The summer that I was six, I went to a camp that showed 16mm films on Fridays (this was the mid-90s...it seems strange in retrospect that they didn't just show videos, I suppose they just had a large collection of films that they wanted to use, but I digress). This was one of them. I only saw it the one time, and tried for years to see it again because it left an impression on me, only to find that it had disappeared, until I found it on DVD a few years ago.

Sheila is a kid with a laundry list of fears, spending the summer in a strange place, where she tells lies about herself in order to seem cooler. As a kid who was afraid of her own shadow, and who desperately wanted to start over in a new place where I had no reputation, I related to Sheila a great deal. This was one of Judy Blume's better children's stories, and it helped that she adapted her own book for the small screen (is the Lawrence Blume who is credited as the director her son? I seem to remember that he was), remaining true to its spirit, if not to the letter.

One nice aspect of the film, I thought, was that when it is revealed that Sheila is putting on an act to fool her new friends of her bravado, her friends still like her anyway and try to help her overcome her fears. She and her friends fight in one scene, sure, but it's a trivial, childish altercation that they get over quickly, with their relationships undamaged. In a world full of Mean Girlsesque stories, I thought it was a pleasant surprise to see this as essentially a positive story of female friendship, which isn't shown as often in films about girls.

Muppet fans-watch for a young David Rudman as the swimming coach, from before he joined the Muppeteers!

The adventure genre features exciting journeys, quests, or expeditions undertaken by characters who often face challenges, obstacles, and risks in pursuit of a goal. Adventures can take place in a wide range of settings, from exotic and fantastical locations to historical or even everyday environments.

Animation is a form of visual storytelling that involves creating visual art and motion through the use of various techniques and technologies. In animation, images are manipulated to create the illusion of movement, bringing characters, objects, and environments to life. Animation can encompass a wide range of styles, themes, and intended audiences, making it a diverse and versatile form of storytelling.

Daveigh Chase, Rumi Hiiragi, and Mari Natsuki in Spirited Away (2001)

The comedy genre refers to a category of entertainment that aims to amuse and entertain audiences by using humor, wit, and comedic situations. Comedies are created with the primary intention of eliciting laughter and providing lighthearted enjoyment. They encompass a wide range of styles, tones, and themes, appealing to various tastes and audiences.

Will Ferrell, Angela Grillo, and Lap-Gei Cheung in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

The family genre features stories specifically created to be suitable for a wide range of age groups within a family. Family-oriented content is designed to be enjoyed by both children and adults, often providing entertainment that is wholesome, relatable, and appropriate for all members of a family to watch or experience together.

Drew Barrymore and Pat Welsh in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

The fantasy genre features imaginative and often magical worlds, characters, and events. It explores realms beyond the boundaries of reality, featuring elements such as magic, mythical creatures, supernatural powers, and fantastical settings. These stories can take place in entirely fictional worlds or blend fantastical elements with real-world settings.

Elijah Wood in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

Sheila Tubman (Leah Foster) is a 10-year-old girl who attempts to overcome her two greatest fears - dogs and swimming - when her mother (Sherryl Simms-Foster) enrolls her in a summer camp.

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Get a closer look at these actors from their many TV and streaming series roles.

Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great

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