Kit Kittredge: An American Girl (2008)

Director:

Patricia Rozema

Writers (WGA):

Ann Peacock (written by)
Valerie Tripp (Kit Kittredge stories)

Release Date:

2 July 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Family | Mystery

Plot:

Set in Cincinnati at the height of the Great Depression, Kit Kittredge, a resourceful young girl, helps her mother run a boardinghouse after her father loses his job.

Plot Keywords:

Great Depression | Cincinnati Ohio | Father | Levitation | Newspaper

Awards:

1 win & 3 nominations

Cast

Abigail Breslin	...	Margaret Mildred 'Kit' Kittredge
Julia Ormond	...	Margaret Kittredge
Chris O'Donnell	...	Jack Kittredge
Jane Krakowski	...	Miss May Dooley
Wallace Shawn	...	Mr. Gibson
Max Thieriot	...	Will Shepherd
Willow Smith	...	Countee Garby
Glenne Headly	...	Louise Howard
Zach Mills	...	Stirling Howard IV
Kenneth Welsh	...	Uncle Hendrick
Madison Davenport	...	Ruthie Smithens
Joan Cusack	...	Miss Lucinda Bond
Dylan Smith	...	Freidreich (as Dylan Scott Smith)
Stanley Tucci	...	Jefferson Jasper Berk
Douglas Nyback	...	William 'Billy' Peabody

Also Known As:

Kit Kittredge: An American Girl Mystery (USA) (working title)
Kit Kittredge (Germany) (DVD title) [de]
Kit: Detective se drasi (Greece) (DVD title) [el]

Runtime:

101 min

Country:

USA | Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:G (certificate #44219) | Argentina:Atp | Singapore:G | Netherlands:AL

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Picturehouse Entertainment

Trivia:

Madison Davenport dyed her blonde hair brown for her role as Ruthie Smithens.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: When Kitt gives the Cincinnati Register Editor her stories to read, they are in a portfolio envelope. When the Editor opens the portfolio, he removes an attached, corded elastic band which was stretched around the portfolio. Corded elastic bands for these types of thin cardboard portfolios did not exist in 1934. These envelopes would be tied with an attached, flattened cloth grosgrain ribbon type of tie.

Quotes:

Kit Kittredge: [very serious] Do you swear allegiance to the Treehuse Club?
Florence Stone: [solemn] I do.
Kit Kittredge: And if the Ninth Street Club asks you to join their club?
Florence Stone: I will laugh in their faces.
Frances Stone: [whispering] Florence! You're *supposed* to say, 'I will decline'!
Florence Stone: Oh.
[very seriously]
Florence Stone: I will decline... and laugh.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Zach Braff/Maroon 5 (#32.20)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

When You're Smiling (the Whole World Smiles with You)

history, morals, mystery - all in one!

While not being semi-prof. film critics,we know what we like and what is a good movie, worth your time and money. This is not a deep psychological study, but is an intriguing look at an era most people have long forgotten. The story is nimble and keeps your interest while being clearly told from a child's perspective. We all loved the cinematography and the period clothes, cars, etc. The story had universal appeal and was not so childish that adults couldn't enjoy it. It was a real pleasure to see many senior citizens in attendance (even w/o grandkids) as I suspect that they actually lived through the struggles outlined in the movie. There were enough twists and turns and plenty of good, moral messages for old and young alike. Another plus is the 90 min. length! Our family votes yes to taking your kids and your senior citizens as well.