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Poster for Portrait of Jennie

Portrait of Jennie

Seen it?

1948 | 86 min | Drama, Romance, Fantasy, Mystery

Friday Night Flickearly rating

Why it’s a Friday Night Flick

Critics loved it (93% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it won an Oscar. Make plans for this one.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who likes to be kept guessing, romantics and fantasy fans. If you loved The Ghost and Mrs. Muir or Girl with a Pearl Earring, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Tense, warm and romantic.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 26 min.
What might put you off
  • Made in 1948: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

In Depression-era New York, painter Eben Adams despairs at his lack of success. One cold winter evening in Central Park, he meets enigmatic, old-fashioned Jennie Appleton, who captures his fancy when she asks him to wait for her to grow up. Soon after, Eben sells a sketch of Jennie to kindly art dealer Miss Spinny and, as he meets the oddly mutable Jennie in fleeting moments, begins to realize they share a special destiny.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    93% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.2 out of 10

  • AwardsStrong

    Won 1 Oscar: Best Special Effects. Also nominated for 1 more Oscar.

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $4 million worldwide on a $4 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 33K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by William Dieterle

  • Jennifer JonesJennie Appleton
  • Joseph CottenEben Adams
  • Ethel BarrymoreMiss Spinney
  • Lillian GishMother Mary of Mercy
  • Cecil KellawayMatthews
  • David WayneGus O'Toole
  • Florence BatesMrs. Jekes
  • Albert SharpeMoore
  • Henry HullEke
  • Felix BressartPete