Swanee River

Swanee River

The Story of Stephen C. Foster - The Great American Troubadour

1939•1h 24m•7.0/10

DramaMusicThriller

Ratings

🎬TMDb

7.0/10(4)

Swanee River is a 1940 American biopic about Stephen Foster, a songwriter from Pittsburgh who falls in love with the South, marries a Southern girl, then is accused of sympathizing when the Civil War breaks out. Typical of 20th Century Fox biopics of the time, the film is more fictional than factual biography.

Open in PickFlick

Production

20th Century Fox

Language

EN

Status

Released

Release Date

Available in Your Library

Cast

Don Ameche

Don Ameche

Stephen Foster

Andrea Leeds

Andrea Leeds

Jane McDowell Foster

Al Jolson

Al Jolson

Edwin P. Christy

Felix Bressart

Felix Bressart

Henry Kleber

Chick Chandler

Chick Chandler

Bones

Russell Hicks

Russell Hicks

Andrew McDowell

Diane Fisher

Marion Foster

George P. Breakston

George P. Breakston

Ambrose

Nella Walker

Nella Walker

Mrs. McDowell

Mae Marsh

Mae Marsh

Mrs. Jonathan Fry (uncredited)

George H. Reed

George H. Reed

Old Joe, McDowell's Coachman

Richard Clarke

Richard Clarke

Tom Harper

Al Herman

Tambo

Charles Trowbridge

Charles Trowbridge

Mr. Foster

George Meeker

George Meeker

Henry Foster

Leona Roberts

Leona Roberts

Mrs. Foster

Charles Tannen

Charles Tannen

Morrison Foster

Clara Blandick

Clara Blandick

Mrs. Griffin

Harry Hayden

Harry Hayden

Erwin

Esther Dale

Esther Dale

Temperance Woman

Recommended

Beyond the Sea

Beyond the Sea

Based on the life and career of legendary entertainer, Bobby Darin, the biopic moves back and forth between his childhood and adulthood, to tell the tale of his life.

Beyond the Sea

2004

6.3

Too Late Blues

Too Late Blues

Ghost is an ideological musician and leader of a jazz band who would rather play his blues in the park to the birds than compromise himself. His peripatetic performances lead him to cross paths with a singer, while his masculinity is thrown into question following a violent brawl.

Too Late Blues

1961

6.4

Honeydripper

Honeydripper

In 1950s Alabama, the owner of the Honeydripper juke joint finds his business dropping off and against his better judgment, hires a young electric guitarist in a last ditch effort to draw crowds during harvest time.

Honeydripper

2007

5.9

The Truth About Emanuel

The Truth About Emanuel

A troubled young woman becomes obsessed with her mysterious new neighbor, who bears a striking resemblance to the girl's dead mother.

The Truth About Emanuel

2013

6.0

The Locket

The Locket

A dark personal secret drives a young woman to use every man she encounters.

The Locket

1946

6.3

Köln 75

Köln 75

The true story of Vera Brandes, teenage patron saint of the 1970s Cologne music scene, who risked everything to organize the greatest solo concert in music history: Keith Jarrett’s legendary Köln Concert.

Köln 75

2025

7.1

Good Vibrations

Good Vibrations

The story of music legend Terri Hooley, a key figure in Belfast's punk rock scene. Hooley founded the Good Vibrations store from which a record label sprung, representing bands such as The Undertones, Rudi and The Outcasts.

Good Vibrations

2012

6.8

Kid Galahad

Kid Galahad

After completing his military service, Walter Gulick takes a job as a sparring partner at a gym, the owner of which sees potential in Walter as a professional fighter—and takes him under his wing.

Kid Galahad

1962

6.1

Time Without Pity

Time Without Pity

Alec Graham is sentenced to death for the murder of his girlfriend Jennie, with whom he spent a weekend at the English country home of the parents of his friend Brian Stanford. Alec’s father, David Graham, a not-so-successful writer and alcoholic who has neglected his son in the past, flies in from Canada to visit his son on death row. David then goes on a quest to try and clear his son’s name while battling “the bottle.”

Time Without Pity

1957

6.5

Nancy

Nancy

Nancy becomes increasingly convinced she was kidnapped as a child. When she meets a couple whose daughter went missing thirty years ago, reasonable doubts give way to willful belief.

