November had been a vexing month

"But November had been a vexing month all through...one day glorious...the next day savage."
-L.M. Montgomery
Mistress Pat

Read more quotes by L.M. Montgomery.

Image credit:
Photograph by World of Anne Shirley.

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Created November 5, 2022. Last updated April 19, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Aunt Susanna's Thanksgiving Dinner

After spending many hours searching through microfiche in my university's library, I rediscovered an 100-year-old short story by L.M. Montgomery. The story is called "Aunt Susanna's Thanksgiving Dinner," and you can read it here exclusively. "Aunt Susanna's Thanksgiving Dinner" was originally published in 1907 in The Housewife, the year before Anne of Green Gables was published. To my knowledge this story has never been republished since.

The story is about four sisters: Laura, Kate, Margaret, and Agnes, who narrates the tale. Each girl has her own ambitions. Laura wants to be an artist, Kate plays the violin, Margaret wants to get a college education, and Agnes wants to be a writer. Aunt Susanna faintly approves of Margaret's desire for an education, but disapproves of the artistic, musical, and literary goals of her other three nieces. The sisters try to please Aunt Susanna, hoping their wealthy aunt will send Margaret to college.

The story begins when Aunt Susanna arrives at her nieces's home. She's full of criticism, but also needs a favor. She is in a bind, and must travel from town to visit a sick relative. She needs the girls to prepare Thanksgiving dinner for her and Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert upon their return home. Agnes has just told Aunt Susanna that she's a good cook, so she feels she must agree to prepare the meal. With trepidation, Agnes says she will cook dinner, and Kate volunteers to help her.

Despite the their best efforts, Agnes and Kate's Thanksgiving preparations turn out to be a disaster. Will they be able to save Thanksgiving and win Aunt Susanna's approval?

Read the original scanned story text below or download a PDF version here:





Updated to add: Long after I posted this story on my website, it was gathered into another collection online.

Reference:
Montgomery, L.M. (1907, November). Aunt Susanna's Thanksgiving Dinner. The Housewife. pages 5 and 14.

Created October 2, 2007. Last updated November 24, 2022.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Anne (2007)

Anne is a television series created by the award-winning director Nalaka Swarnathilaka that was broadcast on Swarnavahini TV in Sri Lanka in 2007. The tele drama was based upon L.M. Montgomery's novel Anne of Green Gables, which was translated into Sinhala by Shanika Dulani Kumanayake.

Vinuri Ramanayake played the younger version of the title role of Anne Shirley, and Poorni Kamaladiwela played the older Anne. The younger and older versions of Anne's best friend Diana Barry were played by Piyumi Gamage and Buddhika Wimalasekara, respectively. The series had a large cast, including more than 50 people. Students from Sri Lankan schools played many roles in the series, which was filmed during a school vacation period in Diyatalawa, Bandarawela, and at the Elphinstone Theatre in Colombo.

In addition to directing the adaptation, Nalaka Swarnathilaka wrote the script for the series. The tele drama was produced by Ruchira Liyanaarachchi for R.S. Video. Anne was 28-episodes long and was telecast on Swarnavahini on Sundays at 8:30 p.m.

Director Nalaka Swarnathilaka recognized the need for children's programming in Sri Lanka. In his directorial debut, he created Danga Malla, a television drama based on Enid Blyton's novel The Naughtiest Girl in the School. The series was broadcast three times in one year due to its popularity. As a follow-up to this debut, he brought the story Anne of Green Gables to the screen.

Swarnathilaka reflected on the story Anne of Green Gables in an interview with Daily Mirror Life saying, “I always had a penchant for children’s stories, especially the stories outside our country. Even our children like stories and that’s why Harry Potter is so popular. This story will also definitely attract not only children but also adults because the theme is such. I hope people will see it and talk about the creation.”

In an interview with Susitha R. Fernando for The Sunday Times Online, Nalaka Swarnathilaka explained that Anne's story "makes you think about children and their world" in a serious way, and he feels that, "Adults should know that there are many lessons we can learn from children." When he was asked whether Sri Lankans would identify with Anne's Western setting, Swarnathilaka reflected on the common aspects, saying: "'Anne' is a story set in a rural village" involving "nature, family lives and children who were left alone" in the world. "The story is filled with local flavour and I hope it would suit our society as well."

Nalaka recounted the memorable moment when he discovered young Anne. He explained that "Vinuri Ramanayake who plays little Anne was just sitting in a classroom alone when I came across her at Visakha Vidyalaya. She had never acted and from the first audition I realized she was the ideal person for the role."

