Pollyanna

YMA recommendation

	Approved as non-violent media, with caution. Accidental harm; Distressing scenes.
Most suitable age range: 5-7

Availability

Many items on the list of non-violent media may be available for either purchase or hire. Click here for some ideas of where to look for them.

About the movie

Synopsis

Pollyanna (Hayley Mills) has been recently orphaned and is sent to live with her austere Aunt Polly (Jane Wyman) in America. Pollyanna makes quite an impression on the household and local community with her infectious happiness and positive outlook to life. She eventually even manages to penetrate her Aunt’s cold manner.

Points to consider

Words of caution

• There is some accidental harm such as a young boy falling over with his hoop.
• More seriously, Pollyanna falls out of a tree and is left with paralysed legs. The end of the movie shows her being taken to a large hospital with hope that an operation will save her legs, however this is left unresolved and could be distressing for some children.

Positive aspects

• having a positive approach to life
• always looking for the good in people.

Questions to ask

• Should Pollyanna have disobeyed her Aunt and gone to the fair?
• What else could she have done to persuade her Aunt to let her go?
• What could Pollyanna have done instead of trying to sneak back into the house without her Aunt knowing?