Patterns and Puffed Sleeves - Celebrating Costume Design through Anne of Green Gables

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of L.M. Montgomery's birth, The Toronto Reference Library is presenting a special exhibit called "Patterns and Puffed Sleeves – Celebrating Costume Design through Anne of Green Gables."

The exhibit highlights costume designs from four screen and stage productions of L.M. Montgomery's most famous story Anne of Green Gables. Designs are featured from Sullivan Entertainment’s Anne of Green Gables (1985) and Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel (1987). Costume designs are also displayed from the 1994 production of Anne of Green Gables by Theatre Calgary and the 1974 production of The Charlottetown Festival’s Anne of Green Gables: The Musical. The exhibit features the work of award-winning costume designers Martha Mann and Marie Day. Along with viewing their hand-drawn designs, visitors can view the final costumes themselves, as well as photographs and memorabilia from the productions.


Here is the description of the exhibit from the Toronto Public Library:

Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the birth of Lucy Maud Montgomery!

Lucy Maud Montgomery is an iconic Canadian author whose works are popular world-wide. In celebration of the anniversary of her birth we are exploring one of her most notable pieces of literature — Anne of Green Gables.

This exhibition features original costume designs, from both stage and screen, by designers Martha Mann and Marie Day from TPL's Special Collections in the Arts. These designs were used in Sullivan Entertainment’s Emmy award-winning Anne of Green Gables series, Theatre Calgary’s 1994 production and Charlottetown Festival’s long-running Anne of Green Gables musical.

Explore the world of Anne of Green Gables through the lens of a costume designer! See how they use fashion to bring the story to theatrical life!

Do not miss out seeing actual garments from the 1985 Sullivan Entertainment production of Anne of Green Gables in the entrance window to the Toronto Reference Library.

Special thanks

Sullivan Entertainment Inc. for sponsoring the exhibit through loans of costumes and photographs from their productions of Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel.

Theatre Calgary for providing a program and images of their 1994 production of Anne of Green Gables.

The "Patterns and Puffed Sleeves" exhibit opened on October 5, 2024 and will continue through January 12, 2025. It is located in the TD Gallery at The Toronto Reference Library on 789 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4W 2G8. Entry to the exhibit is free, and free guided tours will take place on Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m. during the exhibit's run.


Official Website:
Patterns and Puffed Sleeves - Celebrating Costume Design through Anne of Green Gables Exhibit at The Toronto Reference Library

Image Credit:
Images from Patterns and Puffed Sleeves - Celebrating Costume Design through Anne of Green Gables Exhibit at The Toronto Reference Library.

Reference:
Patterns and Puffed Sleeves: Celebrating Costume Design through Anne of Green Gables. (2024, October). Toronto Public Library. Retrieved from: https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/programs-and-classes/exhibits/patterns-and-puffed-sleeves.jsp.

Created October 7, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Megan Follows on Playing Anne of Green Gables

Megan Follows is known for playing the outspoken, imaginative and talkative Anne Shirley in the 1985 TV miniseries Anne of Green Gables, which was based on L.M. Montgomery's novel. In December 2023, Follows reminisced about how playing Anne Shirley changed her life in a podcast conversation with the CBC's Tom Power. In the introduction to the podcast, Power mentions how the conversation made him rethink Anne of Green Gables and consider how radical the story was then and how relevant it still is today. I loved their conversation. Give it a listen!

Sometimes actors dislike being identified with a particular role, but not Megan Follows. She expressed gratitude about playing Anne Shirley and emphasized how great it was to play a character that was "a girl that got to express rage." When asked about her relationship with the character, Follows responded, "I love Anne...She and I have a great relationship. We're tight. We're bosom buddies. I think she's an extraordinary character, and uhm, I always felt incredibly grateful to have played her and to have been introduced to a strong-willed, female-driven story where you got to be number one from the point of view of a story." Often, Follows reflects, women are the appendage in stories and not the backbone or driving force. In contrast, Anne has a driving force to belong and to be seen for herself, and Follows believes that this is what resonates with people.

