Why We Love Pollyanna (1960)

So...are we ready to play the Glad Game?
Currently I'm glad that my space is now decidedly wasp free. The next video will presumably be along quicker, since I can no longer use swatting thirty wasps a day as an excuse to procrastinate.
But also I had a nagging feeling that I had to tackle the 1960 adaptation of Eleanor H Porter's book about an orphan girl who tries to find something to be glad about in every situation.
Here's Ruth Graham's full article if anyone wants to have a look:
www.theatlantic.com/entertain...
I've also gone and set up a Ko-Fi page, so if anyone wants to support me with a one-time donation :)
ko-fi.com/betterwithbob
And if you want to keep up with me on the ould socials...
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#DisneyFilm #DisneyLiveAction #Pollyanna

[@gracehowell.]

Every time Pollyanna falls from the tree, the scream from Hayley Mills makes me start crying IMMEDIATELY. It just sends chills up my spine.

[@BetterWithBob]

It's a very chilling sound alright!

[@tikitavi7120]

Pollyanna is one of my go to movies when I need a good dose of escapism. It's like a feel good tonic.

[@BetterWithBob]

Very true

[@dougeaton4297]

The last scene when the townsfolk come to greet Pollyanna on the stairs always brings me to tears. I can't hold them back. It must be all that gratitude. It moves me so. In fact, if I'm ever sick or holding in grief I watch the film and the tears pour out. Yes, films can be healing. My grandmother took us grandkids to see it when I was ten so the memories are golden.

[@BetterWithBob]

Same :)

[@davidvanhouten5576]

I too was 10 (born !951) and I still watch it for comfort. Of course, like many boys, I was smitten with Hayley...Still am.

[@JuliaBrown-wl2cd]

​@@davidvanhouten5576 Hayley Mills is an enchanting soul.

[@TheMan05555]

3:28 Fun fact, when David Swift saw the finished product with Walt Disney, Swift wanted to cut the film by 20 minutes, and rearrange some scenes. Walt however, thought the film was perfect, so he forbid Swift from making any further edits. Furthermore, Swift recalls that Walt cried during “America the Beautiful” and during the ending.

[@BetterWithBob]

Ooh, I heard about Walt not letting him cut anything, but I didn't know the rest :O

[@TheMan05555]

@@BetterWithBob A lot of things in Pollyanna such as the activities, the way people dressed and acted were a big part of Walt’s childhood. He wasn’t born into an elite home in New York, but a rather poor Christian family in the Midwest. It gave him a sense of nostalgia, for a time that won’t come back.

[@GenieKOHara]

Thank you for the reaction to a wonderful movie. Haley Mills was such an incredible actress, and this is such a 'feel good' movie. There are far too little of these today,

[@DPMarioFan]

I agree with you.

[@diannequick8304]

❤❤❤I love the Pollyanna movie it is great Hayley plays a good happy person and try’s to make everyone happy

[@phyllispetras2181]

Thank you so much Bob. I am attempting to be glad about being 82, just having had heart surgery and getting a 3-day eviction notice here in Sacramento, California today 2/2/23. I Know I have to be somewhere, I can't be nowhere. I will post what happens. Everyone is yelling at me for being so stupid and not "taking care of business."I will be glad to be out of this profoundly ugly apt, into one which is lovely and will take pets! Cheers and thank you for reading this and any prayers you can think of to send my way.

[@BetterWithBob]

💜💜💜💜💜

[@melissakalloway1916]

❤

[@jozette-pierce]

❤💖💜

[@davidvanhouten5576]

What a spirit.

[@jasanders5877]

ARE you okay 💕

[@elizabethdouglas3417]

I love this! I recently rewatched Pollyanna and it struck me how very much the movie was about Aunt Polly and her growth as a person. Jane Wyman plays the part beautifully and so subtly as you mentioned. I’ve always loved this movie, but find that I appreciate it more as an adult.

[@angelarussell6919]

This brought me to tears. What a wonderful and careful break down of this wonderful film. This was one of my siblings and my favorites growing up, and to this day I have prisms hanging in my windows! Love that you didn’t tear it apart. It is so wholesome and innocent, and this just made me love it more. ☺️ Great video! ❤️

[@BetterWithBob]

Thank you for watching 🙂 and yes REPRESENT with those prisms lol 😀

[@puellapoop7736]

A childhood favorite with me. Such a beautiful, hopeful, uplifting film. Hayley Mills did an incredible job, and her portrayal is both timeless and profound. Thank you for this video, and reminding me of better days.