Nancy

2018

5.8

Unsung Hero

Unsung Hero

When David Smallbone's successful music company collapses, he moves his family from Australia to the United States in search of a brighter future. With nothing more than their six children, their suitcases, and their love of music, David and his pregnant wife Helen set out to rebuild their lives from the ground up. Based on a remarkable true story, a mum's faith stands against all odds; and inspires her husband and children to hold onto theirs.

Unsung Hero

2024

7.0

Eddie and the Cruisers

Eddie and the Cruisers

A television newswoman picks up the story of a 1960s rock band whose long-lost leader — Eddie Wilson — may still be alive, while searching for the missing tapes of the band's never-released album.

Eddie and the Cruisers

1983

6.7

Similar Movies

The Life and Loves of Beethoven

The Life and Loves of Beethoven

Lyrical biography of the classical composer, depicted as a romantic hero, an accursed artist.

The Life and Loves of Beethoven

1937

6.8

The Sea Inside

The Sea Inside

Ramón Sampedro is a ship mechanic and part-time poet left a quadriplegic following a diving accident. Ramón fought for 30 years for the legal right to end his own life. He develops close relationships with his long-term lawyer Julia and his friend Rosa, who tries to convince him that his life is worth living. Despite his situation, Ramón manages to inspire those around him to live life to the fullest.

The Sea Inside

2004

7.6

Viva Zapata!

Viva Zapata!

The story of Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata, who led a rebellion against the corrupt, oppressive dictatorship of president Porfirio Díaz in the early 20th century.

Viva Zapata!

1952

6.9

Climbing for Life

Climbing for Life

In 1975, a woman reached the summit of Mount Everest: Junko, the first woman in history to reach the world's highest peak. Junko's unforgettable feat stunned the world, bringing her into the spotlight but casting a huge shadow over her friends and family. Despite being diagnosed with a terminal illness in her final years, Junko continued to challenge the mountains. What was the last thing she saw beyond the summit?

Climbing for Life

2025

10.0

Beecham

1990 TV adaptation of a 1979 biographical play by Ned Sherrin & Caryl Brahms, based on the life of conductor and impresario Sir Thomas Beecham. With Timothy West as Beecham.

Beecham

1990

Man on the Moon

Man on the Moon

The story of the life and career of eccentric avant-garde comedian, Andy Kaufman.

Man on the Moon

1999

7.2

Freedom Writers

Freedom Writers

A young teacher inspires her class of at-risk students to learn tolerance, apply themselves, and pursue education beyond high school.

Freedom Writers

2007

7.9

The Elephant Man

The Elephant Man

A Victorian surgeon rescues a heavily disfigured man being mistreated by his "owner" as a side-show freak. Behind his monstrous façade, there is revealed a person of great intelligence and sensitivity. Based on the true story of Joseph Merrick (called John Merrick in the film), a severely deformed man in 19th century London.

The Elephant Man

1980

8.0

Asakusa Kid

Asakusa Kid

After dropping out of college, "Takeshi" jumps into the Asakusa France Theater and begins his training as a comedian. His teacher, Senzaburo Fukami, Masayoshi Inoue, who also trains at the French Theater and aspires to be a writer, and other good-natured dancers... This heartwarming and moving drama set in Asakusa vividly depicts the process of "Takeshi's" self-discovery through interaction with his delightful friends.

Asakusa Kid

2002

10.0

Michael Collins

Michael Collins

Michael Collins plays a crucial role in the establishment of the Irish Free State in the 1920s, but becomes vilified by those hoping to create a completely independent Irish republic.

Michael Collins

1996

6.9

Au Revoir les Enfants

Au Revoir les Enfants

Au revoir les enfants tells a heartbreaking story of friendship and devastating loss concerning two boys living in Nazi-occupied France. At a provincial Catholic boarding school, the precocious youths enjoy true camaraderie—until a secret is revealed. Based on events from writer-director Malle’s own childhood, the film is a subtle, precisely observed tale of courage, cowardice, and tragic awakening.

Au Revoir les Enfants

1987

7.5

Ray

Ray

Born on a sharecropping plantation in Northern Florida, Ray Charles went blind at seven. Inspired by a fiercely independent mom who insisted he make his own way, He found his calling and his gift behind a piano keyboard. Touring across the Southern musical circuit, the soulful singer gained a reputation and then exploded with worldwide fame when he pioneered coupling gospel and country together.

Ray

2004

7.5

PickFlick Assistant

Hi! I'm your PickFlick Assistant. Ask me about movies, TV shows, OTT sources, or anything about PickFlick.

Powered by CopilotKit