Jump to content

Pollyanna (1960 film): Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Main film producers only, per Template:Infobox film.
 
(47 intermediate revisions by 32 users not shown)
Line 5: Line 5:
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[David Swift (director)|David Swift]]
| director = [[David Swift (director)|David Swift]]
| producer = David Swift<br>[[Walt Disney]]
| producer = [[Walt Disney]]
| screenplay = David Swift
| screenplay = David Swift
| based_on = ''[[Pollyanna]]'' by [[Eleanor Porter]]
| based_on = ''[[Pollyanna]]'' <br> by [[Eleanor Porter]]
| starring = [[Hayley Mills]]<br />[[Jane Wyman]]<br />[[Karl Malden]]<br />[[Richard Egan (actor)|Richard Egan]]<br />[[Adolphe Menjou]]<br />[[Agnes Moorehead]]
| starring = [[Jane Wyman]]<br />[[Richard Egan (actor)|Richard Egan]]<br />[[Karl Malden]]<br />[[Nancy Olson]]<br />[[Adolphe Menjou]]<br />[[Donald Crisp]]<br />[[Agnes Moorehead]]<br />[[Kevin Corcoran]]<br / >[[Hayley Mills]]
| music = [[Paul Smith (composer)|Paul Smith]]
| music = [[Paul Smith (composer)|Paul Smith]]
| cinematography = [[Russell Harlan]]
| cinematography = [[Russell Harlan]]
Line 14: Line 14:
| studio = [[Walt Disney Pictures|Walt Disney Productions]]
| studio = [[Walt Disney Pictures|Walt Disney Productions]]
| distributor = [[Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures|Buena Vista Distribution]]
| distributor = [[Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures|Buena Vista Distribution]]
| released = {{start date|1960|05|19}}
| released = {{Film date|1960|05|19}}
| runtime = 134 minutes
| runtime = 134 minutes
| country = United States
| country = United States
Line 22: Line 22:
| gross = $3.75 million (US and Canadian rentals)<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.archive.org/stream/variety221-1961-01#page/n381/mode/1up|title=Disney|publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=January 18, 1961|page=24|access-date=April 27, 2019}}</ref>
| gross = $3.75 million (US and Canadian rentals)<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.archive.org/stream/variety221-1961-01#page/n381/mode/1up|title=Disney|publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=January 18, 1961|page=24|access-date=April 27, 2019}}</ref>
}}
}}
'''''Pollyanna''''' is a 1960 feature film starring child actress [[Hayley Mills]], [[Jane Wyman]], [[Karl Malden]], and [[Richard Egan (actor)|Richard Egan]] in a story about a cheerful orphan changing the outlook of a small town. The film was written and directed by [[David Swift (director)|David Swift]], based on the 1913 novel ''[[Pollyanna]]'' by [[Eleanor H. Porter]]. The film won Hayley Mills an [[Academy Juvenile Award]]. It was the last film of actor [[Adolphe Menjou]].
'''''Pollyanna''''' is a 1960 American [[Comedy drama|comedy-drama film]] starring child actress [[Hayley Mills]], [[Jane Wyman]], [[Karl Malden]], and [[Richard Egan (actor)|Richard Egan]] in a story about a cheerful orphan changing the outlook of a small town. The film was written and directed by [[David Swift (director)|David Swift]], based on the 1913 novel ''[[Pollyanna]]'' by [[Eleanor H. Porter]]. The film won Hayley Mills an [[Academy Juvenile Award]]. It was the last film of actor [[Adolphe Menjou]].


''Pollyanna'' was Hayley Mills' first film in the series of six for Disney and the directorial debut of David Swift.
''Pollyanna'' was Hayley Mills' first of six films for Disney, and the directorial debut of [[David Swift (director)|David Swift]].


==Plot==
==Plot==
Line 31: Line 31:
Aunt Polly's wealth controls most of the town. When the citizens want a derelict orphanage razed and rebuilt, Aunt Polly opposes the idea, arguing that her father donated the building to the town, and it is an important landmark as such. The townspeople defy her by planning a carnival to raise funds for a new structure. Because of the control that Aunt Polly asserts over every facet of the town, however, many people feel reluctant to show their support.
Aunt Polly's wealth controls most of the town. When the citizens want a derelict orphanage razed and rebuilt, Aunt Polly opposes the idea, arguing that her father donated the building to the town, and it is an important landmark as such. The townspeople defy her by planning a carnival to raise funds for a new structure. Because of the control that Aunt Polly asserts over every facet of the town, however, many people feel reluctant to show their support.


