Pollyanna

POLLYANNA succeeds as a wonderful vehicle for HAYLEY MILLS, who was rightly awarded a special juvenile Oscar for her role as the sunshine girl who spreads cheer and good will to a town that really needs some cheering. JANE WYMAN is fine as her stern and wealthy aunt and the rest of the cast is equally impressive in a variety of supporting roles. Disney has given the tale a wholesome flavor with sets and costumes entirely in keeping with the early 1900s era and spared no expense in hiring the best players for the interesting supporting characters. KARL MALDEN has a fine time with the role of a hellfire and brimstone preacher talking about unconverted souls. NANCY OLSON is Wyman's maid who is told not to carry on a relationship with a suitor while under her employ. RETA SHAW is a gruff scullery maid. KEVIN CORCORAN is a mischievous schoolboy with his own method of catching fish. RICHARD EGAN is a doctor friend from Wyman's past who still harbors feelings for Wyman (as Aunt Polly). ADOLPHE MENJOU is the misunderstood "meanest man in the world," according to little Kevin Corcoran. And AGNES MOOREHEAD does her usual scene-stealing turn as a crotchety hypochondriac. Although the tale itself might be too syrupy and too commonplace for some folks, it moves along at a brisk pace under David Swift's direction but could have used some tighter editing, with a running time of 2 hours and 14 minutes.

Wise beyond her years little girl, played to perfection by Hayley Mills, brings a breath of new life and happiness to a town long kept under the thumb of a haughty, unhappy, domineering and wealthy woman. Very good film for the whole family.

'Pollyanna' is a film about a young girl that goes around making people happy and finding happiness in life. It's an inspiring little Disney film, and I enjoyed it when I was a child; I have not seen it since then, so it may not be as good from an adult's eyes as it was from the eyes of a child. This film seems to have been forgotten by today's audience, and it's one of those lost Disney gems that needs to be dusted off and shown again to a new audience and to those of us who remember. I thoroughly enjoyed watching this as a child, and I thought it was a lot of fun. Can't say how adults would find it, however. I would give this film a 7 out of 10.

A saccharine movie that is willing to turn all the screws in order to get an "awww" from the audience. The ending is a shameless attempt to tug heartstrings and offers no resolution. There are several entertaining scenes with a grumpy Agnes Moorehead, best known as the imperious mother from the TV show "Bewitched," and Adolphe Menjou is also entertaining as another local curmudgeon. The cynical attitudes of these characters provide welcome relief from all the rainbows and sunshine that Pollyanna force-feeds people. Karl Malden, better known for any number of classic films from "On the Waterfront" (1954) to "Patton" (1970), does a fine job in the role of the town priest.

It is difficult to fathom why Pollyanna has received so many good ratings in the database. This is the so-called Disney magic at its most cheesy. Most of the grumpy people that Pollyanna is supposed to be cheering up seem to be better off. This leads to Pollyanna seeming to be a nuisance and little more than an annoyance. There are some touching moments and there are times when you genuinely feel sorry for the girl but Pollyanna is overlong and at times cringe making.

Considering that Pollyanna was his debut, writer and director David Swift does a very good job here. Pollyanna does have its faults, but it is a solid adaptation of a charming book. Where Pollyanna isn't so strong is in the length and the pacing. At over 2 hours, the film is a little too long, while the film does move fairly slowly. My final flaw is that twenty minutes or so before the end, the tone changes and this change was somewhat jarring. Nonetheless, Pollyanna is exquisitely filmed with stunning cinematography, costumes and scenery, and the music is lovely. The script is well written and the story still has its charm. The direction is as solid as the film itself, while the acting is very good. Hayley Mills gives a spirited performance in the title role, while Agnes Moorehead comes very close to stealing the film. Karl Malden, Jane Wyman and Adolphe Menjou also do great turns as the cheerless citizens whose lives are transformed by Pollyanna. Overall, has its faults but it is a solid and charming film. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Disney continues its fine work into the 60s with the 1960 favorite "Pollyanna." This would be one of many movies that had Hayley Mills taking the center stage in Disney fare. What's so good about her?: She, like, ran the whole Disney thing throughout the 1960s, baby!!!!! I mean, even though she may be old now, she was good, she was cute, and she knew how to make a really great Disney movie! Now?: Psh! We've got that mean-spirited girl Raven running Disney now!!!!! (Booooo!!!!!) I mean, every time she had a song in a Disney film today (even the child-safe ones on my list), we generally try to avoid touching such films with a 39 1/2 foot...how should I say this????? DVD loading tray!!!!! LOL So, what would you rather hear? "Let's Get Together, Yeah Yeah Yeah!!!" by Hayley Mills in "The Parent Trap," or "Very Superstitious!" by Raven in that bad, bad, un-Disney film "The Haunted Mansion"????? I'd pick Hayley over Raven any other day!!!!! This shows how good old movies like "Pollyanna" really are. Watch this and Hayley's other films; you'll be happy! 10/10

Despite a curious penchant for licking her lips, young Hayley Mills (in only her second film) is a pleasant and lovely presence on the screen. Playing an optimistic orphan who comes to stay with her rigid aunt, Mills really is Pollyanna--a cheerful sprite not above getting into some mild mischief. She matches wits wonderfully with curmudgeons like Agnes Moorehead (in a sparkling performance) and Jane Wyman (who takes a little too long to come around, but when she does--opening up the front doors of her home--it's very rewarding). I tired soon of Karl Malden's early blustering as the town preacher, but the rest of the supporting players are engaging and colorful. Too bad the ending doesn't tell us if Pollyanna is going to be all right. Granted, it's already a lengthy movie, but I would've liked to have seen her on crutches or something. As for Hayley Mills, she works her big blue eyes and cherubic face to good advantage. The Disney magic is firmly in place, yet with the wrong actress in the leading role, the film might never have been this moving. *** from ****

Many different movies have been made out of Eleanor Porter's novel throughout the years. The story of the young Pollyanna, adopted by her strict aunt after the death of her parents, bringing back a long lost joy to an entire village is rather well known. Still, this Walt Disney version is both very charming and moving. It is probably thanks to David Swift excellent craftsmanship as a director, portraying some interesting characters while alternating with success funny or lighter moments with deeply moving ones. It may be thanks to a beautiful cast of experienced actors such as Jane Wyman (as the strict aunt), Karl Malden (as the flaming priest), Adolphe Menjou (as the recluse Mr Pendergast) or Agnes Moorehead (as the hypochondriac Mrs Snow). It could also be related to the beautifully optimistic message of joy and friendship. Yet, it is certainly due the exceptional on-screen presence of young British actress Hayley Mills. Her performance, only surpassed, in my opinion, by the one she delivers in The Parent Trap, earned her an Academy Award and allows her to deliver the spontaneity, curiosity and joy of living characteristic of Pollyanna. With such a package of qualities, this movie may do more than bring the best out of its character by bringing the best out of ourselves thanks to a little bit more than two hours of happiness.

This movie ,,Pollyanna'' is quite fascinating especially the leading actress makes a wonderful atmosphere while watching the actual film. A good adaptation but it would have been nice if they'd show the ending with Pollyanna on crutches. In some moments you could have seen a tear in my eye, which proves the fact of the movie being sad and realistic. Sweet Haylie Mills and the other actors make a great-standard presentation of their talent.Unfortunately their seems to be something missing and my vote goes for the ending. I also loved to see Agnes Moorehead and the lovely cooks.If you liked this movie you'd probably love ,,The parent trap'' with the same actress, or should I say actresses taking the lead. A good film for the whole family.