Megan Follows delved back into L.M. Montgomery's stories in preparing to record an Emily of New Moon audiobook a few years ago and then to direct a new Audible Anne of Green Gables audiobook featuring Michela Luci, Catherine O’Hara, Victor Garber, and Sandra Oh. Follows remarks that her deep dive back into the stories allowed her to discover "the subversiveness of the text." She had previously understood Montgomery's humor, but now she observed her way of pointing out hypocrisy through Anne. Follows feels that the power of the character scares people.

Follows sees Anne's compulsive talking as coming from a dark place where Anne chooses to go toward the light, not out of naivety, but for her own survival. As an example, she mentions how Anne planned to sleep in a cherry tree at the train station. She believes that Anne came up with this idea for safety, but that Anne focused on the beauty of the blossoms because she was terrified to be abandoned and alone in the world. Follows says that Montgomery used poetry because children don't actually speak this way.

Follows also reflected on her amazing experiences working with Colleen Dewhurst (Marilla Cuthbert) and Patricia Hamilton (Rachel Lynde). She discussed how Richard Farnsworth (Matthew Cuthbert) was only available for six days of filming, so she worked very long hours with him to film his scenes. Later, she did scenes with a grip stand with a hat on it as a stand-in. Follows also talked about the raspberry cordial scene with Schuyler Grant, who played Diana Barry. They were giving Grant glasses of watered down grape juice or Ribena, and she really did get sick after filming the scene multiple times. Follows briefly mentioned that her heart always smiles for Jonathan Crombie and that they laughed a lot.

Power asked Follows about her audition for Anne. Strangely, the day after her audition, her tape disappeared, and she had to redo her audition at the last minute. Follows mentions that there was another actress who was the first choice for Anne Shirley and that she had to fight for the role. Luckily, she had advocates at the CBC and someone at PBS who believed that she was the right fit for the role.

Later, when asked about how the success of the miniseries affected her, she reflected that she is grateful that she did a good job playing Anne, and that she has received a tremendous amount of goodwill because of the character and how much the character and writing mean to people.

Toward the end of the conversation, Follows talked about how she is currently developing a limited series on the life of L.M. Montgomery, her legacy and the power of her writing. I can't wait to hear more.


Image credit:
Photograph of Megan Follows as Anne Shirley in Anne of Green Gables © Sullivan Entertainment.

Reference:
Megan Follows: Playing Anne in Anne of Green Gables and bringing the story to a new generation. (2023, December 15). Q with Tom Power. CBC Arts & Entertainment. Retrieved from: https://podcasts.apple.com/ro/podcast/megan-follows-playing-anne-in-anne-of-green-gables/id256943801?i=1000638664483

Created May 24, 2024. Last updated August 26, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning (2008)

Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning is a television film that made its world premiere at the Boston Film Festival on September 15, 2008. It then made its television premiere on CTV on December 14, 2008, airing from 7:00-10:00 p.m. The movie serves as both a prequel and sequel that bookends Sullivan Entertainment's Anne of Green Gables miniseries trilogy: Anne of Green Gables (1985), Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel (1987), and Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story (2000). Set in 1945, the film's plot diverges from L.M. Montgomery's Anne series and re-imagines Anne Shirley's life.

Kevin Sullivan, who produced, directed, and wrote the film, explained, "I wanted to create a film that would offer a rare insight into Anne Shirley's personality. I tried to imagine what Anne would have become if she had grown up to be an author like Montgomery herself; a gifted storyteller who was haunted by her childhood her whole life."

Emmy and Golden-Globe winner Barbara Hershey plays Anne Shirley in her 50s during World War II, and Hannah Endicott-Douglas, a 12-year-old Toronto native, plays Anne Shirley as a child. Hannah Endicott-Douglas was chosen to play young Anne Shirley after a three-month search, including an open casting call on YouTube and auditions that took place across Canada. Her elder sister Vivien Endicott-Douglas co-stars in the film and plays Violetta. Rachel Blanchard plays Louisa Thomas, and Jayne Eastwood returns as Mrs. Hammond.

