Portrait of Jennie

Portrait of Jennie is a 1948 fantasy film based on the novella by Robert Nathan. It tells the story of a painter who falls in love with a mysterious young woman who seems to age every time he meets her. It stars Jennifer Jones, Joseph Cotten, Ethel Barrymore, Cecil Kellaway and Lillian Gish. It was directed by William Dieterle and produced by David O. Selznick.

Related Topics:
Fantasy film - Robert Nathan - Jennifer Jones - Joseph Cotten - Ethel Barrymore - Cecil Kellaway - Lillian Gish - William Dieterle - David O. Selznick

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The book on which the film was based first attracted the attention of David O. Selznick who immediately purchased it as a vehicle for rising star 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 of 1948. The film's major overhaul came when Selznick added a tinted color sequence for the final scenes.

Related Topics:
New York City - Boston, Massachusetts

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When it was released in December of 1948, it was not a success but today it is considered a classic in the genre.

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The portrait of Jennie (Jennifer Jones) was painted by artist Robert Brackman. The painting became one of Selznick's prized possessions and he displayed it in his home after he and Jones married in 1949.

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The title song, "A Portrait of Jennie", became a hit for Nat King Cole.

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