25/03/19

List Of Anne Of Green Gables Movies

Anne Of Avonlea
List Of Anne Of Green Gables Movies

Anne of Green Gables Full Movie Top Selected Products and Reviews Anne of Green Gables. I grew up with the Anne of Green Gables novels and movies, so this film is very near and dear to my heart. While I do not like it quite as much as the first movie in the series, it. Watch Anne of Green Gables online at IOMovies. In the early 1900s, elderly Matthew Cuthbert and his spinster sister Marilla Cuthbert live on a farmstead in Avonlea, Prince Edward Island, the house on the property known as Green Gables.

Anne of Green Gables
Written by	Lucy Maud Montgomery (original novels) Kevin Sullivan (adaptation) Joe Wiesenfeld (adaptation)
Directed by	Kevin Sullivan
Starring	Megan Follows Colleen Dewhurst Richard Farnsworth Patricia Hamilton Marilyn Lightstone Schuyler Grant Jonathan Crombie
Theme music composer	Hagood Hardy
Country of origin	Canada
Original language(s)	English
Production
Producer(s)	Ian McDougall Kevin Sullivan
Running time	199 minutes (approx.)
Release
Original network	CBC
Original release	December 5, 1985 (Canada) February 17, 1986 (U.S.)
Chronology
Followed by	Anne of Avonlea

Anne of Green Gables is a 1985 Canadian televisionminiseriesdrama film based on the novel of the same name by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery, and is the first in a series of four films. The film starred Megan Follows and was produced and directed by Kevin Sullivan for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. It was released theatrically in Iran, Israel, Europe, and Japan.

The film aired on CBC Television as a two-part mini-series on December 1 and December 2, 1985. Both parts of the film were among the highest-rated programs of any genre ever to air on a Canadian television network. On February 17, 1986, the film aired on PBS in the United States on the series WonderWorks.

4Sequels and spin-off TV series

Plot[edit]

A 11-year-old orphan, Anne Shirley, is living in servitude with the cruel Hammond family in Nova Scotia. However, when Mr. Hammond dies, Anne is sent to an orphanage where she eventually receives the wonderful news that she has been adopted by a couple on Prince Edward Island (P.E.I). Upon arriving in P.E.I, Anne is met at the train station by an elderly Matthew Cuthbert who is surprised to find a girl there instead of a boy.

Matthew and his sister Marilla had requested a boy to help them with the farm chores. He decides that he couldn't very well just leave the girl at the train station. Matthew takes Anne to meet Marilla, and on the buggy ride home, becomes completely smitten with the red-haired orphan girl.

When Anne Shirley arrives at the Cuthberts' farm, called 'Green Gables', she is a precocious, romantic child desperate to be loved and highly sensitive about her red hair and homely looks. In her own unique headstrong manner, Anne manages to insult the town gossip, Rachel Lynde, in a dispute over her looks; smash her slate over Gilbert Blythe's head when he calls her 'Carrots' on her first day of school; and accidentally dyes her hair green in an effort to turn her red hair black and salvage her wounded pride.

Marilla Cuthbert is shocked and beside herself to know how she will ever cope with this sensitive, headstrong child so desperate to fit in. But shy, gentle Matthew is always there to defend Anne and hold her up on a pedestal.

It seems like Anne is destined to cultivate disaster. She becomes 'bosom' friends with Diana Barry from across the pond and succeeds in getting Diana drunk by accidentally serving currant wine instead of raspberry cordial at a tea party. Diana's mother and Rachel Lynde turn on Marilla for making wine in the first place. Anne moves from one mishap to the next as her wild imagination and far-fetched antics combine to constantly land her in trouble.

Anne finds her element in the academic world, ultimately competing neck and neck with Gilbert Blythe who becomes her arch opponent. Anne and Gilbert go on to win the highest academic accolades, constantly vying for honors at every level. Eventually their fierce rivalry turns to a secret affection, which blossoms into love.

Marilla tries to prevent Anne from seeing Gilbert because Anne is still quite young and Marilla wants Anne to continue her education. In the end, however, when Matthew dies and forces Marilla into considering selling Green Gables, Gilbert gives Anne his teaching post in nearby Avonlea so she can stay at Green Gables and continue to support Marilla.

