About The Journey of Natty Gann

Released in 1985, The Journey of Natty Gann is a Walt Disney Pictures family adventure film directed by Jeremy Kagan. The film centers on the life of a young girl Natty Gann, who embarks on an adventurous journey across the country when her father leaves for work during the Great Depression.

Detailed Plot and Summary

Natty Gann's father, Sol, leaves Chicago to secure a job in Washington State to sustain their livelihood during the period of the Great Depression. Unable to take Natty with him, he promises to send for her as soon as he settled. Natty, determined and missing her father, decides to take matters into her own hands and embarks on a cross-country journey to reunite with him.

Making / Production

The movie was produced by Walt Disney Pictures and directed by Jeremy Kagan. Filming locations included British Columbia in Canada and the States of Washington and Illinois in the USA.

Actors

• Meredith Salenger as Natty Gann: Salenger played the lead role, giving a captivating performance of a young, courageous girl traveling across America.
• John Cusack as Harry: Cusack filled the role of a young drifter who becomes a companion to Natty during her trip.
• Ray Wise Sol Gann: Wise played Natty's loving father who struggles with leaving his daughter behind for work.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The movie was partly filmed on a moving train.
• The wolf in the film was played by a dog-wolf hybrid named Jed, who appeared in several other blockbuster films.
• Dog trainers used bacon to get the wolf to lick Natty's face in one scene.

Awards

In 1986, The Journey of Natty Gann won the Young Artist Award for 'Best Family Motion Picture - Adventure'. Meredith Salenger also won the 'Best Starring Performance by a Young Actress - Motion Picture' at the same event for her role.

Quotes

• "It's not how far she's gone. It's how far she's willing to go." - Movie Tagline.
• "I ain't crying about it, ain't got the time. I'm too busy living." - Natty Gann.
• "I made up my mind. I'm gonna find my dad." - Natty Gann

Music, Soundtrack

• "Theme from The Journey of Natty Gann" composed by James Horner.
• "Riding the Rails to Home" composed by James Horner.
• "Wolf Helps Natty Escape" composed by James Horner.