Tribute to Polly

[disneyfella]

In 1989 Disney aired an ambitious musical retelling of "Pollyanna" with an almost all black cast set in the 1950s. Directed by veteran Debbie Allen, "Polly" starred Kiesha Knight Pulliam, Phylicia Rashad, Butterfly McQueen, Ken Page, and Celeste Holm. "Polly" was such a successful Disney Sunday Night movie, that the following year a sequel "Polly Comin' Home" was aired. Neither movie has seen VHS or DVD release here in the States (while the first Polly film did receive a VHS PAL release in Europe). Follow the links to learn more about this forgotten gem, that teaches us all what a little 'gladness' can do to your life.


A link to the imdb.com page (If you go to the boards at the bottom, someone seems to have a copy they are willing to share....though I didn't get my copy from them, so I can't attest to the quality or price):

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098106/




A link to the Disney Sunday Night Movie opening:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hwCl8ZfOck




A few songs from the film have been posted on YouTube:

1. 'Color Me Home' - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15q_7wSHF1o

2. 'Sweeter' - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVxiHuZcNUw

3. 'Angel Eyes' - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2Q4gVUZxn4

4. 'Something More' - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuqJWq9-CoA

5. 'Shine a Light' - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ77iRuR53c

6. 'Stand Up' - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GyVKzPQS1g

7. 'Stand Up (Reprise)' - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-581i5Q3sg




A link to the "Glad Text" scene from "Polly":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O7GKBb-OZ4




I hope you enjoyed looking back at "Polly". Why these films are NOT on DVD yet is a total mystery. Most call these films 'lost classics', and many have sent emails to Disney requesting these titles be released. Feel free to share your thoughts and memories about "Polly", or even ask questions for discussion.

[UrsushH.Bear]

I hope(d) that these, or at least "Polly," would appear on a new dvd version of the Vault Disney Pollyanna. In the vein of the Parent Trap and Old Yeller double feature. Great story, it deserves a release.

[Disneykid]

Thanks a ton for posting these. I used to love watching this movie as a little kid in the early 90s, and seeing these clips really made me miss it more. It's aggravating how this isn't on DVD. If Disney's so concerned about low sales, make it an exclusive DVD that you can't find at the usual retailers like Wal-Mart or Best Buy.