| Photos (see all 12 | slideshow) |
| Jennifer Jones | ... | Jennie Appleton | |
| Joseph Cotten | ... | Eben Adams | |
| Ethel Barrymore | ... | Miss Spinney | |
| Lillian Gish | ... | Mother Mary of Mercy | |
| Cecil Kellaway | ... | Matthews | |
| David Wayne | ... | Gus O'Toole | |
| Albert Sharpe | ... | Moore (as Albert Sharp) | |
| Henry Hull | ... | Eke | |
| Florence Bates | ... | Mrs. Jekes (landlady) | |
| Felix Bressart | ... | Pete | |
| Clem Bevans | ... | Capt. Cobb | |
| Maude Simmons | ... | Clara Morgan | |
| rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Nancy Davis | ... | Teenager in art gallery (uncredited) | |
| Robert Dudley | ... | Another old mariner (uncredited) | |
| John Farrell | ... | Policeman (uncredited) | |
| Anne Francis | ... | Teenager in art gallery (uncredited) | |
| Brian Keith | ... | Ice-skating extra (uncredited) | |
| Nancy Olson | ... | Teenager in art gallery (uncredited) | |
| Esther Somers | ... | Mrs. Bunce (uncredited) | |
Directed by | |||
| William Dieterle | |||
Writing credits | ||
| Robert Nathan | (novel) | |
| Leonardo Bercovici | (adaptation) | |
| Paul Osborn | (screenplay) and | |
| Peter Berneis | (screenplay) | |
| Ben Hecht | uncredited and | |
| David O. Selznick | uncredited | |
Produced by | |||
| David Hempstead | .... | associate producer | |
| David O. Selznick | .... | producer | |
Original Music by | |||
| Dimitri Tiomkin | |||
Cinematography by | |||
| Joseph H. August | (as Joseph August) | ||
| Lee Garmes | (uncredited) | ||
Film Editing by | |||
| William Morgan | |||
Production Design by | |||
| J. McMillan Johnson | |||
Set Decoration by | |||
| Claude E. Carpenter | (as Claude Carpenter) | ||
Costume Design by | |||
| Lucinda Ballard | |||
Production Management | |||
| Argyle Nelson | .... | production manager | |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director | |||
| Arthur Fellows | .... | assistant director | |
Art Department | |||
| Joseph B. Platt | .... | associate production designer | |
Sound Department | |||
| James G. Stewart | .... | sound (uncredited) | |
Special Effects by | |||
| Clarence Slifer | .... | special effects | |
| Charles L. Freeman | .... | special effects (uncredited) | |
| Daniel Hays | .... | special effects (uncredited) | |
| Russell Shearman | .... | special effects (uncredited) | |
Camera and Electrical Department | |||
| Curt Fetters | .... | camera operator (uncredited) | |
| Don Malkames | .... | cinematographer: Central Park ice skating sequence, second unit (uncredited) | |
| John Miehle | .... | still photographer (uncredited) | |
| Morris Rosen | .... | grip (uncredited) | |
Costume and Wardrobe Department | |||
| Anna Hill Johnstone | .... | assistant costume designer | |
Music Department | |||
| Dimitri Tiomkin | .... | music adaptor | |
| Harold Byrns | .... | orchestrator (uncredited) | |
| Maurice De Packh | .... | orchestrator (uncredited) | |
| Joseph Dubin | .... | orchestrator (uncredited) | |
| Manuel Emanuel | .... | orchestrator (uncredited) | |
| Paul Marquardt | .... | orchestrator (uncredited) | |
| George Parrish | .... | orchestrator (uncredited) | |
| Dimitri Tiomkin | .... | conductor (uncredited) | |
Other crew | |||
| Clem Beauchamp | .... | staff executive | |
| Mel Berns | .... | staff executive | |
| Arthur Fellows | .... | staff executive | |
| Larry Germain | .... | staff executive | |
| Don McKay | .... | staff executive | |
| William Morgan | .... | staff executive | |
| Argyle Nelson | .... | staff executive | |
| Lydia Schiller | .... | staff executive | |
| David O. Selznick | .... | presenter | |
| James G. Stewart | .... | staff executive | |
| Gerard Wilson | .... | staff executive | |
| Charlsie Bryant | .... | script supervisor (uncredited) | |
| Paul Eagler | .... | staff executive (uncredited) | |
| Paul MacNamara | .... | publicity director (uncredited) | |
Thanks | |||
| Robert Brackman | .... | acknowledgment | |
| Bernard Herrmann | .... | acknowledgment | |
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| The Picture of Dorian Gray | Big Fish | Gone with the Wind | Across the Universe | Stardust |
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| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| IMDb Drama section | IMDb USA section | Add this title to MyMovies |
Years ago, during Christmas season, "It's A Wonderful Life" (1946) made a huge difference in an otherwise humbug seasonal experience, one all too typical for me. Today, Christmas 1999, "Portrait of Jennie" (1948) gave me the same renewal of spirit and belief in transcendant human values. Similar themes and techniques underlay both films. Hopelessness and a search for meaning and redemption is met in each by a mystical and transforming experience. Black and white photography artfully supports and enhances the plot, especially in "Portrait of Jeannie". Transcendence of monetary woes is another common thread. Unlike the Jimmy Stewart character in "It's A Wonderful Life", Joseph Cotton's struggling artist is doing what he wants to do, not lost in regrets over missed opportunities. Still he is lost, alone and unsatisfied. He finds his salvation in his work, when inspired by a ghostly acquaintance (Jennifer Jones). While there is a nod to traditional religion, the underlying theme of "I believe, if you believe" outweighs any mixed messages. The film unfolds steadily and predictably, but ultimately gives the gifts of hope and joy to any viewer. In my case I would add: despite the viewers original mood. Films like these don't come along too often. Without an ounce of traditional Christmas symbolism this film should be another holiday classic. The transition from humbug to hope is a classic holiday story and gift! As a perennial grouch at Christmas, I am surprised to find another one like it again. Just last night I said humbug to watching "It's a Wonderful Life Again." There must have been something in those post-war years when hope and optimism came rushing back filling the screen, replacing the fear and despair felt by so many. Whatever, give yourself a gift and watch this movie sometime, then pass it along. I'm glad I did!