Molly: An American Girl on the Home Front

Last updated
Molly: An American Girl on the Home Front
Molly An American Girl on the Home Front.jpg
Written by Anna Sandor [1]
Directed by Joyce Chopra
Starring Maya Ritter
Tory Green
Hannah Fleming
Samantha Wilson
Josette Halpert
David Aaron Baker
ComposerChris Hajian
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Running time83 minutes
Original release
Network Disney Channel
ReleaseNovember 26, 2006 (2006-11-26) [2]

Molly: An American Girl on the Home Front is a 2006 American made-for-television comedy-drama film. It is the third movie in the American Girl film series, and is based on the Molly: An American Girl book series written by American children's author Valerie Tripp. [3] The first two movies in the series, Samantha: An American Girl Holiday and Felicity: An American Girl Adventure , were broadcast on The WB Television Network. However, following the WB/UPN merger, the series moved to the Disney Channel. The film premiered on the Disney Channel and on DVD from Warner Home Video on November 26, 2006. [4] The film stars Maya Ritter in the titular role, [5] with Molly Ringwald, David Aaron Baker, Tory Green and Genevieve Farrell in supporting roles. [6]

Contents

The film was directed by Joyce Chopra, with Deborah Schindler as executive producer. Screenwriter Anna Sandor won the 2007 Humanitas Prize for the movie. [7] [8]

Plot

In 1943, during World War II, nine-year-old Molly McIntire lives in the fictional town of Jefferson, Illinois [9] with her parents, James and Helen, and two older siblings, fourteen-year-old Jill and twelve-year-old Ricky. James is a doctor in the United States Army, while Helen is a stay-at-home mom. Molly is in the third grade at Willow Street School along with her two best friends, Linda and Susan. As Molly's tenth birthday nears, she dreams of having a princess-themed tea party inspired by Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret Rose of England, only to be disappointed as she learns that her family does not have the money nor rations to afford it.

James takes Molly to a Victory Dance contest at the local park where he gives her a locket. Later that night during an air raid drill, James reveals that he has decided to go to London to provide medical aid to soldiers and civilians. Molly is furious that her father is leaving the family and going to a "strange" and "unsafe" city. James comforts Molly by calling her his North Star and telling her to look at the stars to think of him. After James departs to Europe, Helen decides to enter the workforce to do her part for the war effort, taking a factory job at the fictional Jefferson Aircraft Plant. The McIntire's neighbor, Mrs. Gilford, begins coming over in the daytime to watch the children while Helen is away at work. Molly then decides she wants to be the school's "Miss Victory", the lead tap-dance performer in the school's Christmas Pageant. She struggles to improve her tap-dancing, but with the help of her teacher Ms. Campbell, she begins to see improvement.

Soon after, the McIntires take in a British girl named Emily Bennett. Molly is unaccepting of the McIntire's new guest while Jill insists she must learn to adapt to her new situation and do her part. Fascinated by Emily, Molly's friends Linda and Susan question Emily about her home in London; overwhelmed, Emily lies and says her parents are royalty, and that she lived in "Bennett Manor". At school, Emily becomes popular amongst the students, particularly with Molly's tap-dancing rival Allison Hargate. This causes Molly to resent her. The two later participate in a spelling bee together. Before a winner can be declared, a member of the Western Union arrives to inform Ms. Campbell, who is on the panel of judges, that her fiancé has been killed in the war.

Later, another air raid drill occurs, upsetting Emily as the McIntires shelter in the basement of their home. That night, Emily wakes up in the midst of a nightmare. She reveals to Molly that her street was bombed in The Blitz, destroying her parents' apartment and killing her mother. She says her father is a bus driver and that they lived above a candy shop, and that she was never really royalty. Molly forgives her and the two become friends.

