Samantha: An American Girl Holiday (2004) Online

Nellie is one of the children of the hired help. Samantha is a lonely little, rich girl. They befriend each other and are a comfort to one another.

Historically interesting as well. Brings out the way life was for children regarding child-labor in factories. They were more like slaves than employees.

This film really drew me in, mainly because I love films regarding the Victorian time period. But the movie is mainly about the relationship that Samantha has with her grandmother and uncle and Nellie. Everything appears to take a turn for the worse when her uncle introduces his fiancé. Samantha fears that she will now be more alone than ever, but the kindness of her uncle's new wife wins her heart.

Everything in this movie turned out the way that I would have wanted it to. Love conquered all.

Obviously, the target audience for a movie like this is young girls who love the American Girls Collection. But within that, it is a thoroughly enjoyable treat, made specifically for kids but not at all the sort of movie that will drive grown-ups crazy.

The story is sweet and simple, but heartwarming, about a rich little girl named Samantha growing up in 1904. The script takes the various adventures from the Samantha books in the American Girls Collection, from Samantha's friendship with servant girl Nellie to the wedding of Uncle Gard and Aunt Cornelia to Samantha's speaking contest at her school in New York City, and blends them together in a very satisfying way- sure to please any girl who has the doll or has read the books! And perhaps what makes this "kid's movie" more appealing to the entire family is the inclusion of the historic happenings of 1904 America, when the motor car was an exciting new invention and the Suffrage movement had begun. This is, of course, the basis of the American Girls Collection and it's a wonderful way to bone up on your history and be entertained at the same time (hey, I didn't know that's when showers were invented!).

AnnaSophia Robb, who plays the title role, is quite a familiar face to family audiences, having starred as Opal in Because of Winn-Dixie and as the infamous gum-chewing, girl-turned-blueberry Violet Beauregarde in Tim Burton's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. AnnaSophia is a very talented young actress, and she plays the role of Samantha with a nice combination of sweetness and spunk (and she's cute without being cutesy, which is always a relief for the grown-ups). In fact, most of the cast is stellar, and Jordan Bridges (son of Beau Bridges) plays fun-loving Uncle Gard with a blend of charm and realism. Surprisingly enough, Mia Farrow, who plays Samantha's proper Grandmary and is undoubtedly the most famous performer in the lineup, is a trifle stilted and seems to be upstaged by the rest of the troop.

The fact that there are only two or three males in the entire show indicates that this is not really a boy's movie (I'm a grown-up boy, so I have permission to watch these kinds of movies and not be embarrassed anymore). Still, this is terrific family entertainment, for girls who love the American Girls, and for anyone who loves to walk away from a movie feeling good!

I was surprised when I heard this was being made into a movie. My sister read the American Girls books when she was a kid, and I never expected them to make a movie out of them. But all things considered, I thought the WB did a good job.

First of all, Annasophia Robb is a cute little kid, and at twelve years old, she has the potential to be a talented actress. She did a great job in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and looked as if she had fun while doing it. In the movie, Annasophia plays Samantha Parkington, a ten-year-old girl living in New York in 1904. The acts of the film are divided into the four seasons. In the spring, she makes friends with the servant girls living next door. In the summer, she meets her uncle's new wife. In the fall, she moves in with her aunt and uncle in the city, and then helps her three friends escape from an orphan home. In the winter, everyone lives happily ever after.

The orphanage reminded me of a federal prison, and the warden, er, manager reminded me of Carol Burnett in Annie. I also liked the movie's message about helping the needy. That's what made it a family movie.

So maybe it wasn't Emmy worthy, but if you have kids, or you just like cute movies, you'll like this movie.

