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Kitt Kittredge
Title
Plot It all begins in 1934, during the Great Depression. Kit Kittredge is a young tenacious ten year old girl who dreams of becoming a star reporter for the Cincinnati Register. With her hopes high, she goes directly to the one man who can make things happen—the editor-in-chief, himself. When she presents him with an article on the Chicago World Fair, however, she’s rejected but given a few very valuable tips: the Cincinnati Register doesn’t want sentimental fluff, it doesn’t want something that’s been written a thousand times before, and it definitely wants something that’s “new, fresh, and real”. Taking the editor’s advice to heart, Kit returns home to find a new story, one that’s “new, fresh, and real.” But just as she begins to fulfill her dream of becoming a star reporter, her world comes crumbling down around her. Just two days after her friends lose their home, she’s informed that her father has lost his business, has been eating lunch at the local soup kitchen, and must leave town in search of work. In the meantime, her mother takes in boarders to make ends meet. And the tougher the times get, the more boarders she takes in and the more ways she tries to stretch the few dollars she earns—like disconnecting the phone, growing her own vegetables, cutting bread into quarters for meals, selling eggs, making clothes out of feed sacks, and bartering services with two young hobos. As Kit trains her eyes and ears to become the best reporter there is, she realizes that the story she’s been looking for is right under her nose. And thus, a new article emerges: A Kid’s Eye View Of The Depression. In the article she disputes the prejudices against hobos—claiming that hobos are just ordinary people who are down on their luck and just like ordinary people, there are good hobos and there are bad hobos—and attempts to bring compassion and empathy to hobos everywhere. Excited about the piece she’s written, she returns to the editor with claims that her article is indeed “fresh, new, and real”. Sadly, the editor refuses to publish the piece because it contradicts everything the city believes hobos are—and therefore, would make the paper a laughingstock. Disappointed, Kitt returns home, wondering if she’d ever make it as a star reporter only to discover that her beloved hobos are accused of robbing her friend’s home and determined to prove their innocence. This is where the story gets lively. No longer focusing on the troubling times in her own life, Kitt and her friends become amateur private detectives set out on solving the mystery and clearing her friends’ names. In the end, Kitt’s father returns home, the hobos are cleared, the real crooks are linked to several other “hobo crimes” and put in prison, and the bonds of friendship are stronger than ever. Review Kit Kittredge is truly a film the entire family can watch and enjoy. It’s heartwarming, educational, and very believable—well, except for the overly romanticized life of a hobo. I’m a firm believer that films can help children understand the world around them in a way that dialogue and textbooks cannot—especially when it comes to the boring stuff, like history lessons. Films, when done properly, allow children to experience the past in a very real way. The children not only learn about the truths that surround a specific era but, through the storyline, they connect with the people from the past which in turn makes history come alive. And when history comes alive, it’s far easier to remember and retain what was taught. I understand that the storyline in Kitt Kittredge doesn’t dig deep enough into the real facts of the depression, but it opens up the minds of young viewers and helps get the discussion going. That’s why I firmly believe that Kit Kittredge is a film that should be shown in every elementary school and in every middle school history class. Your Task After watching Kitt Kittredge, talk to your children about the Great Depression. Tell them how it all came about, tell them how the hard times made some families stronger while destroying other families, and talk about the importance of living within one’s means and saving for rainy days. You may even want to share your personal struggles as your family deal with our current economic state of affairs—the recession—and how your children can help make things easier on the family until your situation improves. Order Kit Kittredge  today!
Disclosure: The reviewer received a complimentary copy of the DVD to review. About The Author Alyice Edrich is a freelance writer, mixed media artist, and aspiring photographer. She enjoys creating things that bring joy to others. Visit her blog, Coming Home, to check out her latest art. Or stop by her resume site, AlyiceEdrich.net to learn how you can hire her for your next project. Reprint Rights This article may NOT be reprinted without monetary compensation and written permission from the author. For reprint rights or comments/questions about this article, please contact the author. |
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