A group of citizens led by Aunt Polly's ex-boyfriend Dr. Edmond Chilton try to persuade the town's minister Rev. Ford to publicly declare his support for the bazaar by reminding him that "nobody owns a church." Rev. Ford is reminded of the truth of that statement when Pollyanna delivers a note from Aunt Polly with recommendations to his sermon content.
A group of citizens led by Aunt Polly's ex-boyfriend Dr. Edmond Chilton tries to persuade the town's minister Rev. Ford to publicly declare his support for the bazaar by reminding him that "nobody owns a church". Rev. Ford is reminded of the truth of that statement when Pollyanna delivers a note from Aunt Polly with recommendations to his sermon content. This lesson is reinforced when Pollyanna shows Ford a locket from her late father, inscribed with a quote from Abraham Lincoln reading, "If you go around looking for the bad in people, you will surely find it."
[[File:Co-Ed Drive-In Ad - 28 August 1960, Denton, TX.jpg|thumb|left|160px|[[Drive-in theater|Drive-in]] advertisement from 1960]]
⚫
First, Rev. Ford reads one of the so-called "Glad Passages" of the Bible at church the following Sunday, stating that a young member of the congregation pointed out how many such passages there are, having gained the gumption to defy Aunt Polly. He intends to read one a week from this time on and then declares his support for the bazaar and encourages all to attend. Aunt Polly becomes furious about their audacity, forbidding Pollyanna to participate. On the evening of the carnival, Pollyanna is locked in her attic bedroom by Aunt Polly but is "rescued" by playmate and fellow orphan Jimmy Bean, who reminds her that she will lead "[[America the Beautiful]]" at the high point of the event. She slips away with Jimmy's help and has a wonderful time at the carnival, winning her first-ever doll.


Upon returning home, Pollyanna avoids Aunt Polly by climbing a tree to her attic bedroom. When trying to reach her bedroom window, she drops her new doll; Pollyanna then falls off the window ledge screaming and is knocked unconscious before being discovered by Aunt Polly and her maids.
⚫
First, Rev. Ford reads one of the so-called "Glad Passages" of the Bible at church the following Sunday, stating that a young member of the congregation pointed out how many such passages there are, having gained the gumption to defy Aunt Polly. He intends to read one a week from this time on and then declares his support for the bazaar and encourages all to attend. Aunt Polly becomes furious about their audacity, forbidding Pollyanna to participate. On the evening of the carnival, Pollyanna is locked in her attic bedroom by Aunt Polly but is "rescued" by playmate and fellow orphan Jimmy Bean, who reminds her that she will lead "[[America the Beautiful]]" at the high point of the event. She slips away with Jimmy's help and has a wonderful time at the carnival, winning a doll.


Upon returning home, Pollyanna avoids Aunt Polly by climbing a tree to her attic bedroom. When trying to reach her bedroom window, she drops her new doll; Pollyanna then falls off the window ledge screaming and is knocked unconscious before being discovered by Aunt Polly and her maids. After realizing her legs are paralyzed and that she may not walk again, Pollyanna develops severe depression, jeopardizing her chance of recovery. Meanwhile, Aunt Polly feels extreme guilt when she realizes how her behavior has isolated her from the town and Pollyanna. While talking to Dr. Chilton, she admits that her niece needed love and it was something she never gave her. Dr. Chilton tells Aunt Polly that they can give Pollyanna the love together and help mend the isolation she put on the townsfolk. When the townspeople learn of Pollyanna's accident, they arrive at Aunt Polly's house with outpourings of love. Dr. Chilton carries the reluctant girl downstairs where the neighbors wish her health one by one. Pollyanna's spirit gradually returns to its usual hopefulness and love of life, and she also learns that Jimmy has been adopted by Mr. Pendergast. Pollyanna is embraced by her aunt before they leave Harrington with Dr. Chilton for an operation in Baltimore which would correct her injury.
After realizing her legs are paralyzed and that she may not ever walk again, Pollyanna develops severe depression, jeopardizing her chance of recovery. Meanwhile, Aunt Polly feels extreme guilt when she realizes how her behavior has isolated her from the town and Pollyanna. While talking to Dr. Chilton, she admits that her niece needed love and it was something she never gave her. Dr. Chilton tells Aunt Polly that they can give Pollyanna the love together and help mend the isolation she put on the townsfolk.
When the townspeople learn of Pollyanna's accident, they arrive at Aunt Polly's house with outpourings of love. Dr. Chilton carries the reluctant girl downstairs where the neighbors wish her health one by one. Pollyanna's spirit gradually returns to its usual hopefulness and love of life, and she also learns that Jimmy has been adopted by Mr. Pendergast. Pollyanna is embraced by her aunt before they leave Harrington with Dr. Chilton for an operation in Baltimore which would correct her injury and help her walk again. She also found that the town adopted a nickname, Gladtown.