[@BetterWithBob]

Thank you for watching :)

[@aleisaetheridge8682]

I adore this movie and have always loved it as do my children and my grandchildren and now children that I know .It's considered one of Our most favorite movies of all time .This is the one that We love with Hailey Mills .

[@BetterWithBob]

Aww this is great to read 😊

[@Oldag75]

In the book, the first couple of times Pollyanna visited Mrs. Snow to bring her food, Mrs. Snow invariably said something like, "I don't want that. I was hoping for (a different dish)." A bit later, Pollyanna outwitted Mrs. Snow by taking all of the food dishes to her. Mrs. Snow: I don't want this, I wanted the chicken. Pollyanna: I'm glad, because I've also got chicken for you today! It was pretty darned funny.

[@BetterWithBob]

Bless Pollyanna, not knowing that Mrs Snow just liked complaining 😂

[@lauriedavis5946]

Very cool! i never read the book so guess it didn’t occur to me that i might be missing missing good parts of the story! Appreciate your input - your description made it easy to imagine, i enjoyed reading it! .. i can only speak for myself when i say that if you’d like to share any more fun stories that didn’t make the movie - i’d be _THRILLED_ to read them! You could be like my Pollyanna “cliff notes” lol! 🌈🦄 Either way, TY for your comment! 🤟🏼💞

[@denisefreitas6727]

True classic. Hayley Mills and the whole cast are perfect.

[@BetterWithBob]

Truth!

[@slcRN1971]

This is still one of my favorite films. Feeling a bit down, watch this and get your sense of well being back. Enjoyed your review, thanks🙂👍👍.

[@BetterWithBob]

Thank you for watching :) Great to meet a fellow fan!

[@GenieKOHara]

Mine too. :-) You are so correct...Whenever I am sad, or a bit 'down', I can pop in this and always feel better. At the risk of sounding like the senior I am ..."they don't make them like this anymore'.

[@davidwelty9763]

An excellent assessment of an American classic.

[@dawnables]

I realized after watching this breakdown that my outlook on life is partly a product of having seen this movie as a kid. I see myself in her, always looking for that silver lining and recognizing that I can have a positive impact on those around me. I love what you say about it being her attitude that matters, not her circumstances. I think I'll watch this movie again, this time with my daughter. Thanks for making this video.

[@BetterWithBob]

Thank you for watching and I hope your daughter enjoys the movie 🙂

[@annazetteofulue1001]

Me too

[@lauriedavis5946]

Another great thing i adore about this movie is the cast! i especially enjoy seeing the actors i loved from the tv series they were in around the same time - _Mary Grace_ _Canfield_ aka Angelica from *Green* *Acres/Petticoat* *Junction/Andy* *Griffith* & _Reta Shaw_ aka Tillie from *the Ghost* *& Mrs Muir* & _Agnes Moorehead_ aka Mrs Snow from my beloved *Bewitched!* .. but my “cream de la cream” for this category is _James_ _Drury_ aka George from *the Virginian!* i’d only seen the young Mr Drury in old Gunsmoke reruns, seeing him play this George character is a real treat! imo he was already a great actor but he truly excelled in this part! The Virginian character that i adore soo much is like a serene kind of guy. Of _course_ he’s always ready to kick some ass if necessary but mostly what i admire about him is his *maturity.* .. George is pretty much the opposite. Simply considering his age, he could hardly be considered _mature._ He’s fun & impromptu! Actually age is my only problem with George - it’s alright for my elderly self to moon after the middle aged Virginian, but George is just _too_ _young_ - even for daydreaming! .. i’m OLD = that’s quite *_CREEPY._* .. but still, isn’t Mr Drury *WONDERFUL* in this part?! .. omgeez i digressed _wayy_ off track - SORRY! TY for allowing me to share my admiration for this truly *_EPIC MOVIE!_* 🤟🏼💞😬

[@biancaihua6290]

Glad my mum bought it for me. I have begun reading it already, and I love eeet. And I'm above 18😂😂😂. I'm an adult that loves children stories ❤😂❤❤❤.

[@poetcomic1]

Her father had been a missionary in the British West Indies which is clearly stated near the beginning of the film and takes care of that sublime ACCENT of Hayley Mills.

[@braised44]

I went to see this movie at a very fancy theater when I was 9 years old. I fell in love with Haley immediately. Had to choke back tears several times during the movie. A classic!