Cast[edit]

Megan Follows – Anne Shirley
Colleen Dewhurst – Marilla Cuthbert
Richard Farnsworth – Matthew Cuthbert
Patricia Hamilton – Rachel Lynde
Marilyn Lightstone – Miss Stacy
Schuyler Grant – Diana Barry
Jonathan Crombie – Gilbert Blythe
Charmion King – Aunt Josephine Barry
Jackie Burroughs – Amelia Evans
Rosemary Radcliffe – Mrs. Barry
Joachim Hansen – John Sadler
Christiane Kruger – Mrs. Allan
Cedric Smith – Rev. Allan
Paul Brown – Mr. Phillips
Miranda de Pencier – Josie Pye
Trish Nettleton – Jane Andrews
Jennifer Inch – Ruby Gillis
Jayne Eastwood – Mrs. Hammond
Dawn Greenhalgh – Mrs. Cadbury
Jack Mather – Station Master
Samantha Langevin – Mrs. Blewett
Vivian Reis – Mrs. Spencer

Mag Ruffman – Alice Lawson
Sean McCann – Dr. O'Reilly
Roxolana Roslak – Madame Selitsky
Robert Haley – Professor
Robert Collins – Mr. Barry
Morgan Chapman – Minne May Barry
David Roberts – Tom
Nancy Beatty – Essie
David Hughes – Thomas Lynde
Wendy Lyon – Prissy Andrews
Zack Ward – Moody Spurgeon MacPherson
Anna Ferguson – Punch Woman
Rex Southgate – Section Head
Julianna Saxton – Pink Woman
Molly Thom – Lace Woman
Jennifer Irwin – Student
Sandra Scott – Mrs. Harrington
Peter Sturgess – Porter
Ray Ireland – Mr. Hammond
Martha Maloney – Fairview Nurse
Stuart Hamilton – Mme. Selitsky's Accompanist

Production[edit]

Kevin Sullivan adapted the novel into his own screenplay, collaborating with industry veteran Joe Wiesenfeld. Sullivan developed a co-production between the CBC and PBS in order to film Anne of Green Gables. Sullivan amalgamated many of Montgomery's episodes into the film's plot. While the film diverged from Montgomery's original, he relied on strong characterizations and visuals in order to render the story for a contemporary audience. The script also borrows ideas from the 1934 film version.

Primary locations for filming the movie included Prince Edward Island; Stouffville, Ontario; Jacksons Point, Ontario; and Westfield Heritage Village near the Flamborough village of Rockton. Filming was done over a consecutive ten-week shoot. Coreldraw graphics suite x8 keygen. Sullivan used several locations as Green Gables farm and combined them to appear as one property.

The original film and sequels (including Road to Avonlea and the animated Anne films and series covering over 130 hours of production) have been seen in almost every country around the world. The films have now been translated and seen in more places than even the original novels.

During filming of the original movies an open casting call was held throughout Canada in order to find a young actress to play Anne Shirley. Katharine Hepburn recommended that her great niece, Schuyler Grant, play the role of Anne Shirley. Director Kevin Sullivan liked Grant's performance and wanted to give her the role. However, broadcast executives were resistant to cast an American as a Canadian icon. Schuyler Grant ended up playing Anne's best friend, Diana, and Anne Shirley was ultimately played by Megan Follows.

In her first audition, Megan Follows came highly recommended. But, she was quickly dismissed by Kevin Sullivan. For her second audition, after a turbulent morning leading up to her audition, a frantic Megan made a much better impression and was given the role.^[1]

Sequels and spin-off TV series[edit]

Film series[edit]

Anne of Green Gables is the first film in a series of four based on the titular character. In 1987, the film's sequel, Anne of Avonlea, was released. (It was subsequently retitled Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel on home video.) The final movie, Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story, was aired on March 5, 2000 in Canada and on July 23, 2000 in the United States. The final film passed over Anne's House of Dreams – the corresponding Anne novel – in favor of a plot not featured in Montgomery's series, and did not receive the same critical praise as the first two films. In 2008, the fourth in the series, titled Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning was completed. The film stars Barbara Hershey, Shirley MacLaine, and Rachel Blanchard and it introduces Hannah Endicott Douglas as the new Anne Shirley. The film is both a sequel and a prequel to Sullivan's trilogy.

TV series[edit]

The first two Anne films generated a spin-off television series which aired from 1989 to 1996 and starred Sarah Polley. The Road to Avonlea series featured characters and episodes from several of Montgomery's books. Anne herself did not appear in the episodes, but Gilbert Blythe, Marilla Cuthbert, and other characters from the Anne books were included.

Other productions[edit]

In 2000 – 2001, Sullivan Animation produced Anne of Green Gables: The Animated Series consisting of 26 half-hour episodes. The series was developed for PBS and each episode contained an educational and/or moral component. In 2005, Sullivan Animation also produced the feature-length animated film Anne: Journey to Green Gables which is an imaginative, whimsical prequel to Sullivan's live action Anne of Green Gables film.

A year after the mini-series originally aired, Canadian comedy duo Wayne and Shuster created and starred in a parody entitled Sam of Green Gables, in which a curmudgeonly old man named Sam is sent to Green Gables instead of Anne.

