From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (1973 film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler |
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Cover of the 2000 DVD release. For home video, the film is known as The Hideaways.
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| Directed by | Fielder Cook |
| Produced by | Charles G. Mortimer Jr. |
| Written by | Blanche Hanalis E.L. Konigsburg (novel) |
| Starring | Ingrid Bergman Sally Prager Johnny Doran |
| Music by | Donald Devor |
| Cinematography | Victor J. Kemper |
| Editing by | Eric Albertson |
| Distributed by | Cinema 5 |
| Release date(s) | September 27, 1973 (U.S.) |
| Running time | 105 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler is a 1973 American children's film. It is based on the famous novel of the same name by E.L. Konigsburg. The movie is also known as The Hideaways for home video releases.
The story is about a girl and her younger brother. They decide to run away from home. Their adventure leads them to live secretly inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. There, they stumble upon something they believe is a lost treasure.
Contents
The Runaway Adventure Begins
The film follows the exciting plot of the book. It starts with a young teenager named Claudia Kincaid. She feels like her family doesn't appreciate her enough at home in New Jersey.
Because of this, Claudia makes a big decision: she will run away. She plans to take her younger brother, Jamie, with her. They choose New York City as their destination.
Living in the Museum
Claudia and Jamie arrive in New York City. They decide to hide out in the huge Metropolitan Museum of Art. They spend several nights living secretly inside the museum.
To sleep, they use fancy beds that are part of the museum's exhibits. They have to be very careful to hide from the museum guards. For bathing, they cleverly use the museum's fountains.
To get money for food, they collect coins from the bottom of the fountains. They use these coins to buy snacks from vending machines. It's a tricky way to live, but they manage!
The Mystery of the Angel Statue
During their time in the museum, Claudia discovers a beautiful statue of an angel. She becomes convinced that the famous artist Michelangelo carved it. This makes the statue very special and valuable.
Claudia decides she must find out who owned the statue before it came to the museum. Her search leads her to a unique woman named Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.
Mrs. Frankweiler agrees to tell Claudia and Jamie the secret of the angel statue. But there's a condition: they must first tell her their entire adventure. She wants a full account of their exciting runaway journey.
Meet the Cast
The film features a talented group of actors who bring the characters to life.
- Ingrid Bergman as Mrs. Frankweiler
- Sally Prager as Claudia Kincaid
- Johnny Doran as Jamie Kincaid
- George Rose as Saxonburg
- Georgann Johnson as Mrs. Kincaid
- Richard Mulligan as Mr. Kincaid
- Madeline Kahn as Schoolteacher
- Bruce Conover as Kevin Kincaid
- Mike Hammett as Brucie
- Donald Symington as Museum director
- Linda Selman as Museum secretary
Where the Movie Was Filmed
The movie was filmed in many real-life locations. These places helped make the story feel very real.
Some of the main filming spots included:
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City
- The New York General Post Office
- Macy's New York department store
- The Erie Lackawanna Railway
- Madison, New Jersey
Inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art, specific galleries were used. These included:
- Gallery 507: A bedroom from the Palazzo Sagredo of Venice
- Gallery 162: Which was a restaurant at the time of filming
- Gallery 153: The Greek and Roman Hall
- Gallery 305: The Medieval Hall
- Gallery 371: The Arms and Armor section
- Gallery 206: The Chinese Art area
- The Egyptian Wing
- British period rooms
- The Great Hall
Other Versions of the Story
The popular story of From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler has been adapted more than once.
It was also made into a television movie in 1995. This later version starred the famous actress Lauren Bacall.