After returning home from school one day, Molly finds her mother Helen making a casserole for Mrs. Gilford, who's son has been killed in action. Empathetic, Molly helps her bake and deliver the casserole to Mrs. Gilford's house. Molly's Aunt Eleanor comes to stay with the McIntire's to help with the children and housework while Mrs. Gilford is grieving. Her stay is short-lived, though, as she eventually leaves for Texas to join the WASPs.

As Christmas nears, auditions for the role of "Miss Victory" conclude at school. Molly finds that she has been chosen for the lead role, but her excitement is short-lived as the McIntires receive a telegram stating her father is missing in action. The following day, Molly goes to the cinema where she sees a newsreel inspiring her to participate in the war effort at home. She helps create care packages for Allied soldiers in conjunction with the Red Cross, as well as collecting old clothes and making bandage boxes for soldiers overseas. While setting up the Christmas decorations in the house, another telegram from the Western Union arrives. It says James has been found alive but has been hospitalized, and that he will be discharged and sent home as soon as he is well enough to travel.

On Christmas Eve, Molly performs as Miss Victory at the Christmas Pageant when her father, James, surprises her after the finale. Though his leg is wounded and he relies on a cane, the family is ecstatic to see him and relieved that he is alive. The family goes home to enjoy their Christmas Eve and open presents. Molly receives a Red Cross doll while Emily receives a copy of A Christmas Carol from her father, whom James encountered while he was abroad.

Cast

Production

Before scriptwriting for the movie began, screenwriter Anna Sandor began by reviewing and reading the original Molly book series written by children's author Valerie Tripp. Various changes were made from the books in order to adapt the series into a single movie, such as removing Molly's five-year-old brother Brad and changing elements of Emily's backstory. [10] After the script was completed, casting began in New York, Los Angeles, and Toronto. [11] Twelve-year-old Maya Ritter, who had previously appeared on the Disney Channel as Zoe in Disney Bumpers , as well as Zelly in Finn's Girl , was cast in the lead role as Molly. Additionally, due to Ritter's young age at the time of a filming and strict child labor laws, acting double McKayla Kenny was cast to replace Ritter in several shots during long work days. [12] Amongst those cast was 1980s Hollywood legend Molly Ringwald, who had just returned from living in France at the time of filming. [13]

Over thirty costumes were created or rented for Maya; over half of them were designed by Trysha Bakker, who referenced Nick Backes' and Chris Fox Payne's original Molly illustrations as well as magazines and children's clothes from the period. [14] Additionally, Bakker collaborated with the original product designers for Molly's collection, utilizing samples of doll clothes while designing. [15] Although the majority of costumes featured on set were rented, others such as the Red Cross nurse uniform were sewn in-house for the movie. [14]

Filming took place over the course of five intensive weeks in Toronto, Ontario. [10] Most of the film was shot on a soundstage, such as the entirety of the McIntire house, while other scenes were shot on location with minimal changes done to existing environments. The downtown street, school, train station, and auditorium scenes were all shot on location in Port Hope, Ontario. [16] [17] Rocket Science VFX provided visual effects such as the change of seasons and the weather.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Molly Ringwald</span> American actress (born 1968)

Molly Kathleen Ringwald is an American actress, writer, and translator. She began her career as a child actress on the sitcoms Diff'rent Strokes and The Facts of Life before being nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance in the drama film Tempest (1982). Ringwald became a teen idol following her appearances in filmmaker John Hughes' teen films Sixteen Candles (1984), The Breakfast Club (1985), and Pretty in Pink (1986). These films led to the media referring to her as a member of the "Brat Pack." Her final teen roles were in For Keeps and Fresh Horses.

