1 Much much better than the remake!!!!
Hillarios fun! I saw the remake first, then i saw the 1977 version and i thought it was ALOT better than the remake. One of the things i like is it has a younger teen only 13 i think. That makes the movie more intresting. another thing is, is that Annabel likes the kid across the street and gets a chance to be her mother and tries to make him like her better. My favorite part of the movie is when her mother has to play the field hockey game, whitch is SOOO FUNNY! Overall, i give this 5 stars!!
Buy this movie!
2 Much much better than the remake!!!!
Hilarious fun! I saw the remake first, then i saw the 1977 version and i thought it was ALOT better than the remake. One of the things i like is it has a younger teen only 13 i think. That makes the movie more intresting. another thing is, is that Annabel likes the kid across the street and gets a chance to be her mother and tries to make him like her better. My favorite part of the movie is when her mother has to play the field hockey game, which is SOOO FUNNY! Overall, I give this 5 stars!!
Buy this movie!
3 Not as slick as remake, but still great fun
I love the remake, with Lindsay Lohan & Jamie Lee Curtis, which made me curious about the fact that there's a remake. With nothing else to do before Christmas apart from having DVD-buying withdrawal symptoms, I bought this, mainly because it wasn't on my wishlist, therefore, safe. And cheap too. I'm not that keen on Jodie Foster, and her hair in this was an absolute mess, plus, she had a (fake) mouthful of metal. Boy, do I remember that all too well. There weren't a lot of stars apart from her that I knew, although Barbara Harris looked very familiar.
Apart from some very dodgy shots - mainly featured during the water-skiing scenes, where it was perfectly obvious the actors were against a blue screen, and it looked so fake - the movie was really good! Not a patch on the remake, but it still had its funny moments, and funny deadpan lines, coming mainly from Barbara Harris a lot of the time. Disney did a good job with this movie, and even managed to include some extras!
It's a lot more faithful to the book as well, more so than the recent update, which was updated beyond belief to fit in to the 21st century. This did come across as rather OTT at times, and almost sickly sweet. The movie also owed a lot to the old slapstick of Laurel & Hardy movies, amongst others. And very bad 70s fashion & hair! It's also a lot more simplistic, but with both the original & the remake, little is featured of the love interest. And the bit where they swap minds is really corny (flashing green/blue colours over the bodies), but the bit where they actually swap BODIES is pure genius. There are a lot of Disney cliches thrown in, and your typical Disney chase scene, which doesn't hold a candle to the one from Ronin. The slapstick comes when a police car goes through a very narrow tunnel, and comes out shaped like a triangle or when they go along a patch of road, and the car splits in half! (Also watch out for the patch of storm drain, which was also featured in the car race in Grease!) The film also has interesting feminist implications and the heavily hinted-at subplot involving teen alcoholism is compellingly unexplained, and would have been funny.
Jodie Foster doesn't really come across as a great child actor. For one thing, her voice can sometimes be very monotone, and she has a very 'old' voice too. (Now that sounds very weird.) The voice does not match what she looks like. Plus, in a few scenes, it's really clear how much difficulty she was having talking with her metal train tracks. She also doesn't have a lot to mess up/learn unlike her mother. The mother calls her husband "daddy", and plays a hot game of softball with a group of little boys. Jodie has less to work with - she screws up a typing class, a photography class, band practice AND field hockey, but does OK in social studies.
There are only two extras, but you get your money's worth with an up-to-date interview with Jodie Foster - although I think she was talking before the 2003 remake. It's quite a long interview, and she doesn't just talk about Freaky Friday, she talks about a lot of her other Disney movies, and how she auditioned to be a young Princess Leia, but was contracted to do another Disney movie. The Memory Game is mind-numbingly slow, and isn't worth wasting your time on.
All in all, this is a great movie, although some people will go too much into it, and think about all the complications, like how the mother is a smoker, but the daughter isn't - surely they'd experience cravings etc? The movie's meant to be enjoyed not analysed, and if you can get past the dodgy blue screen scenes, then you'll thoroughly enjoy yourself, and put a smile on your face.
