Unlike the original novella, only Eben can see Jennie, bringing up the
possibility that she is but a ghost. The ghost theory is supported by her mild premonitions
of their evenutal fate (which also differs in some ways from the novella), but we
nevertheless hold out some hope that director (and the revolving cadre of five writers)
intended the film to portray Jennie’s time travel.
— Michael Main
There’s something different about that child. I wondered if my pencil could catch it.
DEBUT
Portrait of Jennie (premiered at an unknown movie theater, Los Angeles, 25
December 1948).
VARIANTS
Debut. Portrait of Jennie (premiered at an unknown movie theater, Los Angeles, 25 December 1948).
Emotional Outcries through Time: There is a strong case that the strength of Jennie’s emotions cause her to reach out through time.
Fictional Tags
Ghosts: Jennie could, perhaps, be a ghost, since only Eben can see her.
TIME TRAVEL ITINERARY (SPOILERS!)
From 1910 ⋙ to Central Park, New York City, the winter of 1934. Round trip. Note: We believe Jenny’s emotions to be strong enough to transport her through time to Eben, and perhaps Eben’s despondency plays a role, although in the film there is the suggestion that it is only her ghost that Eben sees and interacts with.
From circa 1914 ⋙ to Central Park Skating Rink on 72nd Street, the winter of 1934. Round trip. Note: We know that Jennie is at least three years older because she mentions that Cecili hasn’t been her best friend for three years.
From later in the 1910s ⋙ to Central Park, New York City, the Saturday after skating. Round trip. Note: Jennie is still a teen.
From circa 1919 ⋙ to Eben’s New York City apartment, 17 March 1934. Round trip. Note: Jennie is now 18 or 19, in her first year of college, which we place around 1919.
From circa 1919 ⋙ to the convent where Jennie was sent after her parents’ deaths, the next Saturday. Round trip.
From circa 1924 ⋙ to Central Park, New York City, the summer of 1934. Round trip. Note: Jennie is now 21 or 22, having graduated from college, which we place around 1924.
From 5 October, circa 1924 ⋙ to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, 5 October 1934. Note: the storm.
INDEXER NOTES (SPOILERS!)
Credits—<a href='https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FPortrait_of_Jennie'>Wikipedia</a> notes that five writers worked on the film, and we have taken those five writers from the <a href='https%3A%2F%2Fwww.imdb.com%2Ftitle%2Ftt0040705%2Ffullcredits%2F'>IMDb</a> credit list.
There’s something different about that child. I wondered if my pencil could catch it.
1 English variant