SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
	                         Washington, D.C.  20549


                                	FORM 10-Q


                	QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
	                  OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


      For Quarter Ended October 31, 1997    Commission File #0-15284



                              J2 COMMUNICATIONS                       
	           (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


        California                            95-4053296          
(State or other jurisdiction         (IRS Employer Identification
incorporation or organization)                 Number)


10850 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 1000, Los Angeles, CA  90024         
	(Address of principal executive office)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 310-474-5252


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports 
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934 during the preceding 12 months and (2) has been subject to such filing 
requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes   X      No      


Number of shares outstanding of each of the issuers classes of common stock as 
of the latest practicable date:  3,599,990
common shares, no par value were outstanding as of December 1, 1997.

     




J2 COMMUNICATIONS AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
<TABLE>
<S>							                                   <C>			         <C>
							                                   10/31/97		       7/31/97
							                                  Unaudited  		         
Assets	

Cash and cash equivalents		           		$  732,000		     $  641,000
Short term investments				  	              765,000		        861,000 
Accounts receivable - net				               32,000		         43,000
Inventories - net					                      13,000	     	    12,000
Intangible assets, less accumulated
  amortization of $2,129,000 and
  $2,069,000 as of 10/31/97 and
  7/31/97, respectively					             3,836,000		      3,896,000
Other assets						                          32,000       	   20,000
							           			            
    
Total assets						                      $5,410,000		     $5,473,000

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

Liabilities:

Accounts payable					                   $  133,000	     	$  130,000
Accrued expenses					                      650,000	     	   629,000
Accrued royalties					                     388,000		        499,000
Accrued income taxes					                   38,000		         38,000
Deferred income					                       163,000		        208,000
Common stock payable					                  203,000		        203,000
Minority Interest					                     115,000     		    84,000
Total liabilities						                  1,690,000		      1,791,000

Shareholders' Equity:

Preferred stock, no par value; 
authorized 2,000,000 shares; 
none issued and outstanding                     -               -

Common stock, no par value; 
authorized 8,000,000 shares; 
issued and outstanding, 3,600,000
as of 10/31/97 and 7/31/97				            8,656,000		      8,654,000
Less: notes receivable on common stock		  	(123,000)		      (121,000)
Accumulated deficit					                 (4,813,000)	    	(4,851,000)
							           			           
Total shareholders' equity				            3,720,000		      3,682,000
							           			           
Total liabilities and shareholders' 
  equity			                              $5,410,000	      $5,473,000 

</TABLE>

The accompany notes are an integral part of these consolidated balance sheets.


J2 COMMUNICATIONS AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
THREE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
<TABLE>
<S>								                                       <C>			         <C>    
								                                         1997  		        1996  
  

Revenues:
 Movies, television, and theatrical	         $ 149,000		     $ 432,000
 Video sales, net of returns			                  1,000		        26,000
 Royalty income					                            49,000		        26,000
 Magazine 						                                   -		           1,000
 Other 							                                 112,000	     	   15,000
								          	          
  Total revenues			                        		  311,000	     	  500,000
								          	          
Costs and expenses:
 Cost of videocassettes sold			                  3,000		        15,000
 Royalty expense					                           10,000		        12,000
 Selling, general and administrative	          180,000	     	  175,000
 Amortization of intangible assets		            60,000	     	   60,000
								          	          
   Total expenses					                         253,000		       262,000		
							          	          
Income from operations				                      58,000	     	  238,000		
		 
   
Other Income (Expense)

 Interest income					                           17,000		        12,000
 Minority Interest in income of
  consolidated subsidiary			                   (31,000)	       (82,000)
								          	          
                            
Income before income taxes			                   44,000		       168,000

Provision for income taxes		                	    6,000		         7,000		
								          	          
Net income						                             $  38,000      	$ 161,000 



Income per common share:

 Net income per share				                         $0.01 	         $0.04 

 Weighted average number of shares
  of common stock outstanding			              3,600,000 	     3,600,000 

</TABLE>

The accompany notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.



