christinamguerrero.com ~ the official site ~
Film Review: Pollyanna (1960)
Copyright 2016 Christina M. Guerrero
DEDICATION
N/A
STORY BEHIND THE STORY
N/A
ABOUT THE DRAFTS
First draft:
Ugh. This is an ugly first draft and should not have been posted.
Rewrite coming soon.
At the core of Pollyanna ([Walt Disney Productions, 1960) is the conflict between Victorian decorum and the cheerful, playful, optimistic “Glad Game” of a child. Excellent comic moments and acting make the plot interesting and believable without straying into sugary-sweet territory.
A drama with a few moments of comedy
In the early 1900s Pollyanna Whittier, recently orphaned, must travel by train to Harrington Town, which is dominated by her wealthy aunt, Polly Harrington. A naturally cheerful child, Pollyanna is certainly saddened by the loss of her parents yet has retained a sense of humor and a healthy sense of optimism. Almost as soon as she leaves the train, she starts making faces when she thinks no one is looking and struggles to maintain her composure as she meets a series of very proper, wealthy, conservative members of the community. She agrees to act in a more proper manner after being reminded by Aunt Polly not to boast about the family’s wealth.
Other amusing moments include a loud, fiery sermon that literally shakes the rafters; the montage of Pollyanna as she is fitted for clothes suitable for “the niece of Polly Harrington;” Aunt Polly’s ostensibly steely resolution not to be affected by an old beau; and the adventures of Polly’s employee Nancy and her kissing “cousin.”
The “Glad Game”
“The Glad Game” keeps Pollyanna’s spirits up. Inspired by her parents to look for the good in all situations, she has chosen to continue doing so after their deaths. She explains this to almost everyone she meets, including the cranky recluse Mr. Pendergast, who remarks sarcastically, “The Glad Game?” with little interest in what she has to say. Also not impressed is Mrs. Snow, an elderly woman who is bedridden and interested only in her real and imaginary illnesses. Not everyone cares about her game, including Aunt Polly, but Pollyanna refuses to stop playing.
Has she left a favorable impression?
After repeated visits, Mr. Pendergast and Mrs. Snow seem to be warming to Pollyanna, as do a few of her other detractors. Then tragedy strikes. Due to a community-wide disagreement over a festival involving politics and money, Pollyanna is forbidden to go to the festival. She sneaks away at night, then returns and climbs a tree to her room, only to fall from the third story of Aunt Polly’s mansion and sustain serious injuries. Now Pollyanna needs help. Will everyone be as supportive as she was to those around her? The ending is a believable conclusion to a story that could have been sappy with different or less experienced actors and filmmakers, but is instead amusing, heart-warming, and a nostalgic view of the early 1900s.
The cast
Pollyanna features English actress Hayley Mills as Pollyanna (who won a 1961 Juvenile Academy Award for this role), Jane Wyman as Aunt Polly, Adolphe Menjou as Mr. Pendergast, Agnes Moorehead as Mrs. Snow, and Karl Malden as Reverend Ford. The movie was released on May 19, 1960 and was directed by David Swift.
Sources:
Pollyanna, 1960, director David Swift.
Porter, Eleanor H. Pollyanna. (Nabu Press, 2010)
BACK TO JOURNALISM - * - BACK TO ARCHIVES