Harmony Lane (1935)

Director:

Joseph Santley

Writers:

Elizabeth Meehan (screenplay)
Joseph Santley (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

23 October 1935 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Musical | Romance | War

Tagline:

BASED ON THE LIFE OF America's Great Composer STEPHEN COLLINS FOSTER

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Depression | Blackface | USA | Mule | Americana

Cast

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

Runtime:

89 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA High Fidelity Sound System) | Mono

Certification:

USA:Approved

Company:

Mascot Pictures Corporation

Movie Connections:

Version of Swanee River (1939)

Montgomery memorable in dreadful Stephen Foster bio

Well, what can you expect from a Mascot film? Production values are way beneath even Republic, hovering somewhere around Monogram's incompetence. This is a shame since like a real trooper, Douglass Montgomery gives one of his most sensitive and sincere performances as the doomed songmaster. Reminds you of Liz Taylor in BUTTERFIELD 8, realizing you have inferior material, but behaving as if it was an A-1 production.

Cinematography, editing and direction are beneath contempt. There is scant underscoring, not even making an appearance until twelve minutes into the film. Camera lens smudges are left in. Even Montgomery's name is misspelled on the "The Players" card - "Douglas" rather than "Douglass."

Foster loves Susan, but evil Jane spreads lies and intrigue, so that Susan will marry another and she can step in to marry Foster. She then proceeds to nag and nag and finally leave him as he turns to drink after his popularity has calmed down. A last attempt to rescue him with a benefit hurts his pride so that he commits suicide. Adrienne Ames as the bitch Jane reminds one of Gene Tierney- strikingly beautiful. William Frawley is quite bad as E.P. Christy of the Christy Minstrels (Al Jolson was great in this role in the other Foster bio, SWANEE RIVER). The film begins in 1848 and ends with Foster's death.

The only good thing in this turkey is Montgomery and he is quite fine- his sincerity and his improvisational naturalistic style is quite charming. The camera does rise to the occasion with his close-ups, which are beautifully lit- he is here at his handsomest.

He is the only reason for sitting through this one.