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?

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).

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.

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 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.