I loved the movie very much when I first saw it 1979. I had a little trouble understanding the ending when Jenny passed away. When she went back to save her lover did she get shot? If so how was she able to travel and do all the paintings if didn't survive when she was shot. They found all of those paintings in the house. Was there another ending we didn't know about?
shareJennie did not get shot -she was able to save David, married him & had children -this is why her ex-husband finds the paintings in the attic of the house -But the movie wanted to extend the suspence until the very last second
shareThat makes sense about the painting but It doesn't explain about him finding her dead on the bed after he got the door opened. Was she she supposed to be reincarnated or some thing. They were talking about her coming when the old lady linda Gray was in her bed room that she came back to the dance to save david and jenny logan was passed away after the gun shot when he broke through the door. It seems a little stange. unless she died after saving David when she came back to the present. It is wonderful movie but eerie in that way. It was strange how she was in two world at one time. Am I missing something? She said that she would get through some way. Was she going back through time wearing the dress?
shareYou're right -I haven't seen it in a long time, but have refreshed my memory of the ending on youtube -Maybe she had to die in the present in order to stay in the past? -But I'm sure the paintings were a sign that she was able to live out her life w/David
shareOh I loved the movie very much. I was trying to clear up som loose ends. Linsey Wagooner did a fabulas job playing the part. I was like 20 something when I saw it . I was just kind of confused at what they were trying to say. It was just really good love story. I don't think that she was really happy with her husband in the present. The way it looked she was trapped in past died there. It was almost like it was a different dimention she went into. Like the one who own the dress took over. In the end she wasn't wearing the dress. But you know they edit a movie sometimes to make it kind wondering. This is what I like this movie so well. Anyone can draw their own endng as to what must of happened. I was kind of intrigued when first time put the dress and she was blanking everything out. It had a connection to the past. I could go on and on. She loved the 1800's. Sometmes I wonder if the painting were already there and they didn't know it. I guess I just have a vivid imagination. It was an old house. If David was in the past and someone who looked like Jenny that he painted in the past. The paintings may have been there all along. Movies can be so imaginative.
shareJennie died because she willed her body to die. Her Shrink says it can happen when she talks to Micheal. She was able to save David, and live her life with him. This is shown by the necklace that Micheal gives her. It is visable in all the paintings, and the voice over saying "I will wear it always".
on a side note, I think the painting of Jennie holding the baby, and the Eiffel tower in the backround looks EXACTLY like Lindsay. I wonder if she got to keep any of the paintings or even the dress after production.
I had almost forgotten about this. I still love the movie. I know she was dire in love with michael in the movie. But anything can happen in the movies. I think it was pretty good no matter of the ending. I was just bit confused. thanks for clearing it up. I may watch it again some time.
shareYes, bat65, we noticed the medallion (or necklace) thing, but it only adds to the impossibilities: the necklace not only acquires time travel abilities but also multiplies itself to be in both worlds (the necklace also remained on her corpse).
That traveling back of clothes had to happen in her previous trips to the past with her inner (modern) garments, her shoes and anything else that she wore in addition to the dress. Knowing that things in physical contact with her would travel with her, Jennie could have transported several useful things (a yearbook about XX century sweepstakes or stocks, or a listing of lottery winners for the first half of the century...).
I guess it's a matter of personal opinion, but to me the paintings shown were of a dismal quality, and I can´t find in any of them the slightest resemblance to Lindsay Wagner.
I totally agree with you. All indicates that every time she was traveling back in time she was doing it physically (with her body). The finding of her body while she is in the past makes no sense. Even the cameo seems to have duplicated itself (it remained on her corpse while it also traveled in time with her).
The only reasonable ending would be that, after breaking the door, the husband finds that she disappeared, cameo, dress and all.
