I DREAM OF JEANIE

I Dream of Jeanie
Republic, 1952, B/W, 102 minutes, ***
Released June, 1952

A musical biography and celebration of the works of Stephen Collins Foster. Foster was the first major American songwriter. Includes many of Foster's greatest songs, most of which are still very popular today. Much of his music is timeless, including "Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair," "Beautiful Dreamer," "Oh! Susanna," "My Old Kentucky Home," and many others. Very enjoyable film! The title is erroneously spelled "Jeannie" on the videotape sleeve.

Producer: Herbert J. Yates
Directed by: Allan Dwan
Written by: Alan LeMay
Music Adapted and Directed by: Robert Armbruster
Song Score: Stephen Foster
Dance Direction: Nick Castle Company
Art Director: Frank Hotaling
Set Decorations: John McCarthy, Jr.; James Redd
Costumes Designed by: Adele Palmer
Makeup Supervision: Bob Mark
Hair Stylist: Peggy Gray
Sound: T. A. Carman, Howard Wilson, John A. Stransky, Jr.
Photographed by: Reggie Lanning
Special Effects: Howard and Theodore Lydecker
Film Editor: Fred Allen

Cast: Ray Middleton [Edwin P. Christy], Bill Shirley [Stephen Foster], Muriel Lawrence [Inez McDowell], Dick Simmons [Dunning Foster], Rex Allen [Mr. Tambo / Narrator], Lynn Bari [Mrs. Dowell], Louise Beavers [Mammy], Eileen Christy [Jeanie McDowell], Robert Neil [Milford Wilson], Percy Helton [Mr. Horker], James Kirkwood [Doctor], James Dobson [Spike], Fred Moultrie [Chitlins], Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer [Freddie], Andrew Tombes [R. E. Howard], Glen Turnbull [Specialty Dancer]

Musical Program: [0:01] Oh! Susanna (excerpt sung by Chorus and played on Calliope); [0:05] Oh! Boys, Carry Me 'Long (sung by Chorus); [0:10] Old Dog Tray (sung by Bill Shirley and Tray the Dog); [0:12] Oh! Susanna (sung by Bill Shirley and Eileen Christy); [0:13] De Camptown Races (sung by Bill Shirley and Eileen Christy); [0:14] Soirée Polka (introduced as "Jeanie's Own Polka") (played on flute by Bill Shirley onscreen, danced by Eileen Christy); [0:16] On Wings of Song (sung by Muriel Lawrence and Bill Shirley); [0:29] Lo! Here the Gentle Lark (sung by Muriel Lawrence, accompanied by Bill Shirley on flute onscreen and other musicians); [0:31] The Glendy Burk (sung by Ray Middleton); [0:35] Nelly Bly (sung by Ray Middleton); [0:37] Melinda May (sung by Ray Middleton); [0:38] My Old Kentucky Home, Good Night (sung by Ray Middleton); [0:40] Gentle Annie (excerpt sung by Ray Middleton); [0:42] Medley of Foster's songs played and sung during Christy's parade; [0:46] Ring de Banjo (sung by Christy's Minstrels); [0:49] Old Folks at Home (sung and danced by Christy's Minstrels); [0:52] Beautiful Dreamer (sung by Bill Shirley serenading Inez); [0:58] Come Where My Love Lies Dreaming (sung by Rex Allen and Christy's Minstrels); [1:02] Medley of Foster's songs danced by Glen Turnbull; [1:03] Some Folks (sung and danced by Christy's Minstrels); [1:08] Head Over Heels (sung and danced by Eileen Christy); [1:15] Ribbon in Your Hair (sung by Muriel Lawrence and Eileen Christy); [1:17] Old Black Joe (sung by fisherman as steamboat passes by); [1:19] The Jeannie Polka (?) (reprised by Bill Shirley on flute onscreen); [1:21] The Glendy Burk (reprised by Ray Middleton); [1:23] I See Her Still in My Dreams (sung by Eileen Christy and Bill Shirley); [1:27] Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair (sung by Bill Shirley, Ray Middleton, Eileen Christy and Chorus)