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.