Pollyanna

Plot synopsis:
The title character is named Pollyanna Whittier, a young orphan who goes to live in the fictional town of Beldingsville, Vermont, with her wealthy but stern and cold spinster Aunt Polly, who does not want to take in Pollyanna but feels it is her duty to her late sister. Pollyanna's philosophy of life centers on what she calls "The Glad Game," an optimistic and positive attitude she learned from her father. The game consists of finding something to be glad about in every situation, no matter how bleak it may be. It originated in an incident one Christmas when Pollyanna, who was hoping for a doll in the missionary barrel, found only a pair of crutches inside. Making the game up on the spot, Pollyanna's father taught her to look at the good side of things—in this case, to be glad about the crutches because they didn't need to use them.
With this philosophy, and her own sunny personality and sincere, sympathetic soul, Pollyanna brings so much gladness to her aunt's dispirited New England town that she transforms it into a pleasant place to live. The Glad Game shields her from her aunt's stern attitude: when Aunt Polly puts her in a stuffy attic room without carpets or pictures, she exults at the beautiful view from the high window; when she tries to "punish" her niece for being late to dinner by sentencing her to a meal of bread and milk in the kitchen with the servant Nancy, Pollyanna thanks her rapturously because she likes bread and milk, and she likes Nancy.
Soon Pollyanna teaches some of Beldingsville's most troubled inhabitants to "play the game" as well, from a querulous invalid named Mrs. Snow to a miserly bachelor, Mr. Pendleton, who lives all alone in a cluttered mansion. Aunt Polly, too—finding herself helpless before Pollyanna's buoyant refusal to be downcast—gradually begins to thaw, although she resists the glad game longer than anyone else.
Eventually, however, even Pollyanna's robust optimism is put to the test when she is struck by a car and loses the use of her legs. At first she doesn't realize the seriousness of her situation, but her spirits plummet when she is told what happened to her. After that, she lies in bed, unable to find anything to be glad about. Then the townspeople begin calling at Aunt Polly's house, eager to let Pollyanna know how much her encouragement has improved their lives; and Pollyanna decides she can still be glad that she at least has had her legs. The novel ends with Aunt Polly marrying her former lover Dr. Chilton and Pollyanna being sent to a hospital where she learns to walk again and is able to appreciate the use of her legs far more as a result of being temporarily disabled and unable to walk well.

Tags: romantic

Review:
This Pollyanna does not spend all her time chatting her mouth off and misinterpreting every cold act of her aunt's as an expression of love, which made her very annoying in the book, but rather, she really gets to know people and very subtly brings out the best in them.
This is an absolutely remarkable film.It is uplifting,life-affirming,and painfully truthful about human ways.Even though it is set in the early 1900's, its message is still very applicable in the modern world.I was blown away by the genuine power of Hayley Mill's performance.The supporting cast is also excellent,especially Karl Malden and Agnes Moorehead.If you want to see a nearly flawless and absolutely charming fim,than this is the one to see.Far and away Hayley's best performance..
But in an impressive American screen debut, Hayley Mills launched her career in a most impressive way as Pollyanna.Pollyanna, who is now an orphan, comes to live with her aunt Polly played by Jane Wyman who is one reserved New Englander.
But when the eternally optimistic Hayley Mills comes to live in that town, her infectious spirit seems to effect everyone and everything around her.Pollyanna is one of Disney's best live action films, Mills and the rest of the cast make it believable without being maudlin.
Disney gave Mills and Wyman an impressive roster of players in support that include, Donald Crisp, Leora Dana, Karl Malden, Nancy Olson, James Drury, Reta Shaw, Mary Grace Canfield, and Kevin Corcoran as Mills's partner in juvenile hijinks.Two people deserve special mention.
Her scene at the end with Hayley Mills is the most touching of all in the film.Pollyanna like George Bailey in It's A Wonderful Life both never realizes all the good she's done in that town and like Jimmy Stewart's character faces a crisis.
But all her friends rally to her in an It's A Wonderful Life type climax.Walt Disney does a wonderful job in recreating that era before World War I in small town America, very much like The Music Man. Pollyanna is what they mean by fine family entertainment, as good now as it was when I first saw it in theaters in 1960.In fact it might just make one curious enough to check out the Mary Pickford silent version..
We see archival TV footage of Walt Disney commenting on the movie, what Haley Mills thought at the time, what she went through, what her dad (famed actor Sir John Mills) said, and what she thinks NOW, etc.
This movie ,,Pollyanna'' is quite fascinating especially the leading actress makes a wonderful atmosphere while watching the actual film.
