I can't remember how old I was when I read Pollyanna, but I do know that it was one of my favorite books. Francis Hodgson Burnett's popular The Secret Garden and The Little Princess were also favorites. They all had a similar story line--that of an intelligent, charismatic little girl, suddenly orphaned, sent to a strange environment, survives by virtue of her own courage and good nature, and improves the lives of everyone around her. Johanna Spyri's Heidi, which I have just re-read, is another charming example of this genre.
Pollyanna is one of our family favorites out of all dad's live action films. The cast is superb, and it is the film that introduced Hayley Mills to the American audience. It was filmed in 1960, with locations in Santa Rosa, the Napa Valley, and Petaluma, and interiors were filmed at the Burbank studio.
Diane Disney Miller
Co-Founder of The Walt Disney Family Museum
On Saturday March 17 at 3:00pm, you can join A Conversation with Nancy Olson, the delightful co-star of Pollyanna and Academy Award® nominee for Sunset Boulevard. Ms. Olson will share a personal view of her experiences in Hollywood, on Broadway, and with Walt Disney, illustrated with rare photographs and film clips from her many projects.
Walt Disney’s Pollyanna screens daily through March at 1:00pm and 4:00pm (except Tuesdays, and March 17). Further program information and tickets are available at the Reception and Member Service Desk at the Museum, or online by clicking here.