4 A Classic
I have always enjoyed this movie as pure entertainment.
Annabelle and her mom are at war with each other, not unusual for a teen and her mom is it? It is Friday the 13th and frustrated they both wish that they could trade places......and yes it happens and the fun begins. Haven't you ever wondered what it would be like to walk in another person's shoes? I know I have.
This movie is true entertainment from start to finish. A fun movie with a lesson as well. Recommended.
5 Genial Disney Flick
Jodie Foster and Barbara Harris star as a mother-daughter duo in Disney's 1976 original "Freaky Friday." As the movie opens, Foster and Harris are at each other throats and complaining about how easy the other person has it. As they simultaneously wish that they could be the other person, they switch bodies. Much of what transpires from here on out is predictable and resorts to a bit too much slap-stick.
Fortunately, the script is extremely genial and some genuine moments emerge. I didn't laugh out loud very many times, but the film is sweet and made me smile. In addition, Foster and Harris give very good performances; in fact, both of them scored Golden Globes nominations for Best Actress - Comedy or Musical (they lost to Barbra Streisand in "A Star is Born"). Overall, "Freaky Friday" is an above-average and very enjoyable Disney flick from the period.
The movie was a solid success, finishing 1976 as the #18 money-maker. Of note, the #17 movie was another Foster flick - "Taxi Driver." Needless to say, these movies represent polar opposites of film-making; however, watching both of them is an interesting study in contrast as well as testament to Foster's talent in pulling off disparate characters. Look quick for Charlene Tilton of "Dallas" fame as one of Foster's pals.
DVD Extras: A 20 minute interview with Jodie Foster from around 2003 in which she discusses making "Freaky Friday" and other Disney movies. Her interview seems to have been part of a larger piece, but it's interesting nevertheless.
6 Extremly Funny!!!!!!!!
I like this one MUCH better than the remake! Although the remake was still good. It is MUCH closer to the book. It was also more funny and I thought that Jodie Foster did an excellent job as Annabel! MUCH better than Lindsey Lohan. I also thought that Barbara Harris did a great job as Ellen. The Remake is not close to the book at all. After you see the orginal one, you'll probaly think that the remake isn't as good!
7 The best nothing beats a classic!
I grew up with this movie. I think I saw it for the first time on the wonderful world of Disney. Either that or Mom got it for me at the library & even she likes it.
Jodi foster is both brilliant & lovable! She's believable and as the child her issues where at least believable & somebody I could sypathise with. As an adult in a childs body well hillarious! By the way Ben or Ape Face really showed talent. What happened to that kid? He was cute & delivered a preformance of giant perportion that added dynamic to both mother and daughter. Plus that ball game scene & his love & envy of his big sister. The kid had a real talent for delivering dialog, yet also proved though he first apears a little geek that he had a real little boys spirit.
The jokes where clean & in good taste. Yet timeless & funny. Nothing beats a great chase scene & that car chase was both exciting and funny.
I seached long & hard for a copy of the vhs but it'd been vaulted. just when I bought it used My VCR broke & I got a DVD player for my birthday. A week later the DVD came out. Purchase of that DVD is one of the first things I'll do with my next paycheck. It will be money well spent on a classic disney movie I could watch again & again.