J2 COMMUNICATIONS AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
THREE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
<TABLE>
<S>					                                           <C>			       <C>
    						                                        1997         1996    

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income					                                $ 38,000		    $161,000	
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
 net cash provided by (used in)
 operating activities:

    Amortization of intangible assets		          60,000	       60,000
    Minority interest in income
      of consolidated subsidiary			              31,000	   	   82,000
    Changes in assets and liabilities:
    Accounts receivable, net			                  11,000		      (1,000)
    Inventory					                               (1,000)		      1,000
    Other Assets				 	                          (12,000)		         -
    Accounts payable				                          3,000		      15,000
    Accrued expenses				                         21,000		     (35,000)
    Accrued royalties			                     	 (111,000)	 	     6,000 
    Deferred revenues				                       (45,000)	 	     2,000   
						              		              
    Net cash provided by (used in)
    operating activities				                     (5,000)	 	   291,000
						              		              

Cash flows from investing activities:

    Purchase of short-term investments		       (192,000)		   (192,000)	
    Sale of short-term investments		            288,000		     290,000
						              		              
    Net cash provided by investing
     activities					                             96,000  		    98,000  
  

Cash flows from financing activities:
						              		              
    Net cash used in financing
     activities		                         			        -		         -
						              		              
Net increase in cash 
 and cash equivalents			                         91,000		    	389,000
Cash and cash equivalents,
 beginning of quarter				                       641,000		     120,000	
						              		              
Cash and cash equivalents,
 end of quarter					                          $ 732,000 	  	$ 509,000    

</TABLE>

The accompany notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial 
statements.



                              	J2 COMMUNICATIONS
	           NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
	              FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997


Item 1

Basis of Financial Statement Presentation

The consolidated financial statements of J2 Communications and subsidiaries 
(collectively the "Company") have been prepared in accordance with generally 
accepted accounting principles for interim financial information.  Interim 
financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes 
required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete year-end 
financial statements.  The accompanying financial statements should be read in 
conjunction with the more detailed financial statements and related footnotes 
for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1997, as included in the Company's 1997 
Annual Report on Form 10-K (the "Annual Report") filed with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission.  A signed independent accountant's report relating to the 
July 31, 1997 balance sheet is included in the Annual Report.  Significant 
accounting policies used by the Company are summarized in Note 1 to the 
financial statements included in the Annual Report.

In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include only recurring 
normal adjustments) required for a fair presentation of the financial position 
of the Company as of October 31, 1997, and the results of its operations and 
cash flows for the periods ended October 31, 1997 and 1996 respectively, have 
been made.  Operating results for the three-month period ended October 31, 
1997, are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the entire 
fiscal year.
 

Earnings Per Share

Earnings per share are calculated using the weighted average number of common 
shares outstanding during the period.  The inclusion of outstanding warrants 
and stock options in the earnings per share calculation would have no dilutive 
effect on the earnings per share in 1997 or 1996.

Shareholders Equity

The increase in common stock during the period relates to accrued interest on 
notes receivable on common stock.



Joint Venture

As part of the acquisition of NLI, the Company acquired a 75 percent interest 
in a joint venture of which the only operations consist of revenues received 
from the licensing of a certain "National Lampoon" motion picture.  The 
minority interest's share in the joint venture's revenue is deducted from 
movies, television and theatrical revenue.  Total revenues received by the 
joint venture related to this motion picture were $123,000 and $287,000 for 
the periods ended October 31, 1997 and 1996.  Of this the minority interest's 
share totaled $31,000 and $82,000 respectively.




Item 2.	Management's Discussions and Analysis of Financial Condition and 
Results of Operations



Special Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

	Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, particularly 
under Item 2, may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning 
of Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Reform Act").  Such 
forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and 
other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements 
of the company to be materially different from any future results, performance 
or achievements, expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.


Results of Operations

Quarter Ended October 31, 1997 Versus October 31, 1996

Total revenues for the period were $311,000 compared with $500,000 in the 
prior year quarter.  Movies, television and theatrical revenues were $149,000 
compared with $432,000 in the prior year period. The reduction was due 
primarily to a decrease of $164,000 in the profit participation from the film 
"National Lampoon's Animal House" that was originally released in 1978.  
"National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon I", originally released in 1993, produced 
income of $17,000 in the current quarter compared with $102,000 in the prior 
year quarter.  Video sales of $1,000 were down $25,000 from the corresponding 
1996 quarter.  The Company has de-emphasized this segment of its business due 
to declining profitability.



