WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY, THE: ELOISE AT CHRISTMASTIME (TV)
Summary
One of this series of Disney movies presented under the umbrella title "The Wonderful World of Disney." This made-for-television production, based on the 1958 children's book by Kay Thompson, is about the mischievous six-year-old Eloise, who lives in the penthouse of New York City's Plaza hotel.
The program begins with Eloise discussing her life at the Plaza around Christmastime, just as a giant package arrives. The bellmen take it to a supply room and soon Eloise pops out, now able to look through all the other gifts in the room. She doesn't find what she's seeking: a present from her mother in Paris. Eloise then goes to desk manager Mr. Salomone to ask him if any new packages have arrived that day. Eloise notices a "highly suspicious" man in the lobby, informing Mr. Salomone of the potential danger. Next, Eloise greets the hotel's other employees. The lobby's Christmas tree subsequently arrives and Eloise discusses how to "shape it."
After her morning rounds, Eloise runs into cranky neighbor Mrs. Thornton, who threatens Eloise's pet turtle due to it having upset her toy poodle. Finally, Eloise returns to her suite to wake up Nanny, who serves as a surrogate mother. Eloise explains that she keeps two Christmas lists, one for presents she wants to give and the other for those she wants to get. Then, waiter and struggling actor Bill arrives with the morning's room service, playacting with Eloise. Eloise decides to speak with hotel manager Mr. Peabody about Mrs. Thornton and thus has to set up a ruse to get to him. Up at Mr. Peabody's office, secretary and gatekeeper Cornelia receives a call that a large package has arrived for her boss. Cornelia goes down to check, allowing Eloise to reach her quarry.
Mr. Peabody tries to shoo Eloise away but can't before his attractive daughter Rachel arrives with her fiance Brooks Oliver III. Eloise is psyched to hear that the couple is getting married on Christmas Eve. Eloise soon writes to Rachel, offering help with the wedding. Later, Eloise and Bill sing "Winter Wonderland" at the piano. Then, Eloise speaks with event coordinator Prunella Stickler, whom she considers "something of a pill." Prunella is planning Rachel's nuptials, which don't meet with Eloise's approval. Meanwhile, Rachel notices Bill and is pleasantly surprised to see he still works at the Plaza.
That night Eloise speaks with friendly night maid Lily about her remembrances of Rachel. Lily tells how Mr. Peabody sent Rachel to Europe to break up her budding romance with the lowly Bill. Then, Eloise hears news about Mrs. Thornton, which she assumes to mean that the elderly woman is dead. She tells Nanny that she's "sick with grief and despair." Meanwhile, Mr. Peabody discusses Brooks with Rachel.
The next morning, Eloise awakens early to go Christmas shopping with Nanny. On the way out, Eloise runs into the sophisticated Sir Wilkes, who is curious about what Nanny -- the object of his affections -- may want for Christmas. Then, Eloise gets her "messages" from Miss Thompson at the front desk. Eloise and Nanny are soon off in Maggie's hansom cab to purchase presents throughout the city. By day's end, Eloise is fully stocked but Nanny has not found a gift for Sir Wilkes. Returning to the Plaza, Eloise faints when she sees Mrs. Thornton emerge from the elevator. Snapping out of it, Nanny explains that Mrs. Thornton's health was never an issue. Instead, she is being evicted the day after Christmas for non-payment of bills.
Eloise goes to visit Mrs. Thornton, who talks about the death of her son Edgar. She tells how he was a Bavarian prince, and that his demise left her with no one to pay the rent. Eloise wants to speak to Mr. Peabody and get some justice for Mrs. Thornton. Eloise sets up another diversion and meets with Mr. Peabody, who claims Mrs. Thornton's story is all lies and that her rent was previously paid by family monies that the late Edgar didn't squander. Then, Eloise discusses the smile Rachel has for Bill, as opposed to the one she shows to Brooks. Bill runs into Rachel and wonders if Brooks is really the man she wants.
Eloise goes to the kitchen and speaks with chef Patrice about Bill and Rachel's history. Patrice helps Eloise spy on Brooks, allowing her to learn that he is a fraud and wants to marry Rachel only for the family fortune. Eloise sprints back to Mr. Peabody but is unable to get to him. Nanny tells Eloise not to get involved in the situation. Later, Nanny and Sir Wilkes watch TV and flirt before Nanny spills wine on herself. They still try to figure out the best Christmas gifts for each other. Later, Eloise goes to Rachel at a wedding gown fitting to speak about Bill, mentioning his love of show tunes. Eloise also makes it appear that Bill sent a bouquet of roses to Rachel.
