Jalna (1935)

Director:

John Cromwell

Writers:

Mazo de la Roche (novel), Garrett Fort (adaptation),

Stars:

Kay Johnson, Ian Hunter, C. Aubrey Smith

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Kay Johnson	...	Alayne Archer Whiteoaks
Ian Hunter	...	Renny Whiteoaks
C. Aubrey Smith	...	Uncle Nicholas Whiteoaks
Nigel Bruce	...	Maurice Vaughn
David Manners	...	Eden Whiteoaks
Peggy Wood	...	Meg Whiteoaks
Jessie Ralph	...	Gran Whiteoaks
Theodore Newton	...	Piers Whiteoaks
Halliwell Hobbes	...	Uncle Ernest Whiteoaks
George Offerman Jr.	...	Finch Whiteoaks
Clifford Severn	...	Wakefield 'Wake' Whiteoaks
Molly Lamont	...	Pheasant Vaughn Whiteoaks
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Forrester Harvey	...	Rags, the Butler-Chauffeur

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

drunkenness | birthday | marriage | new york city | picnic | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 August 1935 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Prudential Studios - 5300 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

78 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

George Offerman, Jr. replaced Junior Durkin in this film after Durkin was killed in a car wreck. Jackie Coogan's father was also killed in the wreck.

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Connections

Version of Whiteoaks (1951)

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Soundtracks

"Ring Merrily Bells Ding Dong"
Composer unknown
Played on piano by C. Aubrey Smith
Sung by the Whiteoaks family at Christmas

User Reviews

A Neglected Drama of Canadian Life

The grand old house stands on an extensive estate, for generations home to the Whiteoaks, prosperous Canadian farmers. Ruled by a sharp-tongued but benevolent matriarch, life flows on much as it always has, evenly & predictably. But when two brides are brought home on the same day, passions are unleashed that will bring heartbreak, despair & death, right to the very core of JALNA.

Based on a Canadian bestseller, this unpretentious film has been unfortunately ignored. Filled with both charm & good acting, it rewards thoughtful viewing.

All of the performers do a fine job: Ian Hunter as the brother too busy running the farm to have a life of his own; David Manners, in arguably his finest role, charming & self-centered as the brother with a poetic bent; Theodore Newton, blunt & passionate, as the brother determined to find love; sister Peggy Wood, jilted by hearty neighbor Nigel Bruce, suffering noisily for twenty years; Sir C. Aubrey Smith & Halliwell Hobbes as the old bachelor uncles; Jessie Ralph, as the peppery 99-year old grandmother, wise with age; and Kay Johnson, compassionate & sensible, as the American newcomer who marries into the family.

Notice the interesting way the film introduces the characters in the first scene, by panning around the supper table & labeling each actor.