==Cast==
==Cast==
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
*[[Hayley Mills]] as Pollyanna Whittier
* [[Hayley Mills]] as Pollyanna Whittier
*[[Jane Wyman]] as Polly Harrington, Pollyanna's aunt
* [[Jane Wyman]] as Polly Harrington, Pollyanna's maternal aunt
⚫
* [[Richard Egan (actor)|Richard Egan]] as Dr. Edmond Chilton, Polly Harrington's ex-boyfriend
⚫
*[[Kevin Corcoran]] as Jimmy Bean, an orphan who is eventually adopted by Mr. Pendergast
⚫
* [[Karl Malden]] as Reverend Ford, the church minister
⚫
*[[Richard Egan (actor)|Richard Egan]] as Dr. Edmond Chilton, Polly Harrington's ex-boyfriend
⚫
* [[Nancy Olson]] as Nancy Furman, the downstairs maid and Pollyanna's new best friend
⚫
*[[Karl Malden]] as Reverend Ford, the church minister
⚫
* [[Adolphe Menjou]] as Mr. Pendergast, a recluse who eventually opens his heart and adopts Jimmy
⚫
*[[Agnes Moorehead]] as Mrs. Snow, a hypochondriac
*Jenny Egan as Mildred Snow, Mrs. Snow's daughter
* [[Donald Crisp]] as Mayor Karl Warren, Dr. Chilton's uncle
⚫
* [[Agnes Moorehead]] as Mrs. Snow, a hypochondriac
⚫
*[[Adolphe Menjou]] as Mr. Pendergast, a recluse who eventually opens his heart and adopts Jimmy
⚫
* [[Kevin Corcoran]] as Jimmy Bean, an orphan who is eventually adopted by Mr. Pendergast
⚫
*[[Reta Shaw]] as Tillie Lagerlof, the cook
* [[James Drury]] as George Dodds, Nancy's boyfriend
*[[Mary Grace Canfield]] as Angelica, the upstairs maid
⚫
* [[Reta Shaw]] as Tillie Lagerlof, the cook
⚫
*[[Nancy Olson]] as Nancy Furman, the downstairs maid and Pollyanna's new best friend
*[[James Drury]] as George Dodds, Nancy's boyfriend
* [[Leora Dana]] as Mrs. Ford, Reverend Ford's wife
⚫
* [[Anne Seymour (actress)|Anne Seymour]] as Amelia Tarbell
*[[Leora Dana]] as Mrs. Ford, Reverend Ford's wife
*[[Gage Clarke]] as Mr. Cory Murg, the town mortician
* [[Edward Platt]] as Ben Tarbell, Amelia Tarbell's husband
*[[Donald Crisp]] as Mayor Karl Warren, Dr. Chilton's uncle
* [[Mary Grace Canfield]] as Angelica, the upstairs maid
* Jenny Egan as Mildred Snow, Mrs. Snow's daughter
*[[Edward Platt]] as Ben Tarbell, Amelia Tarbell's husband
* [[Gage Clarke]] as Mr. Cory Murg, the town mortician
⚫
*[[Anne Seymour (actress)|Anne Seymour]] as Amelia Tarbell
*[[Ian Wolfe]] as Mr. Neely
* [[Ian Wolfe]] as Mr. Neely
*[[Nolan Leary]] as Mr. Thomas
* [[Nolan Leary]] as Mr. Thomas
*[[Edgar Dearing]] as Mr. Gorman
* [[Edgar Dearing]] as Mr. Gorman
{{Div col end}}
{{Div col end}}


Director David Swift cameos as a fireman in an early scene.
Director David Swift cameos as a fireman in an early scene.


==Production notes==
==Production==
===Development===
===Development===
The novel had been filmed before, notably with [[Mary Pickford]], in 1920. It still sold 35,000 copies per year by the late 1950s. Disney announced that he would make the film with Hayley Mills, Jane Wyman, and Karl Malden in June 1959–David Swift wrote and directed this film.<ref>2 Producers Cited For Achievement ''New York Times'' 6 June 1959: 13.</ref>
The novel had been filmed before, notably with [[Mary Pickford]], in 1920. The book continued to sell 35,000 copies per year by the late 1950s. Disney announced in June 1959 that he would make the film with Hayley Mills, Jane Wyman, and Karl Malden, and David Swift as screenwriter and director.<ref>2 Producers Cited For Achievement, ''New York Times'', 6 June 1959: 13.</ref>


Swift was best known at the time for his work in television. He said that "It was the first time anyone would take a $2.5 million chance on me. Trust Disney to do it."<ref name="loot"/>
Swift was best known at the time for his work in television. He said: "It was the first time anyone would take a $2.5 million chance on me. Trust Disney to do it."<ref name="loot"/>


