View source for Freaky Friday

{{Short description|Comedic children's novel (1972)}}
{{About|the children's novel|other uses|Freaky Friday (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox book
| italic title   = <!--(see above)-->
| name           = Freaky Friday
| image          = Freaky Friday 1972 first edition hardcover.jpg
| image_size     = 
| alt            = 
| caption        = First edition
| author         = [[Mary Rodgers]]
| audio_read_by  = 
| illustrator    = 
| cover_artist   = [[Edward Gorey]]
| country        = United States
| language       = English
| series         = 
| release_number = 
| subject        = 
| genre          = Children's literature, comedy, speculative fiction
| set_in         = 
| publisher      = Harper & Row
| publisher2     = 
| pub_date       = April 1972<ref name=kirkus/>
| media_type     = Print (hardcover)
| pages          = 145<ref name=LCC/>
| awards         = 
| isbn           = 0-06-025048-8
| isbn_note      = (HarperCrest library ed., 0-06-025049-6)
| oclc           = <!-- no adequate record found 2018-07-26 at WorldCat, neither trade nor library -->
| dewey          = 
| congress       = PZ7.R6155 Fr<ref name=LCC/>
| preceded_by    = 
| followed_by    = A Billion for Boris
| wikisource     = 
| notes          =
| exclude_cover  = 
| website        =
}}

'''''Freaky Friday''''' is a comedic [[children's literature|children's novel]] written by [[Mary Rodgers]], first published by Harper & Row in 1972. The plot is set in a day in the life of 13-year-old Annabel Andrews and her mother, who [[body swap|spend one Friday in each other's bodies]].

The novel has been adapted for several films, all by [[the Walt Disney Company]] and all with the same title as the book: [[Freaky Friday (1976 film)|one in 1976]], [[Freaky Friday (1995 film)|one in 1995]], [[Freaky Friday (2003 film)|one in 2003]], and [[Freaky Friday (2018 film)|one in 2018]].

In 2025, ''Freaky Friday'' was reissued in commemoration of ''[[Freakier Friday]]'', the sequel to the 2003 film adaptation of the novel.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rodgers|first=Mary|title=''Freaky Friday''|date=May 6, 2025|url=https://www.harpercollins.com/products/freaky-friday-mary-rodgers?variant=43731486834722|publisher=[[HarperCollins]]}}</ref>

The premise of a parent swapping bodies with a child was earlier used in [[Thomas Anstey Guthrie|F. Anstey]]'s 1882 novel ''[[Vice Versa (novel)|Vice Versa]].''

==Plot==
A willful, disorganized teenage girl, Annabel Andrews, awakens one Friday morning to find herself in the body of her mother, with whom she had argued the previous night.

Annabel suddenly finds herself in charge of the New York family's affairs and must now take care of her younger brother Ben (whom Annabel has not-so-affectionately [[nickname]]d "Ape Face" and described as "so neat, it's revolting!"). She grows increasingly worried about the disappearance of "Annabel," who appeared to be herself in the morning but has gone missing after leaving the Andrews' home, and she enlists the help of her neighbor and childhood friend, Boris, though without telling him about her identity crisis.

As the day wears on and Annabel has a series of increasingly bizarre and frustrating adventures, she becomes gradually more appreciative of how difficult her mother's life is. She learns, to her surprise, that Ben idolizes her, and Boris is actually named Morris, but has a problem with chronic congestion (at least around Annabel) leading him to nasally pronounce ''m''{{'}}s and ''n''{{'}}s as ''b''{{'}}s and ''d''{{'}}s. As the novel approaches its [[Climax (narrative)|climax]], Ben also disappears, apparently having gone off with a gorgeous girl whom Boris did not recognize, but Ben appeared to trust without hesitation.

In the climax and [[dénouement]], Annabel becomes overwhelmed by the difficulties of her situation, the apparent disappearance of her mother, the loss of the children, and the question of how her odd situation came about and when/whether it will be resolved. Finally, it is revealed that Annabel's mother herself caused them to switch bodies through some unspecified means, and the mysterious teen beauty who took Ben was Mrs. Andrews in Annabel's body (to which she is restored) made much more attractive by a makeover Mrs. Andrews gave the body while using it, including the removal of Annabel's [[dental braces|braces]], an appointment Annabel had forgotten about (and would have missed, had she been the one in her body that day).

