I'm from Arkansas

A lot of familiar players try very hard to make this PRC film somewhat entertaining and it does succeed when it comes to the country musical acts. But the cheapness of a typical PRC film make I'm From Arkansas barely passable entertainment even in the areas it was marketed to in red state America.

I'm From Arkansas probably never saw a New York opening, these kinds of films went right into general release in the south and west where they made money. I remember back when I was in the Army Reserves and stationed in such places as Fort Campbell, Kentucky or Fort Stewart, Georgia I saw films that I would never see at any neighborhood theater in Brooklyn. No doubt it was the same in the Forties.

It's not quite The Miracle Of Morgan's Creek, but they've had a miracle of sorts in Pitchfork, Arkansas. Maude Eburne's sow Esmeralda gave birth to a little of 18 piglets. That passes for news and you'd have thought the Dionnes had another set of quintuplets when it goes out over the air.

An all girl orchestra headed by Iris Adrian and managed by Clif Nazarro decides to take advantage of the publicity and they head for Pitchfork. But so does Bruce Bennett's country band and they have a slight advantage as Bennett is from Pitchfork.

The villain of the piece is hog butcher John Hamilton who sends two of his men to buy that property figuring that there's some kind of hog aphrodisiac there to make Esmeralda so fertile. There is also a mineral spring that could be beneficial to humans as well. Those city slickers don't know what they're up against when Bennett and Adrian join forces to protect Maude Eburne and her kin.

They even have El Brendel in the cast. Yumpin' Yiminy how did he get to Arkansas.

Some country music acts of the day are on the bill here. Jimmy Wakely sings pretty and Carolina Cotton yodels as good as Roy Rogers.

Still it's a very cheap PRC film and true enough it does stereotype rural folks horribly. Of course not as bad as Deliverance.

There is a splendid performance from the celebrated actor, Slim Summerville in the role of " Juniper Jenkins ". I have fond memories of Slim,s great acting in the Hollywood classics such as "Front Page ",'All quiet on the western front", " Tobacco Road ", etc, etc. His comedy talent was manifest when he was partnered with Zasu Pitts in a very entertaining series of comedy films. People still delight in seeing him with Shirley Temple in : Captain January" and 'Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm ". It is a tragedy that he died so young but I am thankful for his great legacy. But this film has so much also to enjoy in the many delightful songs by very talented Country Music performers. This film is one of my favorites.

I'm From Arkansas is what is is, a lowbudget "B" ("C", really) comedy-musical clearly made for rural southern audiences and likely not seen that much outside of that region. Hillbilly bed-and-board owner Maude Eburne's prized pig manages to knock out eighteen young-uns in one pregnancy that manages to become novelty news across the country (read the headlines, one is a good joke in reference to the smash comedy The Miracle of Morgan Creek, released earlier that year). A gregarious manager of a small-time singing act decides to bring the girls down to Arkansas on the presumption they can somehow get tied into the spotlight. Brassy Iris Adrian is the most cynical of the gals and when she mistakes Bruce Bennett (a major radio bandleader back in his hometown for a vacation) for a local rube, he decides to milk it and play the hick while romancing her.

Slim Summerville starred or was featured in scores of rural comedies for over a decade when this film was released, his earlier ones were for the major studios and had bigger budgets. Near the end of his career (he passed away in 1946), he is top-billed but has less screen time than either Bennett (surprisingly billed fourth when he was only a few years before considered possible major star material) or the always enjoyable Ms. Adrian, in the main lead, and the only truly starring role I can recall seeing her in (her specialty was snappy costarring small parts, even bits). Maude Eburne is a delight as always as "Ma" (one surprise later plot turn is Summerville's ardent pursuit of Eburne in marriage, he's always on her property so probably the major viewers presumed they were a long-married couple). Country music great Jimmy Wakely has a few nice numbers (including the legendary hit "You are My Sunshine" made famous by another Jimmy, Jimmie Davis), 50's pop star Mary Ford is in Wakely's girl group, and country star Merle Travis can be spotted in Bennett's band. Not a great comedy by any means, but a pleasant time killer.

"Guy takes a girl for a sleigh ride in the middle of July!"

Juniper and Ma Alden's pig Esmeralda has 18 piglets which apparently is news back in 1944. This is the quirkiest romantic comedy with music, ventriloquism, southern accents, and playing acting at being "yokels".

The real reason to watch this odd gem is really the music, particularly Jimmy Wakely and The Sunshine Girls. I particularly loved their western take on "You are my Sunshine". The other highlight is the handsome star Bruce Bennett, who plays Bob Hamline. Bob and his band take a break down in Arkansas in Pitchfork Springs, Esmeralda's hometown...which conveniently subverts a slick company from taking advantage of Ma Alden with the help of a theater girl he has his eye on named Doris.

Another musical highlight is " If You Can't Go Right, Don't Go Wrong" by Jimmy Wakely and The Pied Pipers.

If you are a music aficionado I highly recommend checking this quirky film out...especially if you like The Pied Pipers and their music like "The Hit of The Season".

The sleepy town of Pitchfork, Arkansas becomes famous when hillbilly Slim Summerville (as Juniper "Pa" Jenkins) celebrates his prolific pig's latest litter. Not only does she have a personality (which we never really see), "Esmeralda" is blessed with eighteen piglets. As many Arkansas residents don't know many numbers more 'an ten, Mr. Summerville calls it "a heap a' pigs all in one lump." This stupid story is partially redeemed by the presence of some legendary country names in the extended cast, moat notably sunshine girl Mary Ford and musician Merle Travis. Best of all are the songs by country and western recording star Jimmy Wakely. Also featured are vocal group The Pied Pipers, yodeling blonde Carolina Cotton, and The Milo Twins. The soundtrack is far superior to the story.

*** I'm from Arkansas (10/31/44) Lew Landers ~ Slim Summerville, Jimmy Wakely, Iris Adrian, Bruce Bennett