Portrait of Jennie

source: Portrait of Jennie

I saw Portrait of Jennie when it was released in NYC, when I was 15. I loved it then as now. I related to Eben Adams and aspired to become an artist. After returning from combat service in Korea, I attended art school at the American Art School, where Robert Brackman the real painter of the Jennie portrait, was on the Board of Directors. I also attended some classes at the Art Students League, where he taught. I became a very successful artist and had my own agency on Madison Ave. doing many paintings over 40 years. Mr. Brackman's style is apparent in my own. Presently, I'm painting portraits of my entire family in my new studio at the Jersey shore. My daughter, Kerry's, resembles "Jennie's.

William Dieterle directs a wonderful romantic fantasy evocative of the lonesome and lovesick . Kudos to the special effects staff and Dimitri Tiomkin for the haunting soundtrack. A down-on-his-luck artist(Joseph Cotten)gets inspiration from an otherworldly girl(Jennifer Jones).A little picture becomes bigger and memorable because of its ensemble cast. Near perfection are Ethel Barrymore, David Wayne and Cotten and the beautiful Jones. Also in the cast are Cecil Kellaway and Lillian Gish. Unusual and memorable is a scene near the finale filmed in a green tint and the climax in full color. Pretty cool for a black and white movie. Thanks to PBS for airing this almost forgotten film.

This is one of my favorite movies of all times and especially because of the performance of Jennifer Jones. I was mystified the first time I saw it, probably 20 years ago, and have never tired of it after repeated viewings. That, to me, is the true sign of a classic. It's also one of the few movies that I refuse to erase from my TiVo - so I can watch it at an instance - anytime the mood strikes! What amazes me is that it was never a box office hit - in fact, did quite poorly. It only garnered a following over many years and after being broadcast on TV. I had read that it did so poorly and was so expensive to make, it caused Selznick to liquidate his company to pay off his creditors. Jones performance here is outstanding, and is quite believable as she ages from an adolescent to a grown woman. She was 29 at the time, so that was quite a feat to be able to pull off so young a character. The makeup and wardrobe staff did an excellent job having her evolve through such a wide range of ages so believably. It helps that there was a height difference of her 5'7" to Cotten's 6'2" that they could take advantage of in her youngest ages. Then later, I'm sure they used high heals or platforms for her to stand on as she ages. But it's attention to details such as these that add to the realistic portrayals. I love the special effects, especially the opening with the canvas effect to the filming - it deservedly won the Oscar for special effects that year. I love all the fog and cloud effects that add to a haunting atmosphere. I'm not quite as impressed with the green tint effect during the storm - in fact, I find it a distraction. I did like the sepia tint, and that the closing view of the portrait is in Technicolor. All the cinematography is quite beautiful and ethereal - and quite deserving of the Oscar nomination (but amazingly, it lost to "The Naked City). I don't think anything I write can adequately depict this movie or its essence. You must experience it and see for yourself the perfection that Jones is in "Portrait of Jennie".

Portrait Of Jennie is a romance/drama/fantasy. It was produced by David Selznick, who produced most of Jennifer Jones films. Selznick is most remembered for producing one of the most famous films of all time 'Gone With The Wind". This film ranks toward the best producing effort of Selznick's career. This film features phenomenal scenes of 1940s NYC, haunting music, and a storyline that is unmatched for its category. Jennifer Jones and Joseph Cotten get an A+ each for their respective performances. Great supporting cast that includes Ethel Barrymore (who has a fantastic performance), Lilian Gish (popular silent film actress), Cecil Kellaway, and more. Since this review contains no spoilers, I will just say that 'Portrait of Jennie' is in a category of its own when it comes to romance/drama/fantasy films. A must see for all fans of classic films. I rate this film 10/10.

