Pollyanna (1960)

A young girl comes to an embittered town and confronts its attitude with her determination to see the best in life.

Director:

David Swift

Writers:

Eleanor H. Porter (novel), David Swift (written for the screen by)

Stars:

Jane Wyman, Hayley Mills, Richard Egan

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Hayley Mills	...	Pollyanna
Jane Wyman	...	Aunt Polly
Richard Egan	...	Dr. Edmond Chilton
Karl Malden	...	Reverend Paul Ford
Nancy Olson	...	Nancy Furman
Adolphe Menjou	...	Mr. Pendergast
Donald Crisp	...	Mayor Karl Warren
Agnes Moorehead	...	Mrs. Snow
Kevin Corcoran	...	Jimmy Bean
James Drury	...	George Dodds
Reta Shaw	...	Tillie Lagerlof
Leora Dana	...	Mrs. Paul Ford
Anne Seymour	...	Mrs. Amelia Tarbell
Edward Platt	...	Ben Tarbell
Mary Grace Canfield	...	Angelica

Storyline

A little girl comes to a town that is embattled by feuds and intimidated by her aunt. By the time she must leave, she has transformed the community with her indominatable will to see the good side of even the worst situations and bring it out for the betterment of all.

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Plot Keywords:

profanity | tween girl | friend | boy | 1910s | 

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Taglines:

Meet the people, the pleasure, the entertainment of the year! All the love, laughter and drama that life can hold, poured into one unforgettable motion picture!

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Genres:

Drama | Family

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Official Sites:

Hallmark Channel Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 May 1960 (USA)

Also Known As:

Alle lieben Pollyanna

Filming Locations:

Southern Pacific Railroad Station, St Helena, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walt Disney Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

134 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.75 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director / screenwriter David Swift had wanted to trim the overlong film by about 20 minutes and rearrange some scenes (most notably the acquisition of the doll in the town bazaar sequence) but Walt Disney, who fell in love with the film by watching the dailies, would not allow it and Swift did not have final-cut privileges.

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Goofs

When Pollyanna (and her doll) fall from the high bedroom window, near the end of the film, they land on the pathway some distance from the house. They should have landed, at most, just a few feet from the building.

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Quotes

Angelica: Stuffy in here. Not much of a room, is it?
Pollyanna: But it's my own, anyway. I'm glad of that. Ooh, and the bed's soft! And it's got a lovely window.
[Pollyanna looks out the window and sees Nancy embracing a man]
Pollyanna: Who's that man down there with Nancy?
Angelica: None of your business. Just be sure you're dressed in time for dinner. Think she'd do better than this for her own niece.

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Connections

Version of Pollyanna (1973)

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Soundtracks

Little Brown Jug
(uncredited)
Written by Joseph Winner

User Reviews

A sweet and moving adaptation

Many different movies have been made out of Eleanor Porter's novel throughout the years. The story of the young Pollyanna, adopted by her strict aunt after the death of her parents, bringing back a long lost joy to an entire village is rather well known. Still, this Walt Disney version is both very charming and moving. It is probably thanks to David Swift excellent craftsmanship as a director, portraying some interesting characters while alternating with success funny or lighter moments with deeply moving ones. 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). It could also be related to the beautifully optimistic message of joy and friendship. Yet, it is certainly due the exceptional on-screen presence of young British actress Hayley Mills. Her performance, only surpassed, in my opinion, by the one she delivers in The Parent Trap, earned her an Academy Award and allows her to deliver the spontaneity, curiosity and joy of living characteristic of Pollyanna. With such a package of qualities, this movie may do more than bring the best out of its character by bringing the best out of ourselves thanks to a little bit more than two hours of happiness.