The Journey of Natty Gann (1985)

In the 1930s, a tomboy runs away from her guardian to join her single father who is 2,000 miles away, where he has found work.

Director:

Jeremy Kagan

Writer:

Jeanne Rosenberg

Stars:

Meredith Salenger, John Cusack, Ray Wise

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Natty Gann is a 12-year-old Depression-era girl whose single father leaves her behind in Chicago while he goes to Washington State to look for work in the timber industry. Natty runs away from the guardian she was left with to follow Dad. She befriends and is befriended by a wolf that has been abused in dog fights, hops a freight train west, and is presumed dead when her wallet is found after the train crashes. Dad gets bitter and endangers himself in his new job. Meanwhile, Natty has a series of adventures and misadventures in various farmhouses, police stations, hobo camps, reform schools, and boxcars.

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Plot Keywords:

boy and his dog | girl and her dog | wolf hybrid | wolf dog | girl dog relationship | 

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Taglines:

Her name is Natty Gann. Two thousand miles of danger separate her from her father. Only love, hope and courage can help her find him.

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Genres:

Adventure | Family

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Elmer Bernstein's rejected score would ultimately be released on CD in 2008 in a set which also included his similarly-rejected compositions for Gangs of New York (2002) and The Scarlet Letter (1995). The set was called "Elmer Bernstein: The Unused Scores."

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Goofs

After Sol tops off his first tree, he puts his axe on the top. He then climbs up to sit on the top, but the axe has disappeared.

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Quotes

Natty Gann: [to Harry] You ain't seen Chicago, you ain't seen nothin'.

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Connections

Referenced in Starlight Hotel (1987)

User Reviews

A heartwarming classic

If you haven't seen this yet, go rent it. A heartwarming account of a young girl making her way across the country to get back to her father during the depression. One of the earlier reviews was talking about how all of the bad things that happen to Natty are inappropriate for a disney movie, but I think that those are the things that make this film so great. It is a gritty, realistic, non sugar coated story. The things that are shown to happen to Natty happen every day and have been for many many years. They bring drama and "heart" to the film, and make it what it is. Combine the latter with unbelievable cinematography of America, very good performances, and you are left with a very memorable, timeless film. I only wish that Disney would release it on DVD in widescreen. With such great widescreen nature cinematography, having to repeatedly watch the "chopped up" pan and scan version on vhs is killing me!! If you release it we will buy it!!!

Details

Official Sites:

Disney's Official Site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 September 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Natty Gann

Filming Locations:

Pemberton, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$490,318, 29 September 1985

Gross USA:

$9,708,373

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$9,708,373

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walt Disney Pictures, Silver Screen Partners II

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1