Banjo on My Knee

Banjo on My Knee

11/12/1936 1h 35m 5.9/10

Overview

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

Director

John Cromwell

Top Billed Cast

Walter Catlett

Walter Catlett

Warfield Scott

Walter Brennan

Walter Brennan

Newt Holley

Buddy Ebsen

Buddy Ebsen

Buddy

Barbara Stanwyck

Barbara Stanwyck

Pearl Elliott Holley

Joel McCrea

Joel McCrea

Ernie Holley

Helen Westley

Helen Westley

Grandma

Reviews

CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

8/22/2025

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.

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