The Best Little Girl In The World - Part 1

[@Muirmaiden]

"Songs To Aging Children Come" by Joni Mitchell, and the other song toward the end of the clip, "I Think I Understand" is also by Mitchell, and both songs can be found on CD on her album "Clouds".

[@marib.52380]

The Best Little Girl in the World by Steven Levenkron is a great read. It gives more insight into the psychology, or what she’s actually thinking and feeling. The second book, “Kessa” touches upon bulimia.

[@AsYourCruiseDirector]

"You gotta get down, you're the best around! You gotta get down, you're the best in town!" OMG now I've got this stuck in my head.

[@suddendee]

Now try out for cheerleading 😁

[@tyrashelm6014]

ikr 11 years alter

[@dietc0kelove]

seriously the beginning reminded me of for the love of nancy lol

[@Muirmaiden]

I just found a People Magazine article from October 1982 in which Jennifer Jason Leigh's sister said that their father, Vic Morrow, managed to see this film before his tragic death on the set of "Twilight Zone: The Movie", and that he was very proud of Jennifer's performance. I was wondering if he saw this movie and it's nice to know that he did. Sad that they didn't have the chance to reconcile, Jennifer was hoping to be close to her dad again and work with him.

[@ilovemelikeyouall]

AND IT STARTS WITH JOGGING! *Shocker*

[@shjess]

Thank you for this...I saw this when I was a kid and read the book (which was excellent). I always wanted to see it again. I thought it was a good movie for television back in the day.

[@AlarmingLauren]

Nearly all ED films begin with a girl jogging

[@sarahh4458]

LOL, so true;-)

[@marib.52380]

For the Love of Nancy 😂

[@karmalevel]

Jennifer is adorable!

[@BayBeBreeze]

Thanks for uploading this movie!! I've been looking everywhere for it!!!!

[@jbuyens]

I love the way the sister says "that about sums it up"

[@foxxyloxx]

Yeah, you're right about the song. I was thinking the same thing... a perfect mix of innocence & eerieness. Kinda foreshadows the tone of the whole movie, you know?

[@shellyknowsall]

Love this movie ever after a decade of watching it 😊 thank you for posting this ❤

[@OhPunky]

Whooah! Didn't know Helen Hunt was in this! Awesome! Love her.

[@vixenchild168]

i love the book read it when i was 12 and i can read it over and over and never get tired of it. i used to have this book but lost it, in the process of moving. I'm going to order it because i need to have this book again

[@Muirmaiden]

Jennifer Jason Leigh is always excellent. Like her late father Vic Morrow (whose talent she clearly inherited) she is Method actor. She dieted down to about 80lbs for this role, quite dangerous and difficult. Thanks for posting this movie!

[@mario7ranger]

Ally Sheedy is also in the scene of the cheerleading tryouts. Ally is the one of the panel of judges the 3rd from the right.

[@IhaveaPhDinTV]

I love the earie-ness of this movie, Thanks for posting

[@brittanyannn]

I picked this book up for summer reading- it's the best book I've ever read. I'm about half way through after 2 days.. that's coming from a person who hates reading with a passion. It makes me cry so much since I can relate.

[@sjhhej]

Songs the Aging Children by Joni Mitchell from the album Clouds - one of my favourite albums of all time.

[@ClassicTVM]

OMG!! Thank you so much for posting this movie. I haven't watched it in years :)

[@mgparis]

Thanks for uploading, I've always wanted to see this!

[@zeldaofarel]

I once heard about the book on an anorexia site. I was surprised they made a movie. Glad to have found your account! Work is sooo boring without listening to something.

[@candykisses856]

I read the book The Best Little Girl In The World by Steven Levenkron. I didn't know there was a movie made about it. Thanks for posting!

[@MentalMindFork]

Thanks so much for posting this!!

[@jesslynne83]

Love Jennifer Jason Leigh, she is such a good actress i like alot of her older movies!!

[@rayzahblayd]

Thank you so very much! I was wondering if somebody was going to post this film up. Thank you again. You rock. =D

[@indez23]

I've been looking for this, thanks !

[@chanceoperations]

aw, thanks for uploading...i've wanted to see this for a long time. the karen carpenter story is here too? haven't seen that since when it actually came out.

[@janers78]

Thanks for posting this! I read the book years ago in Jr High but did not know it was a movie until it was mentioned in another book im reading now.

[@karmalevel]

God bless you!! Love your self you are lovable!!

[@apseudonym]

Most realistic portryal of A.N we will probably ever see. Believe it or not this movie actually helped me to get better.

[@valmacclinchy]

To the Bone on Netflix is excellent too. Lily Collins and Keanu Reeves.

[@kairanightbane5853]

These movies make me eat and work out, so healthy as can be here!

