Harriet the Spy (1996)
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48% of critics liked it
(31 reviews) -
46% of users liked it
(46,535 ratings)
The first feature film from the Nickelodeon cable channel, Harriet the Spy is an updated version of Louise Fitzhugh's best-selling 1964 children's novel. Sixth grade outcast Harriet (Michelle Trachtenberg) is an only child who has mostly been raised by her nanny, Golly (Rosie O'Donnell),… More The first feature film from the Nickelodeon cable channel, Harriet the Spy is an updated version of Louise Fitzhugh's best-selling 1964 children's novel. Sixth grade outcast Harriet (Michelle Trachtenberg) is an only child who has mostly been raised by her nanny, Golly (Rosie O'Donnell), rather than her materialistic parents. Harriet wants to be a writer when she grows up, and only Golly encourages her creative pursuits. Meanwhile, Harriet dons a yellow raincoat and a belt full of gadgets to spy on everyone around her, including her eccentric neighbor with a lot of cats and the other kids at school. Carefully taking notes in her private notebook, Harriet makes clever and cruel observations about her subjects, including her best friends, would-be scientist Janie (Vanessa Lee Chester) and overburdened Sport (Gregory Smith). Harriet's world begins to change when Golly leaves, signaling that it is time for her to grow up. Then a snobby girl a school, Marion, gets her hands on Harriet's special notebook and makes its contents known to the whole school. Soon everyone is against Harriet, and she must concoct a plan to get even. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi
- Directed By
- Bronwen Hughes
- Written By
- Louise Fitzhugh, Douglas Petrie, Theresa Rebeck
- Genres
- Action & Adventure, Kids & Family, Comedy
PG,
- In Theaters
- Jul 10, 1996 Wide
- Studio
- Paramount Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Desson Thomson, Washington Post
A very draggy affair because Harriet's exploits are treated like an episodic laundry list.
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M. Faust, Common Sense Media
Fans of the book will want to see this film.
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
A below mediocre adaptation of the popular novel that is nonetheless served well by the two female leads, but all representative of the adults world (parents, teachers, psychologists) are narrow, standard-issue constructions.
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Brian Webster, Apollo Guide
A kids' movie that's more serious - and substantial - than most.
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Brandon Judell, PopcornQ
Will remind parents of their own youth, and it will aid those living theirs out now to cope a little easier -- and that's just what a children's film should do.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Michelle Trachtenberg
as Harriet M. Welsch
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Rosie O'Donnell
as Ole Golly
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Vanessa Lee Chester
as Janie Gibbs
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Gregory Smith
as Sport
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J. Smith-Cameron
as Mrs. Welch
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Robert Joy
as Mr. Welsch
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Don Francks
as Harrison Withers
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Eartha Kitt
as Agatha K. Plummer
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Gladys O'Connor
as Woman With Purse
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Gerry Quigley
as Sport's Dad
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Roland Kirouac
as Choreographer
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Eugene Lipinski
as George Waldenstein
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Nancy Beatty
as Miss Elson
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Mercedes Enriquez
as Windchime Lady
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Jamie Jones
as Pickpocket
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Jackie Richardson
as Janie's Mother
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Cecilley Carroll
as Beth Ellen Hansen
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Charlotte Sullivan
as Marion Hawthorne
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Sally Cahill
as Maid
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Roger Clown
as Doctor Wagner
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Dov Tiefenbach
as Boy With Purple Socks
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Tsui Mung-Ling
as Mrs Hong Fat
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Connor Devitt
as Pinky Whitehead
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Vic Ho
as Acupuncturist
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Teisha Kim
as Rachel Hennessy
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Kwok-Wing Leung
as Grandpa Hong Fat
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Kim Lieu
as Paige Hong Fat
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Alisha Morrison
as Laura Peters
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Nina Shock
as Carrie Andrews
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Bob Windsor
as Dog Delivery Guy
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Byron Wong
as Frankie Hong Fat
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Paul Sun-Hyung Lee
as Bruno Hong Fat
- Conor Devitt
