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Though she may have hated to admit it, there's rarely been a better match between star and part than Mary Pickford in the title role of Pollyanna. Yes, it was a safe and conventional choice for the actress to make, and it may not have challenged her one bit, but that doesn't change the fact that Pickford is perfect in the part. Granted, that fact still doesn't mean that Pollyanna will be everyone's cup of tea. There's no denying the excessive sugariness that permeates the entire film from first frame to last, and many viewers -- especially teenagers -- will find Pollyanna's incessant optimism too hard to take. But for those who can get into the spirit of the piece, and can sit back and admire Pickford's effortless artistry, it can be a richly rewarding experience. Overloaded with charm, blessed with an undeniable appeal, and able to pull off the seemingly out-of-character "send the fly to heaven" sequence, Pickford is a treasure in this film. There's good support from the likes of Katherine Griffith as sour Aunt Polly and a personable Howard Ralston, as well as appropriate direction from Paul Powell, but they're only buttressing the main event here -- Pickford.