===Casting===
===Casting===
Disney put Mills into their cast, after seeing her in ''Tiger Bay''. He watched this, because he wanted to see the most recent performance by John Mills, who was going to be in ''Swiss Family Robinson'' for Disney; Hayley was also in the film and Disney offered her to lead ''Pollyanna''. Her accent was explained by turning Pollyanna's parents into missionaries from the [[British West Indies]].<ref name="new"/>
Disney put Mills into the cast after seeing her in the British film ''[[Tiger Bay (1959 film)|Tiger Bay]]''. He watched the film to see the most recent performance by her father, [[John Mills]], who was to star in the studio's ''[[Swiss Family Robinson (1960 film)|Swiss Family Robinson]]''. Disney then offered Miss Mills the lead in ''Pollyanna''. Her accent was explained by turning Pollyanna's parents into missionaries from the [[British West Indies]].<ref name="new"/>


Disney said that the cast was the most important in the studio's history, including names such as Wyman, Malden, and Richard Egan.<ref>Free-Lancers Top 'Best' Disney Cast: 'Pollyanna' Players Select; 'Bay of Naples' Boasts Find, Scheuer, Philip K. ''Los Angeles Times'', 16 Sep 1959: A11</ref>
Disney said the cast was the most important in the studio's history, including names such as Wyman, Malden, and Richard Egan.<ref>Free-Lancers Top 'Best' Disney Cast: 'Pollyanna' Players Select; 'Bay of Naples' Boasts Find, Scheuer, Philip K. ''Los Angeles Times'', 16 Sep 1959: A11</ref>


Swift commented on casting, "The cast scared me. Veterans of scores of movies, some of them. I was afraid they'd say 'TV man, go home.' But they didn't. It was a happy set; everybody worked his head off for me."<ref name="loot"/>
Swift commented on casting: "The cast scared me. Veterans of scores of movies, some of them. I was afraid they'd say 'TV man, go home'. But they didn't. It was a happy set; everybody worked his head off for me."<ref name="loot"/>


===Script===
===Script===
Swift said in working on the script that, to work against the "saccharine" nature of the material, he would spend a few hours every day first working on a horror play called ''The Deadly''. He would then work on ''Pollyanna''.<ref name="loot"/>
Swift said in working on the script that, to work against the "saccharine" nature of the material, he would spend a few hours every day first working on a horror play called ''The Deadly''. He would then work on ''Pollyanna''.<ref name="loot"/>


Swift said, "In the book, Pollyanna was so filled with happiness and light that I wanted to kick her. In the old days, she came on like Betty Hutton. Now, she is shy. We have an adult drag advice out of her."<ref name="swift">New Pollyanna Will be Subtle New York Times 9 June 1959: 44.</ref>
Swift said: "In the book, Pollyanna was so filled with happiness and light that I wanted to kick her. In the old days, she came on like [[Betty Hutton]]. Now, she is shy. We have an adult drag advice out of her."<ref name="swift">New Pollyanna Will be Subtle New York Times 9 June 1959: 44.</ref>


Swift also decided to remove a key plot point of the book, where Pollyanna was hit by a car and had to learn how to walk. He called this "Too coincidental. Too pat."<ref name="swift"/>
Swift also decided to remove a key plot point of the book, where Pollyanna was hit by a car and had to learn how to walk. He called this "Too coincidental. Too pat."<ref name="swift"/>


Swift added that, "Instead of making her the 'glad girl' of the book, we've simmered her cheerfulness down to merely emphasize the things-could-be-worse attitude."<ref name="new"/>
Swift added that "instead of making her the 'glad girl' of the book, we've simmered her cheerfulness down to merely emphasize the things-could-be-worse attitude."<ref name="new"/>


===Shooting===
===Shooting===
Pollyanna began filming in August, 1959.<ref name="new">Out West With New England's 'Pollyanna' New York Times 30 Aug 1959: X7.</ref>
''Pollyanna'' began filming in August 1959.<ref name="new">Out West With New England's 'Pollyanna', New York Times, 30 Aug 1959: X7.</ref>


