Comin' Thro' the Rye on AllMovie

Not a remake of the famous Cecil Hepworth silent film, Comin' Thro' the Rye is the life story of 18th century Scottish poet Robert Burns. Within an incredibly brief 55 minutes, director Walter C. Mycroft manages to pack most of the significant events in Burns' existence, "illustrating" certain transitional scenes with still pictures and narration, and throwing 19 songs based on Burns' best works into the stew. Most of the film is shot silent, utilizing actual locations and nonprofessional actors. Burns himself is played by Terrence Alexander, who seems to have been cast primarily on the basis of his resemblance to the original. More of a valentine to the Robert Burns Society than a feature film, Comin' Thro' the Rye was evidently never intended for a mass audience.