[@BetterWithBob]

Aww great story :)

[@DPMarioFan]

I Finally Watched This Movie. I ❤️ IT! Boy, That Girl Can Really Make People Happy. I have the DVD of Pollyanna (1960).

[@BetterWithBob]

Glad you enjoyed it 😁

[@DPMarioFan]

@@BetterWithBob You Know I Did! 😊

[@barbarabaker1457]

"People don't like false charity" LOVE that line. People Used to understand charity was a set of principles listed specifically in the bible to Strive for, but occasionally people take the parable of saving the Samaritan as charity. It's good to help people, yes, and this being twisted to control and power games is not good either but it is NOT charity. Honestly, it's Pollyanna that seems to embody the striving for those traits in all its ups and downs. Hopefully people don't get annoyed with this but I loved the Musicals Polly and Polly Come Home as well. Thanks for this video. Subscribed.

[@BetterWithBob]

Excellent insight. I'm so glad you shared it :) and many thanks for watching and subbing :)

[@rachaelmorris3405]

I love this movie! But I love all Haley mills movies. Summer magic might be my favorite

[@kathyfugere6085]

I never forgot this movie . A true Classic

[@BetterWithBob]

It certainly is!

[@funwithFred]

Love it......and the sets, such a visual no matter what, the cinematography and sets .......love it. And for me, I think Haley is fantastic in this role....no one else has the facial expressions, the small, subtle mannerisms of a young girl just that age. Love her.

[@BetterWithBob]

100% agreed!

[@katthefantastic]

One of my go to movies when I'm down.❤

[@BetterWithBob]

Excellente choice

[@agbabon]

Thankyouthankyouthankyou for bringing back soooo many wonderful childhood memories!!!

[@BetterWithBob]

You're welcome 😊

[@diannequick8304]

I love watching this movie it is so inviting and happy to see ❤❤❤ love Hayley

[@diannequick8304]

When Hayley fall from the tree I cried because she got hurt and I wish I could of been there to help her😢 but she was ok❤❤❤ and I was happy again💕😍🌈🙏and prayed

[@lizzrobb2313]

Over two hrs long absolutely amazing film thank goodness it's wasn't a short film , all brilliant actors and actresses , wish there was more like this old actors ❤️❤️

[@BetterWithBob]

Yes!

[@superdani152003]

Wonderful movie and book!Thank you for this video

[@sandybeach123]

Wonderful commentary.

[@ColleneWebb]

So interesting and well-researched video! Well done, Bobby. (Even Anne of Green Gables gets a brief mention!) I don't think I've seen this film. I watched the 2003 TV version. Pollyanna novel is on my bookshelf but I haven't read it.

[@BetterWithBob]

Thank you for watching 😊 are you glad of Mrs Snow representing for the redheads 😉

[@ColleneWebb]

@@BetterWithBob Yes, I noticed the redhead lady! Hehe 😄

[@agbabon]

You MUSTMUSTMUST WATCH THIS!!! Have you watched it yet??? Oh, please watch it! As long as you are not a cynical person. If you are, you may find it too sticky-sweet. And you must watch just this version.....There is NO OTHER!!! This was my favorite movie as a child! (Can you tell?🤭) And as I was watching this, it all came back to me! It's wonderful and heartwarming, full of faith and hope, love and friendship. And I'm not telling you anything else about it!😉 I do hope you like it! 💝A

[@ColleneWebb]

@@agbabon Lovely, I'm glad you enjoyed it so much.😊 I haven't seen it yet.

[@jspohl]

Toxic positivity is the silliest expression made up by someone who could do with a good dose of Pollyanna - because the Pollyannas of this world are the most powerful and blessed people who bring blessings wherever they go. I would be one and it brings me miracles every day. 🧘‍♀️💖♾🌸🦋✨And coincidentally an angel number in the amazon reviews (444) for a window film encouraged me to buy it and now our house is filled with the most beautiful vivid rainbows on sunny days. 🌈✨

[@Pollyanna.Arts1212]

Agreed 😊✌️❤️

[@Ahturos]

Saw some recomendation of movies from Disney that are not animated and figured I see this. Glad I did, really wonderful and fun. Great characters and the Minister was a delight to watch. Got really teary eyed towards the end. Wow well done ending, the movie looks so great. And yes I don´t think of Polly as toxic posetivity.

