From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (1973) User Reviews

An Adventure for Children and Adults

[atlasmb · 7/10 · 28 August 2015]

I saw this film on TCM without any prior knowledge of the story, and I am glad I did. This is a charming story about romance and adventure, which is not to say it's a love story. By romance I mean "A feeling of mystery, excitement and remoteness from the everyday."

A brother and sister, seeking adventure, decide to run away from home. They travel to New York City and live in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where they explore its vast collection and experience freedom. While there, they decide to solve a mystery concerning a piece of art on display. Their quest leads them to the lady (played by Ingrid Bergman) who sold the piece to the museum. In the process, the young girl receives a priceless gift.

Adapted from a children's book, the story is charming. The film--like the book--would enthrall most children. It is also enjoyable for adult viewers. The acting is perfect for the roles. New York City (and especially the museum) is an enjoyable part of the film.

Decent family film with a suicidal title

[moonspinner55 · 6/10 · 27 July 2006]

Adaptation of E.L. Konigsberg's novel about bookish femme teenager and her younger brother running away from home to live in New York City's Metropolitan Museum. Unusual, wordy, but just slightly artificial adventure, featuring juvenile actors who aren't fully alert and a large majority of adult characters who are written as buffoons (the kids' father scolds the girl for reading "King Arthur", citing psychological reasons!). Film is ultimately saved by Ingrid Bergman in a wonderful supporting performance as a wealthy recluse who crosses paths with the youngsters. Low-budget picture does have a fast pace and is fairly inventive. It could've used a better title, however (overseas it was dubbed "The Hideaways"). **1/2 from ****

Fairly accurate, respectful adaptation

[irishm · 6/10 · 23 May 2012]

I found this in the children's section of the public library and borrowed it expecting to hate it... I had loved the book as a child and was afraid the video version would be another hatchet job like Rosie O'Donnell's trashing of "Harriet the Spy". This is actually pretty good. I see it's labeled "home version", and I don't know what that means, except that I sure didn't see Richard Mulligan in it as the father, so I suspect it might be rather heavily edited. Part of the charm of the book that is unable to make it to the screen is the interior thought processes of Claudia, her interpretations and feelings of her experience in the museum. We can see it on the screen, but we don't really feel it along with Claudia (and Jamie). The movie does try, but it doesn't always succeed. Having said that, it also doesn't insert things that don't belong there, or take away important points that DO belong there, for which I'm very grateful. It remains true to the period. The casting is quite good; both kids were believable in their roles. All in all, I was very pleasantly surprised and might watch it a second time... and I don't even have kids! But for those who do, the book is still your best bet... overall, it does a better job bringing the whole enjoyable story to life.

Reasonable adaptation of the book

[Teddy-48 · 13 October 2004]

Loved the book and have watched the film every time I've noticed it on TV so, unlike many book-to-film adaptations, it didn't irritate me.

Not a bad little adaptation of an enjoyable children's book, though not the film to go for if you're expecting complex plot or heart-stopping excitement.

For those who don't mind spoilers, it is the story of a sister and brother who run away from home and end up living in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (yes, it's improbable, but none the less enchanting and enjoyable). They remain there until the girl discovers, or thinks she has discovered, proof that one of the pieces in the museum is by a great artist and sets out to meet and consult the woman who donated the piece, Mrs Basil E. Frankweiler (Ingrid Bergman).

Great Claudia, but....

[pawness · 6/10 · 12 May 2008]

I adore this book - I read it as a child and now teach it as a teacher! This Claudia is great, mouthy and awkward but sensitive and determined.

SPOILER: My biggest problem is the final lesson that Mrs. Frankenweiler teaches Claudia - the goo about her only sadness being that she couldn't have a child. Where did THAT come from? Why must that foolishness be added to this wonderful story about adventure and choosing individuality? It is like she is saying, "Claudia - it is great to be curious and adventurous but don't forget to have kids because that is the only thing that really matters in the end." She's 12!! My students are totally turned off by that and view Mrs. F in a whole different (distant and not connected to their lives) sort of way. It sacrifices the chance for them to relate to an older person as "cool" and interesting. Too bad.

I haven't had a chance to the see remake but I hope the Lauren Becall wouldn't stand for such sentimental claptrap. (Mind you - with the remake out of print and the only copies I can find costing more than $200 - I don't think I'll be seeing it anytime soon!) By the way, if anyone would like an educational consultant for a new remake - I'm your girl! :) Alice Sensei in Japan

nights in the museum

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 25 November 2021]

Claudia Kincaid has quite an imagination. She feels unappreciated by her parents and runs away into the city with her younger brother Jamie. Her plan is to live at The Met in Manhattan. They investigate an angel statute which is suspected to be a Michelangelo work and was donated by Mrs. Frankweiler (Ingrid Bergman).

This has nights in the museum and kids on an adventure. It's escapist fun. It's also fun to see 70's New York City. The kids are alright for the 70's but they're not growing up to be big names. The biggest name is Bergman. She's older but the spark is very much alive. This is adapted from a book so they are unlikely to change any big structural elements. If they were willing, I would keep most of the movie in The Met. Mrs. Frankweiler could go there to find the kids after they contact her. It just doesn't have the same energy in her home. The movie loses the excitement of hiding in the museum.

Good example of 1970s children's entertainment

[mollytinkers · 5/10 · 30 December 2021]

I have not read the source material, so I cannot comment on that. However, I will note that the screenplay was written by Blanche Hanalis; and it's definitely her style. Ms. Hanalis was responsible for bringing Little House on the Prairie to television; and if you're at all familiar with that show, then you'll know that it's basically dumbed-down, Hollywood-sanitized storytelling.