Awards and nominations[edit]

The film swept the 1986 Gemini Awards, winning the following:

Best Dramatic Miniseries
Best Actress in a Single Dramatic Program or Miniseries: Megan Follows
Best Supporting Actor: Richard Farnsworth
Best Supporting Actress: Colleen Dewhurst
Best Writing (TV Adaptation): Kevin Sullivan and Joe Wiesenfeld
Best Music Composition: Hagood Hardy
Best Costume Design: Martha Mann
Best Photography: René Ohashi
Best Production Design/Art Direction: Carol Spier
Most Popular Program

The film was also nominated for Best Direction in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series and Best Picture Editing in a Dramatic Program or Series.

The series also won an Emmy Award in 1986, for Outstanding Children's Program.

Other Awards

Peabody Award – to Kevin Sullivan for Outstanding Contribution to Broadcasting in the United States, 1986
Prix Jeunesse: Best Drama, 1988 (Germany)
TV Guide Award: Most Popular Program, 1986
Grand Award – International Film and Television, New York
Emily Award – American Film and Video Festival, 1986
Macleans Medal of Merit – Maclean's Magazine, 1986
Chris Award – Columbus International Film Festival, 1986
Silver Hugo Award – Chicago International Film Festival, 1986
International TV Movie Festival: Nomination for Movie of the Year, 1986
American TV Critics Award: Best Drama, 1986
Grant Award: Best TV Program, Houston International Film Festival, 1987
Golden Gate Award – San Francisco Film Festival, 1986
CRTA Award: Outstanding Personal Achievement in TV, 1986
Ohio State Award – Performing Arts and Humanities Award, 1987
First Prize – Odyssey Institute Media Award, 1987
The Ruby Slipper: Best Television Special, 1987
Parents Choice Award – Parents Choice for TV Programmings, 1987
Excellence in Programming – Award from Association of Catholic Communications in Canada, 1987
Golden Apple Award – Best of National Educational Film and Video Festival, 1987

Home media[edit]

The Anne of Green Gables series was released on DVD in a collector's edition set on February 5, 2008 in the U.S., April 29, 2008 in Canada and Japan and on September 22, 2010 in Hungary. The set is the most comprehensive edition of all three movies ever released. In addition to the series, it also includes several DVD extras such as feature length commentary from director Kevin Sullivan and Stefan Scaini, 2 New Documentaries: L.M. Montgomery's Island and Kevin Sullivan's Classic featuring new cast and crew interviews, missing scenes, lost footage and a condensed, 10-minute version of the missing 'Road to Avonlea' episode 'Marilla Cuthbert's Death'.

In 2016, Sullivan Entertainment announced it would launch their own streaming service called Gazebo TV that would feature the Anne of Green Gables series among other titles produced by the company. The service launched in early 2017.^[2]

Lawsuits[edit]

In 1908, Lucy Maude Montgomery signed a contract with the L.C. Page & Company publishing house in Boston that permitted them to publish all of her books for 5 years on the same terms: the main terms were a 10% royalty and world rights to all of the author's books; part it also included the right to publish all of her future works. The relationship with Pageant actually spanned nearly ten years and resulted in the publication of nine novels and collections of short stories. However, when Montgomery contracted with a Canadian publisher (McClelland, Goodchild and Stewart), L.C. Page claimed that they had the exclusive rights to her new books and threatened to sue her. Montgomery instead took L.C. Page to court to recover withheld royalties.^[3]

The lawsuit resulted in a settlement in 1919 whereby L.C. Page bought out all of Montgomery's rights to all of her novels published by them. The settlement excluded any reversionary rights that might become due for the benefit of either her or her heirs if such rights were to become enacted.^[4]^[5] The settlement paid Montgomery a flat sum of $18,000; at the time an amount she would have expected to see earned from her works during her lifetime.^[3]

Sullivan purchased dramatic rights from Montgomery's heirs in 1984, believing that they owned reversionary rights that had come into place as a result of changes to the copyright act subsequent to Montgomery's death.^[6]

After Sullivan's films were successful around the world and brought legions of tourists to Prince Edward Island, the Montgomery heirs established an Anne of Green Gables Licensing Authority with the Province of Prince Edward Island to control trademarks to preserve Montgomery's works, through the mechanism of official trademarks.^[3]^[7] The heirs and the AGGLA became successful at asserting control over the booming Anne-themed tourist industry that the province enjoyed, because of the lack of clarity about the different protections afforded by copyright, trademark and official marks in Canada.^[7]

AGGLA and the heirs tried to assert control over trademarks Sullivan had established to their various Anne movies (Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, Anne of Green Gables—the Continuing Story) and Road to Avonlea properties both in Canada, the US and Japan.^[7]

