The Journey of Natty Gann (1985)

Director:

Jeremy Kagan

Writer:

Jeanne Rosenberg (written by)

Release Date:

27 September 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Family | Adventure

Tagline:

Unforgettably Undeniably Disney

Plot:

In the 1930s, a tomboyish girl runs away from her guardian to join her single father who is 2,000 miles away, because there was work there.

Plot Keywords:

Train | Girl | Wolf | Single Father | 1930s

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Meredith Salenger	...	Natty Gann
John Cusack	...	Harry
Ray Wise	...	Sol Gann
Lainie Kazan	...	Connie
Scatman Crothers	...	Sherman
Barry Miller	...	Parker
Verna Bloom	...	Farm Woman
Bruce M. Fischer	...	Charlie Linfield
John Finnegan	...	Logging Boss
Jack Rader	...	Employment Agent
Matthew Faison	...	Buzz
Jordan Pratt	...	Frankie
Zachary Ansley	...	Louie
Campbell Lane	...	Chicago Moderator
Max Trumpower	...	Chicago Worker
Doug MacLeod	...	Chicago Worker
Garry Chalk	...	Chicago Worker (as Gary Chalk)
Dwight McFee	...	Chicago Worker
Peter Anderson	...	Unemployed Worker
Corliss M. Smith Jr.	...	Bus Driver
Hagan Beggs	...	Policeman
Ian Black	...	Hobo
Ray Michal	...	Hobo
Clint Rowe	...	Bullwhip
Frank C. Turner	...	Farmer
Jack Ackroyd	...	Grocery Clerk
Grant Heslov	...	Parker's Gang
Gary Riley	...	Parker's Gang
Scott Andersen	...	Parker's Gang
Ian Tracey	...	Parker's Gang
Jennifer Michas	...	Parker's Gang
Wally Marsh	...	Interrogator
Kaye Grieve	...	Matron
Hannah Cutrona	...	Twinky
Gabrielle Rose	...	Exercise Matron
Marie Klingenberg	...	Dormitory Matron
Stephen E. Miller	...	Guard
Robert Clothier	...	Railroad Official
Don S. Davis	...	Railroad Brakeman (as Don Davis)
Alex Diakun	...	Station Master
Tom Heaton	...	Railroad Deek
Harvey M. Miller	...	Railroad Deek
Sheelah Megill	...	Lady at Mill
Jeff Ramsey	...	Logging Driver
Gary Hendrickson	...	Logger
Wally Beeton	...	Logger
Doug Boyd	...	Logger
Bryan Couture	...	Logger
Al MacIntosh	...	Logger
Lorne LaRiviere	...	Logger
Bob Storms	...	Logger
Jed	...	Wolf
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Nancy-Rae Aaron	...	Girl Hobo (uncredited)
Rachael Clark	...	Destitute Child (uncredited)
David Paul Hewitt White	...	Unemployed worker (uncredited)

Directed by
Jeremy Kagan

Writing credits
Jeanne Rosenberg		(written by)

Produced by
Les Kimber	....	co-associate producer
Mike Lobell	....	producer
Jeanne Rosenberg	....	associate producer

Original Music by
James Horner

Cinematography by
Dick Bush		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
David Holden

Casting by
Janet Hirshenson
Jane Jenkins

Production Design by
Paul Sylbert

Art Direction by
Michael S. Bolton

Set Decoration by
Jim Erickson

Costume Design by
Albert Wolsky

Makeup Department
Sandy Cooper	....	makeup artist
Al Magallon	....	hair stylist
Al Magallon	....	prosthetics

Production Management
Les Kimber	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Patrice Leung	....	third assistant director
Tom Rowe	....	second assistant director
Michael E. Steele	....	first assistant director (as Michael Steele)

Art Department
James H. Chow	....	property master (as Jimmy H. Chow)
Jeanette D'Ambrosio-Sylbert	....	assistant: Mr. Sylbert (as Jeannette D'Ambrosio)
Della Mae Johnston	....	art department buyer
Ian D. Thomas	....	assistant art director (as Ian Thomas)
Linda Vipond	....	art dresser
David Willson	....	construction coordinator
Bob Bottieri	....	lead painter (uncredited)
Geoff Hilliard	....	carpenter (uncredited)

Sound Department
Tom Bellfort	....	sound effects editor
B.J. Clayden	....	boom operator
Lizzie Gelber	....	sound effects editor (as Lizabeth Gelber)
Ralph Parker	....	sound mixer
Richard Portman	....	sound re-recording mixer
Jerry Ross	....	sound effects editor
Leslie Shatz	....	supervising sound editor
Giorgio Venturoli	....	sound effects editor
Allen Hurd	....	sound recordist (uncredited)
Martin Maryska	....	sound editorial assistant (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Dennis Dion	....	special effects coordinator
Lee Routly	....	special effects man
Ralph Winiger	....	special effects man

