1943 Musical Comedy Cabin in the Sky

Vincente Minelli's (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 Joe's 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, g

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Category: Film - 1