In Old Kentucky (1927 film)

In Old Kentucky
In Old Kentucky
	Lobby card
Directed by	John M. Stahl
Written by	Lew Lipton; Marian Ainslee (titles); Ruth Cummings (titles)
Screenplay by	A. P. Younger; Lew Lipton
Story by	A. P. Younger
Based on	In Old Kentucky; by Charles T. Dazey
Produced by	John M. Stahl
Starring	Helene Costello; James Murray
Cinematography	Max Fabian
Edited by	Margaret Booth
Distributed by	Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release date	November 20, 1927;
Running time	70 minutes
Country	United States
Language	Silent (English intertitles)

In Old Kentucky is a 1927 American silent drama film produced and distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and directed by John M. Stahl.^[1] The film was based on the popular 1893 play of the same name by Charles T. Dazey and stars Helene Costello and James Murray.^[2] In Old Kentucky also features an early performance by Lincoln Perry, who later became known as Stepin Fetchit. The performance proved to be a breakthrough for Perry who signed a five-year contract with Fox Film Corporation shortly after the film's release.^[3]

The film is a remake of the 1919 film of the same name which was M-G-M studio head Louis B. Mayer's first production as an independent producer.^[4] The play was adapted for the screen a third time in 1935 starring Will Rogers in one of his final film appearances.^[5]

Cast

James Murray as Jimmy Brierly
Helene Costello as Nancy Holden
Wesley Barry as Skippy Lowry
Dorothy Cumming as Mrs. Brierly
Edward Martindel as Mr. Brierly
Harvey Clark as Dan Lowry
Stepin Fetchit as Highpockets
Carolynne Snowden as Lily May
Nick Cogley as Uncle Bible
Dean Harrell (uncredited)
Mildred Washington (uncredited)

Censorship

Before the film could be exhibited in Kansas, the Kansas Board of Review required the removal of several scenes. In reel 3, scenes of boys thumbing their noses at each other, reel 4, man kissing girl on neck and breast.^[6]

References

^ White Munden, Kenneth, ed. (1997). The American Film Institute Catalog of Motion Pictures Produced in the United States, Part 1. University of California Press. p. 378. ISBN 0-520-20969-9.
^ Bordman, Gerald; Hischak, Thomas S. (2004). The Oxford Companion to American Theatre. Oxford University Press. p. 331. ISBN 0-195-16986-7.
^ Petro, Patrice, ed. (2010). Idols of Modernity: Movie Stars of the 1920s. Rutgers University Press. p. 243. ISBN 978-0-813-54929-3.
^ Sragow, Michael (2013). Victor Fleming: An American Movie Master. University Press of Kentucky. p. 38. ISBN 978-0-813-14443-6.
^ Maturi, Richard J.; Buckingham Maturi, Mary (1999). Will Rogers, Performer: An Illustrated Biography With a Filmography. McFarland. p. 174. ISBN 0-786-40637-2.
^ "Kansas Board of Review Movie Index - Kansas Historical Society". www.kansashistory.gov. Retrieved September 9, 2025.

External links

In Old Kentucky at IMDb
Lobby poster

This article about a silent drama film from the 1920s is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by adding missing information.

[1] White Munden, Kenneth, ed. (1997). The American Film Institute Catalog of Motion Pictures Produced in the United States, Part 1. University of California Press. p. 378. ISBN 0-520-20969-9.

[2] Bordman, Gerald; Hischak, Thomas S. (2004). The Oxford Companion to American Theatre. Oxford University Press. p. 331. ISBN 0-195-16986-7.

[3] Petro, Patrice, ed. (2010). Idols of Modernity: Movie Stars of the 1920s. Rutgers University Press. p. 243. ISBN 978-0-813-54929-3.

[4] Sragow, Michael (2013). Victor Fleming: An American Movie Master. University Press of Kentucky. p. 38. ISBN 978-0-813-14443-6.

[5] Maturi, Richard J.; Buckingham Maturi, Mary (1999). Will Rogers, Performer: An Illustrated Biography With a Filmography. McFarland. p. 174. ISBN 0-786-40637-2.

[6] "Kansas Board of Review Movie Index - Kansas Historical Society". www.kansashistory.gov. Retrieved September 9, 2025.

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