Synopsis (from Daily Mirror, April 30, 2007):

"Miss Marilla Cuthbert and Mr. Matthew Cuthbert, middle-aged siblings who live together at Green Gables, a farm in Avonlea, on Prince Edward Island, decide to adopt an orphan boy from the asylum as a helper on their farm. Through a series of mishaps, what ends up under their roof is a precocious girl of eleven named Anne Shirley. Anne is bright and quick, eager to please but dissatisfied with her name, her pale countenance dotted with freckles, and with her long braids of red hair. Being a child of imagination, however, Anne takes much joy in life, and adapts quickly, thriving in the environment of Prince Edward Island.

The rest of the story recounts her continued education at school, where she excels in studies very quickly, her budding literary ambitions and her friendships with people such as Diana Barry (her best friend), Jane Andrews and Ruby Gillis and her rivalry with Gilbert Blythe, who teased her about her red hair and for that acquired her hatred, although he apologised many times."

The following credits and cast for the television series were listed in an article by The Daily Mirror:

Credits:

Director and Script Writer: Nalaka Swarnathilake
Based on Translation by: Shanika Dulani Kumanayake
Producer: Ruchira Liyanaarachchi (RS Video)
Camera: Thrishula Deepa Thambawita
Music Director: Nuwan Vithanage
Art Director: Dinesh Jayashantha
Editor: Pujitha Kanchana Amaratunge
Make Up: Sameera Madhu Kindelpitiya
Dance Choreography: Harshika Rathnayake
Assistant Director: Asiri Priyani
Costumes: Tharanga Anthani
Vocals: Natasha Perera, Poorni Kamaldiwala
Lyrics: Amitha Rabbidigala, Nuwan Katugampola

Cast:

Vinuri Ramanayake - Anne Shirley (younger)
Poorni Kamaladiwela - Anne Shirley (older)
Piyumi Gamage - Diana Barry (younger)
Buddhika Wimalasekara - Diana Barry (older)
Kusum Renu
Athula Liyanage
Nilmini Sigera
Athula Pathirana
Malkanthi Jayasinghe
Maureen Charuni
Rebecca Nirmali
Chitra Warakagoda
Manel Wanaguru
Chaminda Jayasuriya
Wijeratne Warakagoda
Nilmini Buwaneka
Lanka Bandaranayake
Udayashantha Liyanage
Kumara Abeywardhana
Lakshman Rajapakshe
Tiran Gurusinghe
Nuwan Wijesinghe
Harshi Seneviratne
Sathya Gurusinghe
Tharuka Abeyratne
Kanchana Hewawitharana
Rebecca Hugebert
Ravishanka Alikewela
Chamitha Perera
Hasangi Minusha
Nisal Deelaka
Aparna Fernando
Navindu Yasas
Dulanjali Kumari Herath
Kavishka Dilshan
Ovini de Silva
Vishva Vidanagamage
Madusha Erandi Weeraddane
Amila Virajith
Sharon Hugerbert
Hasitha Herath
Chamalka Perera
Yesith Randula Abeysinghe
Poorni Shehara
Suwimali Dissanayake
Thidas Nimnaka Abeysinghe
Vinuri de Silva
Christein Deshapriya


This production is another wonderful example of how Anne of Green Gables appeals to audiences around the world. I hope to watch this series one day.


Image credit:
Photograph of Vinuri Ramanayake playing Anne Shirley in Anne (2007). © Swarnavahini

References:
Anne in the making... (April 30, 2007). Daily Mirror Life, Daily Mirror. Retrieved from: http://archives.dailymirror.lk/2007/04/30/life/6.asp.

Anne: A tale of playful girl. (September 16, 2007). The TV Times. The Sunday Times Online. Vol. 42, No. 16. Retrieved from: http://sundaytimes.lk/070916/TV/tv-times000021.html.

'ANNE' loved by children. (September 2, 2007). Daily Mirror. Retrieved from: http://archives.dailymirror.lk/2007/09/03/life/01.asp. (archived).

Fernando, Susitha R. (September 16, 2007). Nalaka's cause for the children. The TV Times. The Sunday Times Online. Vol. 42, No. 16. Retrieved from: http://sundaytimes.lk/070916/TV/tv-times000021.html.

Jayashan, Anjana. (February 15, 2010). Sri Lankan Celebrity: Vinuri, the school girl who shot to fame in one night. The Asian Tribune. Retrieved from: http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2010/02/15/sri-lankan-celebrity-vinuri-school-girl-who-shot-fame-one-night. (archived).