Patricia Hamilton, who appeared in the original Anne of Green Gables miniseries trilogy, reprises the role of Rachel Lynde, and her son Ben Carlson plays Anne's father Walter Shirley. In an interview with The Calgary Herald, Hamilton spoke about her family's involvement in the film: "We've just finished a new movie, you know"..."'I'm in it for a day in a wheelchair, looking like I'm 110,' Hamilton says, good-naturedly. 'But my son (Ben), who's a wonderful actor who's at the Stratford Festival this summer -- he's playing Hamlet -- plays Anne's original father.'" As a side note, Leslie Carlson, Hamilton's ex-husband and Ben Carlson's father, appeared as Mr. Lawson in Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel (1987).

Academy-award winner Shirley MacLaine plays matriarch Amelia Thomas, a powerful, rich, and unlikable widow, who runs a flourishing lumber town called Marysville. Kevin Sullivan glowingly issued the following statement when he announced that MacLaine had joined the cast: "Shirley MacLaine is a screen legend. To be able to cast her unique personality in the role of Amelia Thomas promises to bring both humour and pathos to this production, in a grand style that only a movie star of her stature can elicit."

Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning was filmed in Scarborough Valley, Toronto, Hamilton, Dundas, and Rockwood in Ontario, Canada from October 10 to November 15, 2007. The film's executive producer was Trudy Grant. The production features costumes by Martha Mann and music composed by Peter Breiner. The movie is 144 minutes in length.

In Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning, Anne's history is not what it seems. Kevin Sullivan elaborated on his vision for retelling Anne's story, saying:

"I began to envisage what Anne would be doing if she were actually Montgomery herself, because Montgomery really wrote about her own childhood. She created Anne of Green Gables, partly due to the loneliness and estrangement that she felt from her own father. Her father deserted her when she was a child. Montgomery was brought up by very strict grandparents, and she created the characters of ‘Marilla Cuthbert’ and ‘Matthew Cuthbert,’ who were certainly loving parents. The issues with her father affected her life well into middle age. Her father remarried and had an entirely different family. It was out of all this that she imagined Anne as an alter-ego.

With the new film, I tell a story about Anne prior to Green Gables. In the new film we learn that Anne made up stories all her life. Anne, as an adult, learns that her father is still alive. She finds a letter under the floor boards of Green Gables. It was never revealed to anyone that her father tried to communicate with her. It is quite an emotional story."

Image credit:
Photograph of Hannah Endicott-Douglas as Anne Shirley in Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning. © Sullivan Entertainment

Official Website:
Anne of Green Gables: The Official Website

References:

A new Anne lands at CTV. thestar.com. (October 16, 2007). Retrieved from: http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/267180. (archived).

Anne 4 News. Sullivan Entertainment. Retrieved from: http://www.sullivanmovies.com/anne4news.html. (archived).

Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning starring Hannah Endicott-Douglas. CTV's blog. (October 16, 2007). Retrieved from: http://www.tvthrong.ca/movies/anne-of-green-gables-a-new-beginning-starring-hannah-endicott-douglas. (archived).

Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning premieres Sunday, Dec. 14. CTV. Retrieved from: https://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/show/CTVShows/20081113/anne_announced_081113/20081113. (archived).

CTV announces plans for new 'Anne of Green Gables' miniseries to air next year. The Canadian Press. (October 16, 2007). Retrieved from: http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5hcboATqgH6JW7l5gSZS1FueGvf6A. (archived).

Hunt, Stephen. Avonlea star takes chilly road to Calgary: Patricia Hamilton hits city stage. Calgary Herald. (February 21, 2008). Retrieved from: http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/entertainment/story.html?id=abd68d38-83a4-45fb-8809-66adf9a0dec3. (archived).

Kubacki, Maria. 12-year-old blond to play Anne Shirley in TV movie. The Ottawa Citizen. (October 16, 2007). Retrieved from: http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/arts/story.html?id=f65fed17-bc60-4147-bbd0-9970b7a958c6.