8 Original 1977 FREAKY FRIDAY Is The Best!
For a guy who likes Ingmar Bergman and other indy, artsy films, I guess it seems weird that I bought the DVD of the original FREAKY FRIDAY the minute it hit amazon. But, this film was made in the good old days of Disney, before they lost focus of their business and started behaving like most other monster corporations. This story has had at least 3 lives: the 2003 version (enjoyable), the 90's TV version (I never saw that one), and the one at hand. The original 1977 release gives us the unique pleasure of seeing two wonderful performers, Barbara Harris and Jodie Foster, going through their paces in this mother-daughter-switch tale. Barbara Harris is one of the great performers who never quite made the level of fame she deserved. Whether in her Broadway turns in ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER and THE APPLE TREE, to several good films, she had an amazing ability to be vulnerable in one moment and seamlessly turn into a glamourous, gutsy bombshell in the next. And her voice! This film and, perhaps, Hitchcock's FAMILY PLOT are nice samplings of her skill. Add in the very young Jodie Foster and you can't lose. (The DVD has a nice on-screen commentary by Foster, which proves how spontaneously articulate she is. Too bad they didn't get Harris to discuss her part.) As an added benefit, the screenplay is by source book author, Mary Rodgers (Richard Rodgers' daughter and author-composer in her own right). For those who like THE GILMORE GIRLS, which is a tremendous and enjoyable example of an almost-impossibly-idealistic relationship between a mother and her daughter, this film will be a nice reality check. Here the mother and daughter can't relate to each other at all until they go through the fiery baptism of spending a day in each other's body. Ultimately, this film provides us with 90-plus minutes of enjoyment and humor in the hands of the very talented cast.
9 Fun from start to finish
Freaky Friday is a hilarious film. It is filled with funny, quotable dialogue. The script is great, and what makes it all come together are the performances by it's stars. Jodie Foster is very good and entertaining as Annabel. Barbara Harris as Mrs. Andrews is so wonderful she steals the show. Her transformation into her teenage daughter trying to be a wife and mother is a blast. Barbara Harris has a wacky, rebelliousness that comes though in her performance. It's perfect. Her scenes with Boris (Annabel's teenage crush who lives across the street) and her son Ben, are especially funny.
The young Sparky Marcus as little Ben Andrews is adorable. His scene of confiding in his "mother" about his true feelings for sister Annabel is very touching. Marc McClure as Boris Harris (who makes a cameo appearance in 2003's Freaky Friday as Boris making a delivery) is great in his role as the allergy-prone object of Annabel's affections. Another standout character is Mrs. Schmauss the cleaning lady. Her interactions with "Mrs. Andrews" are side splitting.
The title song, "I'd Like To Be You For A Day", is really beautiful and compliments the sentiment in the film. Freaky Friday is a feel good film with a message that is obvious, but also has a subtle message throughout that reminds us not to take life too seriously. It seems to say "Enjoy the people you love, appreciate their individuality and struggles, and most of all, allow yourself to have fun on this crazy journey."
10 Thank you, Disney
At last, Disney DVD presents a fine, widescreen print of one of its '70's classics with an accompanying twenty-minute recollection by Jodie Foster of her formative years on the Disney lot. Although this DVD of the original "Freaky Friday" is not a special edition, it is exactly the kind of product we Disney fans and DVD purists have been begging for. Hopefully, good sales will lead to new widescreen releases of previously botched fullscreen DVDs of "Follow Me, Boys," "Son of Flubber," "The Gnome Mobile" and "Blackbeard's Ghost," among others.
One of the first of the popular body-switching genre, 1977's "Freaky Friday" is a fast-paced, perceptive comedy about a typical mother-and-daughter relationship and how the two react when they literally switch personalities for a day, with Foster's Annabel trapped in her mother's body, and Barbara Harris' Ellen going to junior high as Annabel. The complications are obvious but nonetheless funny and engaging, with Harris proving herself a skilled physical comedienne while skateboarding, playing baseball, and suffering through numerous pratfalls and humiliations. My only problem with Harris' performance is she seems to be playing Annabel too young--perhaps as a nine-year-old instead of a bright thirteen-year-old, so she's never entirely believable in the role. (Jamie Lee Curtis, on the other hand, nails the teenager-in-a-grownup-body role in the remake.) Foster, on the other hand, is just about perfect in her characterization of daughter/mother Annabel. Even in 1977 it was easy to see this phenomenal young talent was destined for great things as an actress. Indeed, "Freaky Friday" was part of an incredible string of top-notch performances Foster gave from 1973-1977 ("Tom Sawyer," "Echoes of a Summer," "Bugsy Malone," "Taxi Driver," "The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane" and "Candleshoe") that turned her into one of the finest (if not THE finest) child actresses of all time.
