User Reviews

I read the story when I was in my sophomore year of high school. A year later I saw this wonderful adaptation on television. The film compares favorably with the Julie Harris film and in my opinion is superior to the remake with Anna Paquin. The late Dana Hill turned in a wonderful performance as Frankie. Dana was not only intune with the character but also the right age which unfortunately Julie Harris was a woman in her late twenties playing a junior high aged character. Not meaning to criticize the Julie Harris film. Julie Harris turned in a fine acting performance but come on physically speaking Julie didn't look like some juvenile girl which Dana who at the time was and did. Dana's Frankie was the perfect immature loudmouthed uncouth tomboy adolescent and does she have problems. Her Father ignores her.The family maid in a wonderful performance by Pearl Bailey is her confidante who has some remote understanding of how Frankie thinks and her little cousin is what you would call a frenemy. She can't deal with approaching adulthood and she is so bored that she wants to go and live with her brother and his fiancé after they get married. Every good story has a lesson.What can be learned from this story: Most adolescent girls have it rough except if they were beauties since birth like Elizabeth Taylor or Brooke Shields.Parents not all the time but sometimes ignore their offspring. All women no matter what the age need a female confidante for advice or support. No matter how bad things are don't rely on moving in with a relative as an alternative for happiness. I hope this version will be released in the near future.