An orphan's optimistic outlook brings a change to the ill-tempered town in which she resides to her aunt.An orphan's optimistic outlook brings a change to the ill-tempered town in which she resides to her aunt.An orphan's optimistic outlook brings a change to the ill-tempered town in which she resides to her aunt.
Wharton James
- Rev. John Whittier
- (as J. Wharton James)
Joan Marsh
- Bit Role
- (uncredited)
Frederick Peters
- Bit Role
- (uncredited)
Gordon Sackville
- Bit Role
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaOf this film, screenwriter Frances Marion said, "We proceeded with the dull routine of making a picture we both thought nauseating . . . I hated writing it, Mary [Mary Pickford] hated playing it."
- Alternate versionsIn 1972, the Mary Pickford Co. copyrighted a version with an organ score played played by Gaylord Carter. Produced by Matty Kemp, it runs 60 minutes, about 2 of which is a historical introduction.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Mary Pickford: A Life on Film (1997)
- SoundtracksRock-a-Bye Baby
(1884)
Written by Effie I. Canning
Lyrics in an intertitle when Pollyanna sings to her dying father
Played on organ by Gaylord Carter in the alternate version
Featured review
Sweet film
After her father dies, young Pollyanna goes to live with her Aunt Polly, who is a bit of an old crone. Pollyanna befriends an orphan named Jimmy Bean, and hides him out in her aunt's cellar until her aunt decides to let him stay. Pollyanna brings a little sunshine into everyone's life, as she plays the "glad game" with them. No matter how bad things look, she always finds something to be glad about. Her own beliefs are tested when she is seriously injured in an accident.
It's hard not to like this film. Despite some corny scenes and dialogue, it is consistently upbeat. In addition, there are no villains, just people who have to deal with troubles and misunderstandings. Pickford is wonderful, and is especially touching when she realizes she may never walk again. The supporting cast does a fine job. Katherine Griffith, as Aunt Polly, does not overplay her role. Even though she is less than thrilled with the arrival of Pollyanna, she slowly comes to realize how much the girl means to her. Howard Ralston, as Jimmy, shows genuine chemistry with Pickford, even though in real life he was at least ten years younger than she was.
It's hard not to like this film. Despite some corny scenes and dialogue, it is consistently upbeat. In addition, there are no villains, just people who have to deal with troubles and misunderstandings. Pickford is wonderful, and is especially touching when she realizes she may never walk again. The supporting cast does a fine job. Katherine Griffith, as Aunt Polly, does not overplay her role. Even though she is less than thrilled with the arrival of Pollyanna, she slowly comes to realize how much the girl means to her. Howard Ralston, as Jimmy, shows genuine chemistry with Pickford, even though in real life he was at least ten years younger than she was.
helpful•10
- scsu1975
- Nov 29, 2022
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $300,000 (estimated)
- Runtime58 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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