''Pollyanna'' was filmed in Santa Rosa, California, with the [[McDonald Mansion|Mableton Mansion]] at 1015 McDonald Avenue in Santa Rosa serving as the exterior and grounds of Aunt Polly's house. Other California locations include Napa Valley and Petaluma. Interiors were filmed at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California. The movie was filmed in California. In the book (written by Eleanor Porter), though, Harrington was set in Vermont. However, in the Disney movie, Harrington is located in Maryland, as Baltimore is mentioned several times throughout the script. Aunt Polly and Pollyanna take the train to Baltimore at the end of the film, possibly headed to Johns Hopkins Hospital due to the delicacy of the operation needed (Johns Hopkins opened in 1889 and the story takes place in the 1900s).<ref>{{Cite book|jstor=j.ctt9qhmd2|title=Eleanor H. Porter's Pollyanna: A Children's Classic at 100|date=2014|publisher=University Press of Mississippi|isbn=9781628461329|editor-last=Harde|editor-first=Roxanne|editor-last2=Kokkola|editor-first2=Lydia}}</ref>
The film was shot in [[Santa Rosa, California|Santa Rosa]], California, with the [[McDonald Mansion|Mableton Mansion]] at 1015 McDonald Avenue in Santa Rosa serving as the exterior and grounds of Aunt Polly's house. Other California locations included [[Napa Valley AVA|Napa Valley]] and [[Petaluma, California|Petaluma]]. Interiors were filmed at the [[Walt Disney Studios (Burbank)|Walt Disney Studios]] in [[Burbank, California|Burbank]], California. The book sets the town of Harrington in [[Vermont]], but the film places Harrington in [[Maryland]]; [[Baltimore]] is mentioned several times throughout the script. Aunt Polly and Pollyanna take the train to Baltimore at the end of the film, possibly headed to Johns Hopkins Hospital due to the delicacy of the operation needed (Johns Hopkins opened in 1889, and the story takes place in the 1900s).<ref>{{Cite book|jstor=j.ctt9qhmd2|title=Eleanor H. Porter's Pollyanna: A Children's Classic at 100|date=2014|publisher=University Press of Mississippi|isbn=9781628461329|editor-last=Harde|editor-first=Roxanne|editor-last2=Kokkola|editor-first2=Lydia}}</ref>


==Reception==
==Reception==
===Box office===
===Box office===
Disney reported in 1960 that the film made a profit "but not nearly what we expected."<ref>Disney Productions Says Fiscal 1960 Loss Was About $1,350,000: Deficit Is Ascribed to $5 Million Write-Down of Film Library; profitable Fiscal '61 Expected, ''Wall Street Journal'', 29 Nov 1960: 7.</ref>
Disney reported in 1960 that the film made a profit "but not nearly what we expected".<ref>Disney Productions Says Fiscal 1960 Loss Was About $1,350,000: Deficit Is Ascribed to $5 Million Write-Down of Film Library; profitable Fiscal '61 Expected, ''Wall Street Journal'', 29 Nov 1960: 7.</ref>


Jerry Griswold wrote in ''The New York Times'' on October 25, 1987, "An attempt was made to resuscitate ''Pollyanna'' in 1960 when Walt Disney released a movie based on the book. ''Time'', ''Newsweek'', and other major reviewers agreed that such an enterprise promised to be a disaster – a tearjerker of a story presented by the master of schmaltz; what surprised the critics (their opinions were unanimous) was that it was his best live-action film ever. But few had reckoned the curse of the book's by-then-saccharine reputation. When the movie failed to bring in half of the $6 million that was expected, Disney opined, 'I think the picture would have done better with a different title. Girls and women went to it, but men tended to stay away because it sounded sweet and sticky.'"<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE6DD123DF936A15753C1A961948260&sec=&spon=|title=Pollyanna, Ex-Bubblehead|last=Griswold|first=Jerry|date=1981-10-25|work=The New York Times|access-date=2018-08-23|language=en}}</ref>
Jerry Griswold wrote in ''[[The New York Times]]'' on October 25, 1987: "An attempt was made to resuscitate ''Pollyanna'' in 1960 when Walt Disney released a movie based on the book. ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'', ''[[Newsweek]]'', and other major reviewers agreed that such an enterprise promised to be a disaster – a tearjerker of a story presented by the master of schmaltz; what surprised the critics (their opinions were unanimous) was that it was his best live-action film ever. But few had reckoned the curse of the book's by-then-saccharine reputation. When the movie failed to bring in half of the $6 million that was expected, Disney opined, 'I think the picture would have done better with a different title. Girls and women went to it, but men tended to stay away because it sounded sweet and sticky'".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE6DD123DF936A15753C1A961948260&sec=&spon=|title=Pollyanna, Ex-Bubblehead|last=Griswold|first=Jerry|date=1981-10-25|work=The New York Times|access-date=2018-08-23|language=en}}</ref>

The film has continued to be popular on television and home media. It is available to stream on [[Disney+]].<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Filmink|url=https://www.filmink.com.au/movie-star-cold-streaks-hayley-mills/|title=Movie Star Cold Streaks: Hayley Mills|first= Stephen|last= Vagg|date=March 19, 2022}}</ref>


==Awards and honors==
==Awards and honors==
Hayley Mills won the 1960 [[Academy Juvenile Award]] for her performance and also received a [[BAFTA]] nomination for Best Actress.
Hayley Mills won the 1960 [[Academy Juvenile Award]] for her performance and also received a [[BAFTA]] nomination for Best Actress.

