gdisney99
Lifetime Total
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IMDb Member
20 years
Reviews
Pollyanna (1960)
Arguably the most heart-warming of Walt Disney's live-action films
SOME SPOILERS
I wish that this movie could sink-in to some of the more cynical minds that walk the earth today. 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. Several books followed the original along with board games and other children's merchandise. It is also important to note that the Pollyanna character was much more "glad" (more on that later) and overly talkative in the book than in Disney's rendition.
But Disney's telling of the story, choice in casting, and authentic 1900s period recreation could not be any better. 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). Until being adopted, the little girl Pollyanna did not live a silver-spoon lifestyle. We soon find out that she was very poor while living with her missionary parents before they died. This somewhat explained why she is overwhelmingly upbeat and "glad.' She plays "The Glad Game" with her new friends and neighbors and gradually wins over the entire town with her optimism and love. What was so moving about this story is how this little girl made grownups realize that they should be happy to be healthy and alive.
Director David Swift went through hundreds of girls to find the right Pollyanna. And thanks to Uncle Walt (Disney), he found a Special Academy Award winner in Hayley Mills. 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. And the detail in this film was incredible. Costumes, buildings (Main Street USA, anyone?), songs, automobiles and the town bazaar are just some of the things that were authentic. Even the preacher's (Karl Malden) passionate flamed sermons were something not uncommon in this time period.
This film really showed Walt's sentimental side. During the screening of the film, Walt wiped tears from his eyes because it was so touching. And how could anyone not do the same? I certainly do when I see the end. A perfect mix of cute moments for children and meaningful points for adults, Pollyanna (like Mary Poppins) is also "practically perfect in every way."
I wish that this movie could sink-in to some of the more cynical minds that walk the earth today. 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. Several books followed the original along with board games and other children's merchandise. It is also important to note that the Pollyanna character was much more "glad" (more on that later) and overly talkative in the book than in Disney's rendition.
But Disney's telling of the story, choice in casting, and authentic 1900s period recreation could not be any better. 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). Until being adopted, the little girl Pollyanna did not live a silver-spoon lifestyle. We soon find out that she was very poor while living with her missionary parents before they died. This somewhat explained why she is overwhelmingly upbeat and "glad.' She plays "The Glad Game" with her new friends and neighbors and gradually wins over the entire town with her optimism and love. What was so moving about this story is how this little girl made grownups realize that they should be happy to be healthy and alive.
Director David Swift went through hundreds of girls to find the right Pollyanna. And thanks to Uncle Walt (Disney), he found a Special Academy Award winner in Hayley Mills. 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. And the detail in this film was incredible. Costumes, buildings (Main Street USA, anyone?), songs, automobiles and the town bazaar are just some of the things that were authentic. Even the preacher's (Karl Malden) passionate flamed sermons were something not uncommon in this time period.
This film really showed Walt's sentimental side. During the screening of the film, Walt wiped tears from his eyes because it was so touching. And how could anyone not do the same? I certainly do when I see the end. A perfect mix of cute moments for children and meaningful points for adults, Pollyanna (like Mary Poppins) is also "practically perfect in every way."