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''Portrait of Jennie'' is a 1948 American fantasy film based on the 1940 novella by
Robert Nathan Robert Gruntal Nathan (January 2, 1894 – May 25, 1985) was an American novelist and poet. Biography Nathan was born into a prominent New York Sephardic family. He was educated in the United States and Switzerland and attended Harvard Unive ...
. The film was directed by
William Dieterle William Dieterle (July 15, 1893 – December 9, 1972) was a German-born actor and film director who emigrated to the United States in 1930 to leave a worsening political situation. He worked in Hollywood primarily as a director for much of his ...
and produced by
David O. Selznick David O. Selznick (May 10, 1902June 22, 1965) was an American film producer, screenwriter and film studio executive who produced '' Gone with the Wind'' (1939) and ''Rebecca'' (1940), both of which earned him an Academy Award for Best Picture. ...
. It stars Jennifer Jones and
Joseph Cotten Joseph Cheshire Cotten Jr. (May 15, 1905 – February 6, 1994) was an American film, stage, radio and television actor. Cotten achieved prominence on Broadway, starring in the original stage productions of '' The Philadelphia Story'' and ''Sab ...
. At the
21st Academy Awards The 21st Academy Awards were held on March 24, 1949, honoring the films of 1948. The ceremony was moved from the Shrine Auditorium to the Academy's own theater, primarily because the major Hollywood studios had withdrawn their financial support ...
, it won an
Oscar Oscar, OSCAR, or The Oscar may refer to: People * Oscar (given name), an Irish- and English-language name also used in other languages; the article includes the names Oskar, Oskari, Oszkár, Óscar, and other forms. * Oscar (Irish mythology), ...
for Best Special Effects (
Paul Eagler Paul Eagler (September 24, 1890 – September 30, 1961) was an American special effects artist. He won an Academy Award for Best Special Effects and was nominated for another one in the same category. Selected filmography * '' Because of a ...
,
Joseph McMillan Johnson Joseph McMillan Johnson (September 15, 1912 – April 17, 1990) was a leading Hollywood art director born in Los Angeles. He was graduated from USC with a degree in architecture before attending Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. He was wo ...
,
Russell Shearman Russell Morrison Shearman (April 27, 1908 – May 5, 1956) was an American special effects artist. He won a Technical Achievement Award at the 19th Academy Awards in 1946 along with Marty Martin and Jack Lannan of the RKO Radio Studio Specia ...
and Clarence Slifer; Special Audible Effects: Charles L. Freeman and James G. Stewart). Joseph H. August was also nominated for an
Academy Award for Best Cinematography The Academy Award for Best Cinematography is an Academy Award awarded each year to a cinematographer for work on one particular motion picture. History In its first film season, 1927–28, this award (like others such as the acting awards) ...
- Black and White.


Plot

In 1934, impoverished painter Eben Adams (
Joseph Cotten Joseph Cheshire Cotten Jr. (May 15, 1905 – February 6, 1994) was an American film, stage, radio and television actor. Cotten achieved prominence on Broadway, starring in the original stage productions of '' The Philadelphia Story'' and ''Sab ...
) meets a fey little girl named Jennie Appleton ( Jennifer Jones) in
Central Park Central Park is an urban park in New York City located between the Upper West Side, Upper West and Upper East Sides of Manhattan. It is the List of New York City parks, fifth-largest park in the city, covering . It is the most visited urban par ...
, Manhattan. She is wearing old-fashioned clothing. He makes a sketch of her from memory which involves him with art dealer Miss Spinney ( Ethel Barrymore), who sees potential in him. This inspires him to paint a portrait of Jennie. Eben encounters Jennie at intermittent intervals. Strangely, she appears to be growing up much more rapidly than is possible. He soon falls in love with her but is puzzled by the fact that she seems to be experiencing events that he discovers took place many years previously as if they had just happened. Eventually he learns the truth about Jennie and though inevitable tragedy ensues, she continues to be an inspiration to Eben's life and art, and his career makes a remarkable upturn, commencing with his portrait of Jennie.