McRanor, Graeme. Anne old story gets fresh legs. Vancouver 24 Hours. (October 16, 2007). Retrieved from: https://web.archive.org/web/20071023184403/http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/Entertainment/2007/10/16/4579591-sun.html. (archived).

New 'Anne' prequel planned. The StarPhoenix. (October 16, 2007). Retrieved from: http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/lifestyle/story.html?id=ec45b404-9d52-4ec0-9166-a1e98737a5f7.

Shirley MacLaine joins Green Gables movie. The Canadian Press. thestar.com. (October 23, 2007). Retrieved from: http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/269536. (archived).

Shirley of Greene Gables. The Globe and Mail. (October 24, 2007). Retrieved from: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071024.wbuzzout24/BNStory/Entertainment/home. (archived).

Wheeler, Katrina-Kasey. An Interview with Kevin Sullivan. Pop Media Examiner. (October 9, 2008). Retrieved from: http://www.examiner.com/x-704-Entertainment-Examiner%7Ey2008m10d9-An-Interview-with-Kevin-Sullivan.

Purchase and watch Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning:



Created October 16, 2007. Last updated November 2, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Dalvay-by-the-Sea

Dalvay-by-the-Sea is a breaktaking National Historic Site perched on the north shore of Prince Edward Island, Canada, within the scenic Prince Edward Island National Park.

This stunning summer retreat was built by Alexander MacDonald, a wealthy industrialist from Cincinnati, Ohio. Enchanted by the island's charm during a family vacation in 1895, MacDonald purchased 120 acres of land along the north shore and constructed this elegant summer home. He named it “Dalvay-by-the-Sea,” in homage to his childhood home in Scotland. The building is a striking example of Queen Anne Revival architecture, with its elegant dormers, bay windows, and gables, offering sweeping views of the ocean and Dalvay Lake.

Following MacDonald’s death, Dalvay-by-the-Sea changed hands several times. The property is now owned and maintained by Parks Canada. Today, it operates as a seasonal hotel and restaurant, open from May through October. Whether you choose to stay in one of the charming rooms or cottages, indulge in a delicious meal, or reserve a spot for high tea on select dates, Dalvay offers a quintessential island experience.

For fans of Sullivan Entertainment’s Anne of Green Gables miniseries, Dalvay-by-the-Sea is instantly recognizable as the iconic White Sands Hotel. This is where Anne Shirley, portrayed by Megan Follows, captivated her audience with a passionate recital of “The Highwayman” (though the interior scenes were filmed at the McLean House in North York, Ontario). In the sequel, Anne of Avonlea, Dalvay-by-the-Sea serves as the picturesque backdrop as Anne chases her windblown manuscript across the dunes. The hotel also plays a prominent role in Sullivan Entertainment’s Road to Avonlea television series, where it becomes Felix King’s workplace and Hetty King’s co-proprietor venture.

Dalvay-by-the-Sea is not only a place of historic and cinematic significance but also a serene haven of beauty. Spend some time soaking in the stunning landscape from an Adirondack chair in the front yard, savoring the peaceful views that make this location so unforgettable.



A short stroll from the hotel leads you to Dalvay Beach, a rich stretch of red sand where the rhythm of the waves and the pristine beauty of the shoreline create a perfect escape.



The drive along the north shore near the hotel is a visual delight, with lush grasses swaying in the breeze and picturesque dunes rolling toward the horizon.




Official Website:
Dalvay by the Sea

Location:
Dalvay-by-the-Sea
16 Cottage Crescent, Dalvay, PE, C0A 1P0, Canada.



Image credits:
Photographs by World of Anne Shirley.
Map copyright OpenStreetMap.

