Pollyanna Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A relentlessly cheerful orphan annoys an entire town into being happy, until she falls out of a tree and everyone feels bad for her.

🍿 Pollyanna: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Arrival in Harrington

Following the death of her parents, Pollyanna Whittier, a cheerful young girl, arrives in the town of Harrington to live with her wealthy and stern Aunt Polly Harrington. Aunt Polly is a prominent figure in the town, controlling most aspects of its affairs. Pollyanna is received with polite indifference by her aunt, who seems more concerned with her social standing than with providing genuine affection. Despite the initial coldness, Pollyanna maintains her optimistic outlook, which she calls ‘The Glad Game.’ She makes it her mission to find something to be glad about in every situation, a philosophy she learned from her father. This unwavering positivity begins to subtly affect the inhabitants of the town, who are mostly unhappy and set in their ways.

Transforming the Town

Pollyanna befriends several of the town’s residents, including the reclusive Mr. Pendergast, who is rumored to be a miser, and the chronically ill Mrs. Snow, who wallows in her misery. Through her genuine interest and ‘Glad Game,’ Pollyanna helps these individuals find joy and purpose in their lives. She brings warmth and laughter where there was once bitterness and despair. Her influence extends to the town’s minister, Reverend Paul Ford, who, at Aunt Polly’s behest, preaches fire-and-brimstone sermons. Pollyanna encourages him to focus on the more uplifting aspects of his faith, leading to a positive change in his sermons and a renewed sense of hope within the church community.

Orphanage Fundraising

The town faces a problem with its dilapidated orphanage, which is in dire need of repair or replacement. Aunt Polly initially opposes any fundraising efforts, preferring to handle the matter privately. However, Pollyanna inspires the townspeople to organize a bazaar to raise money for a new orphanage. The event is a huge success, bringing the community together and fostering a spirit of cooperation. As the bazaar is planned, Aunt Polly, finally seeing some softening within her icy exterior and influence by Dr. Chilton a long time love, relents and gives the town the property to build a new orphanage, but she stops Pollyanna from attending the bazaar out of spite.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Pollyanna (Hayley Mills): A relentlessly optimistic orphan who transforms a cynical town with her cheerful outlook.
• Aunt Polly (Jane Wyman): A stern and wealthy woman who initially resists Pollyanna’s optimism but eventually softens.
• Dr. Edmond Chilton (Richard Egan): A kind doctor and former love interest of Aunt Polly who supports Pollyanna’s positive influence.
• Reverend Paul Ford (Karl Malden): A fire-and-brimstone preacher who learns to embrace a more compassionate and positive message.
• Mr. Pendergast (Adolphe Menjou): A reclusive and misunderstood man who is brought out of his shell by Pollyanna’s friendship.
• Mrs. Snow (Agnes Moorehead): A hypochondriac who finds joy and purpose through Pollyanna’s unwavering optimism.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Pollyanna: “If you look for the good in people, you’ll find it.” – Pollyanna explains her optimistic outlook, influencing others to see the positive aspects of life and people.
• Pollyanna: “There is something about everything that you can be glad about, if you keep hunting long enough to find it.” – Pollyanna’s core belief, encapsulating ‘The Glad Game’ and her unwavering optimism.
• Reverend Paul Ford: “We looked for the good in them, and we found it, didn’t we?” – The Reverend acknowledges the positive change Pollyanna brought by encouraging people to find the good in others.
• Aunt Polly: “I don’t know that I want to be glad!” – Aunt Polly expresses her initial resistance to Pollyanna’s relentless optimism, highlighting her own bitterness.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2.5 million
• Domestic Gross: $3.78 million
• Worldwide Gross: $3.78 million