[@raysgirl423]

i am pretty sure that i remember hearing that its similar because tracy gold said that she learned alot from the book--it was supposed to be an imitaion in the opening seen.

[@myprettypeace]

OMG I remember reading this book. I had no idea there was a movie on it. I will be watching this in parts, but starting tomorrow- I'm too tired & sleepy today.

[@Maggie71286]

thank you sooooooooooooooooooo much for uploading this!!!!!

[@chrrycke04]

haha "it is the 80's daddy" wow that sounds silly, now a days! haha

[@beautifulbluiizs]

I love this movie I have been looking for it for awhile now I wish it could have been uploaded in 1 shot though. But thanks

[@Muirmaiden]

In the trivia section for this movie on the Internet Movie Database this info is listed (to correct my earlier post, she dieted down to 86lbs under medical supervision for the role), so she would be believable and in a way "live the part" (as method actors have the tendency to do).

[@AtlanticGiantPumpkin]

Here's the thing: yes, almost all the ED films start with a girl jogging, but considering this is the first movie about EDs, I'd say this started the trend lol

[@chinnlatoya]

lol! I love the dad,I think he is hilarious. Reminds me of Red from 'That 70's show' :-)

[@raysgirl423]

the book so far is way more detailed...i love it, i am in the process of reading it.

[@spershall]

"I can't believe you're a high school junior!" Exposition much?

[@Sthemingway]

Thank you so much! Is Ally Sheedy in this too?

[@marib.52380]

Yup! At the cafeteria and cheerleading tryouts scenes

[@robzombierox333]

i love the beginning song, Its called Songs to Aging Children Come, by Joni Mitchell. =)

[@Dingalingring]

@ Whispers5000 - Yeah, it says in the opening credits that this movie is "based upon the novel by Steven Levonkron". Steven Levonkron was the therapist who treated the singer Karen Carpenter (unsuccessfully) during her last couple of years of life.

[@jpdakota]

this is nothing like the book.... For those who haven't read it it's amazing!

[@marib.52380]

The book rocks.

[@shridavie]

i am reading the book....thanks for uploading the movie too

[@karenbaird7402]

I love this movie thank you I’ve tried so hard to find it

[@broken3one]

;) gotta love the eighties hair

[@Yellowskye]

LMAO! "This is the 80's daddy"... Thats funny

[@juliabarrett7781]

is that the girl from fast times? it sounds like her but the quality is so low i can't tell

[@LElayneSousa]

Yes, it is the girl from Fast Times (Jennifer Jason Leigh) . :)

[@NovaJake360]

+Julia Barrett She's an amazing actress. Finally got nominated for an Oscar for Hateful Eight.

[@yaywhewclips242]

I just remember watching this movie when it originally aired. I also liked it and JJL was very good and how could not like EMSt.? A very good movie.

[@NovaJake360]

+notgrillo collector/ gamer She's finally been nominated for an Oscar for Hateful Eight.

[@judacia]

I know the opening song. It's called Songs To Aging Children.Check out the version by Tigger Outlaw in the film Alice's Restaurant.

[@glamatomic]

It sure was! A very, very young Helen Hunt!

[@RaybRay89]

any way to make the resolution a bit better? thanks for posting!!

[@JonasBrosFan17]

When that girl starts singing and dancing, and that dude in the background does too...I busted out laughing. Oh gosh, this is cheesy :)

[@mario7ranger]

helen hunt is in the cafeteria scene. She is the one who shows casey the picture of the girl in the bathing suit in the magazine.

[@Muirmaiden]

@xsardonyxmemoirsx , I agree, the parents are no prize. Gail seeks attention, even negative attention, because it's better than nothing. As a result, Casey was neglected and ignored.

[@Katee586]

Helen Hunt seemed to be in all of these old tv movies.

[@blarson1983]

wow that was Helen Hunt at the lunch table shes so young! Ally sheedy was doing the cheer judging too. haha funny.

[@xsarah791x]

Weird how the movie is nothing like the book.

[@pixiikenszingteon5394]

Right! I LOVE the book and was so interested in the movie, but it's really not nearly as good.

[@KnoxxBlack]

The made us watch this in high school when it came out in 81...it gave me nightmares

[@lonelyheroine]

She was supposed to play Casey, but was at Yale University at the time of filming. It was about that time that John Hinckely Jr shot President Reagan so that Jodie Foster would fall in love with him. But I digress.

[@sraphael]

What's the song which starts off the film? It's excellent...but considering this was made back in the seventies (I think) the song won't be too easy to get, but it sounds great. Thanks everybody. ~Soph

[@TheAlana173]

That is a brilliant idea! :D I love that book

[@Muirmaiden]

"Songs To Aging Children Come" by Joni Mitchell.