Stunts
Bill Ferguson	....	stuntman
Alex Green	....	stuntman
Gary Hendrickson	....	stuntman
Johnny Hock	....	stunt double: Harry (as John Hock)
David Jacox	....	stuntman
George Josef	....	stuntman
Lon Katzman	....	stuntman (as Lon Katzmann)
Ken Kirzinger	....	stuntman
Michael Langlois	....	stuntman (as Michael S. Langlois)
Brad Loree	....	stuntman
J.J. Makaro	....	stuntman
Paula Marie Moody	....	stunt double: Natty (as Paula-Marie Moody)
Tony Morelli	....	stuntman
Jeff Ramsey	....	stunt coordinator
Jacob Rupp	....	stuntman
Bill Stewart	....	stuntman
John Wardlow	....	stuntman (as Victor John Wardlow)
Robert Milicevic	....	stunt performer (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Richard Allen	....	dolly grip
John S. Bartley	....	gaffer (as John Bartley)
Paul F. Birkett	....	second camera operator (as Paul Birkett)
Dillard Brinson	....	key grip
Bruno Engler	....	still photographer
Chris Harris	....	second assistant camera
Stephen Jackson	....	best boy (as Steve Jackson)
Cameron MacDonald	....	second camera operator (as Cam MacDonald)
John McCallum	....	first assistant camera (as Sandy McCallum)
Rod Parkhurst	....	camera operator
Alan Zenuk	....	still photographer

Casting Department
Michelle Allen	....	extras casting
Lynne Carrow	....	additional casting
Michael Hirshenson	....	casting associate

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Jerry R. Allen	....	wardrobe master (as Jerry Allen)
Harry Curtis	....	costume department supervisor
Linda Lee Langdon	....	wardrobe assistant (as Linda Langdon)

Editorial Department
Baylis Glascock	....	assistant editor
Steven Rosenblum	....	additional film editor

Music Department
Else Blangsted	....	music editor
Greig McRitchie	....	orchestrations
Shawn Murphy	....	music scoring mixer
George Doering	....	musician (uncredited)
James Horner	....	conductor (uncredited)
James Thatcher	....	musician: french horn (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Scott Irvine	....	transportation coordinator
Peter Lassen	....	driver captain (as Peter M. Lassen)

Other crew
Stewart Bethune	....	production assistant
Terrie Maxine Frankle	....	production assistant
Jeff Freedman	....	unit publicist
Catherine Howard	....	production coordinator (as Cathy Howard)
Joe Janssen	....	assistant trainer
Doug MacLeod	....	location manager
Elyse A. Mayberry	....	secretary: Mr. Lobell
Sandra Mayo	....	assistant: Mr. Lobell
Isabella Miller	....	wrangler
Rose Ronne	....	production assistant
Clint Rowe	....	owner and trainer: JED (wolf )
Clint Rowe	....	owner and trainer: JED
Joanne Ryan	....	first aid
Doug Seus	....	coyote wrangler (as Doug Seuss)
Linda Sheehy-Brownstein	....	production coordinator (as Linda Sheehy)
Gary Vaughn	....	assistant trainer
Christine Wilson	....	script supervisor
Barbara Ann Schoemaker	....	production assistant (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Walt Disney Pictures (presents)
• Silver Screen Partners II (produced in association with)

Distributors

• Buena Vista Distribution Company (1985) (USA) (theatrical) (as Buena Vista Distribution Co., Inc.)
• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1987) (USA) (TV) (broadcast premiere)
• Buena Vista Pictures Distribution (1985) (Canada) (theatrical)
• Walt Disney Company (1985) (UK) (theatrical)
• Walt Disney Pictures (1986) (France) (theatrical)
• Abril Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
• Gativideo (198?) (Argentina) (VHS)

Other Companies

• R/Greenberg Associates  main and end titles designed by (as R/Greenberg Associates, Inc. New York City)
• Pocket Books  published by: read the Archway Paperback
• William F. White International  grip and lighting equipment

Also Known As:

Runtime:

101 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Singapore:PG | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Argentina:Atp | Peru:PT | Portugal:M/6 | Australia:PG | Finland:K-10 | UK:PG | USA:PG (#27824) | West Germany:6

Filming Locations:

British Columbia Railway, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Walt Disney Pictures

Trivia:

Only two steam locomotives were used in the filming of this movie. Both steam locomotives are owned by the Province of British Columbia. The first engine which appears in most of the scenes is ex CP #3716. It had its number changed in a few scenes to give the illusion of more locomotives. It is now operational at the Kettle Valley Steam Railway in Summerland, BC. The other steam locomotive is ex MB #1077 which is now operational at Fort Steele Heritage Town near Cranbrook, BC. #1077 also appeared in Shanghai Noon starring Jackie Chan. Both #3716 and #1077 also appeared together in the movie The Grey Fox about gentleman train robber Bill Miner.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The story takes place in 1935, but in the scene where Natty finds the puppy behind the cinema, the movie poster behind her is for "The Buccaneer" (the name of the film star, Fredric March, can be seen in the close up), which was released in 1938.

Quotes:

Harry:[opens the door to a barn, looks inside, then speaks to Natty] It looks safe. Come on. Come on! It's empty! Nothin' in here but a pig, and he sure don't care.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color: Disney Goes to the Oscars (#30.8)" (1986)

Great Depression-era adventure with female lead star

'The Journey of Natty Gann' was a film that I watched several times when I was a child. I enjoyed it because there are few movies in which there is a female lead character who is a tomboy, and I could easily relate to this character, being a tomboy and seeking adventure myself.

This film is about Natty, a girl during the Great Depression, who is separated from her father. She runs away from her guardian to try to find her father and finds compassion in an captive wolf in a similar situation. During her travels, she meets many new people, including a love interest, and puts herself into danger. She's always on the run in her attempt to get to her father.

This film is a good family historical film, and it is packed full of adventure and danger. It has some good messages behind it, and it is easy to see the similarities in the two lead outcasts: wolf and girl. It's a great film because it has a female lead character who is a tomboy.