Film Snail

6.9

The Journey of Natty Gann

PG·1985·101m

Adventure

Family

Drama

Adventure

Family

Drama

Summary

America is in the depths of the Great Depression. Families drift apart when faraway jobs beckon. A courageous young girl confronts overwhelming odds when she embarks on a cross-country search for her father. During her odyssey, she forms a close bond with two diverse traveling companions: a magnificent, protective wolf, and a hardened drifter.

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

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

Walter 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

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

Jennifer Michas

Parker's Gang

Crew

Director

Jeremy Kagan

Screenplay

Jeanne Rosenberg

Reviews

r96sk

September 16, 2020

Wholesome, charming and touching. Great film.

<em>'The Journey of Natty Gann'</em> is an excellent adventure drama. This absolutely flies through its 101 minute run time, that's mostly - though not entirely - thanks to how well paced the film is. It never stays in one spot for too long, which makes it entertaining. It doesn't sacrifice any character development by doing that either.

Meredith Salenger portrays the titular character. She is fantastic, from start-to-finish. A terrific debut! A young John Cusack makes an appearance, he is good in the role of Harry. You also have Ray Wise involved as Sol. All three of those add a lot to the production, credit to 'em. The wolfdog, Jed, is adorable too.

A real sweet, but also fun, film from Disney; it's into my live-action top five from them; of the ones I've watched at this point, up until 1985.