==Characters==
;{{In-universe|date=November 2022}}
;Annabel Andrews
:Disorganized, rebellious, tomboyish, 13-year-old Annabel struggles with her mother's bossiness and believes that adults have it easy. She finds herself out of her depth when faced with adult responsibilities and concerns.
;Ben Andrews, a.k.a. Ape Face
:A pre-adolescent younger sibling, 6-year-old Ben enjoys creating conflict with Annabel, which has led to her nicknaming him Ape Face. Unknown to Annabel, he and his friends admire Annabel, and he wears the nickname as a badge of honor. The truth comes out when she slips up and calls him Ape Face while her mind is in Mrs. Andrews' body. After she apologizes, he admits that he likes the name, but wants to keep this secret from Annabel.
;Morris/Boris
:A childhood friend of Annabel, he has been somewhat afraid of her since a sandbox incident in which she cut his head open with a shovel. Deciding she played too rough, he and his mother have made a point of him avoiding Annabel. He is described as a cheerful, charming and handsome young gentleman, and does his best to help "Mrs. Andrews" (really Annabel) as she struggles through a tough day. He has some occasional breathing trouble, attributed to his [[adenoids]] and possibly a [[psychosomatic]] reaction to his own mother, which renders his voice nasal, making him unable to pronounce the letters ''m'' and ''n'' clearly. Because of this, Annabel has always believed his name to be Boris, when it is in fact Morris. However, she suffers the opposite misunderstanding when he offers to prepare a "beetloaf" for a dinner party with the limited assortment of culinary ingredients available. She believes he is going to save dinner by providing a much more sensible [[meatloaf]], but she is won over when she samples the new dish and finds it tasty.
;Ellen Jean Benjamin Andrews
:Despite setting the events in motion and later ending them [[deus ex machina]]-style, Mrs. Andrews remains (along with Annabel's body, which she has taken) an [[unseen character]] for much of the book, only revealing herself and what she has done at the end of the day.

== Themes ==
It themes include [[empathy]] and understanding, [[generational conflict]], [[self-discovery]], love and [[Human bonding|family bonds]], and [[coming of age]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Larson |first=Sarah |date=2014-07-09 |title=Beyond "Freaky Friday": An Appreciation of Mary Rodgers |language=en-US |work=The New Yorker |url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/sarah-larson/beyond-freaky-friday-an-appreciation-of-mary-rodgers |access-date=2023-10-27 |issn=0028-792X}}</ref> The novel delves into the concept of empathy as a mother and daughter switch bodies, fostering a deeper understanding of each other's lives. It also addresses the common conflicts and misunderstandings that can arise between generations, particularly between parents and their teenage children. Both the mother and daughter undergo personal growth and self-discovery as they navigate each other's lives.<ref>{{Cite web |title=FREAKY FRIDAY |url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/mary-rodgers/freaky-friday/ |website=Kirkus Review}}</ref>

==Sequel novels==
Mary Rodgers wrote two sequels featuring the Andrews family. In ''A Billion for Boris'' (October 1974), Annabel and her friend Morris/Boris discover a TV set that tunes into future broadcasts and begin betting on horse races.<ref name=kirkus2/><ref name=LCC2/>

In ''Summer Switch'' (September 1982), Annabel's little brother Ben and their father Bill inadvertently switch bodies as both are leaving for the summer, leaving the boy to negotiate in Hollywood and Dad to attend summer camp.<ref name="kirkus3" /><ref name="LCC3" />  All three Andrews family novels were soon published in Harper Trophy trade paperback editions. In later HarperTrophy editions, the second story has been titled ''ESP TV'' (1999)<ref>[https://lccn.loc.gov/99071634 "ESP TV"]. LC Online Catalog. Retrieved 2018-07-26.</ref> and ''A Billion for Boris: Also known as ESP TV'' (2003).