One of the most beautiful and haunting films of all time. During the Great Depression in New York City, Eben Adams walks through Central Park at dusk and sees a little girl making a snowman. He tells her it's late and walks her out of the park as she sings a song about where she comes from nobody knows. He does a sketch of the little girl and sells it for 12.00. every time he sees the child after that she is a few years older until she reaches the age of 18 then they fall in love.He comes to realize that Jenny is really a ghost. This film comes as a complete surprise to me because in the book other people see Jenny, the cab driver- the landlady. In the movie only the Joseph Cotton character sees her which is the best way because it makes Jennifer Jones character more other worldly.Did you know Selznick considered Shirley Temple for the part? This movie is one of the top three most beautifully photographed black and white films ever made . I even liked the green and sepia lens on the last reel. The last shot in Technicolor is breathtaking.

A struggling artist meets a young woman who inspires him to greatness. After a hokey prologue featuring pretentious narration from the clouds, the film gets off to an intriguing start as Cotten meets the mysterious Jones. The cinematography (by Joseph August, who died before the film was completed) is evocative and eerie and the music of Debussy is effectively used to convey the other-worldliness. However, the hokey elements of the story resurface and the film falters. The behavior of Cotten's character does not make any sense - the way he accepts Jennie for what she appears to be while ignoring obvious clues about her existence. It has a good cast, but the film is disappointing.

A bittersweet sense of melancholy permeates this stunning romantic fantasy, a film produced by David Selznick as a cinematic altar to his wife Jennifer Jones. I adored Jones in Henry King's THE SONG OF BERNADETTE, but I love Jones (almost as much as Joseph Cotten did) in PORTRAIT OF JENNIE. Cotten is Eben Adams, an artist who meets the enigmatic Jennie (Jones) in Central Park. Their time together is always limited for Jennie is compelled to return home to a place Cotten will never visit. At first just a sweet schoolgirl, Jennie appears to have aged unnaturally every time she re-appears to Cotten -- eventually, she is old enough to acknowledge Cotten's romantic and carnal intentions towards her. This unusual, unique studio pic epitomizes "dreamy" for it is exceptionally surreal and photographed in a strange, re-texturized black and white (von Trier's amazing BREAKING THE WAVES used a similar technique to introduce new scenes). The climax, staged on a storm-swept island, is absolutely beautiful and immensely tragic. Some have dismissed PORTRAIT OF JENNIE as amounting to nothing more than a series of pretty pictures. I passionately disagree. It is one of the greatest stories of true love ever filmed, and there is nothing false in its intensity or tone (not if you have loved like this).

The film opens with Twilight Zone vibes, giving the idea that we are going to watch a ghost story of unconventional type. Then enters 30 year old Jennifer Jones dressed as a child and the movie turns into a creepy farce. Jones was David O. Selznick's wife and an A list actress, thanks to her marriage. Or at least, being married to the mega-producer did not hurt a bit her career. She was also a good looking woman, and reading some reviews seems like reviewers are mostly impressed by her looks. However, I just cannot overcome the feeling of creepiness and the absurdity of a grown-up woman dressed up as a child, with virginal clothes and braids, meeting a man and sort of seducing him. Joseph Cotten plays the artist fascinated by the creepy child, who is just waiting for her to be old enough so that they can be properly lovers.... Or something along those lines. Highly disturbing stuff and I really do not understand how this sort of story can be seen as "romantic" (maybe for the pedophiles) or "hunting" (unless you are into mature women who dress up like children and men with OCD).

This wonderful Classic film has entertained people ever since 1948 and it will continue to warm the hearts of all people who fall in love and never stop. Jennifer Jones,(Jennie Appleton) and Joseph Cotton,(Eden Adams) played the role of these two lovers who were real Soul Mates. This film has a very haunting theme with black and white and then a color background. There is a terrifying scene with a sail boat being crashed into the rocks and waves from the ocean beating against a lighthouse almost submerged in water. Eden Adams is calling out "Jennie" "Jennie, Where are You?". Ethel Barrymore, (Miss Spinney) and Lilian Gish gave great supporting roles to make this film even a greater masterpiece for all generations to enjoy.