Pollyanna

About Pollyanna

In the 1960 Disney film "Pollyanna," directed by David Swift, the story follows a young orphan girl who moves to the fictional small town of Harrington in the American Midwest to live with her wealthy but stern Aunt Polly. Pollyanna brings a joyful and positive spirit to the townsfolk with her philosophy of finding something to be glad about in every situation, a mindset she calls 'The Glad Game.'

Making / Production

The movie was filmed on location in Santa Rosa, California and at Walt Disney Studios, Burbank, California. It was based on Eleanor H. Porter's 1913 novel of the same name. "Pollyanna" was Disney's first feature to be shot with Panavision lenses.

Actors

• Hayley Mills as Pollyanna. Mills beautifully captured Pollyanna's free, optimistic spirit, and her performance won the special Academy Juvenile Award.
• Jane Wyman as Aunt Polly. Wyman gave a splendid performance as the stern and tough-love Aunt Polly who eventually softens because of Pollyanna's influence.
• Richard Egan as Dr. Edmond Chilton. Egan portrayed a kindly and caring doctor who becomes fond of Pollyanna.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The movie was such a big hit that it spawned a television series, "Pollyanna," a year after the movie's release.
• The term 'Pollyanna' has entered the English language as a person who is excessively cheerful and optimistic.

Awards

Hayley Mills won an honorary award at the 33rd Academy Awards for her role in "Pollyanna," becoming the last child actor to receive the Juvenile Award.

Quotes

• "When you look for the bad in mankind expecting to find it, you surely will." - Pollyanna
• "I've decided to be glad... it's a much more comfortable feeling than being mad." - Pollyanna

Music, Soundtrack

• The film's score was composed by Paul J. Smith and George Bruns.
• The hauntingly melodious "Pollyanna's Song" makes for a memorable tune within the movie's soundtrack.