References:
Read More about Dalvay’s History. Dalvay by the Sea. Retrieved from: https://www.dalvaybythesea.com/history

Dalvay-by-the-Sea National Historic Site. Parks Canada. Retrieved from: https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/pe/dalvay

Introducing The "Real" White Sands Hotel - Dalvay By The Sea. Anne of Green Gables. Sullivan Entertainment. Retrieved from: https://www.anneofgreengables.com/blog/introducing-the-real-white-sands-hotel-dalvay-by-the-sea

Pacheco, Adriana. 10 Anne of Green Gables Famous Filming Locations. Anne of Green Gables. Sullivan Entertainment. Retrieved from: https://www.anneofgreengables.com/blog/10-anne-of-green-gables-famous-filming-locations


Created July 17, 2007. Last updated August 8, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Anne of Green Gables: The Animated Series in Jordan

When my fiancé was traveling in Jordan for work earlier this month, he turned on the television and was surprised to see Anne of Green Gables: The Animated Series (aka Annetoon) on TV. The show was dubbed in Arabic. He took a few photographs for me.

Here's a photograph of a talking willow tree:


Here's a photograph of Gilbert Blythe in Annetoon:


It's more evidence that Anne of Green Gables is everywhere.


Image credits:
Photographs of Anne of Green Gables: The Animated Series on TV in Jordan taken by my fiancé.

Created March 29, 2006. Last updated November 9, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Anne: Journey to Green Gables (2004)

Anne: Journey to Green Gables is a animated film created by Sullivan Entertainment. The film serves as a prequel to both Anne of Green Gables: The Animated Series and the 1985 Anne of Green Gables miniseries by Kevin Sullivan. The film was released direct-to-video in 2004.

The 85-minute long movie imagines Anne Shirley's life before she reaches Green Gables. After the death of her parents, Anne is in the care of the Hammond family where she is mistreated. Later, she is sent to the Grout Orphanage where the director Madame Poubelle treats the children cruelly. Anne must rely on her imagination to survive.

Kevin Sullivan and Trudy Grant were the executive producers of the film. Kevin Sullivan directed the movie, and he wrote the script with Michael MacLennan. The film features music composed by Peter Breiner and Don Gillis.

The cast includes the following actors who portrayed the voices of the animated characters:

Mckenzie Sullivan as Anne Shirley
Patricia Gage as Marilla Cuthbert
Wayne Robson as Matthew Cuthbert
Al Mukadam as Gilbert Blythe
Kyle Fairlie as Felix King
Patricia Hamilton as Rachel Lynde
Rebecca Peters as Diana Barry
Cedric Smith as Tupper
Mike Beaver as Wilfred
Geoff Kahnert as Bailey
Kathryn Greenwood as Mavis
Dalene Irvine as Felicity King
Linda Sorensen as Hetty King
Ellen-Ray Hennessy as Mrs. Hammond
Kim Kuhteubl as Alice Lawson
Sara Botsford as Mrs. Barry / Frau Schuller

Synopsis (from the Annetoon website):
"Anne: Journey to Green Gables is an imaginative, animated prequel to the celebrated films that have charmed world audiences for two decades. In this brand new story, Anne has yet to go to Green Gables and dreams of having a family of her own. But as fate would have it, she is thrown into the clutches of Madame Poubelle, the faded aristocratic director of Grout Orphanage. It takes all of Anne’s scope for the imagination for her to endure until she gets to Green Gables."

Image credit:
Drawing of Anne Shirley from Anne: Journey to Green Gables. © Sullivan Entertainment. Used with permission.

Official Websites:
AnneToon.com - Official website for Anne: Journey to Green Gables and Anne of Green Gables: The Animated Series
Anne: Journey to Green Gables - Watch the film online at Sullivan Entertainment's Anne of Green Gables Kids Channel on YouTube.
Shop at Sullivan

References:
AnneToon.com - Official website for Anne: Journey to Green Gables and Anne of Green Gables: The Animated Series
Anne: Journey to Green Gables at IMDB

Purchase and watch Anne: Journey to Green Gables on DVD:


Created October 18, 2005. Last updated November 8, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Lantern Hill (1989)

Lantern Hill is a captivating TV movie adaption of L.M. Montgomery's novel Jane of Lantern Hill, brought to life by the visionary filmmaker Kevin Sullivan. Known for his masterful adaptations of Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea, Sullivan once again immerses viewers in the world of Montgomery's storytelling in Lantern Hill.