A Japanese court then determined that the heirs were not entitled to the reversionary rights that they claimed they had sold to Sullivan and that the AGGLA was set up for pursuing private interests and not for serving public interests such as maintaining or managing the value, fame or reputation of the literary work, the author or even the main character of Anne. The Court determined that the AGGLA was the heirs' private profit-seeking enterprise as far as its activities were concerned.^[4]^[5]

Sullivan and the heirs came into further conflict during the 1990s. Sullivan was sued by the heirs. Their contractual agreement with Sullivan said that he would pay them a flat $425,000 (CAD) fee for the right to adapt the first book (and another $100,000 to do the second movie, Anne of Avonlea), plus 10% of the profits of Anne 1 and 5% of the profits of Anne 2. The contract also gave them the right to examine Sullivan Entertainment's financial records. However, when Sullivan claimed that neither of the movies had earned a net profit and (the heirs assert) refused to allow them to audit his books^{[citation needed]}, they served a claim against him.^[8]^[9] Sullivan argued that the heirs and the AGGLA had enjoined the films by usurping the Sullivan trademarks and drastically reduced the profitability of the ventures.^[7]^[9]The heirs staged a press conference in 1998 at exactly the time when Sullivan was about to close a public offering to take his company public, to force Sullivan to pay them further receipts. The offering however was pulled by the underwriters and Sullivan counter-sued for libel, insisting that the heirs should pay damages of $55 million to all parties involved.^[8]^[9]A Superior Court of Ontario judge dismissed his suit on January 19, 2004.^[10]^[11]^[12]The Montgomery heirs subsequently dropped their claim for Sullivan to pay them any royalties. However, a settlement between Sullivan, the Montgomery heirs and the AGGLA was reached in 2006 to deal with all of their outstanding disagreements.^[5]Although Kevin Sullivan's works were initially based upon the works of Montgomery, Sullivan developed most of his successful Anne-related film properties (Anne of Avonlea, Anne -the Continuing Story, Anne – A New Beginning and Road to Avonlea) based on original material, not directly adapted from Montgomery's books.^[3] Many questions have been raised in court as to the author's heirs' rights in her copyright. The heirs have tried to extend the copyright in Montgomery's unpublished works until 2017 but lost that opportunity in 2004 when the Canadian Parliament rejected the provision they had pursued so ardently for the unpublished works of dead authors.^[13]In a Japanese court decision which addressed the heirs' challenge to the validity of Sullivan's ownership of Japanese trademark's in the movie property, the Japanese High Court commented on the heirs' entitlement to reversionary copyright which formed the basis of the rights that the family claimed to have sold to Sullivan. The Court stated that the heirs' reversionary copyright was non-existent and that there was no need for Sullivan or any other entity to account to the heirs for the use of the trademark in Japan.^[4]^[5]

The Court stated: 'It is not clear from a legal point of view why permission from the heirs of the author or its related entity the Anne of Green Gables Licensing (AGGLA) authority was necessary.'^[4]

The Japanese Court also extensively scrutinized whether the copyright in the book Anne of Green Gables had ever devolved to the heirs and called for extensive filing of evidence on this point. Sullivan filed an original 1919 agreement between Montgomery and L.C. Page & Co. which specifically excluded the heirs' reversionary claims. Montgomery sold all of her publishing and copyright to her series of novels, in perpetuity, to her original American publisher in 1919, to the exclusion of her heirs.^[4]^[5]

The Court further questioned whether the heirs' licensing authority was engaged in activities of sufficient public interest as to qualify as a controlling body of Montgomery's works. The Court stated: '..the possibility cannot be denied that the Anne of Green Gables Licensing Authority is the heirs' private profit-seeking enterprise as far as the activities with which the heirs of the subject case are involved are concerned. It is not proved from the evidence submitted in the subject case that the Anne of Green Gables Licensing Authority is involved in activities of public interest that are sufficient for the Anne of Green Gables Licensing Authority to be qualified as the owner of the registration of the subject mark as a controlling body of the subject literary work.'^[4]^[5]

Trademark and copyright[edit]

After recent speculation as to who owned the copyrights and trademarks concerning Anne of Green Gables today, there are principally two entities that control rights relating to Anne of Green Gables. The Anne of Green Gables Licensing Authority (AGGLA – which includes Lucy Maude Montgomery's heirs and the Province of Prince Edward Island)^[14] and Sullivan Entertainment (the producers of the well-known films and TV series based on Montgomery's novels).^[15]

The Anne of Green Gables Licensing Authority controls certain exclusive trademarks relating to Anne of Green Gables commercial merchandise and service related to Montgomery's literary works and any copyright in the Montgomery books which have not reverted to the public domain.^[14]

