Hallelujah and Other Black Musicals
Green Pastures (1936)
Directed by: Marc Connelly and William Keighley
Starring: Rex Ingram, Oscar Polk, Eddie "Rochester" Anderson
I haven't seen this one, but it is the only all-black musical I can think of that was made in 1930's Hollywood. Rex Ingram, an actor who found remarkably dignified roles for the time, plays three roles for this take on various Bible stories.
The Duke is Tops/Bronze Venus (1938)
Directed by: William L. Nolte
Starring: Lena Horne, Ralph Cooper
Lena Horne's first movie actually starred Ralph Cooper, but was re-released as Bronze Venus when she became famous. It's interesting to see Horne so young and the songs are nice, but it isn't particularly memorable.
Cabin in the Sky (1943)
Directed by: Vincente Minnelli
Starring: Ethel Waters, Lena Horne, Butterfly McQueen, Eddie "Rochester" Anderson
The devil, in the form of gambling and Sweet Georgia Brown (Horne), tempts Little Joe (Anderson) towards the dark side, but his loving wife Petunia (Waters) calls on the Lord himself to save him. Waters objected so strenuously to the way religion was portrayed in this movie that she was not offered another part for years. Enjoy this rare chance to see her in action, not to mention Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Orchestra, and the delightful Butterfly McQueen (With her fluttering eyes and absent-minded manner, she could have played a madcap heiress in a screwball comedy, but for the politics of race).
Stormy Weather (1943)
Directed by: Andrew L. Stone
Starring: Lena Horne, Bill Robinson, Cab Calloway, Katherine Dunham, Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, Fayard Nicholas, Harold Nicholas
I've always had trouble with this movie, because I just don't buy the love affair at its core. Robinson ws nearly forty years older than Horne, and the pair doesn't show enough passion for each other to bridge the gap. Still, there are great songs and dances, including an amazing performance by the Nicholas Brothers and a lovely number with Eddie "Rochester" Anderson and Katherine Dunham.
Carmen Jones (1954)
Directed by: Otto Preminger
Starring: Dorothy Dandridge, Harry Belafonte, Pearl Baily
A sexy, colorful, and vibrant musical which used the music and plot from Bizet's Carmen opera and updated the lyrics and surroundings to the current day. It is also the best chance we'll ever have to see Dorothy Dandridge in all her glory. She received an Oscar nomination for her performance, but she should have won a better career. She is ably supported by earthy Pearl Baily, who performs her songs with humorous gusto.
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