The film is recognized by [[American Film Institute]] in these lists:
* 2006: [[AFI's 100 Years...100 Cheers]] – Nominated<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afi.com/Docs/100Years/cheers300.pdf |title=AFI's 100 Years...100 Cheers Nominees |access-date=2016-08-14}}</ref>


==Merchandise==
==Merchandise==
[[File:Large_Vinyl_Pollyanna_Doll.jpg|thumb|A doll used to promote the film]]
[[File:Large_Vinyl_Pollyanna_Doll.jpg|thumb|A doll used to promote the film]]
The film generated a trickle of juvenile merchandise, including a [[Dell Comics|Dell]] comic book,<ref>[http://www.comics.org/issue/15957/ Four Color #1129 (August 1960)]</ref> a paper-doll collection, an LP recording, [[Little Golden Books|an illustrated Little Golden Book]], and a 30" Uneeda character doll in a red and white gingham dress, pantaloons, and boots. Disney was selling photo lockets as part of a merchandise promotion, with the quote claiming to be from Abraham Lincoln on them, "If you look for the bad in mankind expecting to find it, you surely will." Director and screenwriter David Swift discovered the necklace in a gift shop while on vacation with his family and called the studio to have the item recalled immediately, as it was not a quote from Lincoln, but actually a paraphrasing of a line from Eleanor Porter's original 1913 novel written for the film.<ref>https://www.epubbooks.com/book/392-pollyanna - chapter XXII - "When you look for the bad, expecting it, you will get it. When you know you will find the good—you will get that...."</ref>
The film generated a trickle of juvenile merchandise, including a [[Dell Comics|Dell]] comic book,<ref>[http://www.comics.org/issue/15957/ Four Color #1129 (August 1960)]</ref> a paper-doll collection, an LP recording, [[Little Golden Books|an illustrated Little Golden Book]], and a 30" Uneeda character doll in a red and white gingham dress, pantaloons, and boots. Disney was selling photo lockets as part of a merchandise promotion, with the quote claiming to be from [[Abraham Lincoln]] on them: "If you look for the bad in mankind expecting to find it, you surely will". Director and screenwriter David Swift discovered the necklace in a gift shop while on vacation with his family and called the studio to have the item recalled immediately, as it was not a quote from Lincoln, but actually a paraphrasing of a line from Eleanor Porter's original 1913 novel written for the film.<ref>https://www.epubbooks.com/book/392-pollyanna - chapter XXII - "When you look for the bad, expecting it, you will get it. When you know you will find the good—you will get that...."</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 126: Line 129:
[[Category:1960s English-language films]]
[[Category:1960s English-language films]]
[[Category:1960 drama films]]
[[Category:1960 drama films]]
⚫
[[Category:American films]]
[[Category:American children's films]]
[[Category:American children's films]]
[[Category:American comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:American comedy-drama films]]
Line 139: Line 141:
[[Category:Films set in 1912]]
[[Category:Films set in 1912]]
[[Category:Films set in Maryland]]
[[Category:Films set in Maryland]]
[[Category:Films scored by Paul Smith (film and television composer)]]
[[Category:Films scored by Paul Smith (composer)]]
[[Category:Films adapted into comics]]
[[Category:Films adapted into comics]]
[[Category:Films produced by Bill Anderson (producer)]]
[[Category:Films produced by Bill Anderson (producer)]]
[[Category:1960 directorial debut films]]
[[Category:1960 directorial debut films]]
⚫
[[Category:1960s American films]]
[[Category:Pollyanna]]

Latest revision as of 23:19, 16 October 2024

Pollyanna
Theatrical release poster
Directed byDavid Swift
Screenplay byDavid Swift
Based onPollyanna
by Eleanor Porter
Produced byWalt Disney
StarringJane Wyman
Richard Egan
Karl Malden
Nancy Olson
Adolphe Menjou
Donald Crisp
Agnes Moorehead
Kevin Corcoran
Hayley Mills
CinematographyRussell Harlan
Edited byFrank Gross
Music byPaul Smith
Production
company
Distributed byBuena Vista Distribution
Release date
  • May 19, 1960 (1960-05-19)
Running time
134 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$2.5 million[1]
Box office$3.75 million (US and Canadian rentals)[2]

Pollyanna is a 1960 American comedy-drama film starring child actress Hayley Mills, Jane Wyman, Karl Malden, and Richard Egan in a story about a cheerful orphan changing the outlook of a small town. The film was written and directed by David Swift, based on the 1913 novel Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter. The film won Hayley Mills an Academy Juvenile Award. It was the last film of actor Adolphe Menjou.