At the heart of Lantern Hill is Mairon Bennett's heartfelt and sincere portrayal of Jane Stuart, a young girl trying to reunite her family. She is supported by an exceptional cast: Sam Waterston as her distracted father, Andrew Stuart, and Patricia Phillips as her weak-willed mother, Robin Stuart. Sarah Polley lights up the screen as Jane's friend Jody Turner, and the incomparable Colleen Dewhurst adds a touch of mystery as the enigmatic Hepzibah. Set in the 1930s, the film stays true to the novel’s core plot, but introduces intriguing supernatural elements and new characters that weave an air of mystery and enchantment into the story.

The film features familiar faces from Sullivan Entertainment's beloved productions. Fans of Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea will recognize Colleen Dewhurst for her memorable portrayal of the stern yet tender Marilla Cuthbert. Sarah Polley went on to star as Sara Stanley, the imaginative "Story Girl" on Road to Avonlea. Mairon and her brother Zachary Bennett (who plays Jimmy-John Meade here) would later have roles on Road to Avonlea as well, with Zachary playing the spirited Felix King and Mairon portraying Colleen Pritchard and Young Hetty King.

With a screenplay co-written by Kevin Sullivan and Fiona McHugh, Lantern Hill was a collaborative production between Sullivan Entertainment, the CBC, PBS, and the Disney Channel. The film is beautifully complemented by John Welsman's evocative score, which sets the tone for the heartwarming and mysterious story. Welsman would later create the memorable music for Road to Avonlea.

Lantern Hill received critical acclaim, winning two Gemini Awards in 1991. Sarah Polley's standout performance earned her a Gemini for Best Supporting Actress, and Martha Mann was honored for her costume designs. Colleen Dewhurst’s compelling role earned her an Emmy nomination in 1990 for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Special.

The film is a testament to the enduring appeal of L.M. Montgomery's works and Sullivan Entertainment’s unique ability to bring her timeless stories to the screen.


Here is the film's description from Sullivan Entertainment:

A spellbinding ghost story unfolds when 12-year-old Jane Stuart’s mysterious father (Sam Waterston), whom her family has tried to convince her is dead, resurfaces to reconcile his troubled past. She discovers a kind man, genuinely interested in both her welfare and her mother’s. With the assistance of a powerful mystic, Jane resolves to reunite her parents, despite the forces that stand in her way. Based on the acclaimed novel, Jane of Lantern Hill, by L.M. Montgomery.

Here is the film's description from Disney (archived):

Twelve-year-old Jane has grown up thinking that her father (Sam Waterston) has passed away, until he suddenly writes one day, requesting custody of his daughter. Despite the protests of a meddling grandmother (Zoe Caldwell), Jane is sent to live with her father at Lantern Hill, the farm where she was born. Prepared for the worst, Jane discovers her father to be a kind and caring man whose undying love for her mother has been shrouded all these years by the mysterious circumstances of their separation. Through the encouragement of a mystical woman named Hepzibah (Colleen Dewhurst), Jane secretly resolves to reunite her parents by overcoming the obstacles that stand in her way, while discovering the courage and inner strength she never knew existed.

Image credit:
Screencapture of Mairon Bennett as Jane Stuart in Lantern Hill. © Sullivan Entertainment

Official Website:
Lantern Hill

References:

Wonderworks Family Movie Series. VideoHound's MovieRetriever.com. Retrieved from: https://web.archive.org/web/20160820032319/http://www.movieretriever.com/videohound_lists/90154/Wonderworks-Family-Movie-Series (archived)

Lantern Hill. IMDb. Retrieved from: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099974/?ref_=tt_mv_close


Purchase and watch Lantern Hill:



Created July 11, 2005. Last updated September 27, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Road to Avonlea (1990-1996)

Road to Avonlea (1990–1996) is a television series produced by Sullivan Entertainment that aired for seven seasons on the CBC. The storylines in Road to Avonlea are based in part on L.M. Montgomery's novels The Story Girl and The Golden Road as well as her short story collections Chronicles of Avonlea and Further Chronicles of Avonlea.