Also: if she was able to leave for the husband clues in the paintings, she could just as easily leave a message on the back of one of them, such as: "Hi, Michael, I arrived ok to you-know-where. David sends his compliments, and the weather is nice" :-)
Yeah. regardless of the story I think part of it was a dream she was having. but anyway,it was kind of strange how she went back in time when the dress was on. According to the old woman who was played by Linda Gray she really went back in time and when they were in a duel she past in her own clothes when her husband kicked in the door. But I loved the movies we can come to our own conclusion, which makes it all the more fun.
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You know it is kind of strange about the ending what I have saying all along. But the story is really based on a woman that lived there that looked like Jenny. After thinking it over if anybody believes in spirit energy , that was probably what was in the dress. Everytime she put the dress on it took her back to that time. The pictures were hid there in art gallery. No one I don't think told her all of the story. The old woman who played by linda gray told some of it. She was in love with the man who did the paintings. Her father didn't approve of their seeing each other. He horse whipped him. Now when he first saw Jenny he said that she looked so much like the girl in the painting. He fell in love with her. She must have already died or something to that. So when Jenny went back in time with dress . .
Jenny didn't know anything what happened. She researched the story. The old woman told her that they had a duel and she went back to stop them. I think the old woman that was young then shot Jenny who got in the way when she Jenny was going to prevent it from from happening. She died twice for the man she loved.
It was a strange story. The old woman told her that it was her that saved David life and they had all those children. So jenny could could have been her daughter. But according to the story she didn't die. I think the old woman shot her dad to prevent him from killing, or else Jenny couldn't have married him.
It was like a two part kind of like back to future.
I didn't remember her saying that she killed David. So she went back to stop her. Of course Jenny said she would come back in someway to let the other guy know it if she was acomplished what she set out was to save David. And she did. But it doesn't still explain why Jenny died at the end. The woman who using Jenny's body was already died a long time ago she wanted set things straight.
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I am going to have to watch the movie again it has been a while since I watched it.
shareI just watched the movie again. When I saw it back in 1979 I didn't quite understand any of it. Well pamala and elizbeth were sisters. Pamala was killed after david and she was married by a horse carrige accident. Pamala's spirit essents was still there. She took Jennie back to the past physically.
I was 26 when I saw the movie.
Anyway Jennie would go back and forth through time. The old woman finally admitted she was Elizabeth. When Jennie grabbed the dressed it ripped on the back. Jennie grabbed the gun from elizabeth to her from shooting David. When she grabbed the dress from her husband it ripped and when she stopped Elizabeth but the gun went off it kind of cause rip in time and she stayed that century and her body died because of her age. If you saw the painting where she was old you would see why. That is why she didn't come back except through the paintings. It was to show her husband that she was telling the truth.
It was something like back to the future. the painting was Jennie Logan. The painting were there after the incident happened with her husband,and he found her passed away. Jennie said that David broke the glass down stairs it was his spirit haunting the house. Pamala in spirit knew that Elizbeth killed David so she used Jenny to find out the truth. No telling how old they were. but the woman that talked to her said she was over a 100 years old. We thought maby that Jennie logan died in the past but no she died in the present. She died an old woman that was in the painting. Even though her body didn't look old when she came from the past it hadn't aged.
I have wondered about that to. Looks like she would have made them easier to find wouldn't it. She said she find a way to to let him know something. The woman in the painting when they moved in must been his first wife that passed, because he said she looked so much like her. Something they didn't tell in the story of what actually happened to the other woman. They suspected that she came back and didn't die after all but was in hiding. There must have been something going on during time to cause her to leave. The woman linda gray who played the old woman kind of looked her suspiously. David said she the looked so much like her . He was amazed. The old woman said she shot David killed him.Jenny must have got in the cross fire and died in the present. That is way it looked to me. kind of confusing. but if she did save David when she came back to that time, she must distracted the woman in some way and saved David's life. she was probably caught back in time, and when she came back to the present died then. It was kind of like back to the future second part. Acording to Jenny she was going to find out the truth no matter what it took. Her husband in the present thought she was crazy. There were probably a few scenes cut out that would have explained more.
share****CAUTION....SPOILERS!!! ****CAUTION....SPOILERS!!! ****CAUTION....SPOILERS!!!