Additionally, a thematic sequel co-written by Rodgers and [[Heather Hach]] was published by The Bowen Press and HarperCollins Publishers LLC, in May 2009 titled ''Freaky Monday''. In the story an orderly schedule oriented 13-year-old schoolgirl Hadley, and a spontaneous easy-going teacher named Ms. Pitt inexplicably swap bodies. Similar to the previous books, the pair search for a quick resolution, but find a level of respect for each other in the process.<ref name=kirkusM/><ref name=LCCm/>

==Film adaptations==
The novel was adapted into a number of films, by [[The Walt Disney Company]] spawning the successful [[Freaky Friday (franchise)|titular franchise]]. 

* [[Walt Disney Pictures]] first released the [[Freaky Friday (1976 film)|1976 theatrical film]] with a screenplay written by Rodgers, starring [[Barbara Harris (actress)|Barbara Harris]] and [[Jodie Foster]] in the lead roles of Ellen and Annabel Andrews.<ref name=pederson>{{cite magazine |last1=Pedersen|first1=Erik |title='Freaky Friday' Musical Set at Disney Channel Starring Heidi Blickenstaff & Cozi Zuehlsdorff |url=https://deadline.com/2017/09/freaky-friday-musical-disney-channel-heidi-blickenstaff-cozi-zuehlsdorff-1202179379/ |access-date=30 September 2017 |magazine=Deadline |publisher=Penske Business Media, LLC |date=29 September 2017}}</ref>
* In 1995, the studio released a [[Freaky Friday (1995 film)|second adaptation]] which premiered on [[American Broadcasting Company|American Broadcasting Company (ABC)]] as a part of [[Disney anthology television series|The Wonderful World of Disney]] exclusive films. The project was titled ''[[Freaky Friday (1995 film)|Disney's Freaky Friday]]'', and starred [[Shelley Long]] and [[Gaby Hoffmann]] as Ellen and Annabel Andrews. For the movie, the characters unintentionally switched bodies by means of magical amulets when they both expressed envy for the other's seemingly simpler existence.
* Disney later released the [[Freaky Friday (2003 film)|2003 theatrical film]], starring [[Jamie Lee Curtis]] and [[Lindsay Lohan]] as Tess and Anna Coleman, respectively.<ref name=pederson/> The pair are switched by mystical means, through words written on the papers within fortune cookies given to them by a meddling elderly Chinese woman after overhearing their argument at her daughter's restaurant. Referencing the second novel, the end of the movie the owner of the restaurant stops her mother from once again interfering in other peoples' lives as she tries to give magical fortune cookies to the son and father of Tess.
** A sequel to the 2003 film, titled ''[[Freakier Friday]]'', was released by Disney in 2025. All of the main and supporting cast from the 2003 film reprised their role in this sequel. The sequel showed Anna (Lohan) switching body with her daughter, Harper ([[Julia Butters]]), and Tess (Curtis) switching body with Anna's soon-to-be step-daughter and Harper's nemesis from school, Lily ([[Sophia Hammons]]), before Anna's wedding to Lily's father, Eric ([[Manny Jacinto]]). 
* [[Disney Channel]] and [[Disney Theatrical Productions]] produced another [[Freaky Friday (2018 film)|television film]], adapting the [[Freaky Friday (musical)|musical of the same name]], which premiered in August 2018; [[Heidi Blickenstaff]] reprises her role as the mother, while [[Cozi Zuehlsdorff]] portrays her daughter. The protagonists' names were changed to Katherine and Ellie Blake, respectively.<ref name=pederson/>

Additionally, a [[limited theatrical release]] and adaptation of the first sequel book was released with the title of ''A Billion for Boris'' in 1985. The movie was later released via [[pay-per-view]] television on [[Disney Channel]] in 1987, before receiving a broadcast debut in 1988 on [[CBS]]. With a plot faithful to the source material, the movie featured recurring characters with: Mary Tanner as Annabel Andrews, Sally Stark as Ellen Andrews, [[Scott Schutzman|Scott Tiler]] as Boris Harris, and [[Seth Green]] as Benjamin "Ape-Face" Andrews.<ref name="ABillionforBoris_CC">{{cite web|url=https://www.chucksconnection.com/billionsforboris.html|work=Chuck's Connection|title=Billions For Boris - A Chuck's Connection Review|author=Taylor, Chuck|date=1998|accessdate=March 23, 2023}}</ref> In 1984, a [[television film]] adaptation of the second sequel novel was released with the titled as ''Summer Switch''. Starring [[Robert Klein]] and [[Scott Schwartz]], the movie was released as a part of the [[ABC Afterschool Special]] originals (not to be confused with the unrelated 1994 television film ''Summertime Switch'').