Sullivan Entertainment Inc, under agreement with the Anne of Green Gables Licensing Authority, retains all of the dramatic copyright and motion picture copyright in over 125 hours of their original movies, mini-series and television series based on both the Anne and Avonlea series of novels and certain trade-marks relating to Sullivan sourced Anne of Green Gables merchandise and services. Sullivan's use of the Anne of Green Gables trademarks extends from motion picture products and books, DVDs, CDs etc. to all commercial merchandise related to Sullivan's films and television series based on their visual images, costume and production designs, settings, themes and original characters. Sullivan Entertainment also solely controls the commercial trademarks to Anne of Avonlea, Anne of the Island, and Road to Avonlea.^[16]

Kevin Sullivan Anne Series[edit]

Anne of Green Gables - 1985
Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel - 1987
Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story - 2000
Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning - 2008

References[edit]

^Heilbron, Alexandra (1999). Lucy Maud Montgomery Album. pp. 346–347. ISBN978-1550413861.
^'Gazebo TV - Anne of Green Gables'. gazebotv.com. Retrieved 2018-03-05.
^ ^a^b^c^dMcCabe, Kevin. The Lucy Maud Montgomery Album. Fitzhenry and Whiteside. p. 544. ASIN1550413864.CS1 maint: ASIN uses ISBN (link)
^ ^a^b^c^d^e^fJapanese court verdict
^ ^a^b^c^d^e^fC21 report on court case
^Hall, Lucie (October 1985). 'The Stubbornness of Kevin Sullivan'. Cinema Canada (123).
^ ^a^b^c^dSlane, Andrea (2011). 'Sullivan Entertainment Inc. v Anne of Green Gables Licensing Authority Inc'(PDF). McGill Law Journal. Retrieved 24 October 2012.^{[permanent dead link]}
^ ^a^bChidley, Joe (August 1999). 'Let's Call the Whole Thing Off'. Canadian Business. 72 (13).
^ ^a^b^cTony Atherton (July 21, 1999). 'Anne of Red Ink'. Ottawa Citizen.
^Judge throws out case against Montgomery's heirs^{[permanent dead link]}, The Globe and Mail, January 20, 2004
^Sullivan Entertainment Group Inc. v. MacDonald Butler, 2004 CanLII 8939 (ON S.C.)
^The case can be found here [1].
^Girard, Michael (April 26, 2004). 'Canadian Parliament rejects Copyright extension'(PDF). E-Lawg-IP. Retrieved 24 October 2012.^{[permanent dead link]}
^ ^a^b'The Anne of Green Gables Licensing Authority Inc.' 'The Government of Prince Edward Island'. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
^'The Anne of Green Gables Licensing Authority Inc.' 'Innovation PEI'. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
^'Trademark & CopyrightArchived 2016-03-06 at the Wayback Machine', Sullivan Entertainment. Retrieved 25 July 2013.

External links[edit]

The L.M. Montgomery Literary Society This site includes information about Montgomery's actual works (not reinterpreted), her life, and new research in the newsletter, The Shining Scroll.
The Official Anne of Green Gables Movie Website – The official website of Sullivan series of Anne of Green Gables movies
Watch Anne of Green Gables online – The official Streaming Platform for Anne of Green Gables movies
Sullivan Entertainment Website – The Official website of Sullivan Entertainment. Includes a wealth of information on the Anne movies and it's spinoffs
Road to Avonlea Website – The official website for Road to Avonlea, the spinoff to the Green Gables series of movies
L.M. Montgomery Online This scholarly site includes a blog, a bibliography of reference materials, and a complete filmography of all adaptations of Montgomery texts. See, in particular, the page for Anne of Green Gables.
The Anne Shirley Homepage – A great resource for all Anne fans with galleries, fan art, timelines, recipes and calendars.
An L.M. Montgomery Resource Page – excellent resource on L.M. Montgomery and her legacy in film and television
Anne of Green Gables on IMDb
Anne of Green Gables at AllMovie
Anne of Green Gables Centenary – This site includes information about the centenary anniversary of Lucy Maud Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables.

Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Anne_of_Green_Gables_(1985_film)&oldid=896483594'

Anne of Green Gables
Author	Lucy Maud Montgomery
Illustrator	M. A. and W. A. J. Claus
Country	Written and set in Canada, published in the United States^[1]^[2]
Language	English
Series	Anne of Green Gables
Subject	Little orphan girl
Genre	Novel
Set in	Prince Edward Island, 1876–81
Published	June 1908
Publisher	L.C. Page & Co.^[3]
Followed by	Anne of Avonlea
Text	Anne of Green Gables at Wikisource

Anne of Green Gables is a 1908 novel by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery (published as L. M. Montgomery). Written for all ages, it has been considered a classic children's novel since the mid-twentieth century. Set in the late 19th century, the novel recounts the adventures of Anne Shirley, an 11-year-old orphan girl, who is mistakenly sent to two middle-aged siblings; Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, originally intending to adopt a boy to help them on their farm in the fictional town of Avonlea on Prince Edward Island. The novel recounts how Anne makes her way through life with the Cuthberts, in school, and within the town.

