Mary Pickford as Pollyanna in 1919. Image: Flipscreen
In a way, it’s too bad the word Pollyanna is used pejoratively.
Google defines it this way:
We suppose too much cheer and optimism can be too much, especially when that person refuses to consider negative outcomes of a situation. Also, there are times we just don’t want to be told to Cheer Up and Look At The Bright Side.
But being cheerful can be a deliberate choice, and it can also be a defiant one, especially if those around you decide to be Miserable.
Pollyanna is the titular character of the 1913 children’s novel by American novelist Eleanor H. Porter. It was hugely successful, spawning 12 (twelve!) sequels, a Broadway play, and a board game.
The novel explores the life of an orphaned girl sent to live with her wealthy but austere aunt in New England. The unmarried, middle-aged Aunt Polly agrees to house and feed the girl because she’s a Stickler when it comes to Duty.
The folks in fictional Beldingsville quickly tire of Pollyanna because she’s always going on about how Glad she is. She’s glad about this and that, blah blah blah. She’s even made a game of it, called The Glad Game, which makes everyone roll their eyes: Enough already, Pollyanna.
But there’s a deeper, timeless message in the novel, which makes it a classic of children’s literature. It’s also been adapted to the screen several times, and today we’re examining the 1919 version, starring Mary Pickford, and the 1960 version, starring Hayley Mills.
The Pickford version of Pollyanna is a charming tale, adapted by screenwriter Frances Marion. It was Pickford’s first picture for United Artists, and it was a Box Office Hit, grossing $1.1 million US (approx. $14.5 million today).
Pickford’s Pollyanna has a twinge of cynicism. She’s optimistic, yet she makes it clear that being cheerful doesn’t always come naturally. And her version of The Glad Game is sometimes a little subversive.
For example, in one scene, Aunt Polly promises Pickford-as-Pollyanna an outing, and the girl is Over The Moon excited, to the point of being hyper. This annoys Aunt Polly, and she rescinds the offer.
Aunt Polly: “I’m tired of this ‘glad’ business, it’s nothing but ‘glad, Glad, GLAD’ from morning ’til night. Just for that you stay home.” Pickford-as-Pollyanna: “Well, anyway, I’m glad I didn’t count on going.”
Pickford has a flippant defiance in this scene, as in: Who Cares, It Didn’t Matter To Me Anyway. This Pollyanna ain’t no Simpering Fool.
Nor is she anybody’s victim.
Hayley Mills as the Old Soul Pollyanna. Image: IMDb
The 1960 Disney version, starring Hayley Mills as Pollyanna and Jane Wyman as Aunt Polly, is a more sober treatment of the story. Mills herself was a teenager – unlike Pickford, who was in her twenties – and she plays the role of Pollyanna with the earnestness of a child.
There’s no sly cheekiness in Mills’s Oscar-winning performance; she gives us a touching mix of world weariness and youthful naivety. We believe she’s Pollyanna.
Even so, the film was not a box office success when released. According to IMDb, Walt Disney attributed the disappointing sales to the film’s title. “I think the picture would have done better with a different title,” he said. “Girls and women went to it, but men tended to stay away because it sounded sweet and sticky.”
It’s too bad, because Mills breaks your heart. She portrays a girl who’s suffered an almost unfathomable loss at a young age, and must now navigate life as a stranger in a place where everyone wants her to Shut Up.
Her decision to be glad in times of stress is her defence against anxiety and fear. It’s the raft she clings to in rough water.
Confession: We avoided seeing any version of Pollyanna for years because we felt it would be ridiculous and saccharine-y. Instead, we were delighted to be treated to two very different movies, starring two dissimilar but very talented actresses.
We hope you’ll get the chance to see at least one version of Pollyanna. She’s a stronger person than she’s given credit for, and we were, well, glad for that discovery.
I saw the Disney version for the first time last year and really enjoyed it. The cast is unbeatable; Hayley Mills in particular is superb. That ending left me a sobbing mess, too, which I wasn’t expecting — I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about it!
I’ve never seen a Pollyanna movie for your same reasons, but you convinced me it would be good to give it a try. I remember the cartoon from when I was a kid and it was quite sad. Welcome back!
This is a cool blogathon…
I didn’t realize the two movie versions of Pollyanna were made that far apart. Okay. I’m curious now, 😊 I’ll give them both a try. Thank you.
I remember the book more than the movie. I saw the Disney version and enjoyed it. In my view, those who have culturally defined Pollyanna as an excessively cheerful or optimistic person missed the deeper meaning of Eleanor Porter’s novel. Being “Glad” and the “Glad Game” was metaphorical. For me, the novel was a simplistic way of trying to tell young girls that life throws and will throw curves at us and it is up to us to choose how to respond to them. We will be disappointed and hurt and there will be losses. We can turn our disappointments into anger and bitterness or we can adapt and discover a new sense of worth, value and joy. The choice is ours, and it takes effort and commitment on our part and support of others to get us there.