Rounding out the cast is a fine group of veteran actors: John Astin as Bill Andrews, Annabel's confused father; Patsy Kelly as the family's grumpy and unlikeable housekeeper; Dick Van Patten as Bill's boss; and Ruth Buzzi, in a funny cameo as a field hockey coach (her strategy: "Get Annabel Andrews and get her good!") Gary Nelson's direction is crisp, and the script by novelist Mary Rodgers perceptive for the time, although she was forced to change the plot somewhat to include that tired Disney '70's staple: a protracted slapstick car chase involving Ellen/Annabel outracing several police cars without facing any consequences whatsoever. Like most Disney films of the era, the production values are stellar and the film is colorful and reminiscent of a live-action cartoon. Even the opening cartoon-credit sequence is engaging.
Yes, there are some creepy sexual subtexts here (which Foster amusingly comments on in the documentary) involving Bill and neighbor-teen Boris (Marc McClure) both coming onto Ellen/Annabel, but they will go right over younger kids' heads and older kids will be as amused by it as their parents. Regardless, this is perfect family entertainment and will make a fine double-feature with the 2003 remake, which is equally good with its own merits. (I prefer Jamie Lee Curtis over Harris, and Foster over Lohan and think the remake is more successful in dealing with the sexual subtexts; i.e., the makers wisely scuttle the father's role and make Curtis a widow with a fiance played by Mark Harmon, which was the smartest of many changes made in the plot.)
So, once again, thank you, Disney, for a fine DVD of one of your best '70's films. Please, please, please follow this one up with more widescreen releases.
11 the day has come
Finally the day has come. I don't understand why took it so long to release these classic disney films??
Because I personaly think that you have to watch the original version first before you watch the remakes.
The film is a real comedy with an interesting plot and fine actors. I must say that I have seen this film almost a 100 times and I still like it, especially in the summer (I don't know why, maybe it isn't fit for rainy days).
Buy it, it worth!
12 FREAK ACCIDENT, CLASSIC FISH-OUT-OF-WATER COMEDY
"Freaky Friday" is a classic Disney comedy that required no remake. As a `coming of age' film it sincerely examines the trials and tribulations of both parents and children without ever allowing either perspective to become condescendingly smug. After the hysteria that was Haley Mills had cooled in the late sixties the Disney studio began searching for a teenage successor that could ensure box office success in the 1970s. They found their heir apparent in the embodiment of tomboyish, Jodie Foster. In "Freaky Friday" Foster plays Annabelle, the belligerent teenager who can't wait to grow up. She envisions that her mother, Ellen (Barbara Harris) lives a life of elegance and luxury, and, as such, Annabelle longs for just one chance to revel in what she perceives to be the pampered existence of adulthood. Likewise, Ellen can't understand why her teenager daughter complains so much about being a teenager. Both women get a reality check when a `freak' accident transposes their brains into each other's bodies thus affording them the opportunity to experience each other's lifestyle for one catastrophically hilarious day. John Astin, Dick Van Patten and Ruth Buzzi costar.
TRANSFER: A very nice, very clean looking, anamorphically enhanced presentation. Colors are rich, vibrant and bold. Age related artifacts are a rarity. Rear projection and special effects photography appears worse for the wear than the rest of film, but is only marginally distracting. Contrast and black levels are solid. Overall, the picture has a very smooth characteristic that is easy on the eyes. The audio is mono and somewhat strident but, at a moderate listening level, quite acceptable.
EXTRAS: A thorough retrospective by Jodie Foster and an interactive game.
BOTTOM LINE: Recommended.