💥 Pollyanna Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching ‘Pollyanna’ as a kid and just being completely swept away by Hayley Mills’ performance. Her unwavering optimism was infectious! I loved how she transformed the grumpy Mrs. Snow and even softened Aunt Polly’s heart. It’s a feel-good movie that always leaves me with a smile, even if the ending is a bit of a tearjerker. It’s a movie that reminds me to look for the good, even when things are tough.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic family films”
  • “Viewers who enjoy heartwarming stories”
  • “Those seeking uplifting and inspirational content”
  • “Fans of Hayley Mills”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief depiction of a child’s grief after losing her parents.”
  • “A fall that results in injury”
  • “The film is generally family-friendly, with no mature themes.”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Hayley Mills shines in this heartwarming tale, bringing an irresistible charm to the role of Pollyanna. While the story may lean towards sentimentality, the strong performances and beautiful visuals create a delightful viewing experience.
• The New York Times: “Pollyanna is a sweet and uplifting film with a powerful message about optimism. Jane Wyman delivers a compelling performance as the stern Aunt Polly, and the supporting cast adds depth to this classic Disney story. The ending gets a bit manipulative, but it’s sure to tug at your heartstrings.
• Leonard Maltin’s Movie Guide: “One of Disney’s best live-action productions, thanks to a splendid cast, and in particular Hayley Mills as the titular orphan girl who literally enlivens the fabric of the morose town she visits.

Audience Reactions

Hayley Mills is captivating as Pollyanna, bringing an energy and innocence that makes the character so believable and lovable.: Viewers consistently praise Hayley Mills’ performance, the heartwarming story, and the film’s positive message.

The film’s sentimental story about finding happiness, even in the face of adversity, is genuinely moving and deeply resonates with viewers.: The movie’s ability to deliver genuine positive messages is well received.

Overall Consensus: Pollyanna is a charming and uplifting film that continues to resonate with audiences thanks to Hayley Mills’ stellar performance and the movie’s timeless message of optimism.

Awards

1. Academy Awards (Outstanding Juvenile Performance)- 1961

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Walt Disney was initially hesitant to cast Hayley Mills because she was British, but her performance in ‘Tiger Bay’ convinced him she was right for the role.”
• “The film’s director, David Swift, had to convince Walt Disney to retain the somewhat ambiguous ending, rather than providing a fully resolved, happy conclusion about Pollyanna’s recovery.”
• “Mableton Mansion in Santa Rosa, California, was used as Aunt Polly’s home, adding to the film’s authentic early 20th-century setting.”

🖥️ How to Watch Pollyanna?

Pollyanna (1960) is available to rent or buy on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for television broadcasts, or consider purchasing the DVD or Blu-ray for offline viewing and bonus content.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Pollyanna, you might like these similar films:

• The Secret Garden (1993): Both films feature a young, orphaned girl who brings positive change to a gloomy environment through her spirit and determination.
• Anne of Green Gables (1985): Similar themes of optimism, the impact of a young girl on a community, and adapting to a new life after being orphaned.
• Heidi (1937): Classic story of a young orphan whose infectious joy transforms the lives of those around her in a similar way to Pollyanna.
• Paddington (2014): A heartwarming family film about a polite and optimistic outsider who brings joy and positive change to a cynical environment, just like Pollyanna.

🛒 Pollyanna Related Products

• Pollyanna (Two-Disc Vault Disney Edition): This special edition DVD includes behind-the-scenes features, deleted scenes, and interviews with the cast and crew, offering a comprehensive look at the making of the movie.
• Pollyanna (Eleanor H. Porter): A timeless classic that inspired the movie, explore this book and discover the depth of the story. Perfect addition for any family collection.
• Hayley Mills: A Memoir: A first-hand account of Hayley Mills’ life and career, providing insights into her experiences as a child star and her time working on classic Disney films.
• Disney Classic Movie Poster – Pollyanna: A high-quality print of the original movie poster, capturing the film’s nostalgic charm. Perfect for framing and displaying in any movie lover’s home.

🎧 Soundtrack

Pollyanna features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “America the Beautiful” – performed by Hayley Mills and the girl’s choir
• “Pollyanna (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)” – performed by Paul Smith

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Why We Love Pollyanna (1960)

Ever wondered why ‘Pollyanna’ still resonates with audiences today? This video dives deep into the movie’s themes and lasting impact, it made me appreciate the film in a whole new light!

‘America the Beautiful’ sung by a very young Hayley Mills

Did you know Hayley Mills sang in ‘Pollyanna’? Check out this sweet clip of her performing ‘America the Beautiful’ – it’s so heartwarming and showcases her amazing talent!

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