This is the kind of movie that leaves you with a magical, wonderful, warm feeling. It was full of warmth, kindness, giving, bravery, joy,loyalty, beauty... The scenery was beautiful as well and complimented the wonderful storyline, which takes place in the early 1900s. Samantha is shipped off to New York, where she misses her home town and friends. In New York, however, she shows great strength and bravery as we are taken along her adventure. Children and adults alike can enjoy this movie, and Samantha, for the most part, is a wonderful role-model for young girls. I wish more movies were made of this high quality! This movie was an absolute delight, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

10 stars

I greatly enjoyed this sweet, gentle film set in 1904, about two young girls who become friends, and the troubles that befall them and how they deal with those problems.

The young actresses playing these roles did very well and made the characters seem real, and made me care about them. All the little girls were adorable.

Samantha is well off financially and lives with her grandmother (played by Mia Farrow - a treat to see her), but Samantha is an orphan and has lost both her parents in a boating accident.

Grandmother's beautiful, old mansion is out in the countryside and Samantha is a little bit lonely, when an Irish lass, Nellie, her father, and Nellie's two younger sisters arrive, to work at the neighbor's home next door.

Nellie's mother is deceased, and her family is poor, so they all have to work, despite being only children. (The film also deals with child labor.) Nellie and Samantha become fast friends, and Samantha is quite resourceful in helping her friends.

I really liked this movie and highly recommend it. Young girls will love it, and it has enough story interest that an adult will not be bored watching it either.

A couple hours ago I watched this movie that i rented from Blockbuster "Samantha: An American Girl Holiday" I thought AnnaSophia Robb did an excellent job as Samantha Parkington and no one i know could have done a better job. I know it was her first major movie and in some parts you could tell she was a little nervous but she played it well and so did Mia Farrow as Grandmary. The whole cast did well! Anyway the movie is about a girl named Samantha(Annasophia Robb) around 10 years old living in 1904, who has to move in with her Grandmary(Mia Farrow) because of the loss of her parents. Her Grandmary teaches Samantha how to become a proper lady. One day a girl named Nellie(Kelsey Lewis) moves in next door to work as a servant. She lives with her father and her to sisters. Soon something happens to her father and she has to be sent to an orphange. Can Samantha get her out? Watch the movie to find out! Great for all ages! May be harder for younger children to understand. Excellent classic!

I saw this movie and it put such a wonderful feeling in me that I could not stop smiling--seriously, I was smiling like an idiot. I think the acting was superb, and I can be a very harsh judge, because I am serious about acting and I know a lot about it. The actors all did an excellent job. It was a very sweet movie, and I actually taped it on the telly after watching it the first time. The costumes were amazing, and the casting fit perfectly in my mind. Mia Farrow was great as Grandmary, Anna Sophia Robb did a great job as Samantha, and all the other actors were great. But my favorite was Rebecca Mader, who played the role of Aunt Cornelia. She was very lovely and did great. It was the best movie I've seen come out in months, and it really teaches you a lesson and gives you hope to go on and live your dreams. I absolutely loved it!

This is a heartwarming, make you sad, happy, angry movie. Samantha, an orphan, lives with her grandmother. Samantha is taught to be a proper Victorian era lady, but Samantha is also a 10 year old girl who loves her uncle dearly. Samantha's life goes spinning in unexpected directions when she befriends the three girls living next door. The thing is, the three girls (10, 8, and 3) are maids. It is 1904 and there is no such thing as child labor laws. Samantha takes it upon herself (at risk) to teach the oldest girl how to read. The two girls become inseparable, but then another crisis arrives. Samantha's very much beloved uncle is going to marry.

Samantha is unhappy about the upcoming marriage, but eventually comes around. Then, after the uncle returns from his honeymoon, Samantha goes to live with the uncle, and her new aunt. Soon after, the father of her three friends dies and the girls are sent to an orphanage. The head of the orphanage is a corrupt spinster who operates the orphanage like a prison. Samantha rescues her three friends and hides them in her attic. The oldest girl goes to get a job, then the middle child gets deathly ill. Samantha gets an eyeful when she goes to the factory to get her friend and she sees children younger than herself maimed by machines. Samantha then causes a stir at school when she makes it her mission in life to get children out of factories and treated better in orphanages.

