Il segreto di Pollyanna

A vast improvement on the cutesy, blatantly unrealistic and cliched story on which it is based, the Disney film Pollyanna is a truly enjoyable, BELIEVABLE film. It has a very charming, nostalgic feel to it. The period costumes and sets are very good, and the direction is good, too. The best thing about it, however, are the performances. The talented cast really makes you believe in them and forget they're all stereotypes. Jane Wyman is quite good as Aunt Polly, as are Agnes Moorehead, Adolphe Menjou, and espicially Karl Malden. And Hayley Mills more than holds her own, giving a very good, subtle, believable performance. This Pollyanna does not spend all her time chatting her mouth off and misinterpreting every cold act of her aunt's as an expression of love, which made her very annoying in the book, but rather, she really gets to know people and very subtly brings out the best in them. A truly good family film, much better than the book, and one really worth viewing.

Hayley Mills embodies Pollyanna as a lanky adolescent with pigtails and knock-knees who never delivers a saccharine line or maudlin moment. Naturally optimistic, she leads a variety of sour adults-- including a recluse (Adolphe Menjou), a minister (Karl Malden), and a spinster aunt (Jane Wyman)-- toward a better humor just by asking them questions, showing an interest in them.

It's simplistic, of course, and even ridiculous (the town seems to have more orphans than citizens). But that is where subtlety comes to the rescue, and craftsmanship. It's a well-made Disney feature, particularly in terms of art direction and costumes which were clearly designed with Technicolor in mind. The direction and photography are uninspired, but the screenplay has elements sophisticated enough for any critic. The early anecdote about crutches is clever foreshadowing, for instance, and the recluse collects lamp prisms that are colorful symbols of a cheerful outlook.

And Disney hires terrific actors. Malden plays his fire-and-brimstone minister to the hilt. Donald Crisp is a stoutly impassioned mayor. Wyman and Menjou deliver quietly supportive, reflective performances. In spite of a story in which the adults are barely believable caricatures, this film was so solidly constructed and underplayed that the children's-book aspect is overwhelmed by the genuinely delightful message, and a marvelously realistic performance by Hayley Mills.

As Pollyanna would say, the movie is simply "gorgeous"! In my 57 years I've seen this movie more times than I should admit. Just watched it again on Hallmark and felt compelled to offer my first comments on IMDb.

Everyone can feel down, lonely or put upon at one time or another. "Pollyanna" is just the right medicine for those ailments. I realize this is early Disney, but that is a positive attribute, not an indictment. Cheezy? How about "touching" instead? The cast, the performances, the setting, and most of all, the message are right on.

The film makes me laugh and cry every time I view it. How could you possibly ask for more? Guess I'm just a soft touch. Highly recommended for all but the terminally cynical.

A period piece that boasts about "The Glad Game?" Ready to tune out? So was I, until I got what was happening. This movie is profound, not only in its execution of story, but in the relevant, lovely message it naturally brings, as opposed to the message it sells. I've viewed it 5 times and each time, I am newly informed as to how I can adjust my attitude for a better way of life. I come from a school of thought where sunny is ridiculed and message movies are tedious, so the lead is an obvious target of disdain. Stay with Pollyanna awhile and watch her reform all the bitter, crusty malcontents on the planet into fans with a straightforward logic and uncanny point of view. A true heroine.

It is well worth taking another look at POLLYANNA if you and your family have not seen it for a long time. You will be delighted to realize just how subversive this intelligent witty film is. In fact Pollyanna's surname IS Wittier. People who carp that this is a syrupy sweet film and moan about Disney saccharine movies are missing the point. POLLYANNA is a sly film about misuse of power, loneliness, bullying and meanness using a good natured teen to counterpoint a town of adults who have lost their way in their own lives. She has to be a strong opposite in order for each adult to have a revelation about their own unpleasant behavior. The key adult is her Aunt Polly who has not had sex for a long time, as a result she is bitter and bossy and all the town is afraid to stand up to her. Aunt Polly's sexual frustration is pointed out several times because, in a family film as sharp as this you can have very adult situations wrapped in gauze and acceptable as a character flaw. Pollyanna simply by being positive (and clever and funny) has a profound affect on everyone in need of re awakening. Pollyanna even takes on the hypocrisy of the church and the contents of the bible: One astonishing and powerful scene is in an open field on a very hot day with the church Pastor (a terrific Karl Malden) is practicing his latest fire and brimstone scare campaign. Pollyanna visits him and by being her intelligent self politely demolishes his mindset. He is found later by his wife collapsed with a overwhelming awareness of where he has been wrong. He then becomes a catalyst for motivating the town to stand up to Aunt Polly's sabotage of all their lives. What is so deliciously refreshing about POLLYANNA is that is it simple courtesy and commonsense from the mouth of a confident blossoming 13 year old girl (as 'the future') ...the milk mustache scene is completely THERE in mid screen for any slow learners. The direction is terrific and hilarious and there are many big laughs in small moments scattered through the film; Jimmy and the fish, Pollyanna imitating a cow chewing, the granny playing the drums, Pollyanna being handed sandwiches while hiding in a bush in the conservatory.... loads of crowd pleasing moments for a big audience of families to relish. Particularly moving is the whole subplot about the prisms of light. Agnes Moorehead has a hilarious turn as a hypochondriac who comes good and helps find Pollyanna a doll. Many many matching emotional moments all through this film. Adolph Menjou also has a great spot as the town scary man supposedly with a cellar full of slaves and rats. So take my advice and look for the wickedly funny jokes at the expanse of the status quo and have a wonderful time laughing and wiping tears with your kids and you embrace every magnificently produced sly comedy moment of this utterly clever heartwarming film. POLLYANNA is a complete success. Even vintage car enthusiast are included in the delighted audience for this film. The very funny opening scene of the naked boy swinging on a rope will alert you to the fact this is a film with a very wicked agenda. The production values of antiques costumes and gorgeous visuals are as lavish as MY FAIR LADY. And thank your lucky stars that it wasn't remade with Lindsay Lohan as THE PARENT TRAP was.