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SeaStar
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| Posted: Sept 13 2010 at 6:26am | IP Logged
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We just read The Secret Garden, and everyone loved it.
Then yesterday we went to see a live production of the book, which I thought the kids would really like.
ACK. It was not at all what I had expected.... the acting was fine, but it was a really creepy production- lots of scenes with "dreamers" who floated around dressed all in white. And it focused much more on Archibald Craven and his brother the doctor.... even had one scene where the doctor laments that he had been in love with Lily but she had never had looked at him. It was all intriguing for adults, with lots of great singing, but definitely not for kids.
I did warn the kids ahead of time that seeing it on stage would be different from the book, but I had no idea just how different from reading the reviews. Now I am afraid that I have ruined this story for them.
We wound up leaving at intermission because the kids were a bit freaked out 
Since then we have talked again about how a book can be different from a movie or a show. Any other words of wisdom I can offer to repair the damage? I hate to think this is how they will remember The Secret Garden.
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
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guitarnan
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| Posted: Sept 13 2010 at 7:16am | IP Logged
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Oh, dear.
Perhaps you could find another book/movie example, one that is very lighthearted, and read that book and compare it to the movie, so they can see that not all scripts and screenplays turn nice books into creepy productions.
I can't think of an example off the top of my head except for the Peanuts comic strips and "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," or one of the other TV shows that adapted strips that had already been published in the newspaper.
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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JennGM
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| Posted: Sept 13 2010 at 7:30am | IP Logged
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Oh, I'm so sorry, Melinda!
Have you seen the b&w version from 1949 of The Secret Garden. There is color, but only in the Secret Garden, which is a delightful way of illustrating the beauty.
We watched that movie, even with my littles, and there were no scary bits, and it kept true to the book. Really. Unfortunately, it's only on VHS, and not scheduled to play on TCM anytime soon.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Sept 13 2010 at 7:55am | IP Logged
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If it were me, I'd probably down-play the "play" version and just act as if it were a non-issue sorta thing. I wouldn't bring it up, and if the kids do, I'd probably say something like, "That was odd, not like the book at all, didn't you love it when_______________ in the book?" I'd continue talking about favorite parts of the book! Just keep re-focusing and re-directing to parts of the book you all enjoyed.
And, once everything settles and some time has passed, do watch the 1949 movie version Jenn suggested! It's absolutely lovely!!! We've caught it on TCM a couple of times...seems like they play it around Thanksgiving?
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Jen Mackintosh
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Sanveann
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| Posted: Sept 13 2010 at 5:27pm | IP Logged
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Oh, that must've been the musical version! I love it, but I agree, much darker than the book.
I might just explain that the grownups in the story had a lot of issues (Mary's parents and their neglect of her, Archie's health issues), and that the play focused more on that stuff, rather than the kids, like the book did.
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Angie Mc
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| Posted: Sept 13 2010 at 5:41pm | IP Logged
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Melinda, how frustrating and disappointing. We've had similar experiences. One night we went to a street play connected to a triathlon my dh participated in. We assumed it would be family friendly. Wow were we wrong  .
It might cheer you to consider that my children look back on some of my well-intended-yet-disasterous-plans with great humor! They'll say, "Remember the time..." and fall down laughing! Sometimes I'll quip, "I'm still not laughing" and they'll laugh all the more. They help me to not take things too seriously, for sure  .
I'm confident that the beautiful story of The Secret Garden and your desire to surround them with beautiful experiences will be what lasts in their minds and hearts  .
Love,
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Angie Mc
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SeaStar
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| Posted: Sept 13 2010 at 7:59pm | IP Logged
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Thanks, everyone! Yes, it was the musical version. I would have liked to see the whole thing, but definitely not a kid-friendly version.... 
Tonight I was talking to ds about it, and we were discussing how this was somewhat of a "cuckoo version" of the story.... but then he looked at me sorrowfully and said, "But then why were you clapping?" as if I had disappointed him in the most painful way. What goes on in little minds....
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
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Vanna
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| Posted: Oct 20 2010 at 12:40pm | IP Logged
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Oh no! I had something similiar happen to me when I was younger. I loved Romeo and Juliet. I read it, for the first time, when I was very young, around 9 or 10 years.
By the time I was 15 I had read it hundreds of times. I was so excited to hear that KU was putting on Romeo and Juliet. I BEGGED my parents to take me. The tickets were pricey so it was one of my only Christmas presents that year.
It was HORRIBLE. It was a "director's interpretation" of Romeo and Juliet. There were 7 Romeos spinning around, taking turns saying lines during the balconey scene! And that was just one of the many atrocities I witnessed that night. I left there in tears.
I did eventually get over it and now I can laugh with my parents about it. But it took a while...I mean, how DARE they! lol
I say keep reading the book, watch some Secret Garden movies and laugh a bit about how some people just don't get it.
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SeaStar
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| Posted: Oct 20 2010 at 7:56pm | IP Logged
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I agree. How dare they! 
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
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4Real Forums : Living Literature
Topic: Secret Garden disaster