Road to Avonlea takes place in the early 20th century in the fictional town of Avonlea, Prince Edward Island, the home of the Anne of Green Gables novels and Sullivan Entertainment’s Anne of Green Gables miniseries. The series begins when Sara Stanley is sent to live in Avonlea with her mother's family, the Kings, after her father is accused of embezzlement. Sara is a wealthy girl, who is used to life in big city Montreal. She must adjust to new experiences in a small village and her close-knit relatives.

Over the course of the series, its focus expanded from Sara to the rest of the King family and residents of Avonlea. Like other productions by Sullivan Entertainment, Road to Avonlea is humorous, romantic, and heart-warming. Its visually beautiful with a talented cast.

Road to Avonlea was a celebrated television series, winning 15 Gemini Awards and three Emmys. It aired in the United States on the Disney Channel with the title Avonlea. The series concluded after airing 91 episodes. Following the series finale, the Road to Avonlea cast reunited in a 1998 made-for-television film called Happy Christmas, Miss King (also known as An Avonlea Christmas). Set in 1914, the storyline was set during the first World War.

Image credit:
The Road to Avonlea photograph above features (from left to right) the characters Cecily King (Harmony Cramp), Olivia King (Mag Ruffman), Janet King (Lally Cadeau), Felicity King (Gema Zamprogna), Alec King (Cedric Smith), Sara Stanley (Sarah Polley), and Hetty King (Jackie Burroughs). © Sullivan Entertainment

External link:
Road of Avonlea: The Official Website

Purchase and watch all seven seasons of Road to Avonlea:

Created November 23, 2002. Last updated March 12, 2022.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Anne of Green Gables: The Animated Series (2000-2001)

Anne of Green Gables: The Animated Series (aka Anne: The Animated Series or Annetoon) is a television show created by Sullivan Entertainment that aired on PBS from 2000 to 2001. The educational cartoon is geared towards six- to ten-year-olds, and each episode focuses on a challenge of childhood and provides lessons for children about self-confidence, creativity, loyalty, and more.

The series follows the adventures of 10-year-old Anne Shirley and her friends Gilbert Blythe, Diana Barry, and Felix King. Anne lives in Avonlea where she was adopted by Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert. The series includes characters from L.M. Montgomery's novel and Sullivan Entertainment's Anne of Green Gables miniseries and Road to Avonlea TV series.

Anne of Green Gables: The Animated Series ran for one season and had 26 episodes. Each episode was 30 minutes long. When the show aired on PBS, real children commented on the show at the end of each episode. Sullivan Entertainment's Annetoon website provides educational resources for teachers using the show to teach children Anne-themed lessons in schools.

Kevin Sullivan and Trudy Grant were the executive producers of the series, which was directed by Liliane Andre. The series was written by Michael MacLennan and featured music composed by Peter Breiner.

Bryn McAuley portrayed the voice of Anne Shirley. Patricia Gage played Marilla Cuthbert, and Wayne Robson portrayed Marilla's brother Matthew Cuthbert. Anne's classmate Gilbert Blythe was portrayed by Ali Mukaddam, and Emily Hampshire provided the voice of Anne's best friend Diana Barry. Kyle Fairlie gave voice to Felix King, and Dalene Irvine played Felicity King. Patricia Hamilton portrayed the voice of Rachel Lynde. Hamilton is well known for portraying Rachel Lynde in Sullivan Entertainment's prior productions: Anne of Green Gables (1985), Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel (1987), and Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story (2000), Road to Avonlea (1990-1996), and Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning (2008).

In 2004, an animated film titled Anne: Journey to Green Gables was produced as a prequel to Anne of Green Gables: The Animated Series.

Synopsis (from the Annetoon website):
"Anne: The Animated Series presents 26 entertaining and educational episodes. In this series, you will follow Anne as her out of control imagination leads her through many different adventures, which demonstrate important lessons in loyalty, resolving conflict and problem-solving. Join Anne and her friends in both difficult times and lots of laughter in this animated, family friendly version of Anne that you are sure to enjoy."