Cast

* Jennifer Jones as Jennie Appleton *
Joseph Cotten Joseph Cheshire Cotten Jr. (May 15, 1905 – February 6, 1994) was an American film, stage, radio and television actor. Cotten achieved prominence on Broadway, starring in the original stage productions of '' The Philadelphia Story'' and ''Sab ...
as Eben Adams * Ethel Barrymore as Miss Spinney *
Lillian Gish Lillian Diana Gish (October 14, 1893February 27, 1993) was an American actress, director, and screenwriter. Her film-acting career spanned 75 years, from 1912, in silent film shorts, to 1987. Gish was called the "First Lady of American Cinema", ...
as Mother Mary of Mercy *
Cecil Kellaway Cecil Lauriston Kellaway (22 August 1890 – 28 February 1973) was a South African character actor. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor twice, for '' The Luck of the Irish'' (1948) and ''Guess Who's Coming to Dinner' ...
as Matthews * David Wayne as Gus O'Toole *
Albert Sharpe Albert Sharpe (15 April 1885 – 13 February 1970) was a Northern Irish stage and film actor. Life and work Albert Edward Sharpe was born at 8 Goudy's Court in Belfast on 15 April 1885, one of six children born to fishmonger John Sharpe, a Pres ...
as Moore * Henry Hull as Eke *
Florence Bates Florence Bates ( Rabe; April 15, 1888 - January 31, 1954), was an American film and stage character actress who often played grande dame characters in supporting roles. Life and career Bates was the second child born to Jewish immigrant pare ...
as Mrs. Jekes *
Clem Bevans Clem Guy Bevans (October 16, 1880 – August 11, 1963) was an American character actor best remembered for playing eccentric, grumpy old men. Early life Bevans was born in Cozzadale, Ohio. Career Bevans had a very long career, starting in va ...
as Capt. Cobb *
Brian Keith Brian Keith (born Robert Alba Keith, November 14, 1921 – June 24, 1997) was an American film, television, and stage actor who in his six-decade career gained recognition for his work in films such as the Disney family film '' The Parent T ...
as Ice-Skating Extra (uncredited) * Nancy Davis as Teenager in Art Gallery (uncredited) *
Anne Francis Anne Francis (also known as Anne Lloyd Francis; September 16, 1930 – January 2, 2011) was an American actress known for her ground-breaking roles in the science-fiction film ''Forbidden Planet'' (1956) and the television action-drama seri ...
as Teenager in Art Gallery (uncredited) *
Nancy Olson Nancy Ann Olson (born July 14, 1928) is an American actress. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in ''Sunset Boulevard'' (1950). She co-starred with William Holden in four films, and later appeared in ...
as Teenager in Art Gallery (uncredited) * Robert Dudley as Another Old Mariner (uncredited) * Maude Simmons as Clara Morgan


