Vincente MinelliÆs (1943) musical comedy Cabin in the Sky represents the first film he directed, featuring an all-black cast. The film serves as a morality tale or fable, with a simple plot that revolves around a loving wife trying to save her husband Little Joe from a battle between good and evil forces. Little Joe has strayed from his wife Petunia for a sultry singer named Georgia Brown. A drinker and gambler, Little Joe is shot and his life is at risk. During this time, Petunia stays by his side, fighting off the forces of evil that want his soul by appealing to God to save him. The forces of evil believe by making Joe prosperous, they will damn his soul and irritate the forces of Heaven. The plan works temporarily but after all hell breaks loose the forces of Heaven finally triumph and Little JoeÆs soul is saved.
My initial impression of this film is that it reinforced many stereotypes of African Americans from the era, including African Americans as degenerates in need of saving by other forces. African Americans are also portrayed as criminals, gamblers, drinkers, womanizers and adulterers, and as nonsensical individuals who can sing and dance well but havenÆt much sense. Not only did the film reinforce many stereotypes prevalent in the era, but it also affirmed white mainstream values. For example, the film plays like a white Christian morality tale made to inform blacks of proper Christian behavior. The film also maintains that blacks are idle. Drinking, gambling, and adultery occupy the time of African Americans, which makes their ôidleö hands susceptible to the forces of Satan. Even when Little Joe is admitted to the Kingdom of Heaven, it revolves around just how much money he has left for the church.
Despite these offensive aspects of the film, looking at it as if from the era, African Americans made this film the most successful black musical comedy for a reason. Despite the stereotypes a
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