AnnaSophia Robb is believable in her role and carries the movie well. If you have a heart, you will get a lump in your throat several times during this wonderful family movie. Hug your children, hold them tight, and love this movie.

The story about Samantha Parkington, a privileged girl, who lives with her grandmother played by the wonderful Mia Farrow in Mount Bedford, New York along the Hudson River in the Hudson River Valley about a couple of hours north of New York City. In the beginning, Samantha is playing with Eddie Ryland, her neighbor and nemesis who enjoys bullying people into giving him money. Samantha befriends Eddie's new maids, young sisters--Nellie, Bridget, and Jenny whose mother died. Their father moved them to the country. Instead of working in terrible factories, they work in the Ryland estate in the Hudson River Valley. While Nellie is working there, Samantha and her become close friends despite their obvious differences. When Samantha's Uncle Gardner comes home, he announces his engagement to Cornelia Pitt, a woman's right to vote activist, and he plans to bring Samantha to live with them in New York City. Wherever Samantha goes, adventure follows. I don't know how similar this is to the books but it's an okay film. The acting is okay. The child actors are wonderful in their roles. The film reminds of an old Shirley Temple movie. It's for a family audience!

This movie was terrific! I am 13 and I have two American Girl dolls myself. I have read all of Samantha's books and I found the movie really good! Some scenes sounded like soap opera, and some of the acting was a little off, but otherwise it was great! It must have been really hard for Nellie and her sisters. I would have done the same thing if I were in Samantha's place! I don't know what some thought of this movie, but it was great for me! It was so cool and I LOVED the scenery. The Aunt Cornelia and Uncle Gard sounded so fake sometimes. It was kinda obvious. I can't wait to see the movie again! I was mad when commercial brakes came on because I wanted to watch it! But, it was good anyway!

When I was a little girl these type of period films about children and largely for children were very popular. And I haven't seen that many as of late, but I'm hoping that this light and heartwarming film might revive the genre. Samantha an American Girl Holiday was sweet, and light. Those two words are the perfect terms to me. The friendship between the fortunate orphan Samantha, and the unfortunate orphan sisters is fairly realistic, but lets not forget that the main actors in this movie are children. Mia Farrow has a pretty small, yet important part as the Grandmere of Samantha and the guardian for the little girl ever since the death of her mother. After going to visit her uncle and his new bride in New York, the story takes a slightly darker turn as she attempts to help the three girls escape from a local orphanage in which the lady over it is crooked and heartless. There is a scene inside of a factory which shows just a small portion of the horror of factory life for poor children. The end is incredibly happy, and her aunt and uncle could not be more perfect and loving. I adore her uncle. Stronger examples of the genre would be The Secret Garden (1993) and A Little Princess.

The story is a heartwarming experience for families to share this Christmas, or any time of year. The lessons taught give the viewer a good feeling inside. The costumes are a feast for the eyes. The costume designer must have had a delightful time researching this era.

The interiors of the homes are beautiful. The pianos depicted are gorgeous. The historical details of the factories are chilling. It reminds us of America before child labor laws and votes for women. But it doesn't get graphic or preachy. Accolades to a wonderful movie for adults and children alike! Children will learn a little American history from this movie, as well as lessons in friendship.

I got this movie on DVD last January 2004 & it is the most Wonderful movie for the whole family (even my mom like it).

This movie is about a young girl name Samantha (AnnaSophia Robb) & she lives in NewYork 1904. Samantha help her friends to make a Christmas joy to everyone & try to love her grandmother name Grandmary (Mia Farrow) but first Samantha met a name name Nellie O'Malley (Kelsey Lewis) & help her to have a Christmas Wish that she want as well as helping herself too.

This movie is the best film for the Holiday season & hope everyone like this movie too.

I saw that they repeated on TV a few day before Christmas'2005 but it better that I watch it on DVD.