Pollyanna was Hayley Mills' first of six films for Disney, and the directorial debut of David Swift.

Plot

[edit]

Pollyanna, a 12-year-old orphaned daughter of missionaries, arrives in the small town of Harrington to live with her rich and strict aunt Polly Harrington in the 1910s. Pollyanna is a very cheerful, talkative, and radically optimistic youngster who focuses on the goodness of life and always finds something to be glad about, no matter what the situation is. In doing so, Pollyanna's positive outlook on everything results in her making a wide variety of friends in the community, including the hypochondriac and grouchy Mrs. Snow and the acidic recluse Mr. Pendergast.

Aunt Polly's wealth controls most of the town. When the citizens want a derelict orphanage razed and rebuilt, Aunt Polly opposes the idea, arguing that her father donated the building to the town, and it is an important landmark as such. The townspeople defy her by planning a carnival to raise funds for a new structure. Because of the control that Aunt Polly asserts over every facet of the town, however, many people feel reluctant to show their support.

A group of citizens led by Aunt Polly's ex-boyfriend Dr. Edmond Chilton tries to persuade the town's minister Rev. Ford to publicly declare his support for the bazaar by reminding him that "nobody owns a church". Rev. Ford is reminded of the truth of that statement when Pollyanna delivers a note from Aunt Polly with recommendations to his sermon content. This lesson is reinforced when Pollyanna shows Ford a locket from her late father, inscribed with a quote from Abraham Lincoln reading, "If you go around looking for the bad in people, you will surely find it."

Drive-in advertisement from 1960

First, Rev. Ford reads one of the so-called "Glad Passages" of the Bible at church the following Sunday, stating that a young member of the congregation pointed out how many such passages there are, having gained the gumption to defy Aunt Polly. He intends to read one a week from this time on and then declares his support for the bazaar and encourages all to attend. Aunt Polly becomes furious about their audacity, forbidding Pollyanna to participate. On the evening of the carnival, Pollyanna is locked in her attic bedroom by Aunt Polly but is "rescued" by playmate and fellow orphan Jimmy Bean, who reminds her that she will lead "America the Beautiful" at the high point of the event. She slips away with Jimmy's help and has a wonderful time at the carnival, winning her first-ever doll.

Upon returning home, Pollyanna avoids Aunt Polly by climbing a tree to her attic bedroom. When trying to reach her bedroom window, she drops her new doll; Pollyanna then falls off the window ledge screaming and is knocked unconscious before being discovered by Aunt Polly and her maids.

After realizing her legs are paralyzed and that she may not ever walk again, Pollyanna develops severe depression, jeopardizing her chance of recovery. Meanwhile, Aunt Polly feels extreme guilt when she realizes how her behavior has isolated her from the town and Pollyanna. While talking to Dr. Chilton, she admits that her niece needed love and it was something she never gave her. Dr. Chilton tells Aunt Polly that they can give Pollyanna the love together and help mend the isolation she put on the townsfolk.

When the townspeople learn of Pollyanna's accident, they arrive at Aunt Polly's house with outpourings of love. Dr. Chilton carries the reluctant girl downstairs where the neighbors wish her health one by one. Pollyanna's spirit gradually returns to its usual hopefulness and love of life, and she also learns that Jimmy has been adopted by Mr. Pendergast. Pollyanna is embraced by her aunt before they leave Harrington with Dr. Chilton for an operation in Baltimore which would correct her injury and help her walk again. She also found that the town adopted a nickname, Gladtown.

Cast

[edit]

Director David Swift cameos as a fireman in an early scene.

Production

[edit]

Development

[edit]

The novel had been filmed before, notably with Mary Pickford, in 1920. The book continued to sell 35,000 copies per year by the late 1950s. Disney announced in June 1959 that he would make the film with Hayley Mills, Jane Wyman, and Karl Malden, and David Swift as screenwriter and director.[3]

Swift was best known at the time for his work in television. He said: "It was the first time anyone would take a $2.5 million chance on me. Trust Disney to do it."[1]

Casting

[edit]

Disney put Mills into the cast after seeing her in the British film Tiger Bay. He watched the film to see the most recent performance by her father, John Mills, who was to star in the studio's Swiss Family Robinson. Disney then offered Miss Mills the lead in Pollyanna. Her accent was explained by turning Pollyanna's parents into missionaries from the British West Indies.[4]

Disney said the cast was the most important in the studio's history, including names such as Wyman, Malden, and Richard Egan.[5]

Swift commented on casting: "The cast scared me. Veterans of scores of movies, some of them. I was afraid they'd say 'TV man, go home'. But they didn't. It was a happy set; everybody worked his head off for me."[1]

Script

[edit]

Swift said in working on the script that, to work against the "saccharine" nature of the material, he would spend a few hours every day first working on a horror play called The Deadly. He would then work on Pollyanna.[1]