I feel the message from the novel is universal and you are right, it fits in with the original objectives of the term female empowerment. It appears to me that this phrase has evolved to mean a global movement promoting women’s rights and invoking social change today, rather than promoting personal growth. I agree, it is not always easy to deal with setbacks in our lives – and alas, some are definitely harder than others. I hope you don’t run across too many challenging ones.
I loved the Hayley Mills version when I was a kid. Saw it many, many times. Adult me really loves the Pickford version, though. Great write-up, as always.
I really must see Pickford and Marion’s version of Pollyanna. I read the book when I was young, after seeing the Disney movie for the first time. Even as I kid, I could see what you saw, that the “Pollyanna” stuff didn’t come easy and I think that character influenced me in many unfathomable ways. Thanks for this piece. It will stay with me as well.
I’ve seen several adaptations of this story (including the more recent one that aired on television) and they are all great, but few of them actually follow the book. Still, I grew up on Hayley’s version and still love it.
It’s hard to pick a favorite. I love Haley’s version, but the newer BBC one is a little closer to the book. All versions seem to cast her aunt and all the adult characters as being too old (by my calculations, she was in her 30s in the novel, so Mr. Mr. Pendleton (Pendergast in the Disney film) couldn’t have been over 40, but they usually cast him in his 60s. I do absolutely love the Hayley’s version of Aunt Polly, though. Jane Wyman is always wonderful. ❤
Reminds me a little of Anne of Green Gables–there’s the more cheerful version and then the latest release, Anne With An E, which is quite a bit darker but both still very good!
I would like to see the cheeky version! I thought I’d dislike the version with Mills—I usually found her annoying, and thought this sounded way too sweet for me. But I found myself moved, even as a kid who loved sarcastic heroines. She did an excellent job of coming across as a real person, and you really felt for her.
I’m glad you decided to rehabilitate Pollyanna for those of us who might be close-minded (oh wait, now I’M playing the glad game!). I never realized Hayley Mills won the juvenile academy award for Pollyanna. That’s one Disney film I’ve managed to avoid over the years, but as a six-year old I absolutely loved Hayley in In Search of the Castaways and my preternaturally patient parents let me see it twice. It sounds like Hayley was very deserving of the academy’s recognition.
Disney’s Pollyanna is one of the studio’s finest films. Not only is Hayley Mills utterly believable, but the surrounding cast of screen veterans is impressive, too. I love the scene between Pollyanna and Karl Malden’s minister, in which she reignites his joy of the Bible.
Never read or watched any Pollyanna, but as another reader mentioned: her story reminds me a bit of the Anne Shirley books by L.M. Montgomery. Thank you for the reminder that the original character used optimism as a coping mechanism against an adult world that wanted to keep her in a depressed and subdued state of mind. I think it takes a lot of work for children to cling to optimism and a sense of adventure.
You’re so right about that. Sometimes adults throw up unnecessary roadblocks. And in a pandemic world, children need optimism and a sense of adventure more than ever.
Silver Screenings 
I saw the Disney version for the first time last year and really enjoyed it. The cast is unbeatable; Hayley Mills in particular is superb. That ending left me a sobbing mess, too, which I wasn’t expecting — I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about it!
Great post, Ruth!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I was sobbing, too. I didn’t think I needed the tissue when I first started watching it, but I was a mess by the time the movie had ended.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve never seen a Pollyanna movie for your same reasons, but you convinced me it would be good to give it a try. I remember the cartoon from when I was a kid and it was quite sad. Welcome back!
LikeLiked by 1 person
There was a cartoon? I totally missed it. I hope you can give one of these films a go. I enjoyed them more than I thought I would.
LikeLike
This is a cool blogathon…
I didn’t realize the two movie versions of Pollyanna were made that far apart. Okay. I’m curious now, 😊 I’ll give them both a try. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you can see them both. I couldn’t find a 4K version of the Mary Pickford version, but the quality of the performances/script wasn’t diminished.
If you watch the Hayley Mills version, I recommend having the tissue handy…
LikeLike
Both films sound good! I’m glad to know about them! 😉
I was a generally happy kid, which sometimes annoyed my peers. 😆
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! It’s funny how being happy can have that effect.