Eloise goes back to Prunella and, via some subterfuge, manages to change her planner so that Bill and Rachel will meet up in the Terrace Room that afternoon. Next, Eloise waits outside the Oak Bar to spy on Brooks, who is playing cards and drinking. Unable to enter the bar, she sends a note via slingshot to the bartender, who delivers it to Brooks. The note claims that his afternoon wedding prep plans have been canceled, keeping him away from Rachel and Bill. Eloise's plan goes swimmingly and soon Rachel and Bill are together in the Terrace Room singing "Together, Wherever We Go," their favorite show tune from "Gypsy." Then, Prunella stumbles upon them dancing and castigates Bill. Rachel rises to his defense, making Prunella apologize.
Eloise wakes the next day and is thrilled that it's officially the "eve" of Christmas Eve. Eloise checks to see if any packages have arrived from her mother. Meanwhile, Mr. Peabody dines with Rachel and Brooks, who says he has to go to get a shave. Then, Eloise speaks with concierge Walter to get two tickets to "Gypsy." She then goes to the barber shop to tell Brooks a story about a Harvard alumni meeting in the hotel that night. Knowing that Walter has been spreading a bogus tale of having attended Harvard, she realizes that he'll make himself scarce so that Rachel won't discover his ruse. Eloise realizes that Brooks's absence will leave Rachel free to attend "Gypsy" with Bill.
All continues on course until Eloise hears that Bill is leaving for a vacation in Vermont. She then tracks him down and convinces him of the date's import. That evening, Eloise and Nanny decorate their tree as Sir Wilkes finally finds a gift for Nanny -- which Eloise subsequently dismisses. Later, Eloise sees Bill and Rachel heading off on their date. Then, Eloise gets a call from her mother, who won't get back from Europe for Christmas as she's become snowbound. Later, Rachel returns to the Plaza and encounters her father. Meanwhile, Bill dances around in the snow, elated after his date. Brooks returns and learns from Mr. Salomone that there never was a Harvard Christmas party.
On Christmas Eve morning, Eloise awakens with great excitement, determined to finally tell Rachel about Brooks. However, Eloise encounters an angered Brooks, who kidnaps her and stashes her in a basement locker. Later, Nanny starts to worry about the missing Eloise. Eloise locates a walkie-talkie from her spy kit and alerts Nanny, who has the matching unit. Nanny goes to rescue her, with both then rushing to stop the nuptials. Later, Nanny and Eloise watch from a vent above the wedding, about to scream at Brooks when Bill interrupts the wedding to get Rachel back. Rachel and Bill kiss as Prunella reacts in horror.
Eloise and Nanny have their own Christmas Eve party, after which Mr. Peabody calls Eloise for a meeting. He asks if the events of the day were her doing. Eloise admits that she wanted Rachel to have true love, though it required taking matters into her own hands. He then thanks her, leaving Prunella aghast. Afterward, Bill arrives in costume as a Bavarian dignitary, telling Mrs. Thornton that his country will arrange for her permanent stay at the Plaza. Meanwhile, the "highly suspicious" man from the hotel lobby turns out to be a special FBI agent who arrests Brooks for forgery, fraud, and extortion. Nanny and Sir Wilkes then reveal to Eloise that the only present they're exchanging is their love.
Finally, Eloise's mother makes a surprise entrance as Bill and Rachel get everyone to join in a chorus of "Hark the Herald Angels Sing." Also included are comments from Disney president Michael Eisner, as well as members of the production's cast and crew, on the casting of Sofia Vassilieva, who plays Eloise. Includes commercials.
(Network varies; this series was also telecast on NBC from 1961 to 1981 and on CBS from 1981 to 1983.)