Royalty income increased $23,000 to $49,000 from $26,000 from the prior year 
quarter, primarily due to the taking into income of the balance of an advance 
license fee upon expiration of the license agreement.  Other income increased 
$97,000 to $112,000 from $15,000 from the prior year quarter, primarily due 
the reversal of previous accruals related to potential royalties which were 
extinguished at a reduced amount.

Cost of videocassettes sold represent duplication, shipping, and other costs 
which were higher than sales, due to the reduced volume of sales net of 
returns for this quarter.

Royalty expense decreased $2,000 to $10,000 compared to $12,000 in the prior 
year quarter.
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses were $180,000 in the current 
quarter, compared with $175,000 in the corresponding prior period.  There was 
no major change in any individual category of expense.

There was no significant provision for income taxes in either quarter because 
of the utilization of tax loss carryforwards.

Net income for the current quarter was $38,000 equal to $0.01 per share 
compared with a net income of $161,000 in the corresponding prior year 
quarter, equal to $0.04 per share.  The reduction is primarily due to the 
decrease in revenues from movies.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash and short term investments at October 31, 1997 totaled $1,497,000, a 
decrease of $5,000 from the July 31, 1997 fiscal year end.

The Company has no current plans for any significant capital expenditures in 
its current line of business and believes that its current level of cash and 
cash equivalents, augmented by internally generated funds, will provide 
sufficient cash resources through fiscal 1998.  

The Company is considering establishing a restaurant chain to be called 
"National Lampoon Cafe".  Should it enter this new line of business, 
significant capital would be required.



Cash Flows

Three months ended October 31, 1997 compared to three months ended October 31, 
1996.

Net cash provided by operating activities decreased $296,000 primarily due to 
a decrease in net income, accrued royalties, deferred revenues and minority 
interest in income of consolidated subsidiary, partially offset by an increase 
in accrued expenses and reduction of net accounts receivable.  Net cash 
provided by investing activities decreased by $2,000 from the prior year 
quarter due to reduced cash flow from sales of short-term investments.  The 
Company had no cash flows from financing activities in either quarter.







PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1 - Legal Proceedings

	    None

Item 2 - Changes in Securities

	    None

Item 3 - Defaults Upon Senior Securities

         None

Item 4 - Submission Of Matters For A Vote Of Security Holders

         None

Item 5 - Other Events

         The Registrant has given notice that pursuant to the terms of that 
certain Warrant Agreement (the "Warrant Agreement"), dated October 5, 1990, 
between J2 Communications and U.S. Stock Transfer & Trust Co. (the "Warrant 
Agent"), as amended through the date hereof, the Registrant and the Warrant 
Agent have extended the period under which the Warrants may be exercised at 
$2.00 per share through June 30, 1998.

		On August 22, 1997, the Securities and Exchange Commission 
approved new standards for listing on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market.  The changes 
increase the quantitative criteria necessary to maintain a listing on Nasdaq, 
and, for the first time, apply corporate governance requirements to the 
SmallCap Market.  Among the changes introduced by Nasdaq are a $1 minimum bid 
price for Common and Preferred Stock; an increase in certain quantitative 
requirements, such as the size and market value of public float, the number of 
market makers and shareholders, and the amount of tangible assets; the 
adoption of a peer review requirement for all independent auditors of Nasdaq 
listed companies, and the adoption of various corporate governance 
requirements.
  
		Companies on The Nasdaq SmallCap Market have until February 23, 
1998 to comply with the new requirements. If a Company is unable to comply 
with one or more of the new requirements, Nasdaq provides a cure period prior 
to a final determination being made to delist a companies stock from the 
Nasdaq SmallCap Market.

		The Company, believes that at the present time, it can comply with 
the new requirements on a going-forward basis, but no assurance can be given 
that the Company will be able to meet and then maintain the new requirements. 




Item 6 - Exhibits And Reports On Form 8-K

	(a)  Exhibits
	     Exhibit 27 - Financial Data Schedule

	(b)  Reports on Form 8-K
	     None filed during the Quarter




 




	SIGNATURES



	Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the 
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by its duly 
authorized officers.


						J2 COMMUNICATIONS


Date_________________		By:____________________________
						   JAMES P. JIMIRRO
						   Chairman of the Board
						   President
						   (Principal Executive Officer)




Date_________________		By:____________________________
						   RUDY R. PATINO
						   Chief Financial Officer
						   (Principal Financial Officer)