Image credit:
Drawing of Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables: The Animated Series. © Sullivan Entertainment. Used with permission.

Official Websites:
AnneToon.com - Official website for Anne of Green Gables: The Animated Series and Anne: Journey to Green Gables
Teacher's Resources at the Anne of Green Gables: The Animated Series website
Anne of Green Gables: The Animated Series - Watch the series online at Sullivan Entertainment's Anne of Green Gables Kids Channel on YouTube.
Shop at Sullivan

References:
AnneToon.com - Official website for Anne of Green Gables: The Animated Series and Anne: Journey to Green Gables
Anne of Green Gables: The Animated Series at IMDB

Purchase and watch Anne of Green Gables: The Animated Series on DVD:


Created July 1, 2002. Last updated November 13, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story (2000)

Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story is a television miniseries that first aired on CBC in March 2000. It was the third miniseries film about the life of Anne Shirley that was produced by Sullivan Entertainment, and it follows Anne of Green Gables (1985) and Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel (1987).

The miniseries starred Megan Follows who returned to play Anne Shirley. Jonathan Crombie resumed the role of Anne’s true love Gilbert Blythe. In addition, Schuyler Grant and Patricia Hamilton returned to play Diana Barry and Rachel Lynde, respectively. Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story also introduced new characters, including Jack Garrison Jr. played by Cameron Daddo. The miniseries was directed by Stefan Scaini, and the music was by Peter Breiner. Kevin Sullivan and Laurie Pearson wrote the screenplay for Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story. Its storyline diverges from L.M. Montgomery's Anne series.

The story begins when Anne returns home to Avonlea after years teaching while Gilbert has been in medical school. When Gilbert gets a job offer at a hospital in New York City, he asks Anne to move there with him. In New York, Anne works as an editor in a publishing house where she meets a writer named Jack Garrison. Jack is interested in Anne and her talent and convinces her to let him edit and submit a manuscript she is writing. Jack ends up stealing Anne’s work. Meanwhile, Gilbert is disappointed by the politics of working in a big city hospital.

Eventually, Anne and Gilbert return home to Avonlea and get married. The first World War begins, and Gilbert enlists as a medical officer and leaves for Europe. When Gilbert is declared missing, Anne joins the Red Cross and heads to Europe where she encounters danger and intrigue as she searches for Gilbert.

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

External link:
Anne of Green Gables: The Official Website

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Created April 24, 2001. Last updated May 4, 2022.
© 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

Purchase and watch Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel:



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

Anne of Green Gables (1985)

Anne of Green Gables is a made-for-television miniseries that first aired on CBC TV in 1985. Sullivan Entertainment loyally adapted L.M. Montgomery's novel of the same name for the screen.

Directed by Kevin Sullivan, Anne of Green Gables starred Megan Follows as Anne Shirley, Colleen Dewhurst and Richard Farnsworth as siblings Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, Jonathan Crombie as Anne's rival Gilbert Blythe, and Schuyler Grant as Anne's bosom friend Diana Barry. The film's music, composed by Hagood Hardy, is distinctive and memorable. Filmed in both Ontario and on Prince Edward Island, the beauty of the Canadian scenery is candy for the eyes.

The movie was highly acclaimed for its script, cast, and loyalty to the novel's character. The Toronto Star glowingly described Anne of Green Gables as, "Cult phenomenon. Cultural ambassador. Canadian heroine."
 
The miniseries earned countless awards in 1986, including nine Gemini Awards and an Emmy Award for Outstanding Children's Program. Kevin Sullivan received the George Peabody Award for Outstanding Contribution to Broadcasting for his work in bringing the film to life.

Image credit:
Photograph of Megan Follows as Anne Shirley in Anne of Green Gables © Sullivan Entertainment.

External link:
Anne of Green Gables: The Official Website

Purchase and watch Anne of Green Gables:

Created April 17, 2001. Last updated March 18, 2021.
© worldofanneshirley.com