Swift said: "In the book, Pollyanna was so filled with happiness and light that I wanted to kick her. In the old days, she came on like Betty Hutton. Now, she is shy. We have an adult drag advice out of her."[6]

Swift also decided to remove a key plot point of the book, where Pollyanna was hit by a car and had to learn how to walk. He called this "Too coincidental. Too pat."[6]

Swift added that "instead of making her the 'glad girl' of the book, we've simmered her cheerfulness down to merely emphasize the things-could-be-worse attitude."[4]

Shooting

[edit]

Pollyanna began filming in August 1959.[4]

The film was shot in Santa Rosa, California, with the Mableton Mansion at 1015 McDonald Avenue in Santa Rosa serving as the exterior and grounds of Aunt Polly's house. Other California locations included Napa Valley and Petaluma. Interiors were filmed at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California. The book sets the town of Harrington in Vermont, but the film places Harrington in Maryland; Baltimore is mentioned several times throughout the script. Aunt Polly and Pollyanna take the train to Baltimore at the end of the film, possibly headed to Johns Hopkins Hospital due to the delicacy of the operation needed (Johns Hopkins opened in 1889, and the story takes place in the 1900s).[7]

Reception

[edit]

Box office

[edit]

Disney reported in 1960 that the film made a profit "but not nearly what we expected".[8]

Jerry Griswold wrote in The New York Times on October 25, 1987: "An attempt was made to resuscitate Pollyanna in 1960 when Walt Disney released a movie based on the book. Time, Newsweek, and other major reviewers agreed that such an enterprise promised to be a disaster – a tearjerker of a story presented by the master of schmaltz; what surprised the critics (their opinions were unanimous) was that it was his best live-action film ever. But few had reckoned the curse of the book's by-then-saccharine reputation. When the movie failed to bring in half of the $6 million that was expected, Disney opined, 'I think the picture would have done better with a different title. Girls and women went to it, but men tended to stay away because it sounded sweet and sticky'".[9]

The film has continued to be popular on television and home media. It is available to stream on Disney+.[10]

Awards and honors

[edit]

Hayley Mills won the 1960 Academy Juvenile Award for her performance and also received a BAFTA nomination for Best Actress.

Merchandise

[edit]
A doll used to promote the film

The film generated a trickle of juvenile merchandise, including a Dell comic book,[11] a paper-doll collection, an LP recording, an illustrated Little Golden Book, and a 30" Uneeda character doll in a red and white gingham dress, pantaloons, and boots. Disney was selling photo lockets as part of a merchandise promotion, with the quote claiming to be from Abraham Lincoln on them: "If you look for the bad in mankind expecting to find it, you surely will". Director and screenwriter David Swift discovered the necklace in a gift shop while on vacation with his family and called the studio to have the item recalled immediately, as it was not a quote from Lincoln, but actually a paraphrasing of a line from Eleanor Porter's original 1913 novel written for the film.[12]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Swift Comes Back for Loot, Not Art Smith, Cecil. Los Angeles Times 29 Nov 1963: C32.
  2. ^ "Disney". Variety. January 18, 1961. p. 24. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
  3. ^ 2 Producers Cited For Achievement, New York Times, 6 June 1959: 13.
  4. ^ a b c Out West With New England's 'Pollyanna', New York Times, 30 Aug 1959: X7.
  5. ^ Free-Lancers Top 'Best' Disney Cast: 'Pollyanna' Players Select; 'Bay of Naples' Boasts Find, Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep 1959: A11
  6. ^ a b New Pollyanna Will be Subtle New York Times 9 June 1959: 44.
  7. ^ Harde, Roxanne; Kokkola, Lydia, eds. (2014). Eleanor H. Porter's Pollyanna: A Children's Classic at 100. University Press of Mississippi. ISBN 9781628461329. JSTOR j.ctt9qhmd2.
  8. ^ Disney Productions Says Fiscal 1960 Loss Was About $1,350,000: Deficit Is Ascribed to $5 Million Write-Down of Film Library; profitable Fiscal '61 Expected, Wall Street Journal, 29 Nov 1960: 7.
  9. ^ Griswold, Jerry (1981-10-25). "Pollyanna, Ex-Bubblehead". The New York Times. Retrieved 2018-08-23.
  10. ^ Vagg, Stephen (March 19, 2022). "Movie Star Cold Streaks: Hayley Mills". Filmink.
  11. ^ Four Color #1129 (August 1960)
  12. ^ https://www.epubbooks.com/book/392-pollyanna - chapter XXII - "When you look for the bad, expecting it, you will get it. When you know you will find the good—you will get that...."
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Pollyanna_(1960_film)&oldid=1251593038"