[@ultrakool]

Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice

[@jackbuckley7816]

Clearly this was Disney's finest live-action film, in terms of a straightforward drama, as opposed to historical adventures, nature subjects(that may also have included humans), or others that fall somewhere in between, e.g., "A Tiger Walks". "Pollyanna" boasts the finest cast ever assembled for a Disney drama, as well as quite a large one. It seems that great care was taken in casting every single role, no matter how small or incidental. One could make a case for "20,000 Leagues", too, I suppose, but Verne's tale, despite it being a drama, was pure fantasy, based on one of literature's earliest examples of believable or realistic science-fiction, at which Verne was a master. "Leagues" cast, of course, was superb. In terms of drama, however, a story set in the early 20th-century & peopled with recognizably modern characters, "Pollyanna" ranks supreme as a Disney production. Sadly, despite the film's excellent cast, it's equally fine, high-quality production values, "Pollyanna" couldn't find an audience, at least not a large enough one to reap the necessary profits to recoup its costs. Perhaps more than the era in which it was released, the deciding factor was that it appealed mainly to the young female audience & their mothers. For young males, even Disney-loving ones, the movie was perceived as way too girlish for their rough-&-tumble tastes or preference for rollicking comedies. Westerns, war, horror/monster, & outer-space movies were far more to their liking! The sad truth is that top-notch casts & excellent production values, as exhibited so superbly in "Pollyanna", are lost on the small-fry. No pre-pubescent male, then as now, is going to say to himself, "Golly, this movie is awfully sugary & girlish but, gee-whiz, the period-recreation, cast, & production values are so good that, perceiving its quality, I give it a huge thumbs-up!" In the final analysis, the disappointing box-office performance of "Pollyanna" led Disney to the conclusion that such quality efforts on such a scale simply weren't worth the cost, effort, & financial risk; as a result, the studio went in a different direction, one that ensured maximum interest from both halves of the small-fry/early teen population of moviegoers---in short, a down-the-middle approach! The subsequent history of "Pollyanna" followed the usual pattern of less-than-profitable Disney films, i.e., its appearance on Walt's Sunday-night anthology TV series, fairly soon after its initial release in theaters, then largely disappearing from public consciousness for several decades. Viewed today, of course, "Pollyanna" is seen as the superior film it is, freed from concerns of profit. In truth, it might be really nice to see it on a big screen in a movie theater again!

[@SteveCarras]

Many very sentimental attachments but her famous name, Whittier, the name of my very famous former home town would be one and it’s also a famed poets name. John Greenleaf Whittier. And it’s Hayley Mills first in USA!

[@BetterWithBob]

ooh I didn't know that, about John Greenleaf Whittier I mean

[@phyllispetras2181]

LOVE this film!!!❤❤❤

[@darlajcullen4673]

Thanks for this thoughtful review of the movie.

[@BetterWithBob]

Thank you for watching :)

[@user-hx6ye4jq1n]

My favorite aunt's name was Pollyanna. Although no one in the family called her that. She had a family nickname that was given to her by her father, Toodie, and she went by Polly outside of family

[@seattlejayde]

Great analysis

[@BetterWithBob]

Thank you for watching :)

[@SteveCarras]

Also liked opening title

[@JetADR]

I always felt the Old Lady playing the drums was Oddly Funny. Lol

[@AnnaBellaChannel]

"Love is the Death of Duty."

[@DPMarioFan]

I ❤️ This Movie. I can't wait to see it. 👍👍👍👍

[@BetterWithBob]

You'll love it :)

[@DPMarioFan]

@@BetterWithBob Yeah! I noticed at 14:00 Pollyanna was singing the song: Early One Morning. That's a neat song.

[@kathrynmolesa1641]

Disney did a brilliant job on this film. Hailey Mills was perfect. The only thing is that her flag solo went on too long.

[@terriselph4100]

James Drury was also in this movie.

[@poornachandra3222]

I came to know abt this movie in book called Magic by Ronda Byrne.. I love this movie soo much...

[@invadertifxiii]

i absolutely love this movie

[@dej353]

TERRIFIC REVIEW! Yes, I agree that happiness and being miserable or looking for the "good" in a situation is a choice! So many want to be miserable and choose to be miserable instead of choosing to take the "lemon" you received and making "Lemonaide" out of it! Why not CHOOSE to be as happy as you can be, it's also proven that humans are resiliant and we can come back from horrible situations/illnesses IF we are positive enough and work hard enough. A real life example, a close friend was given five years to live and they said, God gives you a lemon and you make lemonade, they lived a very happy and productive five years + because of their attitude NOT to give up and to push through and to be positive! WE all have to go but we can choose how to go and treat our diagnosis, I hope I can be as graceful as my Mom was when facing her own mortality. I love you, Mom, God Bless you and thank you for teaching me up to the very end.