Created September 12, 2007. Last updated November 5, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Emily of New Moon (1998-2000)

Emily of New Moon (1998–2000) is an intriguing Canadian television series that brought L.M. Montgomery's beloved Emily trilogy to life on the screen. Developed by Marlene Matthews, who also penned several episodes, the show was co-produced by Salter Street Films and CINAR Films. It aired on CBC in Canada and on WAM in the United States, with its popularity extending to 26 countries around the world. Over its four seasons and 46 episodes, Emily of New Moon enchanted audiences with its heartwarming yet sometimes dark storytelling.

At the center of the series is Martha MacIsaac, a Prince Edward Island native, who starred as the imaginative and strong-willed Emily Byrd Starr. Emily is sent to live with her strict relatives at New Moon farm after her father’s death, and the show follows her journey as she navigates loss, family tensions, and her unstoppable creative spirit. Sheila McCarthy portrayed Emily's gentle Aunt Laura, while her stern Aunt Elizabeth was brought to life by Susan Clark. Stephen McHattie played the kind but unusual Cousin Jimmy.

Emily's world is also filled with a dynamic group of friends. Jessica Pellerin played the fiery Ilse Burnley, Kris Lemche portrayed the dynamic Perry Miller, and Shawn Roberts was cast as the artistic Teddy Kent. Together, these charismatic young actors added layers of charm and depth to Emily's adventures.

The series earned critical acclaim, with Sheila McCarthy winning a Gemini Award in 1998 for Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role. That same year, Kris Lemche took home the Gemini for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Series. In 1999, Martha Henry was awarded a Gemini for Best Performance by an Actress in a Guest Role in a Dramatic Series.

The heart of Emily of New Moon lies in Emily Starr's resilience and passion. Orphaned and thrust into a strict and stifling environment at New Moon, Emily clings to her vivid imagination and her dream of becoming a writer. Despite Aunt Elizabeth’s ban on reading anything beyond schoolbooks, Emily secretly pours her thoughts into letters to her late father and writes poetry. Through her close friendships with Ilse, Perry, and Teddy, Emily finds adventure and inspiration.

Fully filmed on Prince Edward Island, Emily of New Moon captivated viewers not only with its dark and mysterious storytelling but also with the Island’s stunning natural beauty. The show received widespread acclaim for both its mesmerizing scenery and the fine performances that brought L.M. Montgomery's world to life.

Image credit:
Screencapture of Martha MacIsaac playing Emily Starr in Emily of New Moon. © Salter Street Films and CINAR Films.

Purchase or stream Emily of New Moon online:



Created July 12, 2005. Last updated October 22, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel (1987) aka Anne of Avonlea

Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel (also known as Anne of Avonlea) is a television miniseries that first aired on the Disney Channel and CBC in 1987. It was broadcast on PBS the next year. Sullivan Entertainment produced this sequel to follow its acclaimed Anne of Green Gables (1985) miniseries.

Kevin Sullivan wrote and directed Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel. The miniseries starred Megan Follows, who returned to play the beloved Anne Shirley. Several other actors returned to play their Anne of Green Gables (1985) roles, including Colleen Dewhurst as Marilla Cuthbert, Jonathan Crombie as Gilbert Blythe, Schuyler Grant as Diana Barry, Patricia Hamilton as Rachel Lynde, and Marilyn Lightstone as Miss Stacey. Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel introduced several new characters as well, including Morgan Harris played by Frank Converse, Mrs. Harris played Dame Wendy Hiller, Emmeline Harris played by Genevieve Appleton, and Katherine Brooke played by Rosemary Dunsmore.

The storyline in Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel combines elements from three novels in L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables series, namely: Anne of Avonlea, Anne of the Island, and Anne of Windy Poplars. The story begins with Anne in Avonlea, teaching at the Avonlea school and dreaming of becoming a successful writer. After turning down a proposal from Gilbert, Anne takes a job as a teacher at Kingsport Ladies' College where she faces challenges from the Pringle family and the mean-spirited principal Katherine Brooke. Anne must navigate these difficulties to find her place and learn what she truly wants in life.

As with the earlier miniseries, Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel was filmed in Ontario and Prince Edward Island, Canada. Its memorable music was composed by Hagood Hardy. The miniseries earned six Gemini awards in 1988, with Kevin Sullivan winning for Best Dramatic Mini-Series, Megan Follows winning for Best Performance by a Lead Actress in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series, and Colleen Dewhurst winning for Best Performance by a Supporting Actress.

Image credit:
Photograph of Jonathan Crombie as Gilbert Blythe and Megan Follows as Anne Shirley in Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel © Sullivan Entertainment

External link:
Anne of Green Gables: The Official Website

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Created April 22, 2001. Last updated May 2, 2022.
© worldofanneshirley.com