The National Barn Dance

The National Barn Dance is a 1944 American comedy film directed by Hugh Bennett and written by Lee Loeb and Hal Fimberg. The film stars Jean Heather, Charles Quigley, Robert Benchley, Mabel Paige, Charles Dingle and Pat Buttram. The film was released on September 24, 1944, by Paramount Pictures.[1][2][3]

The National Barn Dance
Directed byHugh Bennett
Screenplay byLee Loeb
Hal Fimberg
Story byLee Loeb
Hal Fimberg
Produced byWalter MacEwen
StarringJean Heather
Charles Quigley
Robert Benchley
Mabel Paige
Charles Dingle
Pat Buttram
CinematographyHenry Sharp
Edited byEverett Douglas
Music byGil Grau
John Leipold
Rudy Schrager
Production
company
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release date
  • September 24, 1944 (1944-09-24)
Running time
76 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

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The story presents a fictionalized origin of the popular radio series National Barn Dance, which aired from 1924 to 1968.

In Chicago, Johnny Burke pitches an idea to the Mitcham Advertising Agency: use a hillbilly group from Midvale to promote Garvey Soup on the radio. Mitcham throws Johnny out, but the determined promoter travels south to Midvale to recruit talent.

Johnny attends a barn dance in Midvale, and meets a group of performers: Lulu Belle and Scotty, Joe Kelly, Pat Buttram, the Dinning Sisters, and the Hoosier Hot Shots. Pretending to be Mitcham's employee, he signs them all to a contract.

Johnny returns to Chicago with the performers, but Mitcham isn't interested in hillbilly music. Johnny comes up with a scheme: pose as servants in Mitcham's house, and play music during a dinner party with the Garveys. The plan works: Mrs. Garvey is delighted with the music, and tells Mitcham to hire the performers.

Cast

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References

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  1. ^ "The National Barn Dance (1944) - Overview". TCM.com. Retrieved 2017-10-02.
  2. ^ Steve Huey. "National Barn Dance (1944) - Hugh Bennett". AllMovie. Retrieved 2017-10-02.
  3. ^ "The National Barn Dance". Afi.com. Retrieved 2017-10-02.
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