13 FREAK ACCIDENT, CLASSIC FISH-OUT-OF-WATER COMEDY
"Freaky Friday" is a classic Disney comedy that required no remake. As a `coming of age' film it sincerely examines the trials and tribulations of both parents and children without ever allowing either perspective to become condescendingly smug. After the hysteria that was Haley Mills had cooled in the late sixties the Disney studio began searching for a teenage successor that could ensure box office success in the 1970s. They found their heir apparent in the embodiment of tomboyish, Jodie Foster. In "Freaky Friday" Foster plays Annabelle, the belligerent teenager who can't wait to grow up. She envisions that her mother, Ellen (Barbara Harris) lives a life of elegance and luxury, and, as such, Annabelle longs for just one chance to revel in what she perceives to be the pampered existence of adulthood. Likewise, Ellen can't understand why her teenager daughter complains so much about being a teenager. Both women get a reality check when a `freak' accident transposes their brains into each other's bodies thus affording them the opportunity to experience each other's lifestyle for one catastrophically hilarious day. John Astin, Dick Van Patten and Ruth Buzzi costar.
TRANSFER: A very nice, very clean looking, anamorphically enhanced presentation. Colors are rich, vibrant and bold. Age related artifacts are a rarity. Rear projection and special effects photography appears worse for the wear than the rest of film, but is only marginally distracting. Contrast and black levels are solid. Overall, the picture has a very smooth characteristic that is easy on the eyes. The audio is mono and somewhat strident but, at a moderate listening level, quite acceptable.
EXTRAS: A 'look back' featurette and interactive game - boring!
BOTTOM LINE: Recommended.
14 Good Original but try these two...
OK, I like this original well enough.
I saw it on the Wonderfull World of Disney on TV and then repeats on Cable. I have to agree with some of the other posters that Annabelle being 13 makes the car driving funnier. And "Gomez Adams" as the Dad is also a great plus.
Yet, I personally like the 1st remake with Shelly Long / Gaby Hoffmann. (NOT out on DVD, but I am waiting) Given that its a worn out premise, I like the "feel" of this version. It a more modern look, with out the "too cool" look of the newest version. It has pretty good chemistry with the two leads.
I would also like to recommend another switched-bodies movie that is very cute. Its called "Wish upon a Star" with Danielle Harris / Catherine Heigl. It's a little sister / big sister switch. Just a fun little movie but that has a pretty nice message about sibling opposites understaing each other and getting along. This one is available on DVD, just type it into the search box.
15 Freaky Friday 1977 version
This movie comes for the first time to DVD this June and is among the top titles I want for that month. I think the original Freaky Friday is better than the remake not only because it more true to the book it's based on about a married house wife and daughter swapping bodies but because of the sight gags and the fact that how they swap bodies was left a mystery. Characters like the goofy kid next door that the daughter has a crush on is only one of the items in the original I miss having in the remake.
16 See this first
This is one of my favorite movies from being a little girl. It's an excellent movie. I wish that people who are reviewing it would watch the original before the remake so they could truly appreciate how great the original is. Yes it is dated, but it came out in the 70's. This is how life was then and the movie should be watched with that in mind. You can't degrade the original if you saw the remade version first.
17 Awesome!
This movie is the best! I'd give it more than 5 stars if I could. The basic plot is that its Friday the 13th, and Annabelle, 13, and her mother aren't getting along. Annebelle leaves for school. Annabelle is complaining to her friends about her mom, and her mom is complaining to her husband about Annabelle. At the same time, they say "I wish I could be her." Then, they switch. Annabelle's body has got her mom's mind in it, and her mom's body has got Annabelle's mind in it. Its a very good movie. Personally, I like it better than the remakes!Buy it today. Believe me, you'll enjoy it!
18 Truly awful. Skip this and watch the SECOND remake...
Body swap movies must be fun to make. Fred Savage and Judge Reinhold must have had a lot of fun in "Vice Versa" (1988). Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan must have in "Freaky Friday" (2003), too. The original "Freaky Friday," though, doesn't seem very fun at all, and I'd be surprised to find that the two lead actresses -- Barbara Harris and Jodie Foster -- had any fun whatsoever making it.
Foster is on cruise control as Annabel, a tomboy youth growing up in suburban America during the mid-70s. I expected to see the Brady Bunch next door, walking outside and waving at Annabelle as she got ready to go to school.