Ok, I have not watched the movie in several months, So I grabbed the DVD and did some research, so I would know what I was talking about.
Jennie finds Pamela Reynolds dress, has it repaired, and wears it. Apparently that was the catalyst that propelled her back in time. Each time she went back she was able to stay a bit longer. If Pamela'a sprit was involved, we will never know, because she never makes herself known. (Unless the pain that Jennie feels is her manifestation) But, we do see that the first time Jennie goes back in time, she hears David, Pamela's husband, and her family fighting and trying to revive her. (We also see a scene where Jennies friend, Beverly explains that there a theory that the past, present and future exist at the same time, "..and if you only knew how, you could move from one to the other.") David breaking the glass in the living room bookcase was caused by a ripple in time, probably because of Jennie opening it when she went back. Each time Jennie goes back in time, she sees David Reynolds. She runs from him a few times, but then allows him to approach her, and speaks to him She falls in love with him quickly. Days later, Pamela's father Mr. Harrington, finds David with his other daughter, Elizabeth, and is infuriated. He challenges David to a duel the next night, at the towns "Turn of the Century Ball".
Now, when it comes to the final night. Jennie explains to her husband, Michael that she loves David, and she wants to spend the rest of her life with him. She also tells him that she will find a way to let him know that she made it, and is OK. She then goes back in time for the first of 2 times that night, and moves the sites on the dueling pistols to be used later that night, and then joins David at the ball. She then realizes that she must leave, or be blamed (in one account of the story)for shooting David. While she is home, she gets a call from "Aunt Betty's" friend, Mrs. Bates. She is a with Betty, and Betty is asking for Jennie. We find out that Aunt Betty is Elizabeth, Pamela's Sister. Elizabeth too was in love with David, and was jealous of Jennie. She tells Jennie that after she left the ball, and tells David how she feels about him. He tells her there is no way they will ever be together. Elizabeth, now scorned vows that if her father misses David in the duel, she wouldn't. She then admits to Killing David Reynolds. Jennie realizes she must get back to the house, put the gown on and get back to David in time. When she gets home, she finds her husband, Michael holding the dress. After a brief argument, Jennie grabs the dress from Michael, and runs to the attic. As she gets into the dress, Michael is banging on the door. We now see Jennie running past the guests at the ball, and finding David and Mr. Harrington counting off the paces, turning, and aiming. David then lowers his pistol, fires to the ground, and drops the pistol. Mr. Harrington also lowers his pistol. Elizabeth then appears from behind a tree, and aims her pistol at David. Jennie screams, and the startled Elizabeth looks to her momentarily, then back to David and fires. We can assume that Jennie does NOT get shot, as the guns aim is never taken off David. But we do not know David's fate immediately. As we see next, Michael breaks into the attic, and finds Jennie, lifeless on the bed.
In the final scene, we see Michael in the now empty attic, with the dress exactly the way Jennie found it. A moving man finds some paintings hidden behind a wall, and asks Michael what he wants done with them. The paintings are a series of portraits featuring Jennie from her 20's, having children and into her elderly years. As Michael views them, he hears Jennies voice, promising him that "...I will find some way to get through and let you know.." In each painting, Jennie is wearing an antique hand painted necklace that Michael gave her not long after she found the dress. She promised to wear it... always.
So, we now realize, that not only did Jennie save David's life, but she changed the course of history. She moved with David to Paris, had his children, and grew old with him. Just as she told Michael that she wanted to do. And to keep her promise, she somehow got the paintings back to the house, and hid them for him to find. I hope this clears everything up for the ones that are confused.
If she did not love Michael why did she care what he would think. Was the necklace some kind of consolation prize to show even though she loved another she wanted him to think WHAT?
shareBat, thanks for that synopsis, I just watched the movie for the first time and obviously I thought the fight scene that Jennie hears the first time she's in the attic was forgettable.
