Day 4 of Black Movie Month "Cabin in the Sky"

 Now you know I had to take it back and today's spotlight is just perfect.  

Cabin in the Sky is a 1943 American musical film. The film would star Ethel Waters as Petunia and Rex Ingram as Lucifer Junior. Eddie "Rochester" Anderson of Jack Benny fame took over the role of Little Joe, Kenneth Lee Spencer portrayed The General, and Lena Horne co-starred as the temptress Georgia Brown in her first and only leading role in an MGM musical. Louis Armstrong was also featured in the film as one of Lucifer Junior's minions, and Duke Ellington and his Orchestra have a showcase musical number in the film.
 
The first film directed by Vincente Minnelli (who directed the original Broadway version), this musical offers its pleasures, but also may make you squirm at the racial stereotypes that were considered both acceptable and entertaining in 1943. A story of the struggle between good and evil for the soul of a man named Little Joe (Eddie "Rochester" Anderson), the film plays with the same kind of racial notions that made Stepin Fetchit a star.

Cabin in the Sky is one of those classic films that all ages can relate to, and it takes you back to the days of the Harlem Renaissance. This film truly hits the marker of how African Americans have contributed to the film industry and well worth the title of one of life's best kept African American secrets. With an all-black cast Cabin in the Sky is filled with so many real emotions that you can't help but be mesmerized by the performances. Many might even say that this movie was ahead of its time, definitely music wise.

Something is to be said for Director Vincente Minnelli. He was able to pick the RIGHT" black actors/actresses to provide a stellar performance as well as to portray the various characters that had the ability to get the point(s) across effectively. Despite the time period of when this film was premiered it still brought a delightful element that is worth remembering.

The film would be nominated for an Academy Award in 1944 for Best Original Song for "Happiness is a Thing Called Joe" sung by Ethel Waters.  After years of unavailability, Warner Home Video and Turner Entertainment released Cabin in the Sky on DVD on January 10, 2006.