I Dream of Jeanie (film)
I Dream of Jeanie is a 1952 American historical musical film based on the songs and life of Stephen Foster who wrote the 1854 song "Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair" from which the title is taken. The film was directed by Allan Dwan for Republic Pictures and was shot in Trucolor.
I Dream of Jeanie | |
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Directed by | Allan Dwan |
Written by | Alan Le May (screenplay) |
Starring | Bill Shirley Muriel Lawrence Ray Middleton Lynn Bari |
Cinematography | Reggie Lanning |
Edited by | Fred Allen |
Music by | Robert Armbruster |
Production company | Republic Pictures |
Distributed by | Republic Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 90 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
The film is also known as I Dream of Jeanie (with the Light Brown Hair).[1]
Plot summary
In 1849 the song Oh, Susannah is a nationwide hit—but bookkeeper Stephen Foster has given his work to several music houses without charge and without credit. His refined true love Inez McDowell, a classically trained singer, despises popular music, especially Stephen's songs. Foster's world changes when Edwin P. Christy sets him straight on the music business and launches his career as an author of the songs the Christy Minstrels use in their shows.
Cast
- Ray Middleton as Edwin P. Christy
- Bill Shirley as Stephen Foster
- Muriel Lawrence as Inez McDowell
- Eileen Christy as Jeanie McDowell
- Rex Allen as Mr Tambo / Rex Allen / Narrator
- Lynn Bari as Mrs. McDowell
- Dick Simmons as Dunning Foster
- Scott Elliott as Milford Wilson
- Andrew Tombes as R.E. Howard
- James Dobson as Spike
- Percy Helton as Mr. Horker
- Glen Turnbull as Glenn Turnbull / Speciality Dancer
- Louise Beavers as Mammy
- James Kirkwood as Doctor
- Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer as Freddie
- Fred Moultrie as Chitlin
Soundtrack
- Ray Middleton - "Oh! Susanna" (Written by Stephen Foster)
- Bill Shirley, Ray Middleton and Eileen Christy - "Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair" (Written by Stephen Foster)
- Muriel Lawrence - "On Wings of Song" (Written by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy)
- Muriel Lawrence - "Lo, Hear the Gentle Lark" (Music by H.R. Bishop, words by William Shakespeare from Venus and Adonis)
- Ray Middleton - "Nelly Bly" (Written by Stephen Foster)
- Ray Middleton - "My Old Kentucky Home, Good Night" (Written by Stephen Foster)
- Ray Middleton and Company - "Ring de Banjo" (Written by Stephen Foster)
- Ray Middleton - "Old Folks at Home (Swanee River)" (Written by Stephen Foster)
- Bill Shirley - "Beautiful Dreamer" (Written by Stephen Foster)
- "Rex Allen" - "Come Where My Love Lies Dreaming" (Written by Stephen Foster)
- Danced by Glen Turnbull - "Gwine to Rune All Night (De Camptown Races)" (Written by Stephen Foster)
- Ray Middleton and Company - "Queen of Mirth" (Written by Stephen Foster)
- Eileen Christy - "Haunting My Dreams at Night" (Written by Stephen Foster)
- Muriel Lawrence and Eileen Christy - "You Must Wear a Dainty Ribbon in Your Hair" (Written by Stephen Foster)
- "Old Black Joe" (Written by Stephen Foster)
- Ray Middleton - "Glendy Burke" (Written by Stephen Foster)
- Bill Shirley and Eileen Christy - "I Can Still See Her in My Dreams" (Written by Stephen Foster)
- "Old Dog Tray" (Written by Stephen Foster)
References
- Film title card. "I Dream of Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair (1952)", Internet Archive. Retrieved August 20, 2011.