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Although Walt Disney's legacy is to a great extent based on his studio's animated features, the company produced many live-action family films in the 1950s and '60s, many of which remain dearly beloved today. Pollyanna is one such film, and it shines anew on DVD in this definitive two-disc "Vault Disney" edition that includes a treasure trove of archival goodies plus fun and fascinating features. Based on the book by Eleanor H. Parker, Pollyanna is a timeless portrait of turn-of-the-century small-town America. Hayley Mills, in her screen debut, earned a special Academy Award for her disarming performance as Pollyanna, a recently orphaned girl sent to live with her Aunt Polly (Jane Wyman), a stern, patrician woman who has the townspeople under her thumb. The spirited and optimistic Pollyanna, though, melts hearts like no one since Shirley Temple. Her "glad game" transforms the lives of a self-pitying hypochondriac (the wonderful Agnes Moorehead), the town recluse (Adolph Menjou), the chandelier-rattling preacher (Karl Malden), and eventually, Polly herself. Kevin Corcoran, one of Disney's most popular child stars, costars as mischievous Jimmie Bean, a fellow orphan whom Pollyanna befriends. Disc One contains warm audio commentary with Mills and director David Swift as well as a bonus Mickey Mouse cartoon, "The Nifty Nineties." The second disc boasts segments about the making of the film and Walt Disney's folksy introduction for the film's television broadcast. The "Vault Disney" collection also includes Old Yeller, Swiss Family Robinson, and The Parent Trap. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide

Eleanor H. Porter's story of Pollyanna, "The Glad Girl," was first filmed in 1920 by Mary Pickford. While entertaining, the Pickford version tended to reduce the supporting characters to stereotypes. Disney's 1960 remake of Pollyanna wisely offers three-dimensional characterizations, enhancing the charm and believability of the story. In her first Disney film (indeed, her first American film), Hayley Mills stars as Pollyanna, an orphan girl sent to live with her wealthy aunt Polly (Jane Wyman). A humorless sort, Aunt Polly is taken aback by Pollyanna's insistence upon seeing the happy side of everything. With her best friend and fellow orphan, Jimmy Bean (Kevin "Moochie" Corcoran), Pollyanna spreads her sunshine all over town, transforming such local curmudgeons as hypochondriac Mrs. Snow (Agnes Moorehead), hellfire-and-brimstone Reverend Ford (Karl Malden), and reclusive Mr. Pendergast (Adolphe Menjou) into positive, life-affirming sorts. This she does not by being simpering or syrupy, but by applying common sense and refusing to indulge anyone's self-pity. Only Aunt Polly refuses to warm up. As the owner of the town orphanage, Aunt Polly will not hear of having a new, more modern facility built, and when handsome Dr. Chilton (Richard Egan) stages a charity bazaar in defiance of Aunt Polly, Pollyanna is forbidden to attend. She escapes to the bazaar by climbing down the tree next to her upstairs window; but when trying to return home, Pollyanna falls and injures her legs. Facing possible permanent paralysis, the "Glad Girl" is for the first time disconsolate and pessimistic. Her spirits are uplifted by the townsfolk whom she's helped, and finally by Aunt Polly, who's realized the folly of her stubbornness. Ebulliently optimistic once more, Pollyanna leaves town for an operation, as the townsfolk cheer her up and cheer her on. Possibly because it was perceived as having only little-girl appeal (a false perception indeed), Pollyanna was not the big hit that it should have been in 1960. Its latter-day reputation as one of Disney's finest features rests primarily on its many successful television showings. The film was remade for television with an all-black cast as Polly in 1989. Hal Erickson

Product Details

• UPC: 786936143928
• Source: WALT DISNEY VIDEO
• Region Code: 1
• Aspect Ratio: Theatre Wide-Screen (1.85.1)
• Presentation: Wide Screen
• Sound: THX-Supervised Mastering, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English, Español
• Time: 2:14:00
• Sales Rank: 422

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