I liked with this movie tries to do: entertain yet enlighten. Unfortunately, the ridiculous dialogue Ms. Hanalis gives the children really got under my skin. Unless she lifted most of it from the actual novel, it's as though she tried "too hard" to imagine what two juveniles, especially siblings, would say to each other.

If you can get past that and make it to the point, at basically the end of the film, when Ms. Bergman's character makes her first appearance, you'll likely be pleased with the movie as a whole. In juxtaposition, it's Ms. Bergman's casting and performance that saves this from being a joke. There's a reason it was pulled from the box office, re-titled, and sent overseas...probably to try to recoup its budget.

A Fantastic Children's Film full of Fantasy

[mrayjordan · 8/10 · 22 May 2005]

I agree with the previous poster that this movie is not very believable. The problem is that I get the feeling this person doesn't realize the intended audience and never read the book. While not a faithful adaptation of the children's book, it did a fantastic job of capturing my imagination as a young child and creating new wonderful adventures in my mind. There isn't a museum or gallery that I attend without thinking about Claudia and wanting to hide out and create a wonderful adventure for myself. Yes almost 30 years after I read the book and saw the movie, I still have fond memories that are obviously lasting a lifetime. A job well done. (on the flip side, avoid the 1995 made for TV version).

Children's literature that never could happen in the entire history of NYC.

[mark.waltz · 4/10 · 2 February 2016]

Fantastic has several different definitions. This isn't the fantastic of an excellent job, or fantastik as a ads cleanser. Nor is this "The Fantastiks" of a musical that refuses to close for more than a few years at a time. Another definition of fantastic is strangely absurd, of which this is.

Two rather strange cookies of a juvenile age decide to take an adventure to New York City where they camp out in the Metropolitan museum of art, sleeping on ancient beds and trying to solve the mystery of a new piece of art whom one of the adolescents believes to have been carved by Michelangelo. A mysterious recluse is their key to finding out the truth, which leads me to just one question, "Why?"

This was a popular children's story written with the obvious intention of getting them interested in art. Certainly, the visuals of many of the actual exhibits are fascinating, most of them still there. Vintage shots of Manhattan are always a welcome sight. Ingrid Bergman, on the verge of winning a third Oscar, is headlined but is just a bit more than an extended cameo. She is obviously trying to emulate fellow Swede Greta Garbo with her mystery. Sally Prager and Johnny Doran are wacky kids, older sister and younger brother who somehow seem to get along with little annoyance. Madeline Kahn as a bit as a befuddled teacher in the museum with Georgeann Johnson and Richard Milligan as the children's parents.

A card game between Doran and Bergman makes me think of how a remake with Shirley MacLaine would be, even though it's already been remade with Lauren Bacall. I don't think this was actually meant to be filmed, as this original version for the big screen quickly flopped and ended up being re-titled for home video. Slow moving in spots, it's one of those curious '70's flops that has an element of morbid curiosity.

The World of The Hideaways

[JLRMovieReviews · 8/10 · 13 June 2012]

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.

Precocious Claudia is delightful

[Meeyum · 8/10 · 5 July 1999]

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.

Anyone else still drink chocolate Alka Seltzers???

[Baby_Rednekk · 8/10 · 16 December 2005]

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.

As a child I thought this film was really entertaining.

[Xynhrst · 8/10 · 28 July 2007]

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.

Good, although not true to book

[Valerie-Garber · 27 October 2004]

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.

mrs basil f

[mossgrymk · 8/10 · 17 December 2021]

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?

A night in the museum

[Chase_Witherspoon · 7 September 2011]

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.

Another wonderful Ingrid Bergman movie

[jbowen-03575 · 10/10 · 7 November 2023]

Fabulous Ingrid Bergman movie and it is G-rated!

Plot and casting are excellent. According to her autobiography (Ingrid Bergman: My Story), she always selected her projects based on plot and characters. The story had to be interesting, and the characters (especially her own) had to make sense to her.

This movie fulfills those requirements. The children were well-written and well-cast and Bergman, of course, was her usual extraordinary self.

In the credits, appreciation is expressed to Macy's, the U. S. Post Office, and (amazingly) the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Metropolitan allowed its premises to be used for filming for the first time in its history, according to her autobiography.

Unfortunately, the color and clarity have not held up after some fifty years, but that does not change the fact that this is a Bergman film that is well-worth watching.

P. S. I wrote this review immediately after seeing the movie. I had just finished reading Ingrid Bergman's deeply moving autobiography and I had never heard of this wonderful little film.

After I posted mine, I read all the other reviews. I was surprised that some found it "unbelievable." When I was a teenager, I spent the night in a public building, just to see if I could do it.

When I was much younger, I loved the series of books about "The Boxcar Children." After losing their parents, the very resourceful kids were able to live in a boxcar. I was fascinated by the idea of children living on their own.

Maybe if I had read the book...

[Wizard-8 · 13 January 2010]

I never read "From The Mixed-Up Files..." either as a child or as an adult (there are a lot of classic children's books I never got around to reading.) Maybe if I had read the book as a child I would have fallen in love with it and readily accept a cinematic telling of it.

As you might have guessed, I was disappointed with this movie. I couldn't warm up to it for the most part. The first problem I had was with the female child character. I didn't have any sympathy for her. She seems to run away just for the fact she has to take the garbage out. I had no feeling of pain and frustration from her.

Speaking of feelings, for most of the running time, I felt no sense of awe, wonder, or feeling of mystery with the children on their runaway journey. Their staying at the museum was, frankly, boring. Though when Bergman's character turns up, things pick up considerably. Her character is interesting, she's mysterious, and she brings that needed feelings of awe, wonder, and mystery. If only the rest of the movie had been like that!

What will kids think? Well, I think they will be squirming in their seats for the most part. Based on what I've heard of the book, I would suggest you give them the book instead of this movie.