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: November 22, 2003 Saturday 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:57:21
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:80323
- GENRE: Children's programs
- SUBJECT HEADING: Children's programs; Hotels; Christmas
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1997-2008
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - "Barbie in Swan Lake" home video
- TV - Commercials - "Bruce Almighty" home video
- TV - Commercials - "Eloise at the Plaza" home video
- TV - Commercials - "Mario & Luigi" video game
- TV - Commercials - "Mario Party 5" video game
- TV - Commercials - "The Cat in the Hat" motion picture
- TV - Commercials - "The Santa Clause 2" home video
- TV - Commercials - Acura automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Advair asthma inhaler
- TV - Commercials - Burger King restaurants
- TV - Commercials - Cascade dishwasher detergent
- TV - Commercials - Chevrolet automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Chex Party Mix
- TV - Commercials - Colgate toothpaste
- TV - Commercials - Dawn dishwashing liquid
- TV - Commercials - Disneyland theme parks
- TV - Commercials - Domino's pizza
- TV - Commercials - Febreze fabric softener
- TV - Commercials - Fisher Price toys
- TV - Commercials - Glad Press 'n Seal wrap
- TV - Commercials - Hewlett Packard computer products
- TV - Commercials - Hyundai automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Intel Pentium processors
- TV - Commercials - JC Penney stores
- TV - Commercials - Kleenex tissues
- TV - Commercials - Lays chips
- TV - Commercials - M&M candies
- TV - Commercials - MasterCard credit cards
- TV - Commercials - McDonald's restaurants
- TV - Commercials - Motrin pain relief
- TV - Commercials - Mr. Clean cleaner
- TV - Commercials - Nestle Good Start baby formula
- TV - Commercials - Pizza Hut restaurants
- TV - Commercials - Prilosec OTC heartburn medication
- TV - Commercials - Radio Disney station
- TV - Commercials - Samsung televisions
- TV - Commercials - Secret anti-perspirant
- TV - Commercials - Sierra Mist soft drinks
- TV - Commercials - Starburst candies
- TV - Commercials - State Farm Insurance
- TV - Commercials - Swiffer mops
- TV - Commercials - T-Mobile cellular
- TV - Commercials - Toyota automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Toys "R" Us toy stores
- TV - Commercials - Toys for Tots charity
- TV - Commercials - Tylenol Cold Day/Night cold relief
- TV - Commercials - Uncle Ben's rice
- TV - Commercials - Verizon wireless
- TV - Commercials - Volvo automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Vons supermarkets
- TV - Commercials - Wal-Mart stores
- TV - Commercials - Zales diamond store
- TV - Commercials - Zatarain's rice
- TV - Promos - "8 Simple Rules"
- TV - Promos - "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving"
- TV - Promos - "A Winnie the Pooh Thanksgiving"
- TV - Promos - "According to Jim"
- TV - Promos - "America's Funniest Home Videos"
- TV - Promos - "Comfort and Joy"
- TV - Promos - "Extreme Makeover"
- TV - Promos - "Eyewitness News"
- TV - Promos - "I'm With Her"
- TV - Promos - "Less Than Perfect"
- TV - Promos - "Monday Night Football"
- TV - Promos - "NFL Thanksgiving Classics 2003"
- TV - Promos - "Oprah"
- TV - Promos - "The Wonderful World of Disney: I'll Be Home for Christmas"
- TV - Promos - "Trista and Ryan's Wedding"
- TV - Promos - Lifetime holiday programming
CREDITS
- Denise Di Novi … Executive Producer
- Patrick Meehan … Executive Producer
- Christine Sacani … Producer
- Thomas D. Adelman … Producer
- Kevin Lima … Co-Producer, Director
- Janelle Ramaker … Co-Producer
- Elizabeth Chandler … Co-Producer, Writer
- Alison Greenspan … Co-Producer
- Charlie Myers … Co-Producer
- Kay Thompson … Based on the book "Eloise at Christmastime" by
- Bruce Broughton … Music by
- Donna Feore … Choregrapher
- Julie Andrews … Cast, Nanny
- Sofia Vassilieva … Cast, Eloise
- Kenneth Welsh … Cast, Sir Wilkes
- Debra Monk … Cast, Maggie
- Gavin Creel … Cast, Bill
- Rick Roberts … Cast, Brooks Oliver III
- Sara Topham … Cast, Rachel Peabody
- Victor A. Young … Cast, Mr. Peabody
- Corinne Conley … Cast, Mrs. Thornton
- Christine Baranski … Cast, Prunella Stickler
- Jeffrey Tambor … Cast, Mr. Salomone
- Tannis Burnett … Cast, Mrs. Thompson
- Seann Gallagher … Cast, Rick
- Debra McGrath … Cast, Cornelia
- Julian Richings … Cast, Patrice
- Cliff Saunders … Cast, Max
- Neil Crone … Cast, Agent Kringle
- Di Novi, Gene … Cast, Vincent
- Di Zio, Sergio … Cast, Lou the Bellhop
- Arlene Duncan … Cast, Lily
- Donna Feore … Cast, Eloise's Mother
- Rothaford Gray … Cast, Security Guard
- Graham Harley … Cast, Walter the Concierge
- Jason Jones … Cast, Bartender
- Colm Magner … Cast, Thomas the Maitre d'
- Jack Newman … Cast, Minister
- Beatriz Pizano … Cast, Female Tailor
- Gerry Quigley … Cast, Room Service Operator
- Tony Sciara … Cast, Marco
- David Sparrow … Cast, Charlie the Doorman
- Tom Tumminello … Cast, Santa Claus
- Jonathan Wilson … Cast, Frederic the Bellhop
- Emilie-Claire Barlow … Cast, Singer
- Charlie Camp … Cast, Singer
- Neil Donell … Cast, Singer
- Joel Feeney … Cast, Singer
- Stephanie Martin … Cast, Singer
- Michael Eisner