[@adpenaos]

I love this movie. My favorite Pollyana.

[@JRCE-stef68]

She wasnt unknown when she made this film she had already been in tiger bay...

[@BetterWithBob]

Unknown to most American audiences

[@invadertifxiii]

should do a why we love meet me in st louis

[@mjs6767]

Nice video! The cursor on the screen is distracting though!

[@BetterWithBob]

Fair enough. Made three years ago when I was still getting the hang of screen recording

[@Crystarga]

DISNEY?

[@Rebecca-zr3lu]

Blessings in an abundance of the faith. I salute you. 😘🙏Grace and peace be unto you and to this place. Thank you. God bless you. 😊Will you believe and receive Jesus Christ as your LORD and personal saviour??? I do. 😊

[@SteveCarras]

She’s sweet.

[@Struzzylive]

Unfortunately she’s passed away

[@BetterWithBob]

No she hasn't

[@Struzzylive]

@@BetterWithBob my sources it seems we’re wrong, ty I stand corrected. Joanna Bares ( Vicki ) did

[@jasanders5877]

HI UPLOADER, OH WHY CAN'T I FIND POLLYANNA HAYLEY MILLS VERSION 1960. I USE TO WATCH IT YEARS AGO, ON VIDEO 😢 SADLY, I FOUND THE MOVIE, TWO IN THE SAME UPLOADERS, I'D SAY. LOOK I CAN'T GET IT TO WORK, 😲 YOU HAVE TO SUBSCRIBE 😢. BUT WHEN YOU DO STILL NOT GOOD ENOUGH 😂 YOU HAVE TO CLICK ON A LINK, NAN AHA 🤢, TO MUCH, IT TAKES YOU AWAY FROM KZbin. THE MOVIE STARTED, THEN THIS THING COMES UP, TO JOIN. WHY SO HARD, DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE PLEASE 🤗 BEEN TRYING TO WATCH, 1973, BBC VERSION, SERIOUSLY CAN'T UNDERSTAND A THING THAT GIRL IS SAYING😧🥶 IS SHE AMERICAN, BECAUSE NEVER HEARD AN ACCENT LIKE HER'S.THANK YOU🎉

[@ktrimbach5771]

It’s a Disney movie so they will make sure you have to pay to watch it. 😢

[@JoshuaMNielsen]

14:13

[@brankakrzalic55]

Prevod

[@DeSoccerRefMan]

U.S. President Joe Biden as, Haley Mills in drag, being "Pollyanna".

[@DeSoccerRefMan]

If several viewers like crying in their beer so much over seeing Pollyanna, they need to watch US President Joe Biden.

[@jackbuckley7816]

Too bad this film failed upon its original theatrical release. Far too girly for young male audiences, thus losing at least of the paying customers. It being such a high-quality production didn't seem to help it overall. I'm not sure if it was seen as too treacly even then, an incongruous fit for a still early Cold War, the Cuban Missile Crisis 2 years away. Now, of course, the year 1960, in our collective, retrospective memories, seems an idyllic, much-desired era, a society in which a movie like "Pollyanna" would've been welcomed. Sadly, though, this finely-crafted film largely was ignored. Its disappointing performance convinced Disney to abandon making live-action productions with such limited appeal, concentrating instead on rollicking comedies with special-effects heavy, fantasy plots, all filled with familiar character actors, stories about animals, rousing adventure films, etc. "Pollyanna" marked a turning-point in the future direction of the Disney studio.

[@BetterWithBob]

It didn't necessarily fail financially, since it still turned a $1 million profit. But Walt had been hoping for $6 million and it was considered a disappointment

[@jackbuckley7816]

@@BetterWithBob I see what you mean. It did, then, in fact, turn a profit, just not as great as was hoped for. I first saw the film on Disney's Sun. night show, probably in '64 or '65. I remember me & my 2 sisters being quite charmed by & enamored of it. I had a big crush on Hayley Mills from then on!

[@user-nm6ls1cn1c]

Probably if the movie was released in the 40s or early 50s, would had been more successful, I think 60s was a time of changes on cinema and the world overall.

[@brankakrzalic55]

Prevod