. It contains a sketch of the sculpture from one of Michelangelo's notebooks, proving that he is, indeed, the creator. Finally appeased, the siblings permit Mrs. Frankweiler to drive them home.
asserts that these changes may differ, but bring added drama to the film.
J. Dillard writes that the movie is carried by its casting of Lauren Bacall in the title role and that the film "never rises above the level of the TV Movie.http://www.answers.com/topic/from-the-mixed-up-files-of-mrs-basil-e-frankweiler-1995-film" However, he does say that it "should be entertaining " for its preteen target audience.
IMDB.com gave the movie 6.1 out of 10 stars. Rottentomatoes.com and The New York Times do not have reviews for this film.
1995 in television
The year 1995 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1995.For the American TV schedule, see: 1995-96 United States network television schedule.-Events:-Debuts:-1950s:...
television film based on E.L. Konigsburg's novel of the same name
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler is a novel by E. L. Konigsburg. It was published by Atheneum Books in 1967, the second published from two manuscripts the new writer had submitted to editor Jean E...
. The story is about a girl and her brother who run away from home to live in the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art and discover what they think is a lost treasure. The children, Claudia and Jamie, are transfixed with the treasure and won't leave without knowing what its secret is. Lauren Bacall
Lauren Bacall
Lauren Bacall is an American film and stage actress and model, known for her distinctive husky voice and sultry looks.She first emerged as leading lady in the Humphrey Bogart film To Have And Have Not and continued on in the film noir genre, with appearances in The Big Sleep and Dark Passage ,...
stars in the title role.
The book was previously adapted into a 1973 feature film
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (1973 film)
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler is a 1973 American children's film based on E. L. Konigsburg's novel From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. It tells the story of a girl and her brother who run away from home to live in the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art and...
starring Ingrid Bergman
Ingrid Bergman
Ingrid Bergman was a Swedish actress who starred in a variety of European and American films. She won three Academy Awards, two Emmy Awards, and the Tony Award for Best Actress. She is ranked as the fourth greatest female star of American cinema of all time by the American Film Institute...
, later released on home video as The Hideaways.
Plot
Claudia is the middle child of a busy family. She is smart and responsible, often required to help her mother around the house. However, weary of the life in suburban Connecticut, she decides to find something grander. Her younger brother Jamie, along with his extensive savings from playing cards, is enlisted as her partner in crime. They run away from home to the Metropolitan Museum of ArtMetropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a renowned art museum in New York City. Its permanent collection contains more than two million works, divided into nineteen curatorial departments. The main building, located on the eastern edge of Central Park along Manhattan's Museum Mile, is one of the...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
Once they arrive, they spend their days in the museum, exploring and eaves dropping on different school's guided tours. They hide in the bathrooms until after closing time and sleep in antique beds. While there they encounter "The Angel," a marble statue recently auctioned off by the elusive Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. The striking piece is surrounded by mystery. Many experts dispute the artist who created the work, though many suppose it to be none other than Michelangelo
Michelangelo
Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni , commonly known as Michelangelo, was an Italian Renaissance painter, sculptor, architect, poet, and engineer who exerted an unparalleled influence on the development of Western art...
himself. Claudia becomes determined to solve the mystery of "The Angel."
The following day, the two notice a small mark at the base of the piece. After some research, they find that the mark was one that Michelangelo made on numerous works. Claudia disguises herself as an adult in order to make an appointment with a museum worker to inform them of their discovery. Contrary to her hopes, the official informs her that they knew of the mark but are unsure if it is authentic.
Jamie, homesick after a week away, catches a cold. Refusing to go home before they solve the mystery, Claudia suggests that they visit the statue's previous owner, Mrs. Frankweiler. She refuses to tell them right out, but does permit them to attempt to discover the answer for themselves. After leading them to a room lined from floor to ceiling with filing cabinets, she informs them that they have one hour to search for the truth. After 54 minutes of fruitless effort, Claudia uncovers the correct file. It contains a sketch of the sculpture from one of Michelangelo's notebooks, proving that he is, indeed, the creator. Finally appeased, the siblings permit Mrs. Frankweiler to drive them home.
