PORTRAIT OF JENNIE (1948)
Always on the look out for important star vehicles for his wife Jennifer Jones, producer David O' Selznick took Robert Nathan's novel of ghostly love, "Portrait Of Jennie," and turned it into a lavish spectacle. Directed by veteran William Dieterle, "Portrait Of Jennie" (1948) was the fourth and last teaming of Selznick favorites Jennifer Jones and Joseph Cotton. The movie is the love story of a little girl named Jennie and a painter named Eben, who meet in Central Park. Charmed by her, Eben decides to paint her portrait, but with each subsequent sitting, Jennie seems to be a bit older. As he attempts to capture Jennie on canvas, she advises him to hurry and informs him that she's trying to grow up as fast as she can so they can be lovers.
Fantasy has always been as fascinating to approach as it is difficult to film and "Jennie" was no exception. Filled with an all-star cast of supporting players including Ethel Barrymore, Lillian Gish, David Wayne and Cecil Kellaway, "Portrait Of Jennie" weaves an ethereal and enigmatic spell over the viewer who becomes as obsessed with the mystery of "Jennie" as Eben is in love with her. Filmed on location in Manhattan and with a haunting musical score by classic composer Claude Debussy, "Portrait Of Jennie" is unforgettable film fantasy the likes of which the screen has seldom tried, nor succeeded at since.

Jennie Appleton: I know we were meant to be together. The strands of our lives are woven together and neither the world nor time can tear them apart.

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