Annabel's mother (Harris) is a stay-at-home mom with a lazy husband. She's envys her daughter, who in turn envys her, and as the two simultaneously wish to swap places, a freak accident occurs and they do, in fact, swap places. Now they have to learn to appreciate each other's differences before they can swap back again.
It won't be easy. Annabel (in her mother's body) makes moves on the next door neighbor, a school kid her age who is attracted to Annabel's mother. The love interest is never given anything other than minimal attention, and unlike the 2003 remake, there aren't many funny scenes involving him and the mother at all.
This movie is dull, lifeless, routine, and downright painful to sit through. It sparked the national curiosity of the body switch comedies, inspiring "Like Father Like Son," "18 Again," "Vice Versa" (the superior version of the formula), and even "Big." The genre has been over-used and misused many times, and "Vice Versa" and the 2003 version are the only two that actually offer anything funny and actually come off as fresh.
Otherwise this is boooooring! I saw "Freaky Friday" (2003) last night at a screening and it was ten times better than this. I also saw the TV version with Shelley Long and that, too, was even better than the 1976 version, which is so sickly cheery and low budget it almost pains the viewer.
Foster was fresh off the success of "Taxi Driver," released the same year, which is at least 1,000,000 times better than this film. She displays little acting skill, however, muttering her lines in voice-over narrative like she's reading off the back of a piece of paper -- which no doubt she was, anyhow.
Barbara Harris, in the role of Ellen, offers little other than dumb expressions and cute lines. The film even resorts to an awful climatic finale involving a cop car chase -- a sure sign that a film is in trouble.
The director, Gary Nelson, seems to have a knack for making absolutely nothing funny appear out of the given material. Looking back in retrospect, this was the first film of the body swatch genre, and seeing how mediocre this cheery little dud is, I can't understand why anyone would have offered to remake the material for years to come.
Here are words of advice: Skip this. Watch the 2003 remake. It's much, much better, and much, much funnier. Oh, and it has better acting, directing, and scriptwriting. Am I being cruel to this film? I don't think so. After all, it spawned an unfortunate series of awful body swap movies, and for that it deserves to die a truly painful death.
19 Totally Seventies
First off, it's not as good as the 2003 remake. But it's still good. Barbara Harris as the mother is a hoot, she really captures Jodie Foster's character. Jodie Foster's acting isn't quite up to Harris' level, or Lindsay Lohan's, twenty-six years later. Unfortunately, I didn't see Freaky Friday (1977) until after I had seen the remake, so I couldn't help but compare them as I watched.
The car chase scene at the end is too long, but otherwise the story hangs together (as long as you buy the premise of mother and daughter switching bodies) and is a lot of fun. Although I wouldn't call it sophisticated, sometimes the humor is aimed a bit higher than the pre-teen crowd. Watch John Astin as Annabelle's (Josie Foster) dad perk up when his wife (with his daughter's mind) accidentally calls him "Daddy." The relationship between Annabelle's would-be boyfriend Boris and Annabelle (in her mother's body) doesn't go anywhere, but you can see that Boris wouldn't mind if it did.
And I loved seeing all that Seventies decor again. Trippy, man.
20 A movie that needs no remake
"Freaky Friday" is a true classic film to come from the world of Disney.
With Jodie Foster, one of the most brilliant and beautiful actresses of her generation, as Annabel, and the vivacious Barbara Harris as her mom, Ellen "Freaky Friday" has gone down in my history of film watching as one of the best all around.
Upon seeing the preview of the new version with jamie lee curtis, I immediately seeked out the orginal. It is funny, and just a pure joy to view multiple times.
The movie's basic plot is it's Friday the 13th, and Annabel and her mom are at war with each other. They both exclaim "i wish I could trade places with her", and their wishes come true!
The hijinks and chaos ensues.
Here's a film you can watch with your entire family. How many movies can you say that about these days?
it's utterly unforgettable, and even now that I am no longer a kid, I will always have a special place in my heart for this sweet silly story.