Since its publication, Anne of Green Gables has sold more than 50 million copies and has been translated into at least 36 languages. Montgomery wrote numerous sequels, and since her death, another sequel has been published, as well as an authorized prequel. The original book is taught to students around the world.^[4]

The book has been adapted as films, made-for-television movies, and animated and live-action television series. Musicals and plays have also been created, with productions annually in Europe, and Japan.^[5]^[6]^[7]

Play Five Nights at Freddy’s online About the FNAF GAME FNAF 1 unblocked is a horror adventure game in which you will experience to dreadful nightmares, the terrors.

3Characters
7Adaptations

Background[edit]

The portrait of Evelyn Nesbit by Rudolf Eickemeyer Jr. which inspired Montgomery.^[8]

In writing the novel, Montgomery was inspired by notes she had made as a young girl about a couple who were mistakenly sent an orphan girl instead of the boy they had requested, yet decided to keep her. She drew upon her own childhood experiences in rural Prince Edward Island, Canada. Montgomery used a photograph of Evelyn Nesbit, which she had clipped from New York's Metropolitan Magazine and put on the wall of her bedroom, as the model for the face of Anne Shirley and a reminder of her 'youthful idealism and spirituality.'^[8]

Montgomery was inspired by the 'formula Ann' orphan stories (called such because they followed such a predictable formula) which were popular at the time and distinguished her character by spelling her name with an extra 'e'.^[9]^[10] She based other characters, such as Gilbert Blythe, in part on people she knew. She said she wrote the novel in the twilight of the day, while sitting at her window and overlooking the fields of Cavendish.^[11]

Plot summary[edit]

Anne attacks Gilbert

Anne Shirley, a young orphan from the fictional community of Bolingbroke, Nova Scotia (based upon the real community of New London, Prince Edward Island),^[12]^[13] is sent to live with Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, siblings in their fifties and sixties, after a childhood spent in strangers' homes and orphanages. Marilla and Matthew had originally decided to adopt a boy from the orphanage to help Matthew run their farm at Green Gables, which is set in the fictional town of Avonlea (based on Cavendish, Prince Edward Island). Through a misunderstanding, the orphanage sends Anne instead.

Anne is fanciful, imaginative, eager to please, and dramatic. However, she is defensive about her appearance, despising her red hair and pale, thin frame, but liking her nose. She is talkative, especially when it comes to describing her fantasies and dreams. At first, stern Marilla says Anne must return to the orphanage, but after much observation and consideration, along with kind, quiet Matthew's encouragement, Marilla decides to let her stay.

Anne takes much joy in life and adapts quickly, thriving in the close-knit farming village. Her imagination and talkativeness soon brighten up Green Gables.

The book recounts Anne's struggles and joys in settling in to Green Gables (the first real home she's ever known): the country school where she quickly excels in her studies; her friendship with Diana Barry, the girl living next door (her best or 'bosom friend' as Anne fondly calls her); her budding literary ambitions; and her rivalry with her classmate Gilbert Blythe, who teases her about her red hair. For that, he earns her instant hatred, although he apologizes several times. Although, as time passes, Anne realizes she no longer hates Gilbert, her pride and stubbornness keep her from speaking to him.

The book also follows Anne's adventures in Avonlea. Episodes include play-time with her friends Diana, calm, placid Jane Andrews, and beautiful, boy-crazy Ruby Gillis. She has run-ins with the unpleasant Pye sisters, Gertie and Josie, and frequent domestic 'scrapes' such as dyeing her hair green while intending to dye it black, and accidentally getting Diana drunk by giving her what she thinks is raspberrycordial but which turns out to be currant wine.

At sixteen, Anne goes to Queen's Academy to earn a teaching license, along with Gilbert, Ruby, Josie, Jane, and several other students, excluding Diana, much to Anne's dismay. She obtains her license in one year instead of the usual two and wins the Avery Scholarship awarded to the top student in English. This scholarship would allow her to pursue a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree at the fictional Redmond College (based on the real Dalhousie University) on the mainland in Nova Scotia.

Near the end of the book, however, tragedy strikes when Matthew dies of a heart attack after learning that all of his and Marilla's money has been lost in a bank failure. Out of devotion to Marilla and Green Gables, Anne gives up the scholarship to stay at home and help Marilla, whose eyesight is failing. She plans to teach at the Carmody school, the nearest school available, and return to Green Gables on weekends. In an act of friendship, Gilbert Blythe gives up his teaching position at the Avonlea School to work at the White Sands School instead, knowing that Anne wants to stay close to Marilla after Matthew's death. After this kind act, Anne and Gilbert's friendship is cemented, and Anne looks forward to what life will bring next.

