Steamboat Round the Bend

Steamboat Round the Bend

Year: 1935

Runtime: 81 mins

Language: English

Director: John Ford

DramaRomanceComedy

A Louisiana con man enters his steamboat into a winner-take-all race with a rival while trying to find a witness to free his nephew, about to be hanged for murder.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Steamboat Round the Bend (1935)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Steamboat Round the Bend (1935). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1890s

The story takes place in the 1890s, an era marked by steamboat transportation, frontier justice, and the aftermath of the American Reconstruction period. It was a time of economic expansion, western expansion, and social change, which forms the historical context for the characters' adventures and conflicts.

Location

Mississippi River, Louisiana, Baton Rouge

The movie is set along the Mississippi River, a crucial waterway known for its historical significance in transportation and commerce. Louisiana, with its rich cultural heritage, serves as a backdrop for the story's events, with Baton Rouge being the final destination before the climax. The river and the southern setting evoke a vibrant, lively atmosphere central to the narrative.

🚤 River 🌾 Southern 🏭 Industrial

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:53

Main Characters – Steamboat Round the Bend (1935)

Meet the key characters of Steamboat Round the Bend (1935), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Doctor John Pearly (Will Rogers)

A witty and resourceful con man turned steamboat captain, Pearly is determined and quick-thinking. Despite his scheming past, he shows compassion and a sense of justice, especially in trying to save Duke. His humorous and improvisational nature keeps the story lively.

🎭 Charismatic 🤵 Schemer 💪 Resilient

Duke (John McGuire)

A wrongly convicted man seeking justice, Duke is loyal and courageous. His love for Fleety Belle shows his caring side, and his willingness to marry her in jail underscores his commitment and hope for redemption.

💍 Loyal 🛡️ Brave 💔 Wrongfully Accused

Fleety Belle (Anne Shirley)

A young, uneducated girl who proves to be resourceful and sharp. Her relationship with Duke and her role as co-pilot highlight her resilience and growing confidence in turbulent times.

👩‍✈️ Independent 🧠 Clever 💖 Loyal

Sheriff Rufe Jeffers (Eugene Pallette)

A good-natured, compassionate lawman, Jeffers tries to maintain order with a kind heart. His efforts to help Duke and his relaxed demeanor add warmth to the story's conflict resolution.

👮‍♂️ Friendly 🌾 Gentle 🧑‍⚖️ Lawkeeper

New Moses (Irvin S. Cobb)

An itinerant preacher who can provide the crucial eyewitness testimony, Moses is portrayed as a wandering revivalist. His character embodies faith and the hope for salvation, pivotal for the plot's resolution.

✝️ Faith 🗣️ Charismatic 🌊 Evangelist

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:53

Major Themes – Steamboat Round the Bend (1935)

Explore the central themes of Steamboat Round the Bend (1935), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎩 Justice

The theme of justice is central, as characters seek to clear a wrongful conviction and navigate the legal system. The race against time to save Duke highlights the importance of truth and fairness. The film explores concepts of right and wrong amidst a setting of lawlessness and societal norms.

🔥 Courage

Courage manifests through the characters' daring actions, such as entering a race to gain the Governor's attention and risking their lives to save Duke. The protagonists demonstrate bravery in defending their friends and confronting danger on the Mississippi River.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:53

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Madcap river adventures like Steamboat Round the Bend

Fun-filled and frantic races down the river against the clock.If you liked the humorous and chaotic river journey in Steamboat Round the Bend, you'll enjoy these movies. This list features fast-paced comedies and adventures set on boats, with unlikely heroes racing against time in a lighthearted, spirited vibe.

river journeyhumorousadventurouschaoticresourcefulhopefulwhimsical

Narrative Summary

The narrative typically involves a crew of misfits or con artists who take to the river for a race, a rescue, or a quest. The journey is linear but filled with constant, humorous obstacles, pushing the characters to use their wits and resourcefulness to succeed just in the nick of time.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared setting on the water, their fast and humorous pacing, and their focus on a rag-tag group overcoming challenges through ingenuity and sheer nerve, all while maintaining a light and hopeful tone.

Lighthearted races against time like Steamboat Round the Bend

Urgent missions where the stakes are high but the mood stays cheerful.Fans of Steamboat Round the Bend's blend of high-stakes urgency and comedy will find similar movies here. These films feature a fun, fast-paced quest to beat a deadline, balancing genuine stakes with a humorous and ultimately triumphant tone.

race against timehumoroushopefulresourcefultriumphanteccentric charactersfast-paced

Narrative Summary

A clear, high-stakes goal (like saving an innocent person) provides the engine for the plot, but the path to achieving it is littered with comedic detours and colorful characters. The serious premise is consistently undercut by a playful tone, leading to a satisfying and happy resolution.

Why These Movies?

This thread connects movies that masterfully balance a serious objective with a light tone. They share a fast pace driven by a deadline, but prioritize humor and cleverness over heavy drama, making the high-stakes adventure an enjoyable and uplifting ride.

Unlock the Full Story of Steamboat Round the Bend

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Steamboat Round the Bend Summary

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Steamboat Round the Bend Summary

Steamboat Round the Bend Timeline

Track the full timeline of Steamboat Round the Bend with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Steamboat Round the Bend Timeline

Steamboat Round the Bend Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Steamboat Round the Bend that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Steamboat Round the Bend Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Steamboat Round the Bend

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Steamboat Round the Bend: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

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