21 great memory
This movie is just the way I remembered it as a young girl!! What a great memory!! I am so glad, I was able to find this movie!! SUPER!!!!
22 Fine Disney Fun!
This movie has always been my favorite non-animated Disney movie ever since I was a little kid. As I grew up, I grew up, I came to like it more and more each time I saw it. I think that every teenager thinks that their parents have an easy life. Likewise for most parents who sometimes don't remember what it's like to be a teenager.
The basic plotline is that Annabel Andrews and her mother Ellen have an argument and, by some strange coincidence, wish "I wish I could be her for just one day". BANG! They automatically switch minds. They both find that they would rather be in their own shoes than each other's.
I think that this movie deserves to be released on DVD. I highly recommend this version over the remade 1995 version with Shelley Long (of "Cheers" fame). If you had to pick one version to buy, this one--from 1976--is the better choice. There are some scenes which would make you laugh out loud and hard (like the scene in the car where they switch back and all of a sudden Annabel herself is driving (and she's only 13!) or the scene where "Annabel"--remember, her body has her mother's mind in it, and she really doesn't have a clue about most things that go on in Annabel's life--is taking a typing test and accidently destroys the all the typewriters in the room!).
As I said, this version is the better one. I highly recommend that even if you haven't seen it, you should buy or rent it. I guarantee you'll be glad you did. I always feel much better about myself each time I watch it.
23 Fun film and good acting
I watched this again recently and was surprised by how well it has stood the test of time. But what really struck me (that I would have missed when watching it as a child) is the quality of the lead performances.
Jodie Foster (Annabelle) does a wonderful job of playing the adult-trapped-in-a-child's-body. She is especially insightful in the scene with the secretary. Barbara Harris (Ellen) is a delight as the daughter-in-the-body-of-an-adult. She is obviously having a ball dancing, blowing bubbles, and blaring rock music while trying (and failing) to do the "easy" household chores. The scene where the carpet cleaners, the drape cleaners, the housekeeper, and the auto mechanic all arrive at once is a classic in the farce mold.
This film was released in 1976, and there are several moments that do not play well in a less innocent era. When Harris slips up and calls her "husband" "daddy" over the phone he reacts amorously. This was more than creepy, even when the father/husband is played by John Astin. Also, when Harris is trying to flirt with neighbor boy Boris (who Annabelle has a crush on), one tries to forget that this is a woman in her thirties (albeit with the personality of a teenager) coming on to a fourteen-year-old.
But all in all, this was great fun and is one of the great Disney live-action films.
24 T.G.I. Friday!
What would you do if you were in your mother's shoes? Spunky teenager Annabel Andrews would want her own shoes back. On Friday the 13th Annabel found herself switching places with her uptight mother, Ellen. Suddenly she was responsible for preparing a large dinner, take care of house renovations and driving her brother `Apeface' around. Meanwhile, Ellen has to drudge through a high school game of field hockey, eat food only Annabel could enjoy and perform in the big water-skiing extravaganza. Both of them are not too happy to have switched but the event sure makes them understand each other.
For the nations Bicentennial, the folks at Disney put out this high concept film and it was reason enough for fireworks. The film has much in common with earlier Disney offerings like THE PARENT TRAP, but it conversely lacked the studio alignment of those early classics. The film has a movie-of-the-week look that a film getting more attention would not have. But not to worry, for the two main performers are the real pros here. A young Jodie Foster is excellent as the tomboy and also as the mother misplaced in the tomboy's body. Likewise Barbara Harris is excellent as the uptight mother and the tomboy trapped in the mother's body.
This early `Face-Off' film has a couple good twists up its sleeve and a funny supporting cast. It has a strong following and deserves a nice DVD release, possibly a new entry in the wonderful Vault Collection?
So what would you do if you were in your mother's shoes?
25 The best film ever-no honest!
This was my favourite film when i was growing up and remains my favourite today a whole quarter of a centuary later! All i can say is if this films is available then buy it. Excellent performances from all the cast, wonderful story and everything that you'd excpect from Disney.