Characters[edit]

Diana and Anne

Green Gables household[edit]

Anne Shirley: An imaginative, talkative, red-haired orphan who comes to live with Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert at age 11. Anne is very sensitive and dislikes the colour of her hair. Anne's bleak early childhood was spent being shuttled from household to household, caring for younger children. She is excited to finally have a real home at Green Gables.
Marilla Cuthbert: Matthew's sister, an austere but fair woman who has the 'glimmerings of a sense of humor.' Her life has been colourless and dull until the arrival of Anne. She tries to instill discipline in the child, but grows to love Anne's vivacity and joy.
Matthew Cuthbert: Marilla's brother, a shy, kind man who takes a liking to Anne from the start. The two become fast friends, and he is the first person who has ever shown Anne unconditional love. Although Marilla has primary responsibility for rearing Anne, Matthew has no qualms about 'spoiling' her and indulging her with pretty clothes and other frivolities.

Anne's schoolmates[edit]

Diana Barry: Anne's bosom friend and a kindred spirit. Anne and Diana become best friends from the moment they meet. She is the only girl of Anne's age who lives close to Green Gables. Anne admires Diana for being pretty and for her amiable disposition. Diana lacks Anne's vivid imagination but is a loyal friend.
Gilbert Blythe: A handsome, smart, and witty classmate, two years older than Anne, who has a crush on her. Unaware of Anne's sensitivity about her red hair, he tries to get her attention by holding her braid and calling her 'Carrots' in the classroom, and she breaks a slate over his head. Despite his attempts at apology, Anne's anger and stubbornness prevent her from speaking to him for several years. By the end of the book however, they reconcile and become good friends.
Ruby Gillis: Another of Anne's friends. Having several 'grown up' sisters, Ruby loves to share her knowledge of beaux with her friends. Ruby is beautiful, with long golden hair.
Jane Andrews: One of Anne's friends from school, she is plain and sensible. She does well enough academically to join Anne's class at Queen's.
Josie Pye: A classmate generally disliked by the other girls (as are her siblings), Josie is vain, dishonest, and jealous of Anne's popularity.

Avonlea's locals[edit]

Mrs. Rachel Lynde: A neighbour of Matthew and Marilla, Mrs. Lynde is a noted busybody, but is also industrious and charitable. Although she and Anne start off on the wrong foot, owing to Mrs. Lynde's blunt criticism and Anne's short temper, they soon become quite close. Mrs. Lynde is married and has raised ten children.
Mr. Phillips: Anne's first teacher at Avonlea, Mr. Phillips is unpopular with students. In Anne's case, he continually misspells her name (without the 'E') and punishes only her among twelve pupils who arrive late. Once, he punished Anne for showing such a temper to Gilbert Blythe. He is described as lacking discipline, and 'courts' one of his pupils openly.
Miss Muriel Stacy: Anne's energetic replacement teacher. Her warm and sympathetic nature appeals to her students, but Avonlea's conservative parents disapprove of her liberal teaching methods. Miss Stacy is another 'kindred spirit,' whom Anne views as a mentor. Miss Stacy encourages Anne to develop her character and intellect and helps prepare her for the entrance exam at Queen's Academy.
Reverend and Mrs. Allan: The minister and his wife also befriend Anne, with Mrs. Allan becoming particularly close. She is described as pretty and is a 'kindred spirit.'
Mr. & Mrs. Barry: Diana's parents. Mr. Barry farms. Near the end of the book, he offers to rent some tracts to help out Anne and Marilla, after Matthew's death. Mrs. Barry is a strict parent. After Anne accidentally gets Diana drunk, Mrs. Barry forbids Diana to have anything to do with Anne. This sanction is repealed after Anne saves Minnie May.
Minnie May Barry: Diana's baby sister, whose life is saved by Anne when she becomes infected with croup.

Others[edit]

Miss Josephine Barry: Diana's great-aunt. She is initially severe, but is quickly charmed and entertained by Anne's imagination, and invites her and Diana to tea. She refers to Anne as 'the Anne-girl' and even sends Anne beaded slippers as a Christmas present.
Mrs. Hammond: Anne lives with her for a portion of her pre-Green-Gables life and cares for Mrs. Hammond's three sets of twins. Anne is sent to the Hopetown orphan asylum when Mrs. Hammond is forced to break up her home after her drunken husband's death.

Related works[edit]

Based on the popularity of her first book, Montgomery wrote a series of sequels to continue the story of her heroine Anne Shirley. They are listed chronologically below, by Anne's age in each of the novels.

