Wow! What a bizarre film! Unfortunately the few funny moments there were were quite overshadowed by it's completely weird and random vibe throughout.

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

To all those who have watched it: I hope you enjoyed it as much as I do.

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

The local public library had its winter "bag sale" with all the videos you can fit into a grocery bag for $4. I kind of overfilled the bag so gave them more. Included in the haul of 100 old VHS and newer DVD's for $10 was this little lost film. Sadly, it could / should have stayed lost.To give it the benefit of the doubt, the music and the singing was really good ! BUT... there was a thin and extremely stupid "plot" and what there was served only to hang the songs on. Several of the songs were not even sung all the way through. Snippets of Steve (sic) Foster.The film would have been much improved if it had deliberately been about the Christy Minstrels and not supposedly a biography of Stephen Foster. Most of the songs were performed by Ray Middleton as Christy. I was amazed to find that the film had been made in 1952 as it has a real 1930's look and feel to it. It had one of those awful minstrel shows with even Rex Allen in a Blackfaced cameo.Another one of those " give it a miss" films. Even if you find it for one thin dime !

This lightweight update of "Swanee River" (1939) is also in color, but lacks Al Jolson. "I Dream of Jeanie (with the Light Brown Hair)" is not only the title, but also introduces perky Eileen Christy (as Jeanie). She is the love interest of great American songwriter Stephen Foster (Bill Shirley), but he thinks he likes sister Muriel Lawrence (as Inez). Minstrel showman Ray Middleton (as Edwin P. Christy) is the man who helps turn Mr. Foster's songs into hits. Home studio Republic's Rex Allen joins in a partially embarrassing "black-face" sequence, by which time the movie has lost sight of its flimsy plot. It's tuneful, though.*** I Dream of Jeanie (6/4/52) Allan Dwan ~ Bill Shirley, Ray Middleton, Eileen Christy, Rex Allen

Just picked up this film for a buck at National Wholesale Liquidators, and after watching it, I feel like I got ripped-off.I don't know that I've seen a worse film than this. Honestly. And I would never write a negative review of a film had I not such enormous respect for the subject matter, that is, Stephen Foster and his music.First, what is it? It's a musical biography? Yeah, lot's of tunes by Foster then interspersed here and there are these pseudo-Broadway-Jerome Kern-type numbers that reek more than the Mississippi delta. I mean, somebody got PAID to write this drivel? Secondly, the REAL story of Foster is a fascinating one. Why not even come CLOSE to it? Thirdly, what did they have on the great Ray Middleton to get him to do this film? Pictures of him with small boys?? With communists? What a waste of a great talent.So, friends of Foster, and the truth, and good entertainment, be afraid... be very, very, afraid.

An interesting film, despite the slightly overblown sentimentality and romance. Great music and ballads. Disturbing slave-era imagery, and even more disturbing, but historically accurate black face performances in the portrayal of Christy's Minstrels.The one thing I would like to know is how accurate are the portrayals of E.P. Christy and Stephen Foster? Christy's Minstrels was a black face troupe, and their performances are among the more disquieting moments in the film...you want to enjoy the music...but can't due to the irreconcilable racist undertones.All in all it's an enjoyable film, but be cautioned that your kids might ask "why are those people wearing black paint?" an honest question and worthy of in-depth dialog to help "foster" respect for all people in upcoming generations.It feels like a film from the early thirties, surprisingly it's from '52. I bought it for the performance of "Beautiful Dreamer."