
When Jean Ritchie wasn't crafting Appalachian dulcimers or writing traditional folk songs, she was busy pursuing another passion - acting. The "Mother of Folk" brought her down-to-earth Appalachian spirit to the movie screen and television shows throughout her long and distinguished career.
🍿 If you like watching movies & wish you could watch more, now you can!
With our special deals for free trials at HBO, Amazon Prime Video & Paramount+ you can finally get all your movie-marathon binges on your calendar without paying a dime! Get signed up now before you forget:
🍿 Happy watching!
Films
1. Next of Kin

A Chicago cop from the hills of Kentucky. Hunting his brother's killer. Seeking justice country style.
In the thrilling 1989 action film "Next of Kin, " Chicago cop Truman Gates embarks on a gripping quest to find the killer of his beloved brother. Meanwhile, his equally determined and unconventional hillbilly brother, Briar, also decides to seek retribution. As these two brothers join forces to hunt for the killer country style, justice will be served in a heart-pounding showdown that will keep you glued to the screen.
-
IMDb Rating: 5.8
-
TMDb Rating: 5.9
-
Release Date: 1989-10-20
-
Runtime: 108.0 minutes
-
Original Language: en
-
Origin Country: ["US"]
-
Budget: $12,000,000.0
-
Box Office Revenue: $15,942,600.0
-
Status: Released
2. Mountain Born: The Jean Ritchie Story

Step into the world of musical legend Jean Ritchie as this captivating documentary takes you on a journey through her 50-year career. From her humble beginnings in Viper, Kentucky to her triumphant performances on the New York stage, this film brings to life the rich tapestry of Ritchie's life. Joining her on this musical expedition are luminaries such as Pete Seeger and Arlo Guthrie, as well as her family and friends from Eastern Kentucky. Produced in 1996 by KET and set against the backdrop of the Appalachians, "Mountain Born: The Jean Ritchie Story" is not just a film about an artist but a celebration of the unique musical heritage that shaped her.
-
Release Date: 1996-09-26
-
Runtime: 58.0 minutes
-
Original Language: en
-
Origin Country: ["US"]
-
Status: Released
3. Ballads, Blues & Bluegrass
In this 1961 gathering of traditional American music legends, Alan Lomax invites the likes of Roscoe Holcomb, Memphis Slim, and Pete Seeger to his West 3rd Avenue apartment for an impromptu song swap. Filmed on the fly, the resulting footage captures a raw exchange of musical heritage between old-time masters and folk revivalists alike, from Clarence Ashley and Jean Ritchie to the Greenbriar Boys and the New Lost City Ramblers. It's a heartfelt document of the early 1960s Greenwich Village folk revival as it bridged generations of American musical tradition.
-
Release Date: 2012-06-19
-
Runtime: 35.0 minutes
-
Original Language: en
-
Origin Country: ["US"]
-
Status: Released
TV Shows
1. Rainbow Quest

Embark on a journey of musical excellence with Rainbow Quest, a remarkable 1960s documentary series. Hosted by the legendary folk musician Pete Seeger, this series showcases his storytelling prowess while sharing enchanting folktales and songs with icons including Johnny Cash, June Carter, Mississippi John Hurt, The Stanley Brothers, and Doc Watson. With a rich mix of genres, prepare to be blown away by the timeless tunes and heartfelt camaraderie.
-
Original Name: Rainbow Quest
-
Languages: ["en"]
-
Episode Runtime: [52]
-
Status: Ended
-
Origin Country: ["US"]
-
Original Language: en
-
Type: Documentary
-
First Air Date: 1965-03-03
-
Last Air Date: 1966-02-26
-
Number of Seasons: 1
-
Number of Episodes: 39