Production

The book on which the film was based first attracted the attention of David O. Selznick, who purchased it as a vehicle for Jennifer Jones. Filming began in early 1947 in New York City and Boston, Massachusetts, but Selznick was unhappy with the results and scheduled re-shoots as well as hiring and firing five different writers before the film was completed in October 1948. The New York shooting enabled Selznick to use
Albert Sharpe Albert Sharpe (15 April 1885 – 13 February 1970) was a Northern Irish stage and film actor. Life and work Albert Edward Sharpe was born at 8 Goudy's Court in Belfast on 15 April 1885, one of six children born to fishmonger John Sharpe, a Pres ...
and David Wayne who were both appearing on stage in ''
Finian's Rainbow ''Finian's Rainbow'' is a musical with a book by E. Y. Harburg and Fred Saidy, lyrics by Harburg, and music by Burton Lane, produced by Lee Sabinson. The original 1947 Broadway production ran for 725 performances, while a film version was re ...
'', giving an Irish flair to characters and the painting in the bar that was not in Nathan's novel. Although ''Portrait of Jennie'' was a fantasy, Selznick insisted on filming actual locations in Massachusetts ( The Graves Light) and New York City (
Central Park Central Park is an urban park in New York City located between the Upper West Side, Upper West and Upper East Sides of Manhattan. It is the List of New York City parks, fifth-largest park in the city, covering . It is the most visited urban par ...
, The Cloisters and the Metropolitan Museum of Art), which dramatically increased the film's production costs. The film's major overhaul came when Selznick added a tinted color sequence for the final scenes. The final shot of the painting, appearing just before the credits, was presented in three-strip Technicolor. ''Portrait of Jennie'' was highly unusual for its time in that it had no opening credits as such, except for the Selznick Studio logo. All the other credits appear at the end. Before the film proper begins, the title is announced by the narrator (after delivering a spoken prologue, he says, "And now, 'Portrait of Jennie'"). The portrait of Jennie (Jennifer Jones) was painted by artist
Robert Brackman Robert Brackman (September 25, 1898 – July 16, 1980) was an American artist and teacher, best known for large figural works, portraits, and still lifes. Biography Robert Brackman was born on September 25, 1898, in Odessa, Russian Empire (no ...
. The painting became one of Selznick's prized possessions, and it was displayed in his home after he married Jones in 1949. The film features Joseph H. August's atmospheric cinematography, capturing the lead character's obsession with Jennie, amongst the environs of a wintry New York. August shot many of the scenes through a canvas, making the scenes look like actual paintings. August, who used many lenses from the silent film era,Thomson, David. ''Showman: The Life of David O. Selznik'' (Knopf, 1992). died shortly after completing the film. He was posthumously nominated for an
Academy Award for Best Cinematography The Academy Award for Best Cinematography is an Academy Award awarded each year to a cinematographer for work on one particular motion picture. History In its first film season, 1927–28, this award (like others such as the acting awards) ...
. Dimitri Tiomkin used themes by
Claude Debussy (Achille) Claude Debussy (; 22 August 1862 – 25 March 1918) was a French composer. He is sometimes seen as the first Impressionist composer, although he vigorously rejected the term. He was among the most influential composers of the ...
, including '' Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune'' (''Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun''), the two Arabesques, "Nuages" and "Sirènes" from '' Nocturnes'', and ''
La fille aux cheveux de lin ''La fille aux cheveux de lin'' () is a musical composition for solo piano by French composer Claude Debussy. It is the eighth piece in the composer's first book of ''Préludes'', written between late 1909 and early 1910. The title is in Fr ...
'', with the addition of
Bernard Herrmann Bernard Herrmann (born Maximillian Herman; June 29, 1911December 24, 1975) was an American composer and conductor best known for his work in composing for films. As a conductor, he championed the music of lesser-known composers. He is widely r ...
's "Jennie's Theme" to a song featured in Nathan's book ("Where I came from, nobody knows, and where I am going everyone goes"), utilizing a theremin. Herrmann was assigned the original composing duties for the film but left during its extended shooting schedule. A scene of Jennie and Eben having a picnic after witnessing the ceremony in the convent, features in the original screenplay. It was filmed but deleted when it looked as if Jennie's hair was blending into the tree next to her. Another scene that featured Jennie doing a dance choreographed by
Jerome Robbins Jerome Robbins (born Jerome Wilson Rabinowitz; October 11, 1918 – July 29, 1998) was an American dancer, choreographer, film director, theatre director and producer who worked in classical ballet, on stage, film, and television. Among his nu ...
took over ten days to film, but was not used in the completed film.


Reception

When ''Portrait of Jennie'' was released in December 1948, it was not a success, but today it is considered a classic in the fantasy genre with a 91% "fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Upon its release, '' The New York Times'' reviewer
Bosley Crowther Francis Bosley Crowther Jr. (July 13, 1905 – March 7, 1981) was an American journalist, writer, and film critic for ''The New York Times'' for 27 years. His work helped shape the careers of many actors, directors and screenwriters, though his ...
called it "deficient and disappointing in the extreme;" but the '' Variety'' reviewers found the story was "told with style, taste and dignity." Later film critics have also given the film strong praise. Leslie Halliwell wrote that it was "presented with superb persuasiveness by a first-class team of actors and technicians". "Portrait of Jennie," the title song written by J. Russell Robinson, subsequently became a hit for
Nat King Cole Nathaniel Adams Coles (March 17, 1919 – February 15, 1965), known professionally as Nat King Cole, was an American singer, jazz pianist, and actor. Cole's music career began after he dropped out of school at the age of 15, and continued f ...
. An EmArcy Records (MG-36005) recording, ''
Clifford Brown with Strings ''Clifford Brown with Strings'' is a 1955 studio album by trumpeter Clifford Brown. Track listing # " Yesterdays" ( Otto Harbach, Jerome Kern) – 2:59 # " Laura" ( Johnny Mercer, David Raksin) – 3:26 # " What's New?" ( Johnny Burke, Bob H ...
'' (recorded January 18, 19, 20, 1955) features jazz trumpeter
Clifford Brown Clifford Benjamin Brown (October 30, 1930 – June 26, 1956) was an American jazz trumpeter and composer. He died at the age of 25 in a car accident, leaving behind four years' worth of recordings. His compositions "Sandu", "Joy Spring", an ...
performing "Portrait of Jenny" ic Although this instrumental version of the song was arranged by
Neal Hefti Neal Paul Hefti (October 29, 1922 – October 11, 2008) was an American jazz trumpeter, composer, and arranger. He wrote music for '' The Odd Couple'' movie and TV series and for the ''Batman'' TV series. He began arranging professionally in his ...
for the date, the melodic line is close to what Nat King Cole had recorded in 1948. It was revisited in 1958 by pianist Red Garland on '' Manteca'', and again in 1966 by jazz trumpeter
Blue Mitchell Richard Allen "Blue" Mitchell (March 13, 1930 – May 21, 1979) was an American trumpeter and composer who worked in jazz, rhythm and blues, soul, rock and funk. He recorded albums as leader and sideman for Riverside, Mainstream Records, and Bl ...
on his '' Bring It Home to Me''.
Rob McConnell Robert Murray Gordon "Rob" McConnell, (14 February 1935 – 1 May 2010) was a Canadian jazz trombonist, composer, and arranger.Jeff Sultanof. Experiencing Big Band Jazz: A Listener's Companion'. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers; 8 November 2 ...
and the Boss Brass recorded a version of "Portrait of Jenny" heard widely on jazz radio stations on their 1976 LP ''The Jazz Album'' featuring
Guido Basso Guido Basso, (born 27 September 1937) is a Canadian jazz musician who was a member of Rob McConnell's Boss Brass big band. He is a trumpeter, flugelhornist, arranger, composer and conductor. Life and career Basso was born in Montreal, Quebec, ...
. Joseph Cotten's performance as Eben Adams won the International Prize for Best Actor at the 1949 Venice International Film Festival. The film is recognized by
American Film Institute The American Film Institute (AFI) is an American nonprofit film organization that educates filmmakers and honors the heritage of the motion picture arts in the United States. AFI is supported by private funding and public membership fees. Leade ...
in these lists: * 2002: AFI's 100 Years...100 Passions – Nominated * 2008:
AFI's 10 Top 10 ''AFI's 10 Top 10'' honors the ten greatest American films in ten classic film genres. Presented by the American Film Institute (AFI), the lists were unveiled on a television special broadcast by CBS on June 17, 2008. In the special, various act ...
: ** Nominated Fantasy Film


