What’s Worth Watching: How the beloved Eloise Came to Life

It’s Me, Hilary (Monday, March 23, 9/8c, HBO)

Nope, no Presidential candidates here. This is the tale of another Hilary, the man who drew “Eloise,” the beloved picture book with the immortal opening lines: “I am Eloise. I am six. I live at the Plaza.” As his friend Lena Dunham puts it, when she’ s with illustrator Hilary Knight, she “feels very Eloise-y.” And so will anyone who checks into It’s Me, Hilary. Dunham, who has an Eloise tattoo on her back, produced and appears in the documentary which tells the story of how the young magazine artist met the wild and wacky chanteuse and actress Kay Thompson (Funny Face) more than 50 years ago . His drawings together with her witty words brought to life the unforgettable imp or “little Napoleon,” according to adoring fan Mindy Kaling. The collaboration ended bitterly but not before four wonderful books that became the toast of the town, delighting kids and young-at-heart grownups alike. “Eloise” lovers take note: the film offers plenty of Knight’s sketches of the tiny terror as well as a look at his other whimsical illustrations and Broadway posters.