Pollyanna (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
Hayley Mills will warm the cockles of your heart in 1960's Disney classic, 'Pollyanna' (directed by David Swift). After the tragic death of her parents, 12 yr. old Pollyanna (Mills) arrives in the picturesque, conservative New England town of Harrington to live with her wealthy aunt, Polly Harrington (Jane Wyman), who is generous with her $$, but also unforthcoming & utterly joyless. She uses her haughty influence to run every aspect of her town, even telling Reverend Ford (Karl Malden) to preach hellfire-&-brimstone at Sunday services, which makes the entire congregation fairly miserable.
Pollyanna's good nature + her expectation that everyone else will be ALSO be friendly, endear her to all, even - eventually - cranky 'invalid' Mrs. Snow (the wonderful Agnes Moorehead) & the cantankerous recluse Mr. Pendergast (Adolphe Menjou in his final film role). Pollyanna teaches her friends - including Jimmy Bean (Kevin Corcoran) - 'the glad game'; finding something to be glad about in just about any situation.
When the town decides to hold a bazaar to raise $$ for an orphanage instead of accepting Aunt Polly's charity, Polly forbids her niece to attend. Pollyanna sneaks out by climbing down a huge tree next to her bedroom and has a wonderful time at said bazaar. However, upon her return home, she falls on the way back in … and is paralyzed. Now depressed – and with surgery looming - Pollyanna's doctor fears that her state of mind will prevent her recovery. But when the entire town shows up to tell her how much she means to them, their outpour of love {including from Aunt Polly}, instills Pollyanna with hope & optimism that she'll one day walk again.
This movie is Disney at its best; a beautiful story from an idyllic American past. With wonderful actors & lavish period detail, 'Pollyanna' won me over, big time. Pollyanna's positivity (in life) is infectious and, the transforming effect it has on each individual she meets is great to see. This movie is also about learning from mistakes. Many of the mistakes the characters make are from trying to protect themselves from hurt & pain. Aunt Polly, estranged from her former lover Dr. Chilton (likeable Richard Egan), relies on her sense of duty to mask her internal pain. Mrs. Snow, worried about ailments & dependency, achieves control over situations by inflicting blame on others. And Mr. Pendergast just avoids contact with people, completely.
Pollyanna shows them all that fear of hurt, pain or loss does not mean that joy can't enter their lives. After Pollyanna visits Mrs. Snow, the cranky woman is transformed from an agoraphobic, blame-anyone-but-herself hypochondriac to an outgoing church go-er. Rev. Ford is changed from that hellfire-&-brimstone prophet to a congregation-friendly man preaching the Bible's joys. Even Mr. Pendergast comes around; eventually adopting young Jimmy. I also like how Pollyanna, herself, is not perfect; venturesome, curious, even a bit disobedient. Those attributes aside, Pollyanna is an enthusiastic, wonderful little girl, impeccable played by young British newcomer, Haley Mills. You'll be heard-pressed not to fall in love with her.
Jane Wyman is also excellent as aristocratic Aunt Polly, a hardened woman who controls her town as a way of keeping her feelings closed off. But it is later revealed that she's actually a vulnerable woman who is deeply uncomfortable with herself; hence her close-mindedness. When the ice finally thaws around her heart, we see just how much she truly cares about people - most of all, her niece, Pollyanna. The whole cast is great; right down to Polly's maids, Nancy & Tillie - played with wit, humor & heart by Nancy Olson (from Sunset Boulevard) & Reta Shaw (who was later in Mary Poppins).
'Pollyanna' just did it for me. It's an old Disney classic that makes me happy. It contains beautiful color cinematography & glorious production design. This movie's themes of helping others, expecting the very best from all, & staying positive are enticing. And everything about this film is quality; most of all the moving storyline & those warm performances. 'Pollyanna' completely charmed me & I bet it does the same for most audiences.
Pollyanna's good nature + her expectation that everyone else will be ALSO be friendly, endear her to all, even - eventually - cranky 'invalid' Mrs. Snow (the wonderful Agnes Moorehead) & the cantankerous recluse Mr. Pendergast (Adolphe Menjou in his final film role). Pollyanna teaches her friends - including Jimmy Bean (Kevin Corcoran) - 'the glad game'; finding something to be glad about in just about any situation.
When the town decides to hold a bazaar to raise $$ for an orphanage instead of accepting Aunt Polly's charity, Polly forbids her niece to attend. Pollyanna sneaks out by climbing down a huge tree next to her bedroom and has a wonderful time at said bazaar. However, upon her return home, she falls on the way back in … and is paralyzed. Now depressed – and with surgery looming - Pollyanna's doctor fears that her state of mind will prevent her recovery. But when the entire town shows up to tell her how much she means to them, their outpour of love {including from Aunt Polly}, instills Pollyanna with hope & optimism that she'll one day walk again.
This movie is Disney at its best; a beautiful story from an idyllic American past. With wonderful actors & lavish period detail, 'Pollyanna' won me over, big time. Pollyanna's positivity (in life) is infectious and, the transforming effect it has on each individual she meets is great to see. This movie is also about learning from mistakes. Many of the mistakes the characters make are from trying to protect themselves from hurt & pain. Aunt Polly, estranged from her former lover Dr. Chilton (likeable Richard Egan), relies on her sense of duty to mask her internal pain. Mrs. Snow, worried about ailments & dependency, achieves control over situations by inflicting blame on others. And Mr. Pendergast just avoids contact with people, completely.
Pollyanna shows them all that fear of hurt, pain or loss does not mean that joy can't enter their lives. After Pollyanna visits Mrs. Snow, the cranky woman is transformed from an agoraphobic, blame-anyone-but-herself hypochondriac to an outgoing church go-er. Rev. Ford is changed from that hellfire-&-brimstone prophet to a congregation-friendly man preaching the Bible's joys. Even Mr. Pendergast comes around; eventually adopting young Jimmy. I also like how Pollyanna, herself, is not perfect; venturesome, curious, even a bit disobedient. Those attributes aside, Pollyanna is an enthusiastic, wonderful little girl, impeccable played by young British newcomer, Haley Mills. You'll be heard-pressed not to fall in love with her.
Jane Wyman is also excellent as aristocratic Aunt Polly, a hardened woman who controls her town as a way of keeping her feelings closed off. But it is later revealed that she's actually a vulnerable woman who is deeply uncomfortable with herself; hence her close-mindedness. When the ice finally thaws around her heart, we see just how much she truly cares about people - most of all, her niece, Pollyanna. The whole cast is great; right down to Polly's maids, Nancy & Tillie - played with wit, humor & heart by Nancy Olson (from Sunset Boulevard) & Reta Shaw (who was later in Mary Poppins).
'Pollyanna' just did it for me. It's an old Disney classic that makes me happy. It contains beautiful color cinematography & glorious production design. This movie's themes of helping others, expecting the very best from all, & staying positive are enticing. And everything about this film is quality; most of all the moving storyline & those warm performances. 'Pollyanna' completely charmed me & I bet it does the same for most audiences.