I give this movie a 10/10 because it a great movie.

If you like this movie, Than you will like "Felicity: An American Girl Adventure" & other American Girl movies.

Spoiler Alert!

I watched this movie last night with my 6 year old daughter who is now getting into the American Girl dolls and books. I remember reading these stories back in the late 1980's from my local library. Never did I think there would be dolls and movies!

The movie did follow the books very well. You didn't see Samantha's birthday party, or the time she went to the lake with her Grandmary. But it did follow the story. A few scenes were added in such as her going to the factory to look for Nellie. However, that did bring the realism in to the time when the story took place. The awful conditions factory workers had prior to OSHA and child labor laws.

The movie did flow nicely and took a sad, dark turn when Samantha went to live with her Uncle Gard and her new aunt in New York. But it did end on a very sweet happy tone.

Many of Samantha's costumes are now made for the dolls. Such has her blue coat towards the end of the movie, her striped dress, bridesmaid dress, Nellies purple pj's and so forth. So it did bring those outfits to life.

I read in TV Guide that Julia Roberts did produce this movie and her production company has the rights to all the American Girl books. She said she wanted to bring sweet stories to TV that she remembered as a child. She did mention that many production companies were after these books and that Felicity is next.

I am glad someone in Hollywood wants to make sweet good natured movies to the screen. And show young women what life was like before they were born.

All in all this was a wonderful movie and they are reshowing it Thanksgiving night.

Enjoy all!

10 out of a 10

I liked "Samantha: An American Girl Holiday" very much indeed. It is a rather gentle tale but one that is not afraid to tackle such issues as family loyalty, class divisions, women's suffrage, and child labor. The title character, Samantha Parkington, is played by AnnaSophia Robb, and she is absolutely wonderful, with an expressive face and an honest approach to her craft that leads us, the viewers, to believe wholeheartedly in her on-screen portrayal. Samantha seems utterly real, and that of course is the highest compliment to which any actor can aspire. There are no weaknesses in the cast, and special accolades should go to Kelsey Lewis, who plays Samantha's best friend, Nellie O'Malley, and to Jordan Bridges, who plays Uncle Gard. Direction and cinematography are splendid throughout, with an effective sense of period (1904). The musical score is lovely, supportive of the action, and (most important of all) non-intrusive, never calling attention to itself. You will enjoy this film from beginning to end.

In 1904, an upper-class 10-year old girl Samantha (AnnaSophia Robb) is living with her grandmother (Mia Farrow) when her dear uncle (Jordan Bridges) comes to visit her with his new fiancée (Rebecca Mader) and takes her to stay in New York with them.

The movie was a positive surprise for me; the story, lightly touching topics such as class differences, women's rights and child labor, is entertaining and charmingly down-to-earth. The visual style is bright and pleasant, and the sets, costumes and music are all careful work too. Not even the cute child actors come across as annoying. Even though the movie is best suited for young girls, it's perfectly watchable for adults too, like a good family film should be.

We rented this for our granddaughters (first and fourth graders) and I hadn't planned to watch it. But after a couple of minutes I was hooked.

This is a major surprise. I expected it to be sugar coated fluff. Instead, the fine screenplay by Marsha Norman gives an amazingly strong subtext to a story about American life in 1904.

America is entering the "modern" age and inventions such as the telephone and automobile are starting to change the fabric of the country. Samantha is an orphan living with her grandmother in a small town on the Hudson River.

Her uncle comes home with the young lady he'll eventually marry. She's a supporter of votes for women, a rather daring position at the time.

The people next door hire on a family as servants, and the small children work all day and aren't sent to school. Samantha becomes friends with one and teaches her how to read.

In the fall Samantha goes to New York City to stay for a while with her uncle and new aunt. Eventually her young eyes are opened to the harsh reality of factories that make children work in hazardous conditions for low wages.