<i>Pretty Woman</i> 1990 romantic comedy film by Garry Marshall

Pretty Woman is a 1990 American romantic comedy film directed by Garry Marshall, from a screenplay by J. F. Lawton. The film stars Richard Gere and Julia Roberts, and features Héctor Elizondo, Ralph Bellamy, Laura San Giacomo, and Jason Alexander in supporting roles. The film's story centers on Hollywood escort Vivian Ward and wealthy businessman Edward Lewis. Vivian is hired to be Edward's escort for several business and social functions, and their relationship develops during her week-long stay with him. The film's title Pretty Woman is based on the 1964 song "Oh, Pretty Woman" by Roy Orbison. The original screenplay was titled “3,000,” and was written by then-struggling screenwriter J. F. Lawton.

<i>The Unsinkable Molly Brown</i> (film) 1964 film directed by Charles Walters

The Unsinkable Molly Brown is a 1964 American Western musical comedy film directed by Charles Walters and starring Debbie Reynolds, filmed in Panavision. The screenplay by Helen Deutsch is based on the book of the 1960 musical of the same name by Richard Morris. The song score was composed by Meredith Willson. The plot is a fictionalized account of the life of Margaret Brown, who survived the 1912 sinking of the RMS Titanic. Reynolds was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Brown.

<i>Corpse Bride</i> 2005 stop-motion animated film by Tim Burton

Corpse Bride is a 2005 stop-motion animated musical fantasy film directed by Mike Johnson and Tim Burton from a screenplay by John August, Caroline Thompson, and Pamela Pettler, based on characters created by Burton and Carlos Grangel. The plot is set in a fictional Victorian era village in England. Johnny Depp leads the cast as the voice of Victor, while Helena Bonham Carter voices Emily, the title bride. An international co-production between the United States and United Kingdom and produced by Tim Burton Productions and Laika Entertainment, Corpse Bride is the first stop-motion feature film directed by Burton and his first stop-motion film distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures after previously producing 1993's The Nightmare Before Christmas and 1996's James and the Giant Peach for The Walt Disney Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emily Osment</span> American actress, singer and songwriter (born 1992)

Emily Jordan Osment is an American actress, singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Osment began her career as a child actress, appearing in numerous television shows and films, before co-starring as Gerti Giggles in Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams (2002) and Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (2003). She gained recognition for playing the role of Lilly Truscott on the Disney Channel television series Hannah Montana (2006–2011) and its spin-off film Hannah Montana: The Movie (2009).

<i>One Magic Christmas</i> 1985 film by Phillip Borsos

One Magic Christmas is a 1985 Christmas fantasy film directed by Phillip Borsos. It was released by Walt Disney Pictures and stars Mary Steenburgen and Harry Dean Stanton. It was shot in Meaford, Ontario with some scenes in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elisabeth Harnois</span> American actress

Elisabeth Harnois is an American actress. Her career started at the age of five, where she began appearing in a number of film and television roles. As a child, she starred as Alice in Disney's Adventures in Wonderland and as an adult, she starred as Morgan Brody in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation from 2011 to 2015.

<i>Dont Look Under the Bed</i> 1999 Disney Channel Original Movie

Don't Look Under the Bed is a made-for-TV fantasy horror film directed by Kenneth Johnson. It was released on October 9, 1999, as a Disney Channel Original Movie (DCOM).

Maya Ritter is a Canadian actress and talent agent.

<i>A Christmas Carol</i> (2009 film) Film by Robert Zemeckis

Disney's A Christmas Carol is a 2009 American animated Christmas dark fantasy film produced, written for the screen and directed by Robert Zemeckis. Produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Zemeckis' ImageMovers Digital, and released by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, it is based on Charles Dickens's 1843 novel A Christmas Carol. The film was animated through the process of motion capture, a technique used in ImageMovers' previous animated films including The Polar Express (2004), Monster House (2006), and Beowulf (2007), and stars the voices of Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Bob Hoskins, Robin Wright Penn and Cary Elwes. It is Disney's third adaptation of the novel, following Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983) and The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992).