It may be thanks to a beautiful cast of experienced actors such as Jane Wyman (as the strict aunt), Karl Malden (as the flaming priest), Adolphe Menjou (as the recluse Mr Pendergast) or Agnes Moorehead (as the hypochondriac Mrs Snow).
People who carp that this is a syrupy sweet film and moan about Disney saccharine movies are missing the point.
POLLYANNA is a sly film about misuse of power, loneliness, bullying and meanness using a good natured teen to counterpoint a town of adults who have lost their way in their own lives.
Aunt Polly's sexual frustration is pointed out several times because, in a family film as sharp as this you can have very adult situations wrapped in gauze and acceptable as a character flaw.
Disney was making many quality family movies during the '60s, including "Pollyanna," which I found to be not as great as some other films from the studio.
With a great cast that includes Richard Egan, Carl Malden, and Hayley Mills, this is a great movie, particularly in the summer, for kids and adults..
Another comment accused the film as being "another one of those Disney feel-good movies."  What's wrong with that?
As most films today "try" to say all too often that only bad things happen, this movie gives one the hope that things can turn out for the better, all we need to do is try our best.
Disney continues its fine work into the 60s with the 1960 favorite "Pollyanna." This would be one of many movies that had Hayley Mills taking the center stage in Disney fare.What's so good about her?: She, like, ran the whole Disney thing throughout the 1960s, baby!!!!!
I'd pick Hayley over Raven any other day!!!!!This shows how good old movies like "Pollyanna" really are.
Despite a curious penchant for licking her lips, young Hayley Mills (in only her second film) is a pleasant and lovely presence on the screen.
Wise beyond her years little girl, played to perfection by Hayley Mills, brings a breath of new life and happiness to a town long kept under the thumb of a haughty, unhappy, domineering and wealthy woman.
A little orphan named Pollyanna (Hayley Mills with her English accent intact) goes to live with her strict (but sweet) Aunt Polly (Jane Wyman).
The film is a reminder of life during childhood, and trying to have a good time in a world with so much that one does not understand.The Technicolor processing gives the material an appropriately vibrant feel with sharp, intense colours.
I wasn't around in 1900 to be able to comment properly on the costumes, however the detailed interior and exterior decoration is excellent, providing a real sense of the time.The film has a lot going in its favour, and for that reason it makes fairly good entertainment.
The characters are not much, the storyline is not much, and the film hammers the message home, but most of what it has to say about being happy in life, looking on the bright side, the charm of children and the joy of experiencing childhood, does come across well..
'Pollyanna' is a film about a young girl that goes around making people happy and finding happiness in life.
It's an inspiring little Disney film, and I enjoyed it when I was a child; I have not seen it since then, so it may not be as good from an adult's eyes as it was from the eyes of a child.
My final flaw is that twenty minutes or so before the end, the tone changes and this change was somewhat jarring.Nonetheless, Pollyanna is exquisitely filmed with stunning cinematography, costumes and scenery, and the music is lovely.
Hayley Mills gives a spirited performance in the title role, while Agnes Moorehead comes very close to stealing the film.
Karl Malden, Jane Wyman and Adolphe Menjou also do great turns as the cheerless citizens whose lives are transformed by Pollyanna.Overall, has its faults but it is a solid and charming film.
POLLYANNA succeeds as a wonderful vehicle for HAYLEY MILLS, who was rightly awarded a special juvenile Oscar for her role as the sunshine girl who spreads cheer and good will to a town that really needs some cheering.
JANE WYMAN is fine as her stern and wealthy aunt and the rest of the cast is equally impressive in a variety of supporting roles.Disney has given the tale a wholesome flavor with sets and costumes entirely in keeping with the early 1900s era and spared no expense in hiring the best players for the interesting supporting characters.KARL MALDEN has a fine time with the role of a hellfire and brimstone preacher talking about unconverted souls.
ADOLPHE MENJOU is the misunderstood "meanest man in the world," according to little Kevin Corcoran.And AGNES MOOREHEAD does her usual scene-stealing turn as a crotchety hypochondriac.Although the tale itself might be too syrupy and too commonplace for some folks, it moves along at a brisk pace under David Swift's direction but could have used some tighter editing, with a running time of 2 hours and 14 minutes..
Eleanor Porter's novel about a young orphaned girl who brightens the lives of a whole town with her sunny disposition makes for charming film entertainment.
The film could easily have become sappy and saccharine, but is saved by the sincerity of the performances by an impressive cast- Jane Wyman, Richard Egan, Karl Malden ("DEATH COMES UNEXPECTEDLY!"), Agnes Moorehead, Donald Crisp, Adolphe Menjou, Nancy Olson, to name a few.
