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

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

Anne of Green Gables Miniature Diorama

My boyfriend gave me a blind box, which he spotted while traveling in Seattle. It's from the "Little Anime Series World Masterpiece Theater" collection. Each box contains a miniature diorama from one of five World Masterpiece Theater anime series produced by Nippon Animation. One of the anime series included is Anne of Green Gables (Akage no An). Knowing that I love Anne of Green Gables, my boyfriend bought a box for me and hoped for the best. Lucky for me, my box contained the Anne of Green Gables scene.

This blind box collection was manufactured by MegaHouse in 2003. The five World Masterpiece Theater series included in the collection are: Anne of Green Gables (1979), 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother (1976), Rascal the Raccoon (1977), A Dog of Flanders (1975), and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1980). The scenes for the five series are depicted on the sides of the blind box and on the insert inside the box (pictured below):





Inside the red box was a pink case that looked like a tiny book:



A brown plastic box, designed to look like wood, slides out of the pink case:



Opening the box reveals the eight items shown below: the Green Gables kitchen, Matthew's couch and shoes, the Green Gables kitchen table, a bowl, a pair of birds, and three characters: Matthew Cuthbert, Marilla Cuthbert, and Anne Shirley:



Here's a closer view of Matthew Cuthbert (who's asleep), Marilla Cuthbert, and Anne Shirley (carrying a layered cake):



Here are a few views of the Anne of Green Gables diorama with Matthew asleep on his couch, Marilla bustling about the kitchen, and Anne carrying a lovely layered cake (that hopefully is flavored with vanilla instead of liniment):





Here's a close-up view of the Green Gables diorama:



Created June 27, 2005. Last updated January 20, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Anne & Gilbert: The Musical (2005)

Anne & Gilbert: The Musical (2005) is a musical based on stories from the Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery. The musical premiered at the Victoria Playhouse in Victoria–By-the-Sea, Prince Edward Island on August 4, 2005. The first act of the musical is based on Anne of Avonlea, and the second act is based on Anne of the Island. The story was adapted for the stage by Jeff Hochhauser, Nancy White, and Bob Johnston.

I was fortunate to watch the musical in 2006 at the Harbourfront Theatre in Summerside. It's a wonderful production, and the songs are charming.

A CD featuring some of the songs and a book based on the Anne & Gilbert musical are available online. You can also listen to the album at Apple Music.


Official Site:
Anne and Gilbert: The Musical

Image Credit:
Promotional artwork from Anne & Gilbert: The Musical.

Purchase the Anne & Gilbert cast recording and check out the script and lyrics book:

Created June 3, 2005. Last updated May 12, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

The Intimate Life of L.M. Montgomery

The Intimate Life of L.M. Montgomery was edited by Irene Gammel and published by the University of Toronto Press in March 2005. This book contains a collection of 11 essays that delve into L.M. Montgomery's personal writings, artistic expression, and correspondence to gain a better understanding of the mysterious author.

Here is the description of the volume from the University of Toronto Press:

Who ultimately is L.M. Montgomery, and why was there such an obsession with secrecy, hiding, and encoding in her life and fiction? Delving into the hidden life of Canada's most enigmatic writer, The Intimate Life of L.M. Montgomery answers these questions. The eleven essays illuminate Montgomery's personal writings and photographic self-portraits and probe the ways in which she actively shaped her life as a work of art. This is the first book to investigate Montgomery's personal writings, which filled thousands of pages in journals and a memoir, correspondence, scrapbooks, and photography.

Using theories of autobiography and life writing, the essays probe the author's flair for the dramatic and her exuberance in costuming, while also exploring the personal facts behind some of her fiction, including the beloved Anne of Green Gables. Focussing on topics such as sexuality, depression, marriage, aging, illness, and writing, the essays strip away the layers of art and artifice that disguised Montgomery's most intensely guarded secrets, including details of her affair with Herman Leard, her marriage with Ewen Macdonald, and her friendships with Nora Lefurgey and Isabel Anderson. The book also includes rare photographs taken by Montgomery and others, many of which have not previously appeared in print.

One of the highlights of The Intimate Life of L.M. Montgomery is the inclusion of a secret diary that Montgomery wrote with Lefurgey in 1903. This hilarious document is a rare find, for Montgomery's teasing banter presents us with a new voice that is distinct from the sombre tone of her journals. Published here for the first time, more than 100 years after its composition, this diary is virtually unknown to readers and scholars and is a welcome addition to the literature on this important figure.

This volume fills in many of the blanks surrounding Montgomery's personal life. Engaging and erudite, it is a boon for scholars and Montgomery fans alike.

