Cabin in the Sky (1943)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Vincente Minnelli

Writers:

Lynn Root (play)
Joseph Schrank (writer)

Release Date:

9 April 1943 (USA)

Genre:

Musical | Fantasy

Tagline:

Broadway's big, fun-jammed music show is on the screen at last--crowded with stars and songs and spectacle in the famed MGM manner!

Plot:

A compulsive gambler dies during a shooting, but he'll receive a second chance to reform himself and to make up with his worried wife.

Plot Keywords:

Hell | Church | Shooting | Singer | Prayer

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 nomination

Cast

Ethel Waters	...	Petunia Jackson
Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson	...	Joseph 'Little Joe' Jackson
Lena Horne	...	Georgia Brown
Louis Armstrong	...	The Trumpeter
Rex Ingram	...	Lucifer Jr. / Lucius Ferry
Kenneth Spencer	...	The General / Rev. Greene
John William Sublett	...	Domino Johnson (as 'Bubbles' John W. Sublett)
Oscar Polk	...	The Deacon / Fleetfoot
Mantan Moreland	...	First Idea Man
Willie Best	...	Second Idea Man
Fletcher Rivers	...	Third Idea Man (as Moke [Fletcher Rivers])
Leon James Poke	...	Fourth Idea Man (as Poke Leon James)
Ford Washington Lee	...	Messenger Boy (as 'Buck' Ford L. Washington)
Bill Bailey	...	Bill
Butterfly McQueen	...	Lily

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:PG

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

"Cabin in the Sky", the original musical comedy, had been written by Lynn Root (lyrics and libretto) and composed by Vernon Duke and John La Touche. The producer was Albert Lewis in association with Vinton Freedley.

Goofs:

Continuity: After Domino Johnson accidentally shoots Petunia in the nightclub, she drapes her right arm over the staircase twice.

Quotes:

Joseph 'Little Joe' Jackson: Georgia, Georgia, remember you're a lady now.
Georgia Brown: I know it, sugar. I'm just trying to impress them with that fact.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "QI: Engineering (#5.1)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

Taking a Chance on Love

Outstanding Movie!!!

I would like to take the time to express what an OUTSTANDING MOVIE "Cabin in The Sky" is. As an African-American Male, I must say this Movie is really ahead of it's time in the way it depicted that whole setting with the "Soldiers of the Lord's Army", & "The Devil" (Lucifer Jr.), & his "followers".

That whole theory as it pertains (Biblically), to Men & Women "grappling" with their conscience to do the "Right Thing", dealing with the "forces" of "good vs. evil", really comes to light here.

You actually see "Lucifer Jr." arguing with the "General" of God's Army about the "rules" & regulations on how to get "Little Joe" (Eddie "Rochester" Anderson), to commit sin & do the wrong things.

I've been raised in the African-American Baptist Church, and for me, it just seemed as if these characters came to life just like it was taught in Sunday School & Church!!!

I'm also amazed at the "ethnic insight" of the Director Vincente Minnelli. He picked the "RIGHT" Black Actors to portray the various characters that had the ability to get the point(s) across effectively.

Considering this Movie/Musical was being shown to an audience in 1943 America, (WHICH WAS STILL VERY RACIST), Director Minelli seemed to make the "connection" without any problem at all.

Of course, the cast was an All Star, All Black cast which was good for the Actors/Actresses because it gave them much needed work. I could relate to the part of "Petunia" played by Ethel Waters. She reminded me of a really nice Woman who currently attends my Church.

Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, Rex Ingram, Lena Horne, Louis Armstrong, & a host of others, came together to make this Movie one of the "Great Ones" in my opinion. These Actors/Actresses are all gone now, but their talent will remain in the hearts & minds of many fans as well as movie history which I'm sure will be kind to them.

"Cabin in The Sky!!" A great Movie that I would highly recommend for the entire Family.