Uwishunu.com

If you have kids who are absolutely devoted fans of the film versions of The Chronicles Of Narnia, the new exhibit at The Franklin Institute has a delicious display of costumes and props used in the films.

The entrance to the exhibit through the wardrobe has a liberal dose of worthy theatricality to it, and kids will love how that reels you in to the spirit of the adventure. The starkness of the children’s regular wool clothing makes a great contrast to the grandness of the gold, silver and gnarly iron and leather of the other costumes. I was particularly taken with the straight up Art Nouveau doorway and furnishings from Mr. Tumnus, the satyr’s home, which looked like it could have come right out of Calderwood Gallery in Center City. Adults will find it worth their while to get on hands and knees to see the cozily furnished home of one of the animal characters, housed within some mighty prop tree roots.

I recommend going for the less expensive 5 PM admission just for the Narnia exhibit, as the rest of the museum closes. Even though ‘The Franklin’ pays perfunctory lip service to the science of snow and ice and of the engineering of castle archways within the exhibit, this show is about the first two films and the next one about to come out. Disney’s thumbprint is all over it. If you choose to tie it in with a regular Franklin Institute visit, there is an additional charge for the Narnia exhibit.

The Franklin Institute
222 N 20th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 448-1200
www.fi.edu