[@FairDealDan]

@elphabelle07 Good eye...wow and thats Ally Sheedy from Breakfast Club as "first girl" in the food line (3:19) according to credits

[@HotRedStilettos]

thank you for the upload.

[@sharmika04]

yes that was helen hunt, she looks the same. I can't remember if this was an afterschool speical but I know it was a big deal when it came out.

[@xxannxx87]

i'm so happy this film is on youtube now!!! :D:D:D

[@milhouseandralph]

When I do sit-ups, i have my legs straight up the wall, and the way I move my arms is like her. Hehe she reminds me of me a little.

[@Stardust_7273]

@Heatherhb03 I was just going to say that! I just watched two other ED movies that both start out with running!

[@marceaguilar1270]

Hola. Soy de Argentina y por favor, necesito traducción al español. Alguien sabe como hacerlo ? O alguien me dice donde buscar en la web para ver esta película en español. Muchas gracias por responder.

[@Desisthename]

omg that mother >:( the girl made cheerleading squad and the mom didnt even crack a smile! WTF *SLAP*

[@heartachingpain]

i really enjoyed reading this book and i just found it's a movie YES! the book was awesome

[@arfies]

@Heatherhb03 "The Karen Carpenter Story" doesn't. She runs in it later though.

[@KIMLYPEN]

@ belathequeen, no hun it is Helen Hunt, often mistaken for Jodie Foster

[@canadiangirl102]

Amy Jo Johnson (Andie Bradley) i realized is from the 1996 film Susie Q... she plays susie lol srry i luv her as a actress ...... although at the beginning of the movie i though she might have been Pheobe Tonkin but as it gets into the movie its amy lol

[@charismaticdaughter]

Was that Helen Hunt that handed Casey the magazine in the cafeteria?

[@Flowersdoom]

What is the song at the start of the movie?

[@MyFreddy68]

I'm a male that had Anorexia Nervosa, and when the weight off, no one could have been more proud of himself.

[@8tsunami7]

I used to be a male anorexic, too. Hope you're doing better.

[@MyFreddy68]

@@8tsunami7 I'm 52 now. Had it when I was 17-18. Yes, sometimes the urges to starve myself come and go. It's a life long battle. Hope you are also doing better.

[@shellyknowsall]

Does anyone know the song from the very beginning of the movie? Id really like to look it up..

[@skyangel1100]

The girl that play's Gail,also played in the movie Jenifer the snake Goddess.By the way that is a good movie.

[@messybluesboy371]

Her cheer-leading performance - WOW! American Beauty!!!

[@tiffann6489]

yes its the girl from Fast Times!

[@IwillKillYourCereal]

isn't her name supposed to be franchesca? nvm, what time period is this anyway? The book never had a copyright date on it

[@sraphael]

This is a bit irrelevant to the movie- but I've got to say to bebright11 that omg yes- wasted is such a triggering book for people who have suffered from/are suffering from EDs. It's a bit of a shame because Marya Hornbacher had an amazing story to tell and wrote it so well, its just triggering for some. By the way, I think its amazing that so much was known about EDs even in the 80s when this was made- although I think Carol calls her illness "bulimarexia". Still, great movie.

[@PhantomFeelings24]

the song title is "Songs to Aging Children Come

[@patrosfeta]

I remember thinking the book was very preachy when I read it, but I suppose that's the point... Interesting to see how this film will turn out..

[@cranberry411]

this movie rocks.

[@elphabelle07]

Juuuust a quick Helen Hunt.

[@grovepar1203]

@Heatherhb03 lmao, on part 1 of the movie "for the love of nancy", that was the top comment qeustion as well. i guess directors have no better way to start it off

[@KellyGreen5555]

Would you know the exact air date of this film?

[@xxcharmed1xx]

@TarAncalyme actually YES i have had an eating disorder, my lowest was 95 lbs! Then i realized what i was putting myself and other people thru, i was being selfish. So go ahead n get pissed off, i'm speaking the truth and experience. When ppl suffer from something like that, their only thinking of themselves.

[@titanramfan]

@chocolatekiss608 Not so weird for the times in fresh out of the 70's working class America. Parents had grown up during the Depression and come of age during WWII and the Korean War. Many were a bit on the tough, stoic side. This movie was a first in showing how it could affect girls...and movies such as these can actually be motivators in a way for those who struggle with eating disorders.

[@pixiikenszingteon5394]

Anyone know the name of the song that plays in the beginning when she's running?

[@foxxyloxx]

what year is this? is it before or after ridgemont high?

[@aSadPie]

Wow the beginning of this is so similar to the beginning in For The Love Of Nancy.

[@thatgirlkelly1]

"Wasted" was the best book I have ever read about Anorexia. "Best little girl..." was good and so was "Stick Figure" but wasted was the best.!!