<i>Hannah Montana: The Movie</i> 2009 film by Peter Chelsom

Hannah Montana: The Movie is a 2009 American teen musical comedy drama film based on the Disney Channel television series of the same name. The film is produced by Walt Disney Pictures. Directed by Peter Chelsom and written by Dan Berendsen, the film stars series regulars Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus, Emily Osment, Moises Arias, Mitchel Musso and Jason Earles, as well as Lucas Till, Vanessa Williams, Margo Martindale and Melora Hardin. The film tells of how Miley Stewart's popularity and alternate celebrity persona begins to take over her life, so her father convinces her to take a trip to her hometown of Crowley Corners, Tennessee to get some perspective on what matters most in life.

<i>Annie</i> (1999 film) 1999 American television film by Rob Marshall

Annie is a 1999 American musical-comedy-drama television film from The Wonderful World of Disney, adapted from the 1977 Broadway musical of the same name by Charles Strouse, Martin Charnin, and Thomas Meehan, which in turn is based on the 1924 Little Orphan Annie comic strip by Harold Gray. It is the first remake and the second film adaptation of the musical following the 1982 theatrical film starring Aileen Quinn, Carol Burnett, and Albert Finney.

<i>Shes Out of My League</i> 2010 film by Jim Field Smith

She's Out of My League is a 2010 American romantic comedy film directed by Jim Field Smith in his feature directorial debut, and written by Sean Anders and John Morris. It stars Jay Baruchel as an average man who begins a relationship with an attractive woman, played by Alice Eve, which is warned by his friends that it's doomed to fall apart because of their differing appearances. T.J. Miller, Mike Vogel, Nate Torrence, Krysten Ritter, Geoff Stults, and Lindsay Sloane also star.

<i>Nancy Drew Dossier: Lights, Camera, Curses</i> 2008 video game

Nancy Drew Dossier: Lights, Camera, Curses! is the first installment in the Nancy Drew hidden object game series by Her Interactive. The game is available for play on Microsoft Windows platforms. It has an ESRB rating of E for moments of mild violence and tobacco references. Players take on the first-person view of fictional amateur sleuth Nancy Drew and must solve the mystery through interrogation of suspects, solving puzzles, and discovering clues.

The 28th Young Artist Awards ceremony, presented by the Young Artist Association, honored excellence of young performers under the age of 21 in the fields of film and television for the year 2006, and took place on March 10, 2007, at the Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio City, Los Angeles, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kerris Dorsey</span> American actress (born 1998)

Kerris Dorsey is an American actress. She is known for her roles as Paige Whedon in the television series Brothers & Sisters; Casey Beane, Billy Beane's daughter, in the 2011 film Moneyball; and as Emily Cooper in the 2014 film Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Dorsey also portrayed Bridget Donovan, the daughter of the title character, in the television series Ray Donovan.

Sierra McCormick is an American actress. She first became known for participating in the game show Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? (2007–2008) before making her acting debut with a recurring role as Lilith on the television series Supernatural (2008). She also starred as Scout Thomas on the comedy television series Romantically Challenged (2010), played Alice in the direct-to-DVD film Spooky Buddies (2011), for which she won a Young Artist Award, and received recognition for her role as Susan Kushner in the comedy film Ramona and Beezus (2010).

<i>Into the Woods</i> (film) 2014 film produced by Walt Disney Pictures

Into the Woods is a 2014 American musical fantasy film directed by Rob Marshall, with a screenplay by James Lapine based on his and Stephen Sondheim's 1987 Broadway musical of the same name. Produced by Walt Disney Pictures, it features an ensemble cast that includes Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, James Corden, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine, Tracey Ullman, Christine Baranski, Lilla Crawford, Daniel Huttlestone, MacKenzie Mauzy, Billy Magnussen, and Johnny Depp. The film is centered on a childless couple who set out to end a curse placed on them by a vengeful witch, and the characters are forced to experience the unintended consequences of their actions. It is inspired by the Grimm Brothers' fairy tales of "Little Red Riding Hood", "Cinderella", "Jack and the Beanstalk", and "Rapunzel".

