American Girl Doll Movie - The Depression

**ironmaiden** · 07-06-2008, 04:49 PM

I went with the kids to see the American Girl Doll movie - Kitt Kittredge. The dolls and accompanying books are really for ages 8 and up. The movie had nothing to do with "dolls" just the character the doll represents.

So this was the Depression Era girl. My parents, DH's parents era. The girl in the movie was their age back then - 1934. My mother talked about standing in Salvation Army soup lines.

The movie had home and business foreclosures, car repossessed, soup kitchens, dads having to leave their families to look for a job in another city, having to move in with relatives, hobos and hobo towns, hiding your financial situation from the neighbors, kids being picked on for their families financial situation. How people who thought they had everything lost it. A child was disguised as a boy because "the rail isn't safe for girls". A man commenting on people buying "too much house". The girl was crying "everyone knows that selling eggs is one step away from the poorhouse". Snobbery toward the poor, compassion to the poor. The mother when her garden club friends were apalled that she was giving food to the hobo kids said "they are somebody's children".

There were a lot of older women (with no kids in sight) watching the movie.

It definitely made you think about how those trinkets don't matter if you can't hold onto your roof and feed your family and how incredibly important that emergency fund is.

**AmyBoz** · 07-06-2008, 04:57 PM

I'm dying to take Dd to see this film. Maybe later in the summer. Sounds like those are some good lessons to learn.

**justpeachy92** · 07-06-2008, 05:13 PM

I plan on taking my kids to this movie also.

**HandyMom** · 07-06-2008, 06:31 PM

I might rent it on 2 for 1 day later when it gets to the video store or see it for free from the library someday. Sounds like a good movie.

I can't afford to take DD to see it at the theater right now, not to mention the cost of gas to get there and back.

**Momof3girls** · 07-06-2008, 07:42 PM

What is the youngest age, you think the movie is appropriate for? I want to go, but not sure if I will take my kidlets!

**Megareader** · 07-06-2008, 08:33 PM

If stories of the Depression interest you, check out the book A Tree Grows In Brooklyn. Can't remember the authors name off the top of my head but the story is amazing. It's not a childrens story, it's for adults. The library should have it.

**Megareader** · 07-06-2008, 08:36 PM

Ok, I just went to the library website, the author of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is Betty Smith. Awesome book, I can't recommend it enough.

**shortstack** · 07-06-2008, 08:57 PM

I took my daughter to see it Friday and liked it so well I also started a post about it

[ame="http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=104475"]Saw a great movie at the Theatre Today - Frugal Village Forums[/ame]

I would say any age could go see the movie. Younger kids may not find it interesting though. My 7 year old loved it.

Andrea

**luv-my-lexi** · 07-06-2008, 09:00 PM

My dd can't wait to go see the movie.

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 07-06-2008, 11:55 PM

I really like Depression Era books/shows/movies...so I'll have to give it a rent when it comes out.

I'm addicted to Waltons...love the life lessons, values, etc. that are such a part of the show.

**Clutterbug Jen** · 07-07-2008, 01:23 AM

I have no young children anymore to take to see it [and no movie theatre within 25 miles anyways!] but ...

When it comes out on DVD, I'd love to get it to watch myself.

For some reason, I've always been fascinated with this era.

Love,

Jen

**ironmaiden** · 07-07-2008, 09:31 AM

As for appropriateness for what age kids ..

No sex, violence, bad language. There are robbers who steal a wallet, steal from the family they are living with. Some of the social issues may just go over a younger kid's head. My daughter is almost 6 and she liked and was a bit lost too.

I always check out the following website before bringing my kids to a movie:
http://www.kids-in-mind.com/

**mommy2many** · 07-07-2008, 02:24 PM

I can't wait to see this movie although we will probally wait for the DVD version there is just too many of us to go to the movies these days. But sounds like it will be worth the wait. It's one of my fav time periods as well

**my4littlebuffaloes** · 07-07-2008, 03:51 PM

We saw the movie last week, it was very different from the books. I took my 3 oldest and we all loved it. I think a lot of those ideas are things people need to start implementing now.