*Lucy Maud Montgomery's books on Anne Shirley:*
№	Book	Date published	Anne Shirley's age	Timeline year
1	Anne of Green Gables	1908	11–16	1876–1881
2	Anne of Avonlea	1909	16–18	1881–1883
3	Anne of the Island	1915	18–22	1883–1887
4	Anne of Windy Poplars (Canada and USA) Anne of Windy Willows (UK and Australia)	1936	22–25	1887–1890
5	Anne's House of Dreams	1917	25–27	1890–1892
6	Anne of Ingleside	1939	34–40	1899–1905
The following books focus on Anne's children, or on other family friends. Anne appears in these volumes, but plays a lesser part.
№	Book	Date published	Anne Shirley's age	Timeline year
7	Rainbow Valley	1919	41–43	1906–1908
8	Rilla of Ingleside	1921	49–53	1914–1918
9	The Blythes Are Quoted	2009	40–75	1905–1940
Anne Shirley features in one story (and is referenced in other stories) in each of the following collections:
№	Book	Date published	Anne Shirley's age	Timeline year
—	Chronicles of Avonlea	1912	approx. 20	1885
—	Further Chronicles of Avonlea	1920	approx. 20	1885

The prequel, Before Green Gables (2008), was written by Budge Wilson with authorization of heirs of L. M. Montgomery.

Tourism and merchandising[edit]

The Green Gables farmhouse located in Cavendish

Sign marking trail through Balsam Hollow

The province and tourist facilities have highlighted the local connections to the internationally popular novels. Anne of Green Gables has been translated into 36 languages.^[14]^[15]'Tourism by Anne fans is an important part of the Island economy'.^[16] Merchants offer items based on the novels.

The Green Gables farmhouse is located in Cavendish, Prince Edward Island. Many tourist attractions on Prince Edward Island have been developed based on the fictional Anne, and provincial licence plates once bore her image.^[17] Balsam Hollow, the forest that inspired the Haunted Woods and Campbell Pond, the body of water which inspired The Lake of Shining Waters, both described in the book, are located in the vicinity.^[18] In addition, the Confederation Centre of the Arts has featured the wildly successful Anne of Green Gables musical on its mainstage every summer for over five decades.^[19] The Anne of Green Gables Museum is located in Park Corner, PEI, in a home that inspired L.M. Montgomery.^[20]

The novel has been very popular in Japan, where it is known as Red-haired Anne,^[21]^[22] and where it has been included in the national school curriculum since 1952. 'Anne' is revered as 'an icon' in Japan, especially since 1979 when this story was broadcast as anime, Anne of Green Gables. Japanese couples travel to Prince Edward Island to have civil wedding ceremonies on the grounds of the Green Gables farm. Some Japanese girls arrive as tourists with red-dyed hair styled in pigtails, to look like Anne.^[23] In 2014, Asadora 'Hanako to Anne' (Hanako Muraoka is the first translator in Japan) was broadcast and Anne became popular among old and young alike.

A replica of the Green Gables house in Cavendish is located in the theme park Canadian World in Ashibetsu, Hokkaido, Japan. The park was a less expensive alternative for Japanese tourists instead of traveling to P.E.I. The park hosted performances featuring actresses playing Anne and Diana. The theme park is open during the summer season with free admission, though there are no longer staff or interpreters.^[24]

The Avonlea theme park near Cavendish and the Cavendish Figurines shop have trappings so that tourists may dress like the book's characters for photos.^[25] Souvenir shops throughout Prince Edward Island offer numerous foods and products based on details of the 'Anne Shirley' novels. Straw hats for girls with sewn-in red braids are common, as are bottles of raspberry cordial soda.^[26] In the first book, Lucy Maud Montgomery established the cordial soda as the favorite beverage of Anne, who declares: 'I just love bright red drinks!'

Panorama of Green Gable farmhouse and grounds in Cavendish

Entrance to Anne of Green Gables Museum in Park Corner

Legacy and honours[edit]

Buildings

The popularity of the books and subsequent film adaptations is credited with inspiring the design and naming of buildings 'Green Gables'. An example still standing is an apartment block called 'Green Gables' built in the 1930s, in New Farm, Queensland, Australia.^[27]

Museum

Bala's Museum, located in Bala, Ontario, Canada, is a house museum established in 1992 and dedicated to Lucy M. Montgomery information and heritage. The house was a tourist home owned by Fanny Pike when Montgomery and her family stayed there on a summer vacation in 1922. That visit to the region inspired the novel The Blue Castle (1926).^[28] The town is named Deerwood in the novel; this was Montgomery's only narrative setting outside Atlantic Canada.^[29]^[30]^[31]

Postage stamps

On May 15, 1975, Canada Post issued Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables designed by Peter Swan and typographed by Bernard N.J. Reilander. The 8¢ stamps are perforated 13 and were printed by Ashton-Potter Limited.^[32]
In 2008, Canada Post issued two postage stamps and a souvenir sheet honouring Anne and the 'Green Gables' house.^[33]

Anne Of Avonlea

Reading lists