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American audience came to know (and adore) Hayley Mills from her star-making turn in Pollyanna, and even decades later it's easy to see why. Mills is a total delight as the title character, using her considerable charm and appeal to its full without ever becoming cloying. Indeed, although Pollyanna has a reputation as an insufferable do-gooder, that reputation is entirely unearned. She may be a "glad girl" who always tries to see the bright side, but she's not annoying about it; she doesn't come across as a goody two-shoes but as someone who sincerely loves life and people and sincerely wants everyone to appreciate the everyday joys that surround them. Mills makes all of this perfectly clear, creating a character that is entirely winning. As a result, as cornball as the ending is, it's still effective and guaranteed to bring a tear to the eye. The rest of the cast, from the steely Jane Wyman to the crabby Agnes Moorehead and the reclusive Adolphe Menjou, are all quite good. David Swift's direction is solid, creating a charming portrait of bygone Americana, and his screenplay artfully avoids many of the pitfalls that this kind of picture can fall into. The result is a sweet, engaging family film that keeps its corn to a minimum.