Theatrical poster for Kit Kittredge: An American Girl
Kit Kittredge: An American Girl (originally called Kit Kittredge: An American Girl Mystery) is an American Girl Movie based on the character Kit Kittredge and her stories. It is the first and currently only American Girl movie that was released theatrically.
Cast[]
- Abigail Breslin as Kit Kittredge
- Julia Ormond as Margaret Kittredge
- Chris O'Donnell as Jack Kittredge
- Max Thieriot as Will Shepherd
- Glenne Headly as Louise Howard
- Zach Mills as Stirling Howard
- Kenneth Welsh as Hendrick Frosbythe
- Madison Davenport as Ruthie Smithens
- Joan Cusack as Miss Lucinda Bond
- Jane Krakowski as Miss May Dooley
- Wallace Shawn as Mr. Gibson
- Stanley Tucci as Jefferson Jasper Berk
- Dylan Smith as Frederich Berk
- Douglas Nyback as William 'Billy' Peabody
- Willow Smith as Countee Garby
- Austin Macdonald as Roger
- Dylan Roberts as Reporter
- Martin Doyle as Teacher
- Colin Mochrie as Mr. Pennington
- Martin Roach as Hobo Doctor
- Brieanne Jansen as Frances Stone
- Erin Hilgartner as Florence Stone
- Peter MacNeill as Sheriff
- Erin McMurtry as Garden Club Lady #1
- Joanna Swan as Garden Club Lady #2
- Eddie Max Huband as Blonde Bully
- Frank McAnulty as Wallet Man
- Anna Louise Richardson as Soup Kitchen Woman
- David Talbot as Neighbor
- Darryn Lucio as Deputy
- John Healy as Mr. Stone
- Colette Kendall as Mrs. Stone
- Quincy Bullen as Newsboy
- Elisabeth Perez as Classmate #1
- Jordan Rackley as Classmate #2
- Eddie Graff as Sax-Playing Hobo
Crew[]
- Directed by: Patricia Rozema
- Writing credits: Ann Peacock (Movie Script), Valerie Tripp (Kit Kittredge stories)
Plot[]
Books Included in the Film[]
Unlike the other historical character movies, the major plot of Kit's movie is a unique story line; however, many elements and smaller plots are pulled from Kit's Central Series.
Book and Movie Differences[]
- Jack Kittridge leaves town to look for work early in the movie and is not present for a lot of the film; in the series, he does not actually leave for most of the events.
- Will Shepherd was a minor character in Kit's Central series, initially only present in Kit Saves the Day and later in Danger at the Zoo. In the movie he is a major character, and interactions with him and the hobos are made one of the the main focus of the plot. Rather than traveling alone, he is given a sidekick, Countee.
Character Differences[]
- Stirling's appearance is different; the actor playing him has brown hair. His name is also stated to be Stirling Howard IV, implying that his father's name is also Sterling (as well as his grandfather and great-grandfather).
- Charles Kittredge and Aunt Millie are not cast; however, both of them are mentioned in passing.
- Margaret takes on and presents many of the ideas and tasks that were Aunt Millie's (as she is not cast); she sews the feedsack dress for Kit, takes on odd jobs, and decides they should raise chickens and sell eggs for money. In the books due to her upper class upbringing, she finds many of these ideas lower-class and even "country".
Errors and Inaccuracies[]
Theatrical Release[]
The movie was officially released in movie theaters nationwide on July 2, 2008.
DVD Release[]
The movie was released on DVD and Blu-ray on October 28, 2008, with no additional features. A deluxe DVD edition of the movie was released on September 6, 2011, to celebrate American Girl's 25th anniversary. Retail cost was $14.95. American Girl retired it in 2020.
DVD Differences[]
The original DVD edition presented the movie in both fullscreen and widescreen format and contained the following extras:
- American Girl Movie Trailer Gallery
- DVD-ROM PC Enhanced Features
- English and Spanish subtitles
The deluxe DVD edition presented the movie in widescreen format and contained the following extras:
- Making-of Featurette
- Becoming an American Girl: Casting
- All About Kit, an American Girl
- English subtitles
Items Associated with the Movie[]
Select items that were sold specifically in the Kit Movie Shop on the American Girl website and seen in the movie.
- Kit's Classic Meet Outfit and accessories
- Ruthie's Meet Outfit and accessories
- Kit's Striped Nightie
- Typewriter Set
- Aviator Doll
- Grace
- Overalls Outfit
- Kit's Work Boots
- Rolltop Desk and Swivel Chair
- Kit's Bed and Quilt Set
- Kit's Bedtime Extras
- Kit's Dresser Trunk
- Kit's Floral-Print Dress
- Kit's Tree House
- Kit's Homemade Scooter
Gallery[]