I have a copy of this on PAL + NTSC just in case anything happens to one of them.
This film should never be out of print!!!
26 Freaky Friday
Any Parents with Teenagers ?
Well this is a great movie and is suitable for the whole Family.
Great fun and amusing !!!
27 SO Incredibly Funny!!
This is another one of my childhood favorites!! The scenes with Barbara Harris "Ellen" chewing gum, running in dress suits and pantyhose and acting like Jodie Foster "Annabelle", is worth the price of the whole movie! Both Barbara Harris and Jodie Foster are fabulous in this wonderful movie for all ages! (Everytime I go home, my Mother & I watch this movie together!)
28 The best movie ever
I love this movie! I laugh every time I see it, but no matter where I look I can't find it to buy it. I wish they would make more of this movie because it is fun for anybody that watches it. Jodie Foster and Barbara Harris are a great duo and play "each other" in a humorous way.
29 The Best Disney Comedy
Everything in this cute film is magic.And you have to admit that the opening song,'I'd Like To Be You For A Day',is very boppy.Patsy Kelly is hilarious as Mrs Schmauss and Ruth Buzzi and Kaye Ballard are great as two over-exited hockey captains (Kill!Kill!Kill!)Barbara Harris has never been more appealing than as the hapless Mrs Andrews and the brazened Jodie Foster is lovely.
30 Classic!
This movie appeared on the Disney Channel like about two years ago and I enjoyed it. Jodie Foster does a great job in her work, including Barbara Harris. There's also a made-for-TV version with Gaby Hoffman and Shelly Long that was on ABC in 1995. But I think I like this one the best. I watch it all the time! I recommened this movie to everyone.
31 The Best Disney Comedy
Everything in this cute film is magic.And you have to admit that the opening song,'I'd Like To Be You For A Day' is very boppy.Patsy Kelly is hilarious as Mrs Schmauss and Ruth Buzzi and Kaye Ballard are great as two over-exited hockey captains-(Kill!Kill!Kill!) Barbara Harris has never been more appealing than as the hapless Mrs Andrews and the brazened Jodie Foster is lovely.
32 great "Thinker Movie" for young children.
This movie opened up my 6 1/2 year old sons imagination. He initiated conversations with me where we talked about simple ideas of interdeminsional travel and and the concept of the self. I thought it would be a funy movie to watch. Watching someone try to figure out how to cope with being their parrent for a day was entertaining.I realy was surprised at how it made him think though! Good story line. Fast moving plot. 70's Disney quality(?) and filled with silly things for the young ones to laugh at. And Jodi Foster is in it!
33 SILENCE, CURSE YOUR SOUL! I'M SLEEPING!
This movie made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, like someone shoved a wool blanket into my stomach. If you loved Jodie Foster in 'Silence Of The Lambs', you'll love 'Freaky Friday'. Now, first off, I don't like 'Freaky'. Once someone gave me a 'freaky' present for Christmas, and do you know what was inside the box when I unwrapped it? A DEAD RAT! No one needs 'freaky' in their lives... that is, unless it's a 'Freaky Friday'. And who doesn't like 'Fridays'? 'Me' that's who. If I had it my way, I'd do away with the whole cursed weekend. I met my wife on a weekend. I love her so. Unfortunately she has left me for another. The tears well up in my eyes as I write this. Never let anyone ever tell you Albino women make good lovers. I'll never love again. However, I can watch movies! Buy 'Freaky Friday' TODAY, or I will put a curse on you that will make your eyelids get stuck inside of your head!
34 Hillarious!!!!
I must have seen this movie over 50 times and I still laugh hard outloud. It's a groovy movie to watch with friends. Jodie Foster and Barbara Harris are wonderful.
35 It's Jodie Foster's greatest childhood comedy.
If you like magic and comedy mixed together, you'll love the original "Freaky Friday". I'm writing about it because I want people to know that it's not just a kiddie movie or your average Disney live-action film. At least I think it's cool. You won't even think about it being twenty years old while you watch it.
