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Polly is a 1989 American made-for-television musical film adapted from the book Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter featuring an all African-American cast (with the exception of Celeste Holm). It was directed and choreographed by Debbie Allen, starring Keshia Knight Pulliam, Phylicia Rashad and also featured the final performance of actress Butterfly McQueen. Polly was originally broadcast on NBC on November 12, 1989.

This article does not cite any sources. (April 2017)

Polly
Genre	Adventure Biography Drama
Based on	Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter
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	English
Production
Executive producer	William Blinn
Producers	Frank Fischer James Pulliam (associate producer)
Production location	Pasadena, California
Cinematography	Isidore Mankofsky
Editor	Jim McElroy
Running time	100 minutes
Production companies	Echo Cove Productions Walt Disney Television
Distributor	Buena Vista Television
Release
Original network	NBC
Picture format	Color
Audio format	Stereo
Original release	November 12, 1989 (1989-11-12)
Chronology
Followed by	Polly: Comin' Home!

Plot

Set in Alabama during the 1950s, 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

1. Overture
2. By Your Side- Polly
3. Honey Ain't Got Nothin' On You- Polly, Nancy, & Girls
4. Sweet Little Angel Eyes- Jimmy Bean, Polly, George, Nancy, & Kids
5. Something More- Ms. Harrington
6. Shine A Light- Robert, George, & Mayor Warren
7. Rainbow Maker- Polly, Ms. Harrington, & Nancy
8. Stand Up- Rev. Gillis, Robert, Polly, Nancy, Jimmy Bean, George, & Ensemble
9. Finale- Ensemble

Soundtrack

Polly
Soundtrack album
Released	November 30, 1989
Length	31:06
Label	Walt Disney Records

The original television soundtrack recording of Polly was released on CD and cassette tape by Walt Disney Records on November 30, 1989.

Track listing

1. "Overture" (2:36)
2. "By Your Side" – Polly (2:30)
3. "Honey Ain't Got Nothin' On You" – Polly, Nancy & Girls (2:07)
4. "Sweet Little Angel Eyes" – Jimmy Bean, Polly, George, Nancy & Children (2:17)
5. "Shine A Light" – Mayor Warren, Dr. Shannon & George (2:35)
6. "Something More" – Aunt Polly (2:24)
7. "Rainbow Theme" (0:35)
8. "Rainbow Maker" – Polly, Nancy & Aunt Polly (2:00)
9. "Delivering Baskets" (0:54)
10. "Stand Up" – Reverend Gillis, Dr. Shannon & Congregation (4:28)
11. "At the Bazaar" (1:40)
12. "Swingin' Sisters" (2:10)
13. "A Prayer/Polly's Day" (2:00)
14. "Finale" (2:50)

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
1990	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

• Polly at IMDb
• Polly at AllMovie

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