Plot Summary
John Jacob Niles is a portrait of the adding machine repairman who came to Eastern Kentucky in 1909, “heard the songs [his] father sang,” and became a much-noted “arranger, expander, collector, recorder, and performer” of traditional Appalachian ballads. Niles played an important part in the national “discovery” of Appalachian folk music. He describes how he travelled with the photographer Doris Ulmann through the 1920s and 30s — she taking pictures of the people, and he learning their songs. The film shows Niles in concert, at home, at work arranging his music, and explaining the historical place of balladry in American music.
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Full Cast & Characters
Director & Crew
William B. Richardson
Director
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Where can I watch John Jacob Niles online?
John Jacob Niles (1978) is available to stream on various platforms. You can also watch it online via our Watch Online button.
What is the TMDB rating of John Jacob Niles?
It has a TMDB rating of 0.0/10 based on 0 votes.
Who directed John Jacob Niles?
John Jacob Niles was directed by William B. Richardson and released in 1978.
How long is John Jacob Niles?
John Jacob Niles has a runtime of 0 hours and 31 minutes.
Movie Details
- Release Date
- 1978-01-01
- Status
- Released