Archive for February 19, 2016
PORTRAIT OF JENNIE: A HAUNTING ROMANCE
As promised with my piece about The War of the Worlds, a romance would follow.
Here it is and I hope you pursue this haunting story.
The movie follows a starving artist, played by Joseph Cotton, during the Depression struggling to survive in New York. An art dealer, played by Ethyl Barrymore, recognizes that he has talented and buys some of his paintings. Then he meets Jennie, played by Jennifer Jones. The book, written by Robert Nathan in 1940 and made into the movie, Portrait of Jennie, in 1948 is well worth viewing. Nathan also wrote The Bishop’s Wife in 1928, made into a movie twice, beginning in 1947.
Now back to Jennie.
This has to be one of the most hauntingly beautiful movies ever made. When Jennie is a child she and the artist first meet. As the story progresses, Jennie rapidly matures. Finally the artist paints her and that portrait becomes the highpoint of his career. Jennie and the artist become an eternal love. Jennie is the most haunting character I have ever seen. Please watch this movie, sometime offered on TCM, if you have a chance.
During my last viewing I looked for the author’s name which was Robert Nathan. Nathan, born in 1894 and died in 1984 wrote many novels, along works in other genre as we all do, but I feel Portrait of Jennie is exceptional. I recently purchased to book and found, for the most part, the movie closely followed the book.
If you are a romantic, such as this author even though I write horror and science fiction, watch the movie when you have an opportunity. And read the book and be mesmerized.
As a side note, I want to mention the enjoyment and importance I find in bringing to light past authors who are forgotten, unknown authors making a contribution to their art but whose name has been lost to time.
Walttriznastories's Blog 