Adaptations

''Portrait of Jennie'' was presented on the radio program ''
Academy Award The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment ind ...
'' on December 4, 1946.
Joan Fontaine Joan de Beauvoir de Havilland (October 22, 1917 – December 15, 2013), known professionally as Joan Fontaine, was a British-American actress who is best known for her starring roles in Hollywood films during the " Golden Age". Fontaine appeared ...
starred in the adaptation. '' Lux Radio Theatre'' presented an hour-long adaptation of the film on October 31, 1949, again starring Joseph Cotten, but this time with
Anne Baxter Anne Baxter (May 7, 1923 – December 12, 1985) was an American actress, star of Hollywood films, Broadway productions, and television series. She won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe, and was nominated for an Emmy. A granddaughter of Frank ...
in the role of Jennie.


See also

* ''
Since You Went Away ''Since You Went Away'' is a 1944 American epic drama film directed by John Cromwell for Selznick International Pictures and distributed by United Artists. It is an epic about the American home front during World War II that was adapted and p ...
'' * ''
Love Letters A love letter is an expression of love in written form. However delivered, the letter may be anything from a short and simple message of love to a lengthy explanation and description of feelings. History One of the oldest references to a l ...
'' * '' Duel in the Sun''


References


External links

* * * * * Walker, John A
Portrait of Jennie (1948) film review
''artdesigncafe''. (23 February 2011). Retrieved 2 July 2011. Streaming audio
''Portrait of Jennie''
on
Academy Award Theater ''Academy Award'' (also listed as ''Academy Award Theater)''Terrace, Vincent. (1999). ''Radio Programs, 1924–1984: A Catalog of More Than 1800 Shows''. McFarland & Company, Inc. . p. 8. is a CBS radio anthology series, which presented 30-minut ...
: December 4, 1946
''Portrait of Jennie''
on Lux Radio Theater: October 31, 1949 {{DEFAULTSORT:Portrait Of Jennie 1948 films 1940s fantasy films American black-and-white films American ghost films American romantic fantasy films 1940s English-language films Films about fictional painters Films based on American novels Films based on works by Robert Nathan Films directed by William Dieterle Films partially in color Films produced by David O. Selznick Films scored by Dimitri Tiomkin Films set in 1934 Films set in Boston Films set in New York City Films shot in Boston Films shot in New York City Films that won the Best Visual Effects Academy Award Nat King Cole songs Selznick International Pictures films Saint Patrick's Day films American fantasy films 1940s American films