Not surprisingly, there's a happy ending. It snows on Christmas Day and the plot points are neatly ties up. But along the way there's an examination of class structure, women's rights, child labor laws and compulsory education for children, and the early roots of labor unions and feminism.

Interestingly enough, the film I kept comparing this with was Martin Scorsese's THE AGE OF INNOCENCE. The two would make an interesting double feature.

I just finished watching this movie and was kinda disappointed. But what more could I expect? I'm not 10 anymore! The story line was good considering they were trying to tell a story in less than 2 hours time. I don't think it captured the beauty of the books nor the spunky nature of Samantha at all. The acting was horrible, almost soap opera-ish. The actress playing Samantha had a weird smile that almost made her look evil. And the girl playing Nellie was sooooo bad... I felt embarrassed for her. She couldn't act a lick! I don't see this movie becoming a classic of any sort. I only watched it because I loved the American Girl Series when I was a kid.

I have never been a Samantha fan really. I loved Felicity (and soon liked Kit. My sister is a long time Samantha series fan though.

We were both excited to get the American Girl catalog for Winter 2004 and opened it up to get an ad for the new Samantha movie. I marked it on my calender for November 23 and my sister put the DVD on her Christmas list. Little did we know that we would be a little disappointed.

Samantha: An American Girl Holiday is about a girl named Samantha who be-friends three servant girls, after Samantha moves up to New York City with her Uncle Guard and his new bride Cornilia, she finds out that the three servant girl's father died and were sent off to an orphanage there in New York City! Soon Nellie (who is one of the servent girls she be-friends and becomes best friends with) tells Samantha that she might be sent on the orphan train to somewhere else, but without her two younger sisters! Samantha tries to help Nellie and her two sisters, but there would be consequences!

One thing that bugged me was through 1 hour and 30 minutes, there was nothing related to Christmas! NOTHING! Zero-zip-zilch! 1 hour and 50 MINUTES into the movie and there was nothing about Christmas except the fact that they were starting to talk about Christmas.

AnnaSophia Robb didn't do her best. She had her moments when she acted Samantha out really well, and then she had her moments...well most of the movie....when she did a horrible job acting out Samantha.

Mia Farrow made Grandmary much sweeter and much younger. I did not stick with that fact.

The movie was good, and it had its moments like when Nellie steals Eddie's money jar and on Sunday at church, Samantha dumps all of the money (coins) on the little offering tray. I could not bear the factory scene for what happened to the little boy happened to one of my mom's friends when she was little.

As a result, my sister was disappointed. I asked her if she wanted to buy it on DVD and she said that she would have to watch it again on Thanksgiving and make up her mind then. Good film! And this is not for American Girl people (like me) only! It is not like some film where you have to read the books or watch the prequels to understand the movie. Anybody can watch it. It brings out the next generation of AG!

In 1904, orphan Samantha Parkington (AnnaSophia Robb) lives with her GrandMary Edwards (Mia Farrow) on her Mount Bedford estate in New York country side. She is expected to learn to be a lady. She befriends the neighbor's servant girl Nellie O'Malley who newly arrives with her two younger sisters and her dad. Nellie's mother died recently and Samantha teaches her how to read. Samantha is sent to New York City with her Uncle Gard to attend school. Gard's new bride Cornelia is a committed suffragette. She receives news that Nellie's dad had died and the girls have been sent to a Dickensian orphanage in the city.

It's not until the evil matron that the movie gains intensity. Before that, it's a fine kids movie but it does need to heighten the tension. It's really jarring to go from the country estate to a child-labor factory. There is a difference between expectations and the real tone of the subject matter. This should not be a kiddie movie but it can't stop being An American Girl movie. AnnaSophia is a really good young actress. Nellie does need a better young actress but I can't really be too harsh on that little girl. She does a capable job. After the girls get caught in the boat house, the scene needs more intensity. The mistress needs to be more evil. Samantha needs to face real danger and Nellie needs to take the blame for her. That's the sacrifice which would solidify their relationship. The factory scene is really dark and the rest of the movie should match that intensity. If anything, I want this remade into a darker and more intense movie but I doubt American Girl is ready for that.

