Pollyanna (1960 film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pollyanna |
|
|---|---|
_poster.jpg)
Theatrical release poster
|
|
| Directed by | David Swift |
| Produced by | David Swift Walt Disney Associate Producer: George Golitzen |
| Screenplay by | David Swift |
| Starring | Hayley Mills Jane Wyman Karl Malden Richard Egan Adolphe Menjou Agnes Moorehead James Drury |
| Music by | Paul Smith (Score) |
| Cinematography | Russell Harlan |
| Editing by | Frank Gross |
| Studio | Walt Disney Productions |
| Distributed by | Buena Vista Distribution |
| Release date(s) | May 19, 1960 |
| Running time | 134 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $2.5 million |
| Money made | $3.75 million (US and Canadian rentals) |
Pollyanna is a 1960 live-action Disney movie. It stars Hayley Mills as a cheerful orphan girl named Pollyanna. The story is about how Pollyanna's positive attitude changes a whole town. The film also features Jane Wyman, Karl Malden, and Richard Egan. It is based on the famous book Pollyanna (1913) by Eleanor H. Porter. David Swift wrote and directed the movie. This movie was the first of six films Hayley Mills made for Disney. She even won a special Academy Juvenile Award for her role!
Contents
Pollyanna's Story: Changing a Town
The movie begins in the early 1900s. Pollyanna, a 12-year-old girl, is an orphan. Her parents were missionaries. She travels to the small town of Harrington to live with her rich and very strict aunt, Polly Harrington.
Pollyanna is a very happy and talkative girl. She is also super optimistic. This means she always looks for the good in every situation. No matter what happens, she finds something to be glad about. Because of her positive outlook, Pollyanna makes many friends in town. These friends include Mrs. Snow, who always thinks she is sick, and Mr. Pendergast, a grumpy man who lives alone.
Aunt Polly's Rules and the Town
Aunt Polly is very wealthy. She controls many things in Harrington. The townspeople want to tear down an old orphanage building. They want to build a new one instead. But Aunt Polly says no. She argues that her father gave the building to the town. She believes it is an important landmark.
The townspeople decide to go against her wishes. They plan a carnival to raise money for a new building. However, many people are afraid to openly support the carnival. This is because Aunt Polly has so much control over the town.
Standing Up to Aunt Polly
A group of citizens tries to get the town's minister, Rev. Ford, to support the carnival. This group is led by Dr. Edmond Chilton, who used to be Aunt Polly's boyfriend. They remind Rev. Ford that "nobody owns a church." This helps him realize he can make his own choices.
Pollyanna also helps. She brings a note from Aunt Polly to the minister. The note tells him what to say in his sermon. This makes Rev. Ford even more determined to stand up for himself.
On Sunday, Rev. Ford bravely announces his support for the carnival. He tells everyone to go. Aunt Polly is very angry about this. She forbids Pollyanna from going to the carnival.
The Carnival and an Accident
On the night of the carnival, Aunt Polly locks Pollyanna in her attic bedroom. But Pollyanna's friend, Jimmy Bean, helps her escape. Jimmy reminds her that she is supposed to lead a song at the carnival. Pollyanna sneaks out and has a wonderful time. She even wins a new doll!
When she returns home, she tries to avoid Aunt Polly. She climbs a tree to get back into her attic bedroom. But she drops her new doll. As she tries to reach for it, Pollyanna falls out of the tree. She is knocked out. Aunt Polly and her maids find her.
Pollyanna's Recovery and Hope
After the fall, Pollyanna finds she cannot move her legs. She might not be able to walk again. This makes her very sad. She becomes depressed. Meanwhile, Aunt Polly feels terrible. She realizes her strict behavior has pushed everyone away, especially Pollyanna.
Aunt Polly talks to Dr. Chilton. She admits that Pollyanna needed love, and she never gave it to her. Dr. Chilton tells her they can work together to give Pollyanna the love she needs. He also says they can fix the problems Aunt Polly created with the town.
When the townspeople hear about Pollyanna's accident, they rush to Aunt Polly's house. They show her so much love and support. Dr. Chilton carries Pollyanna downstairs. One by one, her neighbors wish her well. Slowly, Pollyanna starts to feel hopeful again. She also learns that Jimmy has been adopted by Mr. Pendergast.
Pollyanna's aunt hugs her. Then, they leave Harrington with Dr. Chilton. They go to Baltimore for an operation. This operation will help Pollyanna heal and walk again.
Meet the Cast
- Hayley Mills as Pollyanna Whittier, the cheerful orphan girl
- Jane Wyman as Polly Harrington, Pollyanna's strict aunt
- Kevin Corcoran as Jimmy Bean, an orphan boy who becomes Mr. Pendergast's adopted son
- Richard Egan as Dr. Edmond Chilton, Aunt Polly's former boyfriend
- Karl Malden as Reverend Ford, the church minister
- Agnes Moorehead as Mrs. Snow, a woman who always thinks she is sick
- Jenny Egan as Mildred Snow, Mrs. Snow's daughter
- Adolphe Menjou as Mr. Pendergast, a lonely man who adopts Jimmy
- Reta Shaw as Tillie Lagerlof, the cook
- Mary Grace Canfield as Angelica, the upstairs maid
- Nancy Olson as Nancy Furman, the downstairs maid and Pollyanna's new friend
- James Drury as George Dodds, Nancy's boyfriend
- Leora Dana as Mrs. Ford, Reverend Ford's wife
- Gage Clarke as Mr. Murg, the town mortician
- Donald Crisp as Mayor Karl Warren, Dr. Chilton's uncle
- Edward Platt as Ben Tarbell, Amelia Tarbell's husband
- Anne Seymour as Amelia Tarbell
- Ian Wolfe as Mr. Neely
- Nolan Leary as Mr. Thomas
- Edgar Dearing as Mr. Gorman
The movie's director, David Swift, also appears briefly as a fireman in an early scene.
Images for kids
-
A doll used to promote the film
See also
In Spanish: Pollyanna (película) para niños
