NEW YORK – The "American Girl" dolls (search) are coming to life, thanks to Julia Roberts (search). The actress is the executive producer of "Samantha: An American Girl Holiday," The WB's first made-for-TV movie, which will premiere Nov. 23, WB publicist Cathy Schaper told The Associated Press Wednesday.
Set in 1904, the movie is based on the popular American Girl dolls and their accompanying books. It stars AnnaSophia Robb, 10, as the title character; Mia Farrow (search), 59, as her grandmother; and Kelsey Lewis, 9, as Irish maid doll Nellie O'Malley.
The movie explores the girls' different worlds and the challenges they face together — including Nellie's snowy escape from a New York orphanage.
This isn't Robb's first time in front of the camera. She can be seen in the upcoming feature films "Because of Winn-Dixie" with Jeff Daniels and as Violet Beauregarde in Tim Burton's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."
American Girl, a division of Mattel, has become a popular retail sensation. Along with the movie, the dolls have spawned several themed stores, which include doll hospitals and restaurants with place settings for dolls.
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