The Journey of Natty Gann (1985)
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100% of critics liked it
(14 reviews) -
73% of users liked it
(6,604 ratings)
Disney's The Journey of Natty Gann stars Meredith Salenger in the title role. During the Depression, Natty's father (Ray Wise) takes a job in a Northwestern lumber camp, leaving his daughter behind in Chicago with the promise that he'll send for her when he's put together enough… More Disney's The Journey of Natty Gann stars Meredith Salenger in the title role. During the Depression, Natty's father (Ray Wise) takes a job in a Northwestern lumber camp, leaving his daughter behind in Chicago with the promise that he'll send for her when he's put together enough money. Unwilling to wait that long, Natty runs away from her guardian (Lainie Kazan) and hops a freight bound for her dad's camp. In addition to the human friends she accrues along the way, including vagabond John Cusack and tough-but-nice juvenile delinquent Barry Miller, Natty is protected on her journey by a friendly wolf (actually a dog, but you try training a wolf). Journey of Natty Gann stretches its "PG" rating as far as possible, but it's still safe and sane entertainment for the younger crowd. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Jeremy Kagan, Jeremy Paul Kagan
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Kids & Family
- In Theaters
- Sep 27, 1985 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Variety Staff, Variety
Director Jeremy Paul Kagan extracts an engaging performance from Meredith Salenger as the heroine.
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, Time Out
There's a real sense of period, even if the film does occasionally become over-sentimental.
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Janet Maslin, New York Times
As Wolf, a dog named Jed gives a forthright and believable performance. Miss Salenger, for her part, gives one, too, and she carries the movie nicely.
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Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
It's nice to see a Disney film that follows the rules of the family-film genre as Walt laid them down.
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
This Disney feature is mildly entertaining, boasting great costumes by Wolsky, who was Oscar-nominated for his design.
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Cast
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Meredith Salenger
as Natty Gann
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John Cusack
as Harry
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Ray Wise
as Saul Gann
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Scatman Crothers
as Sherman
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Barry Miller
as Parker
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Lainie Kazan
as Connie
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Scott Andersen
as Parker's Gang
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Zachary Ansley
as Louis
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Michael Ian Black
as Hobo
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Verna Bloom
as Farm Woman
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Gary Chalk
as Chicago Worker
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Alex Diakun
as Station Master
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Matthew Faison
as Buzz
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John Finnegan
as Logging Boss
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Bruce M. Fischer
as Charlie Linfield
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Thomas Heaton
as Railroad Deek
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Grant Heslov
as Parker's Gang
- John Hock
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Campbell Lane
as Chicago Moderator
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Sheelah Megill
as Lady at Mill
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Ray Michal
as Hobo
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Jennifer Michas
as Parker's Gang
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Jordan Pratt
as Frankie
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Jack Rader
as Employment Agent
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Jeff Ramsey
as Logging Driver
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Gary Riley
as Parker's Gang
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Gabrielle Rose
as Exercise Matron
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Corliss M. Smith Jr.
as Bus Driver
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Ian Tracey
as Parker's Gang
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Peter Anderson
as Unemployed Worker
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Don S. Davis
as Railroad Brakeman
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Stephen E. Miller
as Guard
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Frank C. Turner
as Farmer
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Hannah Cutrona
as Twinky
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Robert Clothier
as Railroad Official
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Wally Beeton
as Logger
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Doug Boyd
as Logger
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Bryan Couture
as Logger
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Kaye Grieve
as Matron
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Gary Hendrickson
as Logger
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Marie Klingenberg
as Dormitory Matron
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Lorne LaRiviere
as Logger
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Al MacIntosh
as Logger
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Doug MacLeod
as Chicago Worker
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Dwight McFee
as Chicago Worker
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Harvey M. Miller
as Railroad Deek
- Paula-Marie Moody
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Clint Rowe
as Bullwhip
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Bob Storms
as Logger
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Max Trumpower
as Chicago Worker
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Hagan Beggs
as Policeman
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Wally Marsh
as Interrogator
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Jack Ackroyd
as Grocery Clerk