Reviews (see additional reviews)

"Portrait of the artist as a young lady... Gammel and her fellow contributors point out that Montgomery continually revised her life story in her journals, omitting key events and rewriting others... Discerning the true feelings of ‘Canada’s most enigmatic literary icon,’ it turns out, is no easy task."
— Maclean’s Magazine

"This is a groundbreaking, first-rate collection of particular interest to scholars of life writing and the history of women in Canada."
— Heidi Macdonald, The Canadian Historical Review

The book includes the following content and essays:

Introduction: Life Writing as Masquerade: The Many Faces of L.M. Montgomery by Irene Gammel

Part 1: Staging the Bad Girl

1. '...where has my yellow garter gone?' The Diary of L.M. Montgomery and Nora Lefurgey edited, annotated, and illustrated by Irene Gammel
2. The 'Secret' Diary of Maud Montgomery, Aged 28¼ by Jennifer H. Litster
3. Nora, Maud, and Isabel: Summoning Voices in Diaries and Memories by Mary Beth Cavert

Part 2: Confessions and Body Writing

4. 'I loved Herman Leard madly': L.M. Montgomery's Confession of Desire by Irene Gammel
5. Veils and Gaps: The Private Worlds of Amy Andrew and L.M. Montgomery, 1910-1914 by Mary McDonald-Rissanen
6. '...the refuge of my sick spirit...': L.M. Montgomery and the Shadows of Depression by Janice Fiamengo

Part 3: Writing for an Intimate Audience

7. Visual Drama: Capturing Life in L.M. Montgomery's Scrapbooks by Elizabeth R. Epperly
8. 'I hear what you say': Soundings in L.M. Montgomery's Life Writings by Joy Alexander
9. Epistolary Performance: Writing Mr Weber by Paul Tiessen and Hildi Froese Tiessen

Part 4: Where Life Writing Meets Fiction

10. 'See my Journal for the full story': Fictions of Truth in Anne of Green Gables and L.M. Montgomery's Journals by Cecily Devereux
11. The Hectic Flush: The Fiction and Reality of Consumption in L.M. Montgomery's Life by Melissa Prycer
12. Untangling the Web: L.M. Montgomery's Later Journals and Fiction, 1929-1939 by Mary Rubio and Elizabeth Waterston.


Image credit:
Book cover of The Intimate Life of L.M. Montgomery.

Purchase and read The Intimate Life of L.M. Montgomery:


Created March 30, 2005. Last updated August 14, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Anne of Green Gables Valentines - Set 1

Give these Anne of Green Gables Valentines to your classmates, kindred spirits, and loved ones. Save the Anne-inspired Valentines below. Then print the Valentine cards out on cardstock paper in portrait mode, cut them out, and share them!



To design this set of Anne of Green Gables Valentines, I used public domain clipart from Antique Clipart, and images of Gilbert Blythe, Anne Shirley, and Diana Barry from Sullivan Entertainment's production of Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel (1987) and Nippon Animation's Anne of Green Gables (1979) aka Akage No An.

Download and print more Anne of Green Gables Valentines here: Set 2, Set 3, and Set 4.

Created January 1, 2005. Last updated January 26, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

The Selected Journals of L.M. Montgomery, Volume V: 1935-1942

The Selected Journals of L.M. Montgomery, Volume V: 1935–1942 edited by Mary Rubio and Elizabeth Waterston was published by the Oxford University Press in October 2004. L.M. Montgomery wrote extensive journals throughout her life, which provide personal insight to the talented author. Volume V covers the final years of L.M. Montgomery's life. During this period, Montgomery and her husband moved to Toronto, Ontario, where she immersed herself in the life of the city. Despite these pleasures, Montgomery and her husband both have depression and take barbiturates. She worries over her children and is disappointed in her sons' choices and scholastic performance. Toward the end of her life, L.M. Montgomery's depression grows until she stops writing, and her life spirals to a tragic end.


Here is the description of the volume from the Oxford University Press:

The final volume of the immensely successful The Selected Journals of L.M. Montgomery covers the years 1935 to 1942, the year of Montgomery's death. No longer dwelling in a farm community or a small rural village, Lucy Maud Montgomery explored life in downtown Toronto. Here she experienced the cultural riches the city had to offer while finding friendship and neighbourliness in the suburb of Swansea. The journal chronicles her hopes and satisfaction with her new home and neighbourhood, but also her struggles with her own and her husband's recurring bouts of depression, her worries about her sons' academic performance, and her thoughts on the world events during these years.

The final volume in the series offers an intimate eyewitness account of life in a growing city, a friendly neighbourhood, a changing world, and of a troubling family dynamic from 1935 to 1942, all recorded with Lucy Maud Montgomery's sharp eye and characteristic wit.

Review

"It is not often that a Maritime folk tale turns into Ontario Gothic. But that is what happens to L. M. Montgomery's life as we follow it through her journals."
-Maragaret Anne Doody, The Globe and Mail (full review)

Image credit:
Book cover of The Selected Journals of L.M. Montgomery, Volume V: 1935–1942.

Purchase and read The Selected Journals of L.M. Montgomery, Volume V: 1935–1942:


Created October 25, 2004. Last updated August 20, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Anne of Green Gables Word Search

Enjoy this Anne of Green Gables word search. You can print the image below or download a PDF version of the word search.



Created April 29, 2004. Last updated October 24, 2022.
© worldofanneshirley.com