Harmony Lane

1935 film by Joseph Santley

October 23, 1935 (1935-10-23)

Running time

89 minutesCountryUnited StatesLanguageEnglish

Harmony Lane is a 1935 low-budget American film directed by Joseph Santley, based upon the life of Stephen Foster, released by Mascot Pictures.

This was the first sound film based on the life of the famous composer. Two others would follow, both in color: Swanee River (1939) (the most elaborate and largest budgeted of the three), and I Dream of Jeannie (1952).

Plot summary

The life and loves of composer Stephen Foster, from his early success through his decline, degradation, and death from (assumed) alcoholism.

Cast

Douglass Montgomery as Stephen Foster
Evelyn Venable as Susan Pentland
Adrienne Ames as Jane McDowell
Joseph Cawthorn as Professor Henry Kleber
William Frawley as Edwin P. 'Ed' Christy
David Torrence as Mr. Pentland
Gilbert Emery as Mr. Foster
Lloyd Hughes as Andrew Robinson
Al Herman as Tambo
Cora Sue Collins as Marian Foster
James Bush as Morrison Foster
Edith Craig as Henrietta Foster
Florence Roberts as Mrs. Foster
Ferdinand Munier as Mr. Pond
Clarence Muse as Old Joe

Soundtrack

Oh! Susanna,

Lou'siana Belle,

The Old Folks at Home,

My Old Kentucky Home,

Old Black Joe,

Why No One to Love,

Beautiful Dreamer.

All written by Stephen Foster

External links

Harmony Lane at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
Harmony Lane at IMDb
Harmony Lane at AllMovie
Harmony Lane is available for free viewing and download at the Internet Archive

Stephen Foster

List of songs

Songs

Minstrel songs: Angelina Baker (1850); Camptown Races (1850); The Glendy Burk (1860); My Old Kentucky Home (1853); Oh! Susanna (1848); Ring, Ring de Banjo (1851); Old Folks at Home (Swanee River) (1851); Massa's in De Cold Ground (1852)

Parlor songs: Ah! May the Red Rose Live Alway; Open Thy Lattice Love; Beautiful Dreamer (1864); Hard Times Come Again No More (1854); Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair (1854); Old Black Joe (1853); Willie Has Gone to War (1862)

History and
biographers

The Stephen Foster Collection and archive

Morrison Foster

Horace Waters

Harold Vincent Milligan

Henrietta Crosman

Evelyn Foster Morneweck

Films, musicals,
recordings

Films: Harmony Lane; I Dream of Jeanie; Swanee River; Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair (anime)

Musicals: Stephen Foster - The Musical; Hard Times

Recordings: Beautiful Dreamer: The Songs of Stephen Foster

State Parks

My Old Kentucky Home State Park

Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park

Stephen C. Foster State Park

Family

v t e Films directed by Joseph Santley
The Cocoanuts (1929) Swing High (1930) The Loudspeaker (1934) Young and Beautiful (1934) Million Dollar Baby (1934) Harmony Lane (1935) Waterfront Lady (1935) Frisco Waterfront (1935) Her Master's Voice (1936) Dancing Feet (1936) Laughing Irish Eyes (1936) The Harvester (1936) We Went to College (1936) Walking on Air (1936) Smartest Girl in Town (1936) Meet the Missus (1937) There Goes the Groom (1937) She's Got Everything (1937) Blond Cheat (1938) Always in Trouble (1938) Swing, Sister, Swing (1938) The Spirit of Culver (1939) The Family Next Door (1939) Two Bright Boys (1939) Music in My Heart (1940) Melody and Moonlight (1940) Dancing on a Dime (1940) Melody Ranch (1940) Behind the News (1940) Sis Hopkins (1941) Rookies on Parade (1941) Puddin' Head (1941) Ice-Capades (1941) Down Mexico Way (1941) A Tragedy at Midnight (1942) Yokel Boy (1942) Remember Pearl Harbor (1942) Joan of Ozark (1942) Call of the Canyon (1942) Shantytown (1943) Chatterbox (1943) Thumbs Up (1943) Sleepy Lagoon (1943) Here Comes Elmer (1943) Rosie the Riveter (1944) Jamboree (1944) Goodnight, Sweetheart (1944) Three Little Sisters (1944) Brazil (1944) Earl Carroll Vanities (1945) Hitchhike to Happiness (1945) Shadow of a Woman (1946) Make Believe Ballroom (1949) When You're Smiling (1950)

Films directed by Joseph Santley