Jalna is a neglected little gem of a soap opera, partly because there are no stars in it. Nice little film about a Canadian family living together on an Ontario estate. Lots of complicated lives, squashed ambitions, family squabbles. Sort of the Dallas or Dynasty of its time. Kay Johnson is "the bride" who changes things for the better. Jessie Ralph is excellent as the grandmother. David Manners is the sulky poet, Ian Hunter is the solid brother. Ted Newton and George Offernan play other brothers. C. Aubrey Smith and Halliwell Hobbes play the unmarried uncles. Molly Lamont is "the other bride." Nigel Bruce is the neighbor in love (for 20 years) with jilted spinster Peggy Wood. Forrester Harvey is the butler. No big stars, but solid acting across the board. And it's oddly funny to hear the opinions about "the States." Going to New York is like a trip to the moon. Jalna was also made into a French Canadian miniseries in the 90s.
