Freaky Friday (1976)

A mother and daughter find their personalities switched and have to live each other's lives on one strange Friday.

Director:

Gary Nelson

Writers:

Mary Rodgers (screenplay), Mary Rodgers (book)

Stars:

Barbara Harris, Jodie Foster, John Astin

Nominated for 3 Golden Globes.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Barbara Harris	...	Mrs. Andrews
Jodie Foster	...	Annabel
John Astin	...	Mr. Andrews
Patsy Kelly	...	Mrs. Schmauss
Dick Van Patten	...	Harold Jennings
Vicki Schreck	...	Virginia
Sorrell Booke	...	Mr. Dilk
Alan Oppenheimer	...	Mr. Joffert
Ruth Buzzi	...	Opposing Coach
Kaye Ballard	...	Coach Betsy
Marc McClure	...	Boris Harris
Marie Windsor	...	Mrs. Murphy
Sparky Marcus	...	Ben Andrews
Ceil Cabot	...	Miss McGuirk
Brooke Mills	...	Mrs. Gibbons

Storyline

Schoolgirl Annabel is hassled by her mother, and Mrs. Andrews is annoyed with her daughter, Annabel. They both think that the other has an easy life. On a normal Friday morning, both complain about each other and wish they could have the easy life of their daughter/mother for just one day and their wishes come true as a bit of magic puts Annabel in Mrs. Andrews' body and vice versa. They both have a Freaky Friday.

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Plot Keywords:

wish | boomerang | wish fulfillment | makeup | father daughter relationship | 

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Taglines:

How freaky would it be if you turned into your mother?

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Genres:

Comedy | Family | Fantasy

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 January 1977 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ein ganz verrückter Freitag

Filming Locations:

Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walt Disney Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Photophone Sound Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Charlene Tilton's film debut.

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Goofs

Obvious smiling stunt double for Ellen during the water skiing scene.

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Quotes

Mrs. Ellen Andrews (as Annabel): I was only kidding, Daddy.
Mr. William Waring 'Bill' Andrews: Daddy? You never called me "Daddy" before?
Mrs. Ellen Andrews (as Annabel): [covering up the problem] Oh, and I never will again, Bill, Dear.

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Connections

Referenced in Ugly Betty: Four Thanksgivings and a Funeral (2006)

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Soundtracks

"I'd Like To Be You For A Day"
Words and Music Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn
Performed by Barbara Harris and Jodie Foster

User Reviews

Barbara Harris is da bomb

While the remake with Curtis and Lohan was good and Hollywood smooth with better production values (so what), the main difference is in the lead actors. I mean you know Jodie Foster can act circles around Lindsay Lohan (who couldn't) but the main difference is in the moms. Jaime Lee Curtis is a savvy pro who has her own take on the role but it's pretty flat in comparison. Barbara Harris I didn't remember from her small roles in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Peggy Sue Got Married but now that my memory has been jogged, she did a fine job. This movie, though, is her tour-de-force. What a fantastic performance. She is flawless and incredibly funny in this role. As fine a comedic turn as anyone has ever done; the nuances of voice, the facial expressions, the slapstick - all spot on.

Jodie Foster is no slouch either. Her teenage roles have showed maturity beyond her years and a thorough understanding of her roles. She shines in this one. The supporting cast is well chosen and they're all good too.

I can see why they remade it, though. Todays kids don't usually get into old movies so with a box office cinch like Lohan, why not? I like a lot of the 60's and 70's movies since that is my generation and subsequently have trouble enjoying the 30's and 40's movies. But a good movie is a good movie no matter when it was made.