Your way of explaining the movie is the way I saw it too, however Moonlightmiracle and Shelly do make some valid points, points that are similar to Back To The Future and The Lake House, which are on their own already some real headscratchers!
In your post above you say that the family was trying to revive Jennie (or did you mean Pamela?) when Jennie is in the attic the first time, but if like you say, Elizabeth never changed her aim and shot David, why would they be trying to revive her?
The rip in the dress that repeats itself is also to be thought about, but I can't make sense of it now.
The fact that Micheal finds her dead body, with dress AND medallion is definitely a sort of goof because in no way at all is it explained in the slightest, and the rest seems to be at least hinted at in some way in the movie. They could not have existed in two places at the same time, unless of course the medallion ended up being sold after the portraits were done and maybe Jennie died, and Michael accidentally or meant-to-be finds it. (and what happened to Jennie's children?).
As for her not seeing the endless possibilities of making money out of time travel, I don't think it even entered her mind. She was in a fragile emotional state the whole time already in 1979, let alone the dream make-believe world in 1899. What I did find strange is that she knew how to get to the "Pamela" residence in 1899! I would have assumed that she had no idea how to get to placed in the time, but I guess that since the last time she found herself back in 1979 in the street, she did manage not to do right smack in the middle of it, so maybe in the meantime she gained some skills.
As for leaving more tangible proof of her making her transition to the past successful, I wonder if she just did not mean she will do just that. Sure she could have added signs on the back of the paintings, lefts artifacts. She actually could have also visited him! But that would have proven quite problematic seeing as she would have only been able to do so either during their marriage (Back To The Future time-space continuum break danger), or before, when she did not even know him? It would have been a nice touch in a "The Final Countdown" sort of way (another time travel movie I recommend, although it's not a romantic movie).
The ending? I loved it. I do love tragic endings, and this one is half happy ending and half tragic, although we only have some hints at the happy ending half. I love feeling sad at the end of movies like this, and they are quite rare.
I certainly did not expect to like this movie at all! Even though I looooove Lindsay Wagner, and loved Meg Laurel against expectations! I have to say that the story itself is great, I'm a big fan of them (just ordered Somewhere In Time as suggested in another thread), and the two lead actors are certainly providing some man candy factor!
I was surprised to read that the Aunt Bettie make up was done by real pro Stan Winston, because I thought it looks really really bad. Kind of like an old-fashioned idea of what a really old person would look like, in an age when people just did not live that long and had no idea what they actually do look like, which is not really that different from 80 year olds. She looked grotesque and like she was wearing tons of hard rubber on her face.
Anyway, sooooo glad I have this movie, so glad that they are releasing many great tv movies from the 70s and 80s, because they are just so good!
I love this movie and haven't seen it since 1979, when it was released. But when I saw Somewhere in Time, with Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour, it made me think of this movie. Time travel is not that hard to comprehend. In fact, time travel has been featured in some of my favorite books and movies. Basically, you go back in time, to a chosen time and place or to a random point in time. As long as you don't interfere and change anything, things will be the same in the future. If you do alter the past, it will have an effect on the future. Brian and Stewie do a lot of time travel on Family Guy, and they do a good job.
So, Jennie goes to the past and really stomps around, changing practically everything. She can't live in the past and the present. That's why she has to die in the present to live in the past, just like Christopher Reeve. If you get a chance, watch that one again. It's such a good movie.
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Her body was left in the present and she was in the past. So she was in two places but couldn't be alive in both. She made her choice
shareThanks for clearing that up. I was 12 in 1979, but don't recall seeing the film, although I did like Lindsay as the Bionic Woman. I just saw the film on YT. I felt a little bad for Elizabeth, but that doesn't excuse trying to kill someone. The cheesy soundtrack brought back memories of those long ago days of TV movies. I like time travel genre films to some extent. According to Wiki, Ms. Wagner is still acting and has 2 kids.
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