She's talkative; imaginative; occasionally combative and regularly exhaustive; but redheaded orphan Anne Shirley works her way into the hearts of a Prince Edward Island farm couple - and she'll do the same with you. A year... more » after its top-notch film of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women; RKO scored another box-office hit with this equally admired version of Lucy Maud Montgomery's 1908 classic. Adopted by elder siblings Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert (helen Westley and O.P. Heggie); Anne isn't the able-bodied boy they requested from the orphange; but they count their blessing anyway. Over time; she endears herself to one and all; particularly best friend Diana Barry (Gertrude Messenger) and romantic interest Gilbert Blythe (Tom Brown). Most moved by this experience was Anne Shirley; who changed her professional name from Dawn O'Day to that of her Anne of Green Gables title role; going on to reknown as the Oscar-nominated costar of Stella Dallas as well as leads in The Devil and Daniel Webster and Murder; My Sweet.« less