Mills is natural and unaffected in the role, and makes Pollyanna feel like a real girl.
The film is a bit on the long side, but the running time is used well, allowing Pollyanna's relationships with the townsfolk to fully develop, and to allow the audience to see just how much her presence contributes to the town.
Pollyanna comes to live with her aunt, who practically owns the town because of her immense wealth, and spreads good cheer everywhere she goes.
Mills is cute in the title role and she is surrounded by a fine cast of familiar faces, including Wyman as the domineering aunt, Egan as an earnest doctor, Malden as a fiery preacher, Olson as love-sick maid, Menjou as a disgruntled old man, and Moorehead as a cantankerous old woman.
"Pollyanna" should appeal to adults who have kept their child's soul.Today's brats may find it slow-moving,overlong (2 hours +) and not exactly action-packed.But they would certainly be scared by Karl Malden's interminable sermon as we were when the movie was theatrically released .Anyway,which director (in a film aimed at the young audience) would devote five (you read well) minutes to a minister ranting about the perils of disbelief?
David Swift succeeded in creating the atmosphere of a small town circa 1900.The setting are sumptuous ,particularly Jane Wyman's desirable mansion.The supporting cast (Agnes Moorehead,Adolphe Manjou,Malden)gives the story (full of finer felings) substance.With its sparkling colors,its cousin Fred,its "America the Beautiful " sung by cute photogenic Hayley Mills wrapped in the flag ,its mini-rainbows,its large slices of cake,its attacks against bigotry and the power of money,its plea for tolerance,love and the pursuit of happiness for everyone,its all-my-friend-are-here finale and its joie de vivre ,"Pollyanna" remains a nice Disney production.Like this?try this"Nell" 1994 Michael Apted.
Hayley Mills is adorable and so talented, and in the story, as Pollyanna, she is an old soul and wiser that the many snooty people in the town.
Hayley Mills is great as the glad girl who brightens up the town and the rest of the cast is also wonderful.They just don't make movies like this anymore, wholesome and perfect for the entire family.Try watching it when your down, you might be singing a different song by the end..
Hayley Mills gives the performance of her childhood as the optimistic twelve-year-old who charms her aunt's entire town and learns to be happy even when she runs into a tragedy of her own.
The all-star supporting cast is first rate as well: Oscar winner Jane Wyman ("Johnny Belinda") is Pollyanna's stern Aunt Polly, Richard Egan ("A Summer Place") is her former love interest, Oscar winner Karl Malden ("A Streetcar Named Desire") is the town pastor, Nancy Olsen ("Sunset Boulevard") is Nancy, Polly's housekeeper, Agnes Moorehead (tv's "Bewitched") is hilarious as the crotchety invalid Mrs. Snow and Adolph Menjou ("Golden Boy") is the reclusive Mr. Pendergast.
I watched this as part of my ongoing Oscar marathon, since it landed child actress Hayley Mills in her U.S. debut (and only second official role) an "Outstanding Juvenile Performance" Honorary Award; incidentally, it was the last time such recognition was bestowed by the Academy and in all, there had been 11 such occasions and 12 recipients – oddly enough, in only a handful of cases (as here) were specific movies cited, namely Margaret O'Brien for MEET ME IN ST.
The film has been issued as a 2-Disc "Vault Edition" DVD, but I only acquired the main feature from ulterior sources.All that remains for me now is to talk about the stellar cast: Mills herself (a very pleasing and natural performance as the titular orphan girl who literally enlivens the fabric of the morose town she visits), Jane Wyman (her embittered matriarchal aunt), Richard Egan (the rebellious doctor and prodigal son of the community who is in love with the latter), Karl Malden (the hellfire-and-brimstone preacher who eventually softens his Bible-thumping grip on the townspeople), Nancy Olson (Wyman's liberal maid and Pollyanna's confidante), Adolphe Menjou (his last film role, as the proverbial hermetical town ogre with a heart of gold), Agnes Moorehead (an inveterate hypochondriac and the feminine counterpart of the latter), Donald Crisp (Egan's uncle and the ineffectual mayor), Kevin Corcoran (a freespirited orphan who befriends Pollyanna and is ultimately adopted by Menjou), Edward Platt (the typical henpecked husband who gradually finds his spine) and Ian Wolfe (an elderly citizen).It is worth noting that, apart from setting off Mills on a brief run of Disney movies – THE PARENT TRAP (1961; a dual role), IN SEARCH OF THE CASTAWAYS (1962; one of the studio's best efforts), SUMMER MAGIC (1963), THE MOON SPINNERS (1964) and THAT DARN CAT!
