A Little Princess

Most of us are familiar with Frances Hodgson Burnett's young adult novel through the Shirley Temple vehicle The Little Princess. This "WonderWorks Family Classic," weighing in at three hours, adheres much more closely to the original story. Amelia Shankley is radiant as 11-year-old Sarah Crewe, a Victorian upper class girl, whose father calls her his "princess" and constantly showers her with gifts and accolades while stationed in India. When Sarah is sent to Miss Minchin's Select Seminary for Young Ladies in London, Captain Crewe suffers two misfortunes: first, a friend's investment in a diamond mine comes to naught, and second, he falls ill, and ultimately dies (in the Temple version, Captain Crewe is merely lost in battle, and later found by Sarah in a hospital). All of the goods and favors which have been showered on Sarah by Miss Minchin (Maureen Lipman) are swiftly and irrevocably withdrawn when the wicked schoolmarm learns she's harboring a pauper. Poor Sarah is demoted from "princess" to "skivvy" (all-purpose cleaning girl), and moved to a drafty room in the attic. Since, regardless of her station, Sarah had always shown kindness to those other girls who were sorely in need of it--whether other students or the hired help--Sarah's newfound misery is somewhat alleviated by the staunch support of her friends. What Sarah doesn't realize is that her father's friend (Nigel Havers) did indeed discover diamonds (though too late to tell Sarah's father), and is now desperately searching for Sarah. A timeless tale, nicely told, with careful attention to the details of Victorian England, and fine performances from all of the principals. Sure to be very popular. Highly recommended. (See A GIRL OF THE LIMBERLOST for availability.)