I hope you get a chance to see ine of these films. I can’t believe I avoided them for so long.🙄
LikeLiked by 1 person
I remember the book more than the movie. I saw the Disney version and enjoyed it. In my view, those who have culturally defined Pollyanna as an excessively cheerful or optimistic person missed the deeper meaning of Eleanor Porter’s novel. Being “Glad” and the “Glad Game” was metaphorical. For me, the novel was a simplistic way of trying to tell young girls that life throws and will throw curves at us and it is up to us to choose how to respond to them. We will be disappointed and hurt and there will be losses. We can turn our disappointments into anger and bitterness or we can adapt and discover a new sense of worth, value and joy. The choice is ours, and it takes effort and commitment on our part and support of others to get us there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You said it! It’s a female empowerment message, isnt it? It’s up to us to decide how we’ll deal with setbacks. (Sometimes easier said than done…)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I feel the message from the novel is universal and you are right, it fits in with the original objectives of the term female empowerment. It appears to me that this phrase has evolved to mean a global movement promoting women’s rights and invoking social change today, rather than promoting personal growth. I agree, it is not always easy to deal with setbacks in our lives – and alas, some are definitely harder than others. I hope you don’t run across too many challenging ones.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved the Hayley Mills version when I was a kid. Saw it many, many times. Adult me really loves the Pickford version, though. Great write-up, as always.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know what you mean – I adored the Hayley Mills Pollyanna, even though she made me cry. But the Mary Pickford version really appeals to me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad it’s not just me. They’re both really effective adaptations, though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, and welcome back. I hope the move went well. Hayley Mills won an Oscar!? I sure didn’t remember that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
She won a special juvenile Oscar, the last one they handed out.
And it’s nice to be back. Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really must see Pickford and Marion’s version of Pollyanna. I read the book when I was young, after seeing the Disney movie for the first time. Even as I kid, I could see what you saw, that the “Pollyanna” stuff didn’t come easy and I think that character influenced me in many unfathomable ways. Thanks for this piece. It will stay with me as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Disney version is that kind of movie, isn’t it? It’s surprisingly powerful and memorable.
LikeLike
I’ve seen several adaptations of this story (including the more recent one that aired on television) and they are all great, but few of them actually follow the book. Still, I grew up on Hayley’s version and still love it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Would you say Hayley’s version is your fave? How does it stand up to the more recent adaptations?
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s hard to pick a favorite. I love Haley’s version, but the newer BBC one is a little closer to the book. All versions seem to cast her aunt and all the adult characters as being too old (by my calculations, she was in her 30s in the novel, so Mr. Mr. Pendleton (Pendergast in the Disney film) couldn’t have been over 40, but they usually cast him in his 60s. I do absolutely love the Hayley’s version of Aunt Polly, though. Jane Wyman is always wonderful. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree – Jane Wyman is always wonderful.
I’ll try to find the newer BBC version. Thanks for the heads up! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reminds me a little of Anne of Green Gables–there’s the more cheerful version and then the latest release, Anne With An E, which is quite a bit darker but both still very good!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve seen the later version of Anne, and it’s really well done. Like you said, it’s darker than previous adaptations, but it also feels genuine.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would like to see the cheeky version! I thought I’d dislike the version with Mills—I usually found her annoying, and thought this sounded way too sweet for me. But I found myself moved, even as a kid who loved sarcastic heroines. She did an excellent job of coming across as a real person, and you really felt for her.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agreed. I was prepared to mock this film, but I found Mills so endearing, and her performance so genuine, that I was completely mesmerized.
LikeLike
I’m glad you decided to rehabilitate Pollyanna for those of us who might be close-minded (oh wait, now I’M playing the glad game!). I never realized Hayley Mills won the juvenile academy award for Pollyanna. That’s one Disney film I’ve managed to avoid over the years, but as a six-year old I absolutely loved Hayley in In Search of the Castaways and my preternaturally patient parents let me see it twice. It sounds like Hayley was very deserving of the academy’s recognition.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha – thanks for a great comment.
I do think Hayley deserved her Oscar. She gives a wonderful, unaffected performance.
As for the Castaways film, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen it. Thanks for the reminder – I’d love to see it again.
LikeLike
Wow I didn’t know there were 12 sequels to the book! For some reason I get Pollyanna mixed up with Heidi.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Twelve sequels is impressive, isn’t it? I didn’t realize it, either. Not sure I’d want to read the whole series, but I’d like to try a few.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awww – I haven’t seen either of the movies but I’ve always wanted to. And you gotta love Mary Pickford!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yeah, Mary Pickford is always fab. I hope you’re able to see one of these films.
How are things with your cross-country move?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good! We’re getting pretty settled now! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Disney’s Pollyanna is one of the studio’s finest films. Not only is Hayley Mills utterly believable, but the surrounding cast of screen veterans is impressive, too. I love the scene between Pollyanna and Karl Malden’s minister, in which she reignites his joy of the Bible.
LikeLike
Never read or watched any Pollyanna, but as another reader mentioned: her story reminds me a bit of the Anne Shirley books by L.M. Montgomery. Thank you for the reminder that the original character used optimism as a coping mechanism against an adult world that wanted to keep her in a depressed and subdued state of mind. I think it takes a lot of work for children to cling to optimism and a sense of adventure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re so right about that. Sometimes adults throw up unnecessary roadblocks. And in a pandemic world, children need optimism and a sense of adventure more than ever.
LikeLiked by 1 person