Pollyanna (and young Hayley Mills) tame a Tough Town!.
This film represents...Walt Disney at his best...with quality actors (wow...just put the top 10 actors' names into IMDb and see how IMPRESSIVE each actor is!!!) The story's essence is captured well in a quality script...and a believable young "Pollyanna" in Hayley Mills.
She deserved it.So Pollyanna wins over her town...and young "tween" Hayley Mills tames Aunt Polly (Jane Wyman), as well as Karl Malden, Adolphe Menjou, Donald Crisp, and many, many other fine actors..
It's surprising how long this epic actually runs - almost two and a half hours - given it doesn't feel like an endurance to watch Hayley Mills as the blissfully naive Pollyanna, barely tolerated by her childless Aunt Polly (Wyman), going on to win the hearts of her adopted community after life-changing encounters and a terrible accident.Steve Corcoran is memorable as the rosy-cheeked little rascal whom Pollyanna befriends, as is Agnes Moorhead as the 'cantankerous' bed-bound spinster with an apparent heart of ice, slowly and surely melted by the unassuming youngster.
Richard Egan plays Wyman's love interest, frustrated by her obstinate and negative attitude for which, Pollyanna is just the antidote she privately craves but publicly rejects.It's a typical feel good movie, although the climax is quite confronting if you're ten years old.
based on the book of the same name, it stars mills as the effervescent Pollyanna as she brings joy and happiness to a small town ruled by her seemingly cold and indifferent aunt played by jane Wyman.
there is a lot to like here as the films touches on the many different lives of the towns habitants and how Pollyanna changed them through her charm and presence.
Hayley Mills stars as an orphaned little girl who brings warmth to the hearts of everyone she meets in a town that BADLY needs it.I remember seeing this movie years ago when I was in the firth grade, which would put me at about 10 or 11 years old.
I wish I could track down more titles like these that I saw as a kid.As far as the film, itself, Jane Wyman did a great job playing the rich old spinster and Karl Malden plays a rare role in which he's someone who always tries to show a smile on his face.8 out of 10 stars!.
Toothy Hayley Mills portrays an orphan girl who comes to stay with her stand-offish aunt (Jane Wyman) in a small 1912 town and manages to change almost everybody's life.
Mills plays Pollyanna, an orphan child who comes to a small town to live with her Aunt Polly and ends up reforming and changing the lives of the people of the town.
So many of the scenes in this film are so well done, including Pollyanna bringing joy to a crabby old woman dying in bed, causing the local reverend (Karl Malden) to look for the good in people, and changing the attitudes of the servants in her own household.
One of Disney's all-time best live action movies.***1/2 out of ****.
It is a great story that is full of meaning and nostalgia (which I love).Now before you sit down to watch this film, remember that the book, "Pollyanna,' was a smash hit in the early 1900s.
The film is set in the picturesque town of Harrington where all politics and decision-making are controlled by the wealthiest resident, Polly Harrington (Pollyanna's adopted aunt).
Other notable characters that I loved were Jane Wyman as the prim and proper Aunt Polly, Karl Malden as the fire and brimstone Minister, Adolphe Menjou as the town hermit Mr. Pendergast, Reta Shaw as the cake-baking Mrs. Lagerlof and Agnes Moorehead as the hypochondriacal Mrs. Snow.
All of these characters had great moments of dialogue which made the story seem so real.The one thing I love about Walt-era Disney films is the attention-to-detail.
A Disney's vintage live action mounted with magnificent Technicolor treatment, running more than 2 hours, POLLYANNA is a life-affirming fairytale directed by old-hand writer David Swift as his feature debut, while accidental tragedy sweeps under its carpet.A young girl named Pollyanna (Mills), who has lost her parents and is adopted by her aunt Polly (Wyman) in Harrington's Town, where she is not just a prim wealthy matriarch, but also the mighty decision-maker of the whole town, yes, she is the sole heiress of Harrington family.
There may be spoilers ahead, so if you have not seen the film, you may wish to watch it first--you won't be disappointed.This is the first of a number of films Hayley Mills did for Walt Disney, and probably the best of the lot.
A powerful story, from the Eleanor Porter novel of the same name (which, by the was is a hoot to read), well acted with beautiful cinematography, sets and costuming.Pollyanna (Miss Mills), is the orphaned niece of Miss Polly Harrington (Jane Wyman), an old maid, who is the Grand Dame of the town bearing her family name.
The grand turn-around is best embodied in the character of Reverend Ford (Karl Malden), the pastor of the town's Community Church, when he literally has a "come to Jesus" moment when Pollyanna brings him a note from her Aunt.