===Analysis===
Comparing the novel and the films, differences can be seen in the presence of an outside influence switching the often-bickering mother and daughter against both of their wills. This change makes both characters protagonists; each movie starting shortly before the switch depicting the conflicts between them, before following the individual characters' struggles through the other's daily lives and ultimately gaining an added level of respect for each other. In the first film, Rodgers added a hobby for Annabel which includes an important competition, for which her mother has lack of experience and skill, serving as the climax of the movie. This addition has been included in some form through each subsequent adaptation: [[waterskiing]] in the 1976 film, [[Diving (sport)#Competitive diving|competitive diving]] in the 1995 adaptation, a [[Battle of the Bands]] [[music competition]] in the 2003 movie, and a school sponsored [[scavenger hunt]] in the 2018 adaptation of the musical. Additionally, a simultaneous important event for the mother character was added to the 2003 film, to include her [[wedding]] [[rehearsal dinner]].

In the first movie, Morris is changed to a character named Boris and is adjusted to be Annabel's love interest, rather than beginning the story as a [[rivalry|rival]] of hers. In the 1995 and 2003 adaptations, the role is renamed as Luke and Jake, respectively. In each of the films, the character comedically [[Falling in love|falls in love]] with the mother due to the daughter's consciousness being in her body.<ref name="FreakyFriday_EW">{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/tv/2018/08/10/every-freaky-friday-reviewed/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|title=Every Freaky Friday, reviewed|author=Franich, Darren|date=August 10, 2018|accessdate=March 23, 2023}}</ref> Noteworthily, [[Marc McClure]] portrays the character of Boris in both the 1976 original film and in a [[Cameo appearance|cameo role]] in the 2003 release where the character is now a delivery man; establishing both films take place in the same loose [[Shared universe|continuity]].<ref name="Boris_D23">{{cite web|url=https://d23.com/a-to-z/mcclure-marc/|work=D23: The Official Disney Fan Club|title=McClure, Marc|author=D23|date=2023|accessdate=March 23, 2023}}</ref>

===Legacy===
[[Freaky (film)|''Freaky'']] (2020), directed by [[Christopher Landon (filmmaker)|Christopher Landon]] from a screenplay by Landon and Michael Kennedy, was inspired by ''Freaky Friday''{{'}}s basic plot, and is integrated into a [[Horror film|horror]]-[[comedy film|comedy]] [[slasher film]]. The movie stars [[Vince Vaughn]] and [[Kathryn Newton]] as an infamous serial killer and a tormented high school student, respectively; who switch bodies after the former stabs her with an ancient dagger. The film's working title was ''Freaky Friday the 13th''.<ref name="Freaky_SR">{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/freaky-movie-children-book-inspiration-explained/|work=Screen Rant|title=Freaky: The Children's Book That Inspired The Horror Movie|author=Housman, Andrew|date=November 18, 2020|accessdate=March 23, 2023}}</ref>