Like many stories about historical periods of the 19th century and early 20th century, this movie can be very difficult to watch at times because it shows horrible truths about how children, and women also, were treated during those periods.

It also has a bit of a Pollyanna ending. It's unfortunate that there are not more people like Samantha, not to mention children with such courage.

American Girl dolls were a huge staple of my childhood; I collected seven historical dolls and still keep them on display in my room. I have drawers of outfits and accessories, and virtually my entire closet is full of furniture pieces for them. Cookbooks, games, and novels—and now, in the modern era, there are lots of movies to go along with the historical collection! In An American Girl Holiday, Samantha moves in with her grandmother and meets Nellie.

If you know about the dolls, you know Samantha is the Victorian doll, whose story takes place at the turn of the century, and Nellie is her impoverished friend. AnneSophia Robb, in her debut film, gives a great performance as Samantha. She's a real doll come to life! Mia Farrow plays her grandmother, and it's easy to imagine her popping right out of the books' illustrations. Of all the American Girl movies, this one is my favorite. Felicity's film is a close second, but this one gives me an extra fuzzy feeling inside because it takes place during Christmas. Dig your dolls out from the attic—or take them down from display in your room—and watch this Christmas American Girl delight!

Cute young actress AnnaSophia Robb is Samantha, smart, well-adjusted, even though bot her parents died and now she lives with her grandmother in a small town in New York state. Her grandmother is Mia Farrow as Grandmary Edwards.

Times are hard in the early 1900s, and a new family arrives next door, a man and his 3 young daughters. But they aren't the homeowners, they are hired as servants. The mother had died recently, and now dad and the 3 daughters worked hard, morning to night, for their keep. They knew no other option. Without schooling none of them could read or write.

One of the girls, cute Kelsey Lewis as Nellie O'Malley, was Samantha's age, and they became immediate best friends. Samantha managed to teach Nellie to read and write. They were having a grand time.

But things changed when Samantha's uncle showed up with his fiancée, and when they were married they asked to have Samantha live with them in New York City. While there she learned Nellie's dad got sick and died so the three were sent to an orphanage.

The whole movie has a real feel to it for the times, and it tells a very touching story of friendship.

SPOILERS: The orphanage is also in NYC, and Samantha and her new family look the kids up. It turns out the orphanage is being run more like a prison and, when Samantha finds out Nellie will be sent off and her two sisters left at the orphanage, she devises a plan to break them out and hide them in her attic. They are eventually found out, but in the process the wicked director of the orphanage is found out and fired, and in the best possible of endings, Samantha's uncle and aunt decided to adopt all of them, an instant family of 6!

I loved this movie. It tugs at your heartstrings a la "Little House on the Prairie", but it also teaches young viewers a lot about the time in which Samantha lived -- and the social issues that the people of 1904 were confronting.

My daughter and I have had several discussions prompted by this movie and it even amazes me how much things have changed in a century. Today's girls can hardly imagine children working in factories or women not being allowed to vote. Samantha, though privileged and isolated, admirably deals with her problems with courage and great sensitivity.

The acting could be a little better and there is one factory scene that's a bit disturbing, but overall, it's definitely worth watching.

I loved this movie! I collected the American Girls Dolls as a child and have read most the books. Samantha was my favorite. The movie followed the books pretty well. Of course, some was left out, but thats normal. It was fantastic. Samantha's character was portrayed well. Her determination to save Nellie was very admirable. Grandmary was done very well. The movie was a good length for a children's movie. The tale was very moving. Seeing Samantha grow and learn was done so well. The viewer felt involved in the story. The childhood connection made the movie greater. The cast was perfect. The chemistry really helped it seem like they were a real family that truly cared and loved each other. I highly recommend this movie.