The Journey of Natty Gann (1985)

100% of critics liked it
(14 reviews)
73% of users liked it
(6,459 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 money. Unwilling to… 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

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 41 min.
Directed By: Jeremy Kagan, Jeremy Paul Kagan
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Kids & Family

In Theaters: Sep 27, 1985 Wide
On DVD: May 21, 2002

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Director Jeremy Paul Kagan extracts an engaging performance from Meredith Salenger as the heroine.
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.
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.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
This Disney feature is mildly entertaining, boasting great costumes by Wolsky, who was Oscar-nominated for his design.
Heather Boerner, Common Sense Media
Compelling adventure too violent for some kids.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Salenger is wonderful, and so is the wolf.
, Time Out
There's a real sense of period, even if the film does occasionally become over-sentimental.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Another fondly remembered Disney flick absolutely flushed down the toilet by a pathetic full frame transfer. Sad news indeed.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Highly satisfying drama set in the 1930s about a courageous young girl's search for her father.
Phil Villarreal, Arizona Daily Star
A solid, action-packed road trip, with heartened performances.

Read all 10 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Wahida K

Unforgettably Undeniably Disney
Curtis L

I remember it was okay, but I was pretty little
Dean M

Lovely, old-style Disney movie a young girl running away in the Great Depression with her only companion is a wolf. Surprisingly unsentimental and enjoyable stuff.
Leo L

I definitely remember this movie.

Cast

            Meredith Salenger as Natty Gann

            John Cusack as Harry

            Ray Wise as Saul Gann

            Scatman Crothers as Sherman

            Barry Miller as Parker

            Lainie Kazan as Connie

            Scott Andersen as Parker's Gang

            Zachary Ansley as Louis

            Michael Ian Black as Hobo

            Verna Bloom as Farm Woman

            Gary Chalk as Chicago Worker

            Alex Diakun as Station Master

            Matthew Faison as Buzz

            John Finnegan as Logging Boss

            Bruce M. Fischer as Charlie Linfield

            Thomas Heaton as Railroad Deek

            Grant Heslov as Parker's Gang

            John Hock
            
            Campbell Lane as Chicago Moderator

            Sheelah Megill as Lady at Mill

            Ray Michal as Hobo

            Jennifer Michas as Parker's Gang

            Jordan Pratt as Frankie

            Jack Rader as Employment Agent

            Jeff Ramsey as Logging Driver

            Gary Riley as Parker's Gang

            Gabrielle Rose as Exercise Matron

            Corliss M. Smith Jr. as Bus Driver

            Ian Tracey as Parker's Gang

            Peter Anderson as Unemployed Worker

            Don S. Davis as Railroad Brakeman

            Stephen E. Miller as Guard

            Frank C. Turner as Farmer

            Hannah Cutrona as Twinky

            Robert Clothier as Railroad Official

            Wally Beeton as Logger

            Doug Boyd as Logger

            Bryan Couture as Logger

            Kaye Grieve as Matron

            Gary Hendrickson as Logger

            Marie Klingenberg as Dormitory Matron

            Lorne LaRiviere as Logger

            Al MacIntosh as Logger

            Doug MacLeod as Chicago Worker

            Dwight McFee as Chicago Worker

            Harvey M. Miller as Railroad Deek

            Paula-Marie Moody
            
            Clint Rowe as Bullwhip

            Bob Storms as Logger

            Max Trumpower as Chicago Worker

            Hagan Beggs as Policeman

            Wally Marsh as Interrogator

            Jack Ackroyd as Grocery Clerk
See full cast