Banjo on My Knee main backdrop
Banjo on My Knee main poster

Banjo on My Knee

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5.9/10 • 14

1936-12-111h 35m

ComedyRomance

Laughing, Fighting, Singing...and Loving!

A young husband leaves his river shantyboat community in Pecan Point, Tennessee and travels to New Orleans in search of his runaway wife.

Directors
John Cromwell
Editors
Hanson T. Fritch

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Barbara Stanwyck

    Barbara Stanwyck

    Pearl Elliott Holley

  2. Joel McCrea

    Joel McCrea

    Ernie Holley

  3. Walter Brennan

    Walter Brennan

    Newt Holley

  4. Buddy Ebsen

    Buddy Ebsen

    Buddy

  5. Helen Westley

    Helen Westley

    Grandma

  6. Walter Catlett

    Walter Catlett

    Warfield Scott

  7. Tony Martin

    Tony Martin

    Chick Bean

  8. Katherine DeMille

    Katherine DeMille

    Leota Long

  9. Victor Kilian

    Victor Kilian

    Mr. Slade

Reviews1

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CinemaSerf Avatar

CinemaSerf

Aug 22, 2025

6/10

When the odious “Slade” (Victor Killan) pushes his luck at a wedding, the groom (Joel McCrae) thwarts his attempts to steal a kiss from his bride (Barbara Stanwyck) by sending him headlong into the river! Fearful that he might never be found, “Ernie” has to do a runner leaving “Pearl” in the capable hands of pop “Newt” (Walter Brennan). Six months go by and then he returns to suggest they all relocate. “Pearl” is not about to be separated again, and a tiff ensues ensuring their separation. Misunderstandings galore now occur all over a measily twelve dollars, some dishwashing whilst “Leota” (Katherine De Mille) takes a shine to him, “Chick” (Tony Martin) to her and by the time they make it back to their Mississippi houseboat it’s anyone’s guess who might marry whom? Except, well no - there isn’t really any jeopardy here with this really quite predictably lacklustre enterprise. Neither Stanwyck nor McCrae look like they are enjoying it much, and but for the ever reliable Brennan and mischievous granny  (Helen Westley) the film would sink without trace. There are some enjoyable enough numbers peppering this, though, with Brennan, McCrae and Miss Stanwyck exercising their vocal chords with varying degrees of success throughout. The sort of ensemble effort on “Where the Lazy River Goes By” stands out most, but the title song is also quite a decent little toe-tapper that when mixed in with some more traditional musical themes presents us with an amiable showcase for some talented stars trying to make a cinematic silk purse from a sow’s ear. There’s plenty of fisticuffs, a good storm scene and a kimono, so batten down the hatches.

Media

  • Banjo on My Knee poster
  • Banjo on My Knee poster
  • Banjo on My Knee poster
  • Banjo on My Knee poster
  • Banjo on My Knee poster

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
--
Revenue
--
Keywords
wedding nightbased on song, poem or rhyme