ABC Press Release
March 17, 2003
JULIE ANDREWS AND NEWCOMER Sofia Vassilieva STAR IN
“ELOISE AT THE PLAZA,” AN ENCHANTING ORIGINAL MOVIE
BASED ON THE POPULAR CHILDREN’S BOOKS,
PREMIERING ON “THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY” APRIL 27 ON ABC
Jeffrey Tambor, Christine Baranski, Debra Monk Star
“Oooooo I absolutely love the Plaza” --Eloise
One of the most beloved and recognizable characters in children’s literature, “Eloise” comes to life in a live action film based on the best-selling illustrated children’s books written by the late Kay Thompson, with illustrations by Hilary Knight. Academy award-winning actress and Hollywood legend Julie Andrews (“The Princess Diaries,” “Mary Poppins,” “The Sound of Music”) stars with ten-year-old newcomer Sofia Vassilieva (“The Brady Bunch in the White House”) in the title role. “Eloise at the Plaza” will air as a presentation of “The Wonderful World of Disney” on SUNDAY, APRIL 27 2003 (7:00-9:00 PM ET) on the ABC Television Network.
Ms. Andrew plays Nanny, the “rawther” British guardian to Eloise -- the precocious but lovable six-year-old resident of New York’s Plaza Hotel who endlessly roams the landmark in search of adventure. Along with her pug dog Weenie and turtle Skipperdee, who eats raisins and wears sneakers, Eloise is always causing mischief and mayhem, often dragging a beleaguered Nanny – “my mostly companion” – along for the ride. Also starring are four-time Emmy nominee Jeffrey Tambor (“Never Again,” “Pollock”) as hotel manager Mr. Salomone, Emmy Award-winning actress Christine Baranski (“Chicago,” “The Guru”) as events coordinator, Prunella Stickler and Emmy Award-winning actress Debra Monk (“NYPD Blue” “Meredith Willson’s The Music Man”) as Central Park horse buggy driver, Maggie. Illustrator Hilary Knight makes a cameo appearance as himself.
The Plaza is bustling with activity as hotel manager Mr. Salomone is juggling preparations for a grand debutante ball as well as the stately visit of a royal prince. A besotted Mr. Salomone pleads with the irrepressible Eloise not to meddle in the affairs but it’s too late. Eloise is determined to get an invitation to the ball and wants the royal prince as her escort!
While she waits for the arrival of the prince, there is some match making and broken hearts to mend among the hotel’s eclectic group of guests. She meets Molly Daniels, a beautiful but lonely debutante whose socialite mother would much rather pair her daughter up with the stuffy and rich Randall than with Eloise’s friend and tutor, Phillip. Then there is her beloved Nanny, who has a crush on their handsome neighbor Sir Wilkes but they’re both too shy to reveal their true feelings.
And finally, there’s Leon, a sad six year old boy whose father’s been estranged from him since his mother died and hasn’t had a day of fun his whole life. Unaware that Leon is the royal highness himself, she whisks him away for a day of sightseeing in New York City. But when Leon fails to return to the Plaza, Mr. Salomone, Leon’s father, the Prince of Kushin, and the entire New York City Police department all point fingers at Eloise. With much imagination and heart, Eloise must conjure up the grandest of schemes to bring a happy ending for everyone and get herself to the ball in time!
Also starring Victor A. Young as Mr. Peabody, Stephanie Anne Mills as Molly
Daniels, Kenneth Welsh as Sir Wilkes, Corinne Conley as Mrs. Thornton, Tannis Burnett as Miss Thompson, Julian Richings as Patrice, Jonas Cherniak as Philip, Kintaro Akiyama as Leon, Denis Akiyama as the Prince of Kushin, Peter Keleghan as Mr. Nye, Gerry Quigley as Jerry, Araxi Arslanian as Head of Housekeeping, Debra McGrath as Cornelia, George Chiang as Mr. Toyama, Cliff Saunders as Max, Hilary Knight as Hilary Knight, Donna Feore as Eloise’s Mother, Colm Magner as Thomas, Jason Jones as Bartender, Rob Smith as the NYPD Officer #1, Barneita Runnings as Woman/Guest, Genelle Williams as Ruth, Jessica Beitchman as Linda, Fionnuala Jamison as Guest, David Sparrow as Charlie, Sergio Di Zio as Bellhop #2/Lou, Jonathan Wilson as Bellhop #1/Frederic, Janet Van De Graaff as Beautician, Tony Sciara as Marco (Asst. Chef), Sol Rosenthal as Waiter, Greg Farkas as Ruth’s Date and Sam Strasfield as Linda’s Date.
First published by Simon and Schuster in 1955, “Eloise” was an instant best seller and a literary sensation. Subsequently, the late author Kay Thompson and illustrator Hilary Knight collaborated on three other best-selling Eloise sequels: “Eloise in Paris,” “Eloise at Christmastime” and “Eloise in Moscow.” The “Eloise” books have sold over 3.5 million copies to date. The long awaited latest installment, “Eloise Takes a Bawth,” was a major publishing event released Oct. 22, 2002 after 40 years since its initial conception. A #1 “New York Times” best-seller, the book has spent 20 consecutive weeks on “The New York Times” bestseller list since its publication.
“Eloise at the Plaza” was directed by Kevin Lima who helmed the box office hits “102 Dalmations,” starring Glenn Close, the 1999 animated feature “Tarzan” and the classic animated tale “A Goofy Movie.”
Patrick Meehan (head of Hand Made Films) and Denise Di Novi (“A Walk to Remember,” “Original Sin,” “Message in a Bottle”) are executive producers. “Eloise at the Plaza” is written by Janet Brownell (ABC’s “Gilda Radner: It’s Always Something”).
“Eloise at the Plaza” was produced by Hand Made Films in association with Di Novi Pictures with Christine Sacani and Thomas Adelman serving as producers.
-- ABC --