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.

---

Plot Keywords:

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

---

Taglines:

Annabel and her Mother are not quite themselves today- in fact, they're each other! [UK]

---

Genres:

Comedy | Family | Fantasy

---

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.

---

Goofs

During police chase there is a camera frame visible on the drivers side of the "Bug" while it runs through the traffic cones.

---

Quotes

Annabel Andrews: As a dad you're terrific. As a husband, you're more like a traffic cop!

---

Connections

Referenced in Saturday Night Live: Daniel Craig/Muse (2012)

---

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

Back when we were grown-ups.

It is no secret, that, back when we were grown ups, Disney made films that were as delightful as the next Sidney Lumet film. "Freaky Friday" is one of those many films. When young Annabelle Andrews, and her mother Ellen Andrews switch bodies on Friday the 13th, one heck of a journey is on the rise! This great tale of learning and growing up has been mocked, or copied twice, in vain. There are many reasons why this film should have only been seen the way the company originally produced it. First off, the message is quite easy to figure, and keeping it simple, but meaningful was the great way to spread it. The age-old story of two people walking a mile in each others shoes. A funny mother-daughter story that never gets old, this one has just as much a tender side as it does a comic side.

About the film, the script is fresh and original, producing interesting narration by a game Foster. What makes this one almost a word for word act of the novel is because the author of the novel also wrote the screenplay. Some times, when the author also helps with the script, the outcome is less than amusing, but in this case, it was the best thing they could do. Mary Rodgers delivers the goods with this one, and the rich element of comedy is never wasted. The situations are almost too much. The incidents are made in ways to which an adult can laugh as much as a child can. In fact, most of the funny moments reflect more adult humor, such as Mrs. Schmauss and the liquor. Other moments such as typewriters going crazy, and one of the most hysterical ski sequences ever seem to be too much for children in todays times. Ergo, they remade this film twice. Once in '95 that was slow and dull, despite a good director and good cameos. And recently in '03 with a forced script. The two latter versions were made with more simple jokes to appeal more for kids.

Such subject matter was also toned down. The situation with Annabelle and Ben. Why does Annabelle hate him so much? Because there is nothing more annoying than a perfect kid with no messy qualities. Later, same question, but answer goes as "his sister doesn't "hate" him. he bugs her". What is wrong with the normal sibling rivalry using the word 'hate'? The film also shows how much better times were back then. As thirteen year-old teens were taught to be a whiz on the typewriter, and speak very well of American history. Those times are just not here anymore, not much anyhow. IN any case, this film is a great joy of a film. Modern film-making at it's best, and of course, Disney made films good back then. Not like the senseless contrived mush we see today.