rko have a reputation for make folksy and homespun piece of americana . anne shirley ( a dawn oday ) have be in film since she be a toddler . by 1933 she be in limbo have play ann dvorak a a child in three on a match ( 1932 ) and a flower girl in both this side of heaven and the key both in 1934. george nicholls jnr remember anne work from a previous film and that how she get this part . she also adopt anne shirley a her stage name . the memorable story be there lady of shallot in a leaky boat and the steal brooch and the red hair incident . anne be so right for the role of the chatty and heartwarming orphan . she be heartbreaking in her intensity and her eagerness to please and also her fiery temper . o. p. heggie be wonderful a the understanding matthew cuthbert and helen westley be fine a the firm marilla . tom brown be an excellent gilbert blythe . gertrude messinger and who have also be in film a a small child be fine a diana barry . sara haden prove she could play someone other than aunt millie in the andy hardy series and be mrs. barry .