<i>Home Alone 4</i> 2002 film by Rod Daniel

Home Alone 4 is a 2002 American made-for-television Christmas family comedy film directed by Rod Daniel, which first aired on ABC on November 3, 2002, as the first episode of the forty-seventh season of The Wonderful World of Disney, followed by a DVD release on September 2, 2003. The fourth installment in the Home Alone franchise, the film stars Mike Weinberg, French Stewart, Missi Pyle, Jason Beghe, Erick Avari, Barbara Babcock, Joanna Going, and Clare Carey. It follows Kevin McCallister spending his Christmas with his father and his new girlfriend as his old enemy Marv and his wife Vera come up with a plan to kidnap a visiting prince with help from an inside person that Kevin least suspects. This is the first in the Home Alone franchise to not receive a theatrical release.

The American Girl series, by various authors, is a collection of novels set within toy line's fictional universe. Since its inception, American Girl has published books based on the dolls, with novels and other media to tie in with their dolls. The books follow various American girls throughout both historical eras and contemporary settings.

References

  1. ↑ "Anna Sandor - About This Person". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times . 2016. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  2. ↑ "Warner Home Video Unveils Third American Girl Movie Molly: An American Girl on the Home Front on DVD November 28; This New, Full-Length, Live-Action Movie Will Be Released on DVD Following Its Debut on Disney Channel in Late November, 2006". Business Wire. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  3. ↑ Frey, Jennifer (25 November 2006). "'Molly': A Doll Comes to Life". The Washington Post . Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  4. ↑ England, Tamara (2006). Lights! Camera! Molly: A Behind the Scenes Movie Guide. Pleasant Company Publications. p. 50. ISBN   978-1593692124.
  5. ↑ "American Girl's Molly(R) Is the Star of the Show in a New Made-for-TV Movie Airing on Disney Channel This November" . Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  6. ↑ Rouvalis, Cristina (23 November 2006). "TV Preview: 'Molly' is the best 'American Girl' yet". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  7. ↑ "Humanitas prizes awarded - Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times . 27 June 2007. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  8. ↑ "2007 Humanitas Finalists Announced". Archived from the original on 17 April 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  9. ↑ England, Tamara (2006). Lights! Camera! Molly: A Behind the Scenes Movie Guide. Pleasant Company Publications. p. 3. ISBN   978-1593692124.
  10. 1 2 England, Tamara (2006). Lights! Camera! Molly: A Behind the Scenes Movie Guide. Pleasant Company Publications. p. 5. ISBN   978-1593692124.
  11. ↑ England, Tamara (2006). Lights! Camera! Molly: A Behind the Scenes Movie Guide. Pleasant Company Publications. p. 7. ISBN   978-1593692124.
  12. ↑ England, Tamara (2006). Lights! Camera! Molly: A Behind the Scenes Movie Guide. Pleasant Company Publications. p. 18. ISBN   978-1593692124.
  13. ↑ England, Tamara (2006). Lights! Camera! Molly: A Behind the Scenes Movie Guide. Pleasant Company Publications. pp. 15–16. ISBN   978-1593692124.
  14. 1 2 England, Tamara (2006). Lights! Camera! Molly: A Behind the Scenes Movie Guide. Pleasant Company Publications. pp. 20–21. ISBN   978-1593692124.
  15. ↑ England, Tamara (2006). Lights! Camera! Molly: A Behind the Scenes Movie Guide. Pleasant Company Publications. pp. 6–7. ISBN   978-1593692124.
  16. ↑ England, Tamara (2006). Lights! Camera! Molly: A Behind the Scenes Movie Guide. Pleasant Company Publications. pp. 36–37. ISBN   978-1593692124.
  17. ↑ England, Tamara (2003). Lights! Camera! Molly: A Behind the Scenes Movie Guide. Pleasant Company Publications. pp. 22–23. ISBN   978-1593692124.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.