The Old Swimmin’ Hole (1940)
The Old Swimmin’ Hole is a 1940 American drama film directed by Robert F. McGowan, produced by Republic Pictures, and starring Marjorie Main, Jackie Moran, and Leatrice Joy. Running about 81 minutes, it was released on October 25, 1940. The film is loosely inspired by James Whitcomb Riley’s nostalgic poem of the same name, though the story is original.
Plot Summary
Set in a small Midwestern town, the film follows Betty Elliott (Marjorie Main), a kindly country doctor who looks after the community’s children. The central story revolves around Chris Carter (Jackie Moran), a teenage boy navigating friendship, first love, and the challenges of growing up.
Chris falls for Jenny Merrick (Leatrice Joy), but their romance is complicated by misunderstandings, parental expectations, and the pressures of rural life. The “old swimmin’ hole” serves as both a literal gathering place for the town’s youth and a symbolic backdrop for innocence, change, and the passage into adulthood.
Cast
- Marjorie Main as Dr. Betty Elliott
- Jackie Moran as Chris Carter
- Leatrice Joy as Jenny Merrick
- Charles D. Brown as Mr. Carter
- Frank Austin as Mr. Merrick
- Sarah Padden as Mrs. Merrick
Production Notes & Trivia
- Directed by Robert F. McGowan, best known for his work on the Our Gang comedies.
- Produced by Republic Pictures, a studio specializing in economical features and serials.
- The film’s title references James Whitcomb Riley’s nostalgic poem, though the plot is unrelated.
- Marjorie Main, later famous for her role as Ma Kettle in Universal’s Ma and Pa Kettle series, plays a rare dramatic lead here.
- Leatrice Joy, a silent‑era star, appears in one of her later sound film roles.
- The film reflects Republic’s attempt to produce wholesome, small‑town dramas alongside its more typical westerns and action serials.
