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DISNEY
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) freaky Friday' (BV) Is Selected Winner
-r Pf Blue Ribbon A ward for February
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By MARY JO GORMAN
PRODUCTIONS' "l-RFAKY FK1DAY," a contcmpoiar\ comcd\
aboul .1 teenage girl whose wish to trade places with her mother comes true (for a
Jf .i\ ). w.is selected Blue Ribbon Award winner for February hy members of the Naonal
Screen Council. The Buena Vista release, rated G by the MPAA and Al hy the
ICO, has amassed 351 per eent of average business in its first-run playdales in major
.meriean cities.
1"
Boxoffice reviewed "Freaky Friday" in
s issue of January 31, stating in part:
1 5:i
Switching places becomes a comic reality
]''
engaging Walt Disney presentation.
ased on the book of the same name by
lary Rodgers (composer Richard's
slighter). With two such accomplished
.tresses as Jodie Foster and Barbara Hars
as the daughter and mother who pos-
:ss each other's bodies for a day, the
Ml lira should have a great appeal to adults
. well as the usual family audiences. In
Japting her work to the screen. Rodgers
:is not overdone the temptation to be
iore than a bit daring and the moral les-
>ns underlying the theme should be clear
1 all ages. Harris is hilarious with her
lildish
ways, while young Foster demonrates
again what a fine actress can do.
haring in the fun are John Astin, Kaye
allard and Ruth Buzzi, with a host of
naracter cameos from such zanies as Fritz
eld. Iris Adrian, Dick Van Patten and
. . . lively music by Johnny
atsy Kelly. Gary Nelson directed and inuded
some rugged stunts in a climactic
— uto chase . . . the Ron Miller production
one of the best of the live-action Disney
Ims to date
l.mdel and funny main titles by John Jenn
and Art Stevens. The theme and cast
umld garner lots of attention."
members jotted the following obrvations
on their ballots:
Best Since "Poppins"
! Easily the best Disney film since "Mary
oppins."—Alvin Easter, Cinema Maga-
. . . Fun
ne, Minneapolis ... A family goody for
• cry d.i\ in the week, including "Freaky
.riday."—N. P. Street. WKSR Radioiles
Free Press, Pulaski, Tenn.
>r everyone! And this film makes you
el good.—Chuck Fisher, independent,
ilinton. Mo. . . . The grass is not always
tier on the other side, as mother and
jughter find out by exchanging roles in
'is pleasant, entertaining— often hilarious
-family movie.— Aileen Kandyba, Legion
f Mary, Kansas City, Kas.
This is Disney at its most imaginative
and its most fun. For once, they have
turned to acting ability rather than relying
on their special effects and their drop-thekids-off-at-the-theatre
reputation. And because
the acting, especially that of Barbara
Harris, is of such high quality, "Freak)
Friday" turns into grand entertainment
for the entire family. Seriously, I laughed
just as hard, if not harder, than any of the
kids. Fact is, I wouldn't have minded seeing
Harris come away with an Academy
Award nomination.—William D. Kerns,
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.
The best Disney in several years!
Philip Wuntch. Dallas Morning News .
Crazy idea, but fun to watch.—Dorothy
R. Shank, WJJL Radio, Niagara Falls,
N.Y. ... A fresh, new comedy from Disney
Studios that resulted in the same big
Disney business—and then some!—Justin
Jacobsmeier, Dubinsky Bros. Theatres.
Sioux City, Iowa . . . Mother and daughter
each think the other has it easy until
by some magic—they trade places. It is
a lot of fun and yet has a double meaning
behind the story. One of Disney's best
films. Go see it! !—Mrs. Martin Naimark,
MP&TVC.
Greater Detroit
"Freaky Friday" is good family entertainment
on any day of the week.—Tom
Hodge, Johnson City (Tenn.) Press-
Chronicle . . . One of the best Disneys in
a long time. Should be great at the boxoffice.—W.
R. Kemp, Commonwealth
Theatres, Grand Island, Neb. . . . Good
for all ages.—Tim Warner, Theatre Operators,
Inc., Bozeman, Mont. . for
Disney—has my vote. "Freaky Friday" is
great entertainment!—W. E. Fletcher,
Fletcher Theatres-KRXA Radio, Seward,
Alaska.
Despite its too cute title, "Freaky Friday"
has an amusing script by Mary Rodgers.—Earl
J. Dias, New Bedford Standard-
Times . . . Good fun in the time-honored
Disney tradition!— Allen M. Widcm, syndicated
columnist, West Hartford.
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Barbara Harris, occupying daughter Jodie Foster 't
body. losos control of a typewriter during a lest.
Meanwhile, Foster (as Harris) is experiencing difficulties
cooking a turkey for 25 last-minute guests.
When things return to normal, Harris and Foster
have a better understanding of the other's problems.
Hen Andrews
Barbara Harris
nnabel Andrews Jodie Foster
ill Andrews John Astin
Irs. Schmauss Patsy Kelly
'arold Jennings Dick Van Patten
The Cast
Virginia Vicki Sciiri 1 k
Mr. Dilk
Sorrell Boom
Mr. Joffert
Alan OPPENHEIMER
Coach Betsy
Kaye Bai lard
Ben Andrews
Sparky Marcus
Production Staff
.
"ced by Ron Miller Director of
'irected by Gary Nelson Photography
F. Wheeler
00k and Screenplay Music by JOHNNY MAND1 I
*> Mary Rodgers Color by Teciink 01 or
This award is Qiveii each month by the National
Screen Council on the basis of outstanding
merit and suitability for family entertainment.
Council membership comprises motion
picture editors, radio and TV film commentators,
representatives of better films councils.
civic, educational and exhibitor organizations
OXOFF1CE :: April IS, 1977
17