Eloise at Christmastime is a 2003 American Christmas comedy television film based on the 1958 book written by Kay Thompson and illustrated by Hilary Knight. The film stars Sofia Vassilieva as Eloise, a six-year-old girl who lives in the penthouse at the top of the Plaza Hotel in New York City. Julie Andrews, Kenneth Welsh, Debra Monk, Gavin Creel, Christine Baranski, and Jeffrey Tambor also star. It is a sequel to Eloise at the Plaza, and the story takes place immediately after the events of that film.
| Eloise at Christmastime | |
|---|---|
 DVD cover | |
| Genre | Comedy |
| Based on | Eloise by Kay Thompson |
| Written by | Elizabeth Chandler |
| Directed by | Kevin Lima |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Bruce Broughton |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | |
| Producers |
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| Cinematography | James Chressanthis |
| Editor | Gregory Perler |
| Running time | 89 minutes |
| Production companies |
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| Original release | |
| Network | ABC |
| Release | November 22, 2003 |
| Related | |
| Eloise at the Plaza | |
The film was directed by Kevin Lima, written by Elizabeth Chandler, produced by HandMade Films and Di Novi Pictures for Walt Disney Television, and filmed in Toronto and New York City back-to-back with the first film. It aired on ABC on November 22, 2003, as an episode of The Wonderful World of Disney. It was released on both VHS and DVD by Buena Vista Home Entertainment. Since 2009, the film has been part of the 25 Days of Christmas programming block on Freeform (formerly ABC Family), but it was not part of the block in 2010.[1] From 2011 to 2013, it was aired on the Hallmark Channel as part of the channel's "Countdown to Christmas".[2]
Plot
editThe Plaza Hotel is getting ready for the Christmas holiday season. Eloise is on a mission to find presents in the package room from her mother, who has taken a trip to Paris.
When Eloise does not find any packages from her mother, she then leaves the room in a large mess. She skips towards the lobby, and pushes into a long line at the check-in desk and interrupts a conversation between hotel manager Mr. Salamone and two patrons, wishing to upgrade their current hotel suite to a park-side view room. Eloise asks Mr. Salamone if there have been any packages from her mother in Paris, and he replies that there hasn't. He pushes her away, telling Eloise that he is currently very busy. Eloise pushes in the line again, offering Mr. Salamone some unnecessary assistance. Mr. Salamone declines, pushing Eloise away from the hectic line.
Eloise leaves, but is instantly back in a flash, when she notices a suspicious man waiting in the queue. She thinks that this patron is a spy, but Mr. Salamone declines, and instantly changes the subject so that Eloise can leave the line. He requests Eloise to look out for the hotel's Christmas tree delivery, which is due to be at the Plaza any moment. He tells Eloise to inform him when the delivery arrives. Eloise leaves the line, and tells the "spy" that she is keeping her eye on him.
The main focal point of the story deals with the impending marriage between Rachel Peabody, the hotel owner's daughter, and a bachelor named Brooks Oliver, who was chosen by Rachel's family to be her husband.
Eloise eventually learns that Brooks is doing something suspicious. She also finds out that Rachel took a liking to Bill, a room service waiter and a friend of hers, four years earlier. When Mr. Peabody learned of his daughter's relationship with Bill, he then sent his daughter to a university, hoping to break them up. Eloise intervenes with the relationship, much to Mr. Peabody's dismay.
Eloise succeeds with restoring Bill and Rachel's romance; Brooks is then arrested for forgery, and Mrs. Thornton, who was in danger of being evicted, is granted a permanent stay at the Plaza. Also, Eloise's mother arrives and they rejoice.
Cast
edit- Julie Andrews as Nanny
- Sofia Vassilieva as Eloise
- Kenneth Welsh as Sir Wilkes
- Debra Monk as Maggie
- Gavin Creel as Bill
- Rick Roberts as Brooks Oliver
- Sara Topham as Rachel Peabody
- Corinne Conley as Mrs. Thornton
- Christine Baranski as Prunella Stickler
- Jeffrey Tambor as Mr. Salomone
- Araxi Arslanian as Head of Housekeeping
- Tannis Burnett as Miss Thompson
- Neil Crone as Agent Kringle
- Arlene Duncan as Lily
- Sean Gallagher as Rick
- Graham Harley as Walter
- Colm Magner as Thomas the Maitre'd
- Debra McGrath as Cornelia
- Julian Richings as Patrice
- Cliff Saunders as Max
- Tony Sciara as Assistant Chef Marco
- David Sparrow as Charlie, the 59th Street Doorman
- Victor A. Young as Mr. Peabody
Production
editFilming took place mostly in Toronto, Canada. Scenes were also filmed in front of the Plaza Hotel in New York City.[3] The film was shot back-to-back with Eloise at the Plaza.[4]
References
edit- ^ "We Love Soaps: ABC Family's "25 Days of Christmas" Kicks Off Sunday, December 1st". Retrieved 30 November 2014.
- ^ Shattuck, Kathryn (5 November 2013). "What's On Tuesday". The New York Times. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
- ^ Gates, Anita (April 27, 2003). "A Suite And the City: Eloise's New York". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 26, 2017. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
- ^ Grego, Melissa (October 7, 2002). "Andrews takes nanny role in 'Eloise' telepix". Variety. Retrieved December 14, 2024.