Eloise (books)
| Eloise | |
|---|---|
 Logo for the Eloise series of books |
|
| Author(s) | Kay Thompson |
| Illustrator | Hilary Knight |
| Publisher | Simon & Schuster |
| Publication date | 1955 |
Eloise is a series of children's books written in the 1950s by Kay Thompson (1909–1998) and illustrated by Hilary Knight (b. 1926). Thompson and Knight followed up Eloise (1955) with four sequels.
Eloise is a six-year-old girl who lives in the "room on the tippy-top floor" of the Plaza Hotel in New York City with her Nanny, her pug dog Weenie, and her turtle Skipperdee.
Thompson's goddaughter, Liza Minnelli, has been cited as a possible model for Eloise, as has the author herself.[1]
Contents |
Books [edit]
Original [edit]
- Eloise (1955)
- Eloise in Paris (1957)
- Eloise at Christmastime (1958)
- Eloise in Moscow (1959)
- Eloise Takes a Bawth (2002), posthumously published[2]
Subsequent [edit]
Other modern Eloise titles released by Eloise Jade McHale include Eloise's Guide to Life (2000), Eloise at Christmas (2003), Eloise's What I Absolutely Love Love Love (2005) and Love & Kisses, Eloise (2005). The same publisher began producing Eloise stories "in the style of Kay Thompson and Hilary Knight" to their early-reader Ready-to-Reads line in 2005.[3] By 2007, 11 titles had been released in that line.
Thompson's time on the set of the 1957 musical film Funny Face inspired a new Eloise cartoon episode — Eloise in Hollywood (2006).[4]
Dramatic adaptations [edit]
In 2003, two made-for-TV movies based on the first two books were made by Walt Disney Television, titled Eloise at the Plaza and Eloise at Christmastime, starring Sofia Vassilieva as Eloise and Julie Andrews as Nanny. In 2006, an animated television series based on the characters of the books, premiered on Starz! Kids & Family, featuring Mary Matilyn Mouser as Eloise and Lynn Redgrave as Nanny.
A movie based on Eloise in Paris, starring Jordana Beatty as the title character and Uma Thurman as Nanny,[5] is being developed by Charles Shyer, director of Alfie and Father of the Bride. As of 2012, little, if any, development on the film was announced, and it was reported that Uma filed a lawsuit against Handmade and demanded £6m compensation.[6][7] It is unclear as to whether Jordana Beatty is still attached to the project, albeit somewhat unlikely given her age.[8]
A direct-to-DVD animated feature entitled Eloise in Africa was announced in February 2009. It will be made entirely at Animation Collective’s New York City facility.[9]
Television
- Playhouse 90, "Eloise" (1956)
- Eloise: The Animated Series (2006)
Movies
- Eloise at the Plaza (2003)
- Eloise at Christmastime (2003)
- The Brave One (2007) mentions Eloise in a fictional NPR style radio broadcast.
- Eloise in Paris (Forthcoming: 2013)
- Eloise in Africa (Forthcoming: 2014)
Legacy [edit]
- A portrait of Eloise was hung in the lobby of the Plaza until it closed for renovations in 2005. The portrait was re-hung in 2008 after three years in storage.
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ Amy Benfer (1999-06-01). "Will the real Eloise please stand up?". Salon.
- ^ Won Tesoriero, Heather (2002-02-09), "Welcome Back, Eloise", Time
- ^ Simon & Schuster: Ready-to-Reads: Kay Thompson
- ^ Minzesheimer, Bob (2006-10-23), "Oh, my Lord! Eloise leaves Plaza for Hollywood", USA TODAY
- ^ Uma Thurman and Jordana Beatty
- ^ "Uma: I want £6m for film that never was". Mail Online. Retrieved 24 February 2012. Text " Mail Online" ignored (help)
- ^ "Uma Thurman settles Eloise film flap - Reuters". Reuters. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
- ^ "Uma Thurman agrees to 'Eloise' deal - Entertainment News, International News, Media - Variety". Variety. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
- ^ Eloise in Africa Feature Coming to DVD
