A Pigtail Prods. presentation. Produced by Laurie Agard, Nina Diamond.

Directed, written by Laurie Agard. Camera (color), Ray Preziosi; editor, Laurel Ladevich, Sam Longoria, Chris Leong; music, Michelle Chappel; music supervisor, Greg Edmonson; production/costume designer, Victoria Sheldon; set decorator, Adriana Sharp; sound, Jerry Brown; associate producer, Nadine Porterfield; assistant director, Gwyneth Horder-Payton. Reviewed at Mill Valley Film Festival, Oct. 7, 1998. Running time: 92 MIN.
Allison "Frog" Parker Katie Stuart
Jane "Wombat" Walker Emily Lipoma
Principal Larry Struble Ronny Cox
Sydney Parker Lindsay Wagner
Francesca Briana Michaud
Steve Ross Malinger
Holly Mason Jean Carol
Mrs. Walker Kristin Audrud
Reverend Walker Nick Scoggin
Nancy Jessica Cushman
Security Guard Ken Norton

Two sixth-grade girls get in a pack of trouble spying on their new neighbor in "Frog and Wombat," a so-so kidpic that would more easily find its natural audience of preadolescent femmes via broadcast and vid-shelf slots than in any long-shot theatrical berths.

Prim minister's daughter Jane, nicknamed Wombat (Emily Lipoma) and tomboyish single-parented Ally, or Frog (Katie Stuart) are best friends enjoying their summer vacation in comfortable Santa Cruz, Calif., when new school principal Mr. Struble (Ronny Cox) moves in across the street. His cagey attentions prove less attractive than those of his visiting niece Nancy; when she vanishes without saying goodbye, the gifts grow suspicious.

Ally, who misses her absentee dad, is further fueled to action by the embarrassing fact that her divorced mom (Lindsay Wagner) instantly pounces on the newly arrived "eligible bachelor."

Before long, skittish Wombat and rather obnoxiously determined Frog are "staking out" Struble's abode via walkie-talkies, searching through his briefcase at school, even breaking into his house at night in search of clues. A rift appears in the gifts' friendship when Wombat bridles at such invasive tactics; miffed Frog then adopts compatibly over-imaginative classmate Francesca (Briana Michaud) as her co-conspirator.

The screenplay by first-time director Laurie Agard stretches credulity to the breaking point when the kids' seemingly baseless fantasies of criminal behavior turn up a surprising secret, and golf-cart-driving Wombat must ride to the rescue of the kidnapped Frog in a climactic chase seg. While younger viewers may enjoy these characters' hijinx, parents are less likely to be amused by the tacit message that snooping around in adult strangers' lives and property is excusable fun.

Juve leads are on the amateurish side, and adult thesps are given little to work with. Tech package is uneven but adequate.

Dennis Harvey, Variety