Jennie Gerhardt is a destitute young woman. While working in a hotel in Columbus, Ohio, Jennie meets George Brander, a United State Senator, who becomes infatuated with her. He helps her fam... Read allJennie Gerhardt is a destitute young woman. While working in a hotel in Columbus, Ohio, Jennie meets George Brander, a United State Senator, who becomes infatuated with her. He helps her family and declares his wish to marry her.Jennie Gerhardt is a destitute young woman. While working in a hotel in Columbus, Ohio, Jennie meets George Brander, a United State Senator, who becomes infatuated with her. He helps her family and declares his wish to marry her.
- Vesta's Doctor
- (uncredited)
- Old Weaver's Granddaughter
- (uncredited)
- Boardinghouse Keeper
- (uncredited)
- Willie Gerhardt
- (uncredited)
- Waiter
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaTheodore Dreiser, upon whose 1911 novel the movie is based, was so pleased with the adaptation after seeing a preview that he sent a telegram to Paramount boss B.P. Schulberg, saying, "Jennie moving improvisation upon my theme, excellently cast, beautifully interpreted."
- Quotes
Sen. Brander: You know, Jennie, when I was much younger than I am now, the girl I loved wouldn't have me because I was too poor. Now that I have enough money, the girl I like thinks I'm too old to be romantic.
Jennie Gerhardt: Oh, are you trying to be romantic?
Sen. Brander: Seriously, Jennie, I'm retiring from office at the end of this term. I want to get some pleasure out of life before it's too late. I have always been a lonely sort of a person. The older I get, the less I like being alone. You do like me a little bit don't you Jennie?
Jennie Gerhardt: How can I help it, when you've been so good to me and my family?
Sen. Brander: Jennie, I've almost decided that I can't go on without you. Do you think you could make up your mind to... to live with me from now on?
Jennie Gerhardt: Live with you?
Sen. Brander: I love you, Jennie. I want you to marry me. Is it too much to ask? Will you, Jennie?
Jennie Gerhardt: [she nods] I couldn't say anything else, when...
Sen. Brander: Stop it! You may be marrying me out of gratitude... but if you are, I don't want to hear it.
- Crazy creditsBased on the novel by Theodore Dreiser - The celebrated record of a woman's life
- SoundtracksOh Genevieve
(uncredited)
A year earlier Sylvia Sidney starred in Paramount's first Theodore Dreiser adaptation, AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY. Whereas that exemplified "creaky, crappy 1930s melodrama," this is professionally made and beautifully crafted....but still as miserable as hell.
Theodore Dreisler's naturalistic and depressing tragedy was given the glossy Paramount treatment - naturalism was completely jettisoned, the social inequality aspect was toned down but the misery was ratcheted up to eleven transforming it into nothing more than a formulaic weepie. Were this made by Warners, maybe it could have been a little more punchy, gritty and realistic but God help us, they might have shoehorned Hugh Herbert in there so perhaps it's for the best that it wasn't.
This is directed by unsung genius Marion Gering and stars his favourite actress Sylvia Sidney so there's no question that it's not superbly made. The way Mr Gering conveys so much narrative with imagery or with an expression on Miss Sidney's face is extraordinary but this is not one of his best. Unfortunately the story, particularly the diluted adaptation he had to work with is just too shallow, too rushed and tried too hard to be simply a tear jerker. Without depth it feels contrived and is difficult to engage with on an emotional level - which is the one thing a tear-jerker needs to do.
Being it's a period piece, it doesn't have that characteristic early thirties atmosphere but it's a good example of the escapism which pulled the audiences in to the picture houses back then. Such relentless misery like this was so popular during The Depression because however terrible the lives of those watching were, at least they weren't as bad as Jennie Gerhardt's. If this wasn't so well made and perfectly acted (unlike the dreadful AMERICAN TRAGEDY) it would just be another mushy, pointless melodrama. As it is, it's very watchable but at the end of the day, it's still a mushy, mindless misery-laden melodrama.
- 1930s_Time_Machine
- Sep 10, 2024
- Permalink
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Roman Dženi Gerhard
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 25 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1