Eloise at Christmastime (2003)

Eloise at Christmastime is a delightful live-action movie, presented by a talented cast in the spirit of the popular books by Kay Thompson as well as the animated episodes that feature the voice talent of Lynn Redgrave as Nanny and Tim Curry as Mr. Salamone. Now we have Julie Andrews as Nanny (who sounds and is often shaped just like Nanny in the books and animations, however, her face and hair still look much too au courant) and Jeffrey Tambor as Mr. Salamone (who has perhaps four lines in the entire show). Introduced as the true chief executive of the Plaza Hotel is Victor Young as Mr. Peabody (who delivers a thoroughly creditable role), leading a romantic subplot in which his daughter, Rachel (Sara Topham), whom he sent to college in France, has returned to her childhood home in the Plaza to marry Brooks (Rick Roberts). It is a prospect that gradually (and rightly) makes her feel increasingly uncomfortable, esp. after Eloise learns that the man Rachel loved, and was separated from by her father, is Eloise's best adult friend Bill the stage-talented waiter (Gavin Creel). Sophie Vassilieva does an incredible job as the spirited imp Eloise and Christine Baranski performs up to snuff (and her namesake) as the hotel's wedding coordinator Prunella Stickler. If you love assertive little girls or New York City at Christmastime, see this movie. The extras include a retrospective on the life of the accomplished stage talent, Kay S. Thompson herself. I got this disc through interlibrary loan; Netflix does not list it but Blockbuster stocks it. 4.5 stars.