==Stage musical ==
An adaptation for a [[Freaky Friday (musical)|stage musical]] was developed by [[Disney Theatrical Productions]], with the music written by [[Tom Kitt (musician)|Tom Kitt]] and lyrics written by [[Brian Yorkey]]; with an accompanying book and stage-play script by [[Bridget Carpenter]]. The musical began performances at the [[Signature Theatre (Arlington, Virginia)|Signature Theatre]], Arlington, Virginia on October 4, 2016. Directed by [[Christopher Ashley]], with choreography by [[Sergio Trujillo]], the cast features Emma Hunton (as the daughter Ellie), Jason Gotay and [[Heidi Blickenstaff]] (as the mother Katherine).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gioia|first1=Michael |title=Freaky Friday, With Emma Hunton and Heidi Blickenstaff, Begins Performances |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/freaky-friday-with-emma-hunton-and-heidi-blickenstaff-begins-performances |access-date=October 24, 2018 |work=Playbill |date=October 4, 2016 |language=en}}</ref> Ashley explained that the musical is based on the original Rodgers book as well as the films. The musical is set in the present-day Chicago. Later, the musical debuted performances at the La Jolla Playhouse, San Diego, on January 31, 2017, and ran to March 12. The cast features Emma Hunton and Heidi Blickenstaff.<ref>Clement, Olivia. [http://www.playbill.com/article/la-jolla-freaky-friday-begins-january-31 "La Jolla ''Freaky Friday'' Begins Jan. 31"]. ''Playbill'', January 31, 2017.</ref> This was followed by runs at [[Cleveland Play House]] in April and the [[Alley Theatre]] in June.

[[Disney Channel]] released a [[Freaky Friday (2018 film)|television film adaptation]] of the stage musical in the summer of 2018. Blickenstaff reprised her role as the mother Katherine, while [[Cozi Zuehlsdorff]] starred as the daughter Ellie. Carpenter returned to adapt the musical as a teleplay, while Kitt and Yorkey returned to oversee the music and lyrics. The TV adaptation was produced by Susan Cartsonis and Thomas Schumacher.<ref name=pederson/>

== See also ==
* [[Body swap appearances in media]]

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name=kirkus>
[https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/mary-rodgers/freaky-friday/ "FREAKY FRIDAY by Mary Rodgers"]. ''[[Kirkus Reviews]]''. April 1, 1972. Review posted 2012 with later cover image, page-count, and ISBN (HarperTrophy, 2003?). Retrieved 2018-07-26.</ref>
<ref name=kirkus2>
[https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/mary-rodgers/a-billion-for-boris/ "A BILLION FOR BORIS by Mary Rodgers"]. ''Kirkus Reviews''. October 1, 1974. Online with later cover image, page-count, and ISBN (HarperTrophy, 2003?). Retrieved 2018-07-26.</ref>
<ref name=kirkus3>
[https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/mary-rodgers/summer-switch/ "SUMMER SWITCH by Mary Rodgers"]. ''Kirkus Reviews''. September 1, 1982. Online with later cover image, page-count, and ISBN (HarperTrophy, 2003?). Retrieved 2018-07-26.</ref>
<ref name=kirkusM>
[https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/mary-rodgers/freaky-monday/ "FREAKY MONDAY by Mary Rodgers and Heather Hach"]. ''Kirkus Reviews''. October 1, 1974. Online with later cover image, page-count, and ISBN (HarperTrophy, 2003). Retrieved 2018-07-26.</ref>

<ref name=LCC>
[https://lccn.loc.gov/74183158 "Freaky Friday"]. 1st ed. LC Online Catalog. [[Library of Congress]] (lccn.loc.gov). Retrieved 2018-07-26.</ref>
<ref name=LCC2>
[https://lccn.loc.gov/74003586 "A billion for Boris"]. LC Online Catalog. Retrieved 2018-07-26.</ref>
<ref name=LCC3>
[https://lccn.loc.gov/79002690 "Summer switch"]. LC Online Catalog. Retrieved 2018-07-26.</ref>
<ref name=LCCm>
[https://lccn.loc.gov/2008044397 "Freaky Monday"]. LC Online Catalog. Retrieved 2018-07-26.</ref>
}}

== External links ==
* {{Isfdb series|50986|Andrews Family}}

{{Mary Rodgers}}
{{Freaky Friday}}

[[Category:Freaky Friday| ]]
[[Category:1972 American novels]]
[[Category:1972 children's books]]
[[Category:1972 fantasy novels]]
[[Category:American children's novels]]
[[Category:American fantasy novels adapted into films]]
[[Category:Children's fantasy novels]]
[[Category:Fiction about body swapping]]
[[Category:Works by Mary Rodgers]]