Forty years ago, I was with my mom at the local library borrowing VHS tapes. My mom picked up Pollyanna and I sulked and pouted as that didn't look like a film most eleven year old boys would enjoy! Of course my mom wasn't thrilled with my attitude.
Then when we went home and played it on our VCR, I enjoyed it! At the time I didn't fully understand the story---few elementary school aged boys would pick up apart movie elements---but there was a certain glow about Pollyanna.
I ended up watching the movie again and my mom was delighted plus surprised! She even let the librarian know how I reacted the first time when she picked up the tape and the subsequent delight.
Fast forward forty years later, I catch this classic on Disney+, and like that eleven year old boy four decades earlier, I (still) enjoyed it! The difference was, I understood more what the story was through adult eyes.
The town had a stiffness about it because of Aunt Polly; even (religious) clergy seemed to to bow down to that said stiffness making for a less-than-colorful town devoid of laughter and happiness.
Recently orphaned Pollyanna comes into town to live with her Aunt Polly and with that, the town starts to lighten/loosen up and everyone starts to be happy and the joy that was missing in the town blossoms.
That is basically what happened with me as that eleven year old who only liked "space movies" and other action themed material that young boys loved! Again, I didn't understand the mechanics of the Pollyanna, but that young eleven year old definitely saw an appeal in it that he borrowed it again from the library!
I recently purchased the two disc DVD set and saw the enclosed great documentaries; my happiness was complete with Pollyanna!
There is a contagiousness that Pollyanna brought to the town that brightened it. For the viewer, whether you understand the plot or not, that contagiousness can spread to audiences!
Then when we went home and played it on our VCR, I enjoyed it! At the time I didn't fully understand the story---few elementary school aged boys would pick up apart movie elements---but there was a certain glow about Pollyanna.
I ended up watching the movie again and my mom was delighted plus surprised! She even let the librarian know how I reacted the first time when she picked up the tape and the subsequent delight.
Fast forward forty years later, I catch this classic on Disney+, and like that eleven year old boy four decades earlier, I (still) enjoyed it! The difference was, I understood more what the story was through adult eyes.
The town had a stiffness about it because of Aunt Polly; even (religious) clergy seemed to to bow down to that said stiffness making for a less-than-colorful town devoid of laughter and happiness.
Recently orphaned Pollyanna comes into town to live with her Aunt Polly and with that, the town starts to lighten/loosen up and everyone starts to be happy and the joy that was missing in the town blossoms.
That is basically what happened with me as that eleven year old who only liked "space movies" and other action themed material that young boys loved! Again, I didn't understand the mechanics of the Pollyanna, but that young eleven year old definitely saw an appeal in it that he borrowed it again from the library!
I recently purchased the two disc DVD set and saw the enclosed great documentaries; my happiness was complete with Pollyanna!
There is a contagiousness that Pollyanna brought to the town that brightened it. For the viewer, whether you understand the plot or not, that contagiousness can spread to audiences!