Jalna (1935)

User Rating:

5.8/10   

Director:

John Cromwell

Writers:

Mazo de la Roche (novel)
Garrett Fort (adaptation) ...
(more)

Release Date:

9 August 1935 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot Keywords:

Centenarian | Ontario | Fall From Height | Seduction | Illegitimacy

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
Willie Best	...	Sam, the Janitor (uncredited)
Harry Holman	...	Mr. Cory, the Publisher (uncredited)

Directed by
John Cromwell

Writing credits
Mazo de la Roche		(novel)
Garrett Fort		(adaptation) and
Lawrence P. Bachmann		(adaptation) (as Larry Bachmann)
Anthony Veiller		(screenplay)

Produced by
Kenneth Macgowan	....	producer

Original Music by
Alberto Colombo		(uncredited)

Cinematography by
Edward Cronjager

Film Editing by
William Morgan

Art Direction by
Van Nest Polglase

Costume Design by
Walter Plunkett

Makeup Department
Fred Frederick	....	wig stylist: Peggy Wood (uncredited)

Art Department
Charles M. Kirk	....	associate art director (as Charles Kirk)

Sound Department
Earl A. Wolcott	....	sound recordist

Special Effects by
Harry Redmond Sr.	....	special effects supervisor (uncredited)

Music Department
Alberto Colombo	....	musical director

Other crew
Elizabeth McGaffey	....	researcher (uncredited)

Production Companies

• RKO Radio Pictures

Distributors

• RKO Radio Pictures (1935) (USA) (theatrical)
• C&C Television Corporation (1955) (USA) (TV)

Runtime:

78 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor System)

Certification:

Spain:13 | USA:Approved (PCA #1088)

Filming Locations:

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

Company:

RKO Radio Pictures

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.

Soundtrack:

Bridal Chorus (Here Comes the Bride)

Canadian Soap

Jalna is a neglected little gem of a soap opera, partly because there are no stars in it. Nice little film about a Canadian family living together on an Ontario estate. Lots of complicated lives, squashed ambitions, family squabbles. Sort of the Dallas or Dynasty of its time. Kay Johnson is "the bride" who changes things for the better. Jessie Ralph is excellent as the grandmother. David Manners is the sulky poet, Ian Hunter is the solid brother. Ted Newton and George Offernan play other brothers. C. Aubrey Smith and Halliwell Hobbes play the unmarried uncles. Molly Lamont is "the other bride." Nigel Bruce is the neighbor in love (for 20 years) with jilted spinster Peggy Wood. Forrester Harvey is the butler. No big stars, but solid acting across the board. And it's oddly funny to hear the opinions about "the States." Going to New York is like a trip to the moon. Jalna was also made into a French Canadian miniseries in the 90s.