Polly (1989 film)
| Polly | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Eleanor H. Porter (novel), W. F. Blinn (adaptation), David Swift (scenario) |
| Directed by | Debbie Allen |
| Starring | Keshia Knight Pulliam, Phylicia Rashad |
| Theme music composer | Joel McNeely |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Frank Fischer |
| Cinematography | Isidore Mankofsky |
| Running time | 100 minutes |
| Release | |
| Original network | NBC |
| Original release | November 12, 1989 |
| Chronology | |
| Followed by | Polly: Comin' Home! |
Polly is a musical television movie that originally aired in November 1989 on NBC. Adapted from the book Pollyanna, Polly was directed and choreographed by Debbie Allen and stars Keshia Knight Pulliam and Phylicia Rashad. It also featured the final performance of actress Butterfly McQueen.
Plot
The film is set in Alabama during the 1950s and features an all African-American cast (with the exception of Celeste Holm). Pulliam stars as Polly Whittier, an orphan who is sent to live with her aunt Polly Harrington, who is a descendant of the founding family of a small Southern town (also called Harrington) during the segregation era. A key point in dividing the town is a ravine which has an unrepaired bridge which burned down many years ago, and no one knows how it started and is suspicious of everyone else. Polly is able to convince people to look at the bright side of things, but tragedy strikes when Polly falls two stories from a tree, suffering a spinal injury.
Polly proved to be a ratings hit and a sequel, Polly: Comin' Home!, followed in 1990. Both of these films are available on DVD exclusively from the Disney Movie Club and Disney Movie Rewards.
Cast
- Keshia Knight Pulliam as Polly Whittier
- Phylicia Rashad as Aunt Polly Harrington
- Dorian Harewood as Dr. Robert Shannon
- Barbara Montgomery as Mrs. Conley
- T. K. Carter as George Dodds
- Vanessa Bell Calloway as Nancy Palmer
- Brandon Quintin Adams as Jimmy Bean
- Butterfly McQueen as Miss Priss
- Larry Riley as Reverend Gillis
- Brock Peters as Mr. Pendergast
- Celeste Holm as Miss Snow
- Ken Page as Mayor Warren
Musical numbers
- By Your Side – Polly
- Honey Ain't Got Nothin' On You – Polly, Nancy, & Girls
- Sweet Little Angel Eyes – Jimmy Bean, Polly, George, Nancy, & Children
- Something More – Aunt Polly
- Shine A Light – Mayor Warren, Dr. Shannon, & George
- Rainbow Maker – Polly, Nancy, & Aunt Polly
- Stand Up – Reverend Gillis, Dr. Shannon, & Congregation
- Finale – Company
- Soundtrack released on compact disc in 1989 by Walt Disney Records
Home media
Both Polly and Polly: Comin' Home were released on VHS by Walt Disney Home Video in 1990. Around 2000 the two movies were released on DVD on Disney Movie Club Exclusive.
Award nominations
| Year | Award | Result | Category | Recipient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988–1989 | Emmy Award | Nominated | Outstanding Cinematography for a Miniseries or a Special | Isidore Mankofsky |
| Outstanding Achievement in Choreography | Debbie Allen | |||
| Young Artist Awards | Best Young Actress Starring in a TV Movie, Pilot or Special | Keshia Knight Pulliam | ||
| Best Young Actor Starring in a TV Movie, Pilot or Special | Brandon Adams |
External links
- Pages using infobox television with unknown parameters
- 1989 television films
- 1980s musical films
- African-American musical films
- American films
- American musical films
- American television films
- NBC network original films
- Disney television films
- Films based on children's books
- Films set in the 1950s
- Films set in Alabama
- Films directed by Debbie Allen
- Film scores by Joel McNeely
