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Cabin in the Sky
Remember those old cartoons where the main character is trying to do what's right and he has a little angel and a little devil on each shoulder advising him what to do? This kept flashing through my head as I watched the MGM musical Cabin the Sky, a groundbreaking film from 1943 that featured an all African-American cast, not exactly standard cinematic fare in the 1940's.
This is the story of a womanizing gambler named Little Joe Jackson, who gets shot during one of his gambling sprees and as he lies on his deathbed, Lucifer's son and his crew arrive ready to take Joe to hell where he belongs. However, Joe's wife, Petunia, prays so sincerely to have Joe's life spared that "The General", God's second in command, also shows up and gives Joe six months to change his ways and make things right with Petunia. Lucifer Jr. is not giving up on Joe's soul and decides to tempt him with a winning sweepstakes ticket and a smoking temptress named Georgia Brown. And despite all that Joe is put through here, it is fun watching Petunia never give up on the man she loves but not allowing him to get away with anything either.
MGM took a calculated risk bringing this Broadway musical to the screen at a time where blacks in the movies were limited to playing chauffeurs and maids, The film is based on a musical that premiered on Broadway in 1941 and ran for an unimpressive 156 performances, which is not surprising. What was surprising is that MGM and director Vincente Minnelli saw the genesis of a winning movie musical here.
Yes, the possible hesitance of the studio is up there on the screen, evidenced in the limited budget, which included filming in black and white, but the budget does nothing to cover up the energy, exuberance, and humor that jumps off the screen at the viewer and envelops them in the fun of this musical fantasy. It was no accident that the composers of The Wizard of Oz were responsible for a lot of the music here. I loved that actors were used in multiple roles just as the leads were in The Wizard of Oz.
Harold Arlen, EY Harburg, Duke Ellington, and Vernon Duke are among the contributors to the score, including the title tune ""Taking a Chance on Love", "Life is Full of Consequence", "Honey in the Honeycomb" and the Oscar-nominated "Happiness is a Thing Called Joe."
Ethel Waters is allowed to reprise her Broadway role as Petunia Jackson and lights up the screen in the process. Eddie "Rochester" Anderson is a laugh riot replacing Dooley Wilson as Joe and Lena Horne is a smoking hot Georgia Brown. There's also a brief appearance by Louie Armstrong as one of Lucifer's crew, billed as "The Trumpeter." With Vincente Minnelli and an uncredited Busby Berkeley behind the camera, this is an energetic musical romp for those looking for something a little different.
Remember those old cartoons where the main character is trying to do what's right and he has a little angel and a little devil on each shoulder advising him what to do? This kept flashing through my head as I watched the MGM musical Cabin the Sky, a groundbreaking film from 1943 that featured an all African-American cast, not exactly standard cinematic fare in the 1940's.
This is the story of a womanizing gambler named Little Joe Jackson, who gets shot during one of his gambling sprees and as he lies on his deathbed, Lucifer's son and his crew arrive ready to take Joe to hell where he belongs. However, Joe's wife, Petunia, prays so sincerely to have Joe's life spared that "The General", God's second in command, also shows up and gives Joe six months to change his ways and make things right with Petunia. Lucifer Jr. is not giving up on Joe's soul and decides to tempt him with a winning sweepstakes ticket and a smoking temptress named Georgia Brown. And despite all that Joe is put through here, it is fun watching Petunia never give up on the man she loves but not allowing him to get away with anything either.
MGM took a calculated risk bringing this Broadway musical to the screen at a time where blacks in the movies were limited to playing chauffeurs and maids, The film is based on a musical that premiered on Broadway in 1941 and ran for an unimpressive 156 performances, which is not surprising. What was surprising is that MGM and director Vincente Minnelli saw the genesis of a winning movie musical here.
Yes, the possible hesitance of the studio is up there on the screen, evidenced in the limited budget, which included filming in black and white, but the budget does nothing to cover up the energy, exuberance, and humor that jumps off the screen at the viewer and envelops them in the fun of this musical fantasy. It was no accident that the composers of The Wizard of Oz were responsible for a lot of the music here. I loved that actors were used in multiple roles just as the leads were in The Wizard of Oz.
Harold Arlen, EY Harburg, Duke Ellington, and Vernon Duke are among the contributors to the score, including the title tune ""Taking a Chance on Love", "Life is Full of Consequence", "Honey in the Honeycomb" and the Oscar-nominated "Happiness is a Thing Called Joe."
Ethel Waters is allowed to reprise her Broadway role as Petunia Jackson and lights up the screen in the process. Eddie "Rochester" Anderson is a laugh riot replacing Dooley Wilson as Joe and Lena Horne is a smoking hot Georgia Brown. There's also a brief appearance by Louie Armstrong as one of Lucifer's crew, billed as "The Trumpeter." With Vincente Minnelli and an uncredited Busby Berkeley behind the camera, this is an energetic musical romp for those looking for something a little different.