They Shall Have Music (1939): Cast & Plot
They Shall Have Music is a 1939 family drama directed by Archie Mayo, starring Gene Reynolds as Frankie, John Kelly and Tommy Kelly. It runs 1 hour 45 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 45m (105 min)
- Director
- Archie Mayo
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Howard Productions
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is They Shall Have Music About?
The premise of They Shall Have Music without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Amid the thrill of great music, the laughter of youth and the tenderness of age, a bleak future confronts a troubled boy from a broken‑home slum. When his stepfather destroys his violin, he flees and finds refuge sleeping in the basement of a school for underprivileged children, where music becomes his hope.
They Shall Have Music Themes & Keywords
· 46 tags- new york city
- adolescent
- title co written by female
- classical music concert
- stray dog
- ice cream cone
- repossession of property
- runaway boy
- cruel stepfather
- coming of age drama
- violin student
- stolen violin
+34 more Show fewer
- music rehearsal
- music recital
- rehearsing a speech
- sprained ankle
- newspaper headlines
- pool room
- repossession threat
- female bodyguard
- sheriff
- parents
- stabbed with a hat pin
- bully comeuppance
- benefactor
- aspiring violinist
- concert violinist
- boy violinist
- virtuoso musician
- famous musician
- guest performer
- music school
- violinist
- sponsor
- shoeshine
- police
- music teacher
- manhattan bridge
- landlord
- juvenile delinquent
- financial crisis
- deception
- battered child
- barge
- street child
- musician
They Shall Have Music Cast & Characters
Gene Reynolds leads the cast as Frankie, with John Kelly as Kelly (uncredited) and Tommy Kelly as Willie. Directed by Archie Mayo; 68 actors are credited in all.
- Director Archie Mayo
- Gene Reynolds as Frankie
- John Kelly as Kelly (uncredited)
- Tommy Kelly as Willie
- Marjorie Main as Mrs. Miller
Also Starring in They Shall Have Music
· 64 more- Arthur Hohl Miller
- Terry Kilburn Limey
- Jascha Heifetz Themselves
- Walter Brennan Professor Lawson
- Porter Hall Mr. Flower
- Joel McCrea Peter McCarthy
- Bryant Washburn Jr. Usher in Carnegie Hall (uncredited)
- Peter Meremblum Peter Meremblum
- Andrea Leeds Ann Lawson
- James Flavin Police Sergeant (uncredited)
- Lee Phelps Policeman in Auditorium (uncredited)
- Diana Lynn Pianist (uncredited)
- Emmett Vogan Police Chief's Aide (uncredited)
- Wade Boteler Bill - Police Lieutenant (uncredited)
- J. Farrell MacDonald Police Chief (uncredited)
- Stanley Blystone Policeman at Police Station (uncredited)
Show all 68 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Robert Homans Policeman at Barney's Pool Room (uncredited)
- John Hamilton Detective (uncredited)
- Emory Parnell Policeman in Rain (uncredited)
- Paul Harvey Heifetz' Manager
- Brooks Benedict Man in Concert Audience (uncredited)
- Ethan Laidlaw Film Delivery Man (uncredited)
- Charles Coleman Henry - Heifetz's Butler (uncredited)
- Billy Wayne Film Delivery Man (uncredited)
- Virginia Brissac Willie's Mother (uncredited)
- Fern Emmett Woman on Steps (uncredited)
- Eric Mayne Man in Concert Audience
- Arthur Aylesworth Detective (uncredited)
- Paul Stanton Inspector Johnson (uncredited)
- Frank Jaquet Mr. Wallace (uncredited)
- Jessie Arnold Woman in Alley Yelling for Police (uncredited)
- Anne O'Neal Woman on Steps (uncredited)
- Dorothy Christy Woman Angry at Husband Being Late (uncredited)
- John St. Polis Davis
- Wyndham Standing Undetermined Role (uncredited)
- Louis Mason Deputy (uncredited)
- Perry Ivins Mr. Morgam (uncredited)
- Walter Tetley Rocks Mulligan
- Roger Imhof Michael - Deputy (uncredited)
- Joe De Stefani Pawn Broker (uncredited)
- Alan Edwards Concertgoer Throwing Tickets Away (uncredited)
- Marjorie Wood Betty's Mother (uncredited)
- Alexander Schoenberg Menken
- Zero Sucker the Dog
- Elizabeth Valentine Undetermined Role (uncredited)
- Chuck Stubbs Fever
- Gale Sherwood Betty
- Dulcie Day A Woman in Line (uncredited)
- Effie Anderson Woman on Steps (uncredited)
- Mary Ruth Suzie
- Alfred Newman Musical Director
- Emanuel Bay Accompanist for 'Hora staccato' (uncredited)
- Richard Berres Cellist in Meremblum Orchestra (uncredited)
- Morris Boltuch Kid in Orchestra (uncredited)
- Raymond D. Bowman Violinist (uncredited)
- Kaye Connor Girl in Orchestra (uncredited)
- Virginia Ellis Violinist (uncredited)
- Maude Louis Woman in Line (uncredited)
- Mitchell Lurie Clarinetist in Orchestra (uncredited)
- Edwina Pierce Violinist (uncredited)
- Annette Ruderman Violinist (uncredited)
- Theodore Saidenberg Heifetz's Accompanist (uncredited)
- Mary Louise Zeyen Cellist in Orchestra (uncredited)
- Calvin Leslie
More from Archie Mayo
More films directed by Archie Mayo: Angel on My Shoulder, A Night in Casablanca, Sweet and Low-Down and Crash Dive.
They Shall Have Music Plot Summary
What happens in They Shall Have Music from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In the bustling streets of New York City, a young boy named Frankie ([Gene Reynolds]) finds himself caught up in a world of petty crimes alongside his small gang. These mischievous youngsters engage in activities like stealing bicycles and taking money from other boys in their tenement neighborhood. Among Frankie’s friends is Willy ([Tommy Kelly]), who eventually confides in his father about their misadventures. Concerned, Willy’s father raises the issue with Frankie’s mother ([Marjorie Main]) and his stepfather ([Arthur Hohl]), setting into motion a series of events that will change Frankie’s life.
Full summary
The whole story of They Shall Have Music, scene by scene
They Shall Have Music Videos
The clip of They Shall Have Music.
How Well Do You Know They Shall Have Music?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What instrument does Frankie find in his basement?
Seen They Shall Have Music?
Movies Like They Shall Have Music
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Música, Music and Music.
They Shall Have Music FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of They Shall Have Music, each answered in a sentence.
How long is They Shall Have Music?
They Shall Have Music runs 1 hour 45 minutes (105 minutes).
When was They Shall Have Music released?
They Shall Have Music was released on July 26, 1939.
Who directed They Shall Have Music?
They Shall Have Music was directed by Archie Mayo.
More films by Archie Mayo Who is in the cast of They Shall Have Music?
They Shall Have Music stars Gene Reynolds as Frankie, John Kelly as Kelly (uncredited) and Tommy Kelly as Willie, among 68 credited actors.
Does They Shall Have Music have a post-credit scene?
No. They Shall Have Music has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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