<Tr> <Th> Budget </Th> <Td> $226,000 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Box office </Th> <Td> $793,000 </Td> </Tr> <P> Anne of Green Gables is a 1934 film directed by George Nicholls, Jr., based upon the novel, Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery . The actress Dawn O'Day who portrayed the title character of Anne Shirley changed her stage name to Anne Shirley after making this film . There was also a sequel; Anne of Windy Poplars . </P> <P> This modest film became a surprise hit in 1934, easily succeeding in becoming one of four top - grossing films RKO made that year (as noted in The R.K.O. Story published by Arlington House). </P>

Who played the original anne of green gables