Authenticity
The film lacks the narrative of Mrs. Frankweiler present in the book which causes it to lose much of the book's humor and wisdom http://movies.tvguide.com/from-the-mixed-up-files-of-mrs-basil-e-frankweiler/review/131325. For the majority of the film, the script stays true to the action in the book. However, Claudia's posing as an adult and Jamie's cold are not present in the novel. TV GuideTV Guide
TV Guide is a weekly American magazine with listings of TV shows.In addition to TV listings, the publication features television-related news, celebrity interviews, gossip and film reviews and crossword puzzles...
asserts that these changes may differ, but bring added drama to the film.
Critical Acclaim
TV Guide granted the film three and a half stars out of four. It declared that the film was a "somewhat dry, but still thoroughly entertaining adaptation of an excellent story." They also write that the film "celebrates the magic and beauty of art, the fun of an adventure, and most of all, a child's need to feel important." Their final word on the matter proclaim that "the performances and production are first rate. The children are variously brilliant, bratty and excitable, and Lauren Bacall is appropriately dignified as Mrs. Frankweiler.http://movies.tvguide.com/from-the-mixed-up-files-of-mrs-basil-e-frankweiler/review/131325"J. Dillard writes that the movie is carried by its casting of Lauren Bacall in the title role and that the film "never rises above the level of the TV Movie.http://www.answers.com/topic/from-the-mixed-up-files-of-mrs-basil-e-frankweiler-1995-film" However, he does say that it "should be entertaining " for its preteen target audience.
IMDB.com gave the movie 6.1 out of 10 stars. Rottentomatoes.com and The New York Times do not have reviews for this film.
Cast
- Lauren BacallLauren BacallLauren Bacall is an American film and stage actress and model, known for her distinctive husky voice and sultry looks.She first emerged as leading lady in the Humphrey Bogart film To Have And Have Not and continued on in the film noir genre, with appearances in The Big Sleep and Dark Passage ,...
as Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, the keeper of the mixed-up files and donator of "The Angel" - Jean Marie Barnwell as Claudia Eleanor Kincaid, mastermind and runaway
- Jesse Lee Soffer as James Lincoln "Jamie" Kincaid, partner in crime and money manager
- Miriam FlynnMiriam FlynnMiriam Flynn is an American voice actress and character actress. She is best known as Cousin Catherine in the National Lampoon's Vacation franchise. As a voice artist, she has been featured in The Land Before Time series, Taz-Mania as the title character's mother, Jean, Poil in The Spooktacular...
as Evelyn Kincaid, Claudia and Jamie's mother - Mark L. TaylorMark L. TaylorMark L. Taylor is an American actor. He was born in Syracuse, New York.Taylor has appeared in various shows such as Seinfeld, Beverly Hills, 90210, Melrose Place, Chicago Hope, Ally McBeal and Boston Legal...
as Ralph Kincaid, Claudia and Jamie's father - M. Emmet WalshM. Emmet WalshMichael Emmet Walsh is an American actor who has appeared in over 100 film and television productions.-Life and career:Walsh was born in Ogdensburg, New York, the son of Agnes Kathrine and Harry Maurice Walsh, Sr., a customs agent...
as Morris, one of the guards at The Met - Devon GummersallDevon GummersallDevon Ryan Gummersall is an American actor, writer, and television and film director, perhaps best known for acting on the cult classic television show My So-Called Life.-Life and career:...
as Steve Kincaid, another Kincaid child - Del Hunter-White as Cora
- Warren MunsonWarren MunsonWarren Munson is a film and television actor. He may be best known for his portrayal of Admiral Owen Paris in Star Trek: Voyager.-Filmography:* Las Vegas** episode The Lie Is Cast ... as Mr. Socal* Scrubs** episode My Screwup ... as Mr. Taylor...
as Mr. Jordan - Everett Wong as Bruce, Jamie's friend from whom he wins all of his card money
- Tim Haldeman as Herbert
- El Konigsburg as Sarah