The Green Pastures
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Movie Reviews of The Green Pastures
Movie Review: Marc Connelly genius, wonderful acting and song
Summary: 5 Stars
De Lawd must have directed me to this movie.
My Grandpa (1904-1992) did Marc Connelly's (author & director, 1890-1980) taxes for many years. Grandpa told me that once a year when he would go "into the City" (NYC) to Marc Connelly's apartment to get whatever it is that accountants get to do taxes, that Mr. Connelly would fix lunch for him. I had never heard of Marc Connelly when Grandpa told me this back in the mid-1970s. Only recently, I became curious about Grandpa's acquaintance with Marc Connelly and stumbled upon "The Green Pastures" DVD. Grandpa told me about the book, but not the movie. If I'd known about the movie, I would have sought it out much sooner.
My wife and I were spellbound by this movie. It is quite a feat for its day. The acting is quality stuff. Some people may be offended by the quasi-plantation dialect and settings. But the storyline and achievement of the movie is best absorbed when one can move on and accept that "The Green Pastures" is a product of its time. The Old Testament message interpreted in the movie is both informative and thought provoking. For me, the most thought provoking part is with the punch line about how God came about acquiring his quality of mercy. (The word "mercy" is pronounced "moy-cie" in the movie's spoken dialect, which is Brooklyn-ese, not quasi-plantation or anywhere else Southern, then or now.)
The Negro spiritual choir's singing in the soundtrack will give you goosebumps. They are as a legion of angels singing. Today's Gospel radio or mega-church bands and voices are "noisy gongs and clanging cymbals" compared with the glorious sound of the choir in "The Green Pastures." Ooh, maybe I shouldn't have said that.
Enjoy "The Green Pastures" with sense of anticipation and humor. This sweet movie has it all and makes me thankful that it was made.
Movie Review: Excellent Sunday Afternoon viewing!
Summary: 5 Stars
This DVD is an excellent package for viewing on a nice Sunday afternoon. Orignally, Roark Bradford's book "Ol' Man Adam and His Chillun" (from which this film is based) was a crude collection of old fashioned mockery of Black culture. This film greatly improves upon the original text. Yes, by modern standards, it's a tad stereotyped, but given the choice between this and "Soul Plane"... need I say more?
Overall, the story is quite charming. The frame story involves Mr. Deeshay, a Louisiana Sunday School teacher who makes the stories of the Bible come alive for some plantation children. You'll wish your Sunday school teacher was this entertaining and interesting! The bit where Rex Ingram catches the boy shooting craps is a howl (I won't spoil it here, see for yourself) as well as the depiction of the world before the flood. It is a bit jarring to see the light-skinned black actress Edna May Harrris in blackface (guess Hollywood didn't think she was black enough), but that's one of the VERY few drawbacks of this charming and moving film.
As a lover of storytelling and a believer in the value of passing oral traditions as well as entertainment to the young, I treasure this movie.
Speaking of treasure, this also includes RUFUS JONES FOR PRESIDENT with blues legend Ethel Waters and 8 year old Sammy Davis Jr. Young Sammy runs for President (one campaign sign says "Bring in the Blacks and Throw out the Reds!"). Once again, stereotyped humor abounds, but young Sammy's amazing dancing and the psersonality of Miss Waters makes it all worthwhile. As for "The All Colored Vaudelville Show, you haven't lived until you see Eunice Wilson and the Racketeers indescribable version of "Hold that Tiger!"
BET, eat your heart out. Everybody else, enjoy!
Movie Review: Forget Political Correctness - This Is A Charming Movie
Summary: 5 Stars
Doesn't the "politically correct" crowd have any hobbies? This movie is very charming and thoroughly entertaining and I love it for what it is.
Set in New Orleans (you'll hear references to Canal Street and Rampart Street), this is the story of the Old Testament as told to a Sunday school class by a gentle and dignified old preacher. So what if his grammar and diction aren't "PC"?! I live in New Orleans and I frequently hear people speaking this same way some seventy years after this movie was made.
From Adam and Eve to the Exodus to Noah and the Great Flood, all of the stories are acted out in a "modern" setting. There are some scenes in Heaven that have been decried as "racist" for their stereotypical presentation but all I saw were people in Heaven having a good time. (I don't view my movies through an agendized prism and besides, if I were running Heaven, there would indeed be a barbeque going 24/7)
As with most old, low-budget movies, the special effects aren't impressive but so what? The scene where Noah's ark comes to rest was obviously done with miniatures but the overall effect is charming. (I know I use that word frequently but it's fitting)
This movie is historic in that it features an all-black cast and unlike the 1923 version of "The Ten Commandments", the Biblical icons portrayed here seem down-to-Earth and human as opposed to overly emotive caricatures.
There is a lot to like about this movie so drop the agenda and grab some popcorn.
Movie Review: Black Hollywood in the 1930s
Summary: 5 Stars
If you are a movie buff, this movie will show you how far Hollywood has come since the days of Jim Crow in the U.S.A.
This movie is a testament of the Black reality of wanting to become movie stars and the white man's idea of what Black America was about in 1930s U.S.A. The actor's abilities resonate on screen like the sun rising in early morning; the white studio's mis-understanding of Black culture is evident in the depictions of the Black characters, as well. This is not a film to look upon with narrow vision, rather, it is a film to look upon with the understanding that the movie was made: 1) by white people with an ultimate goal of profit; 2) to showcase Black talent rarely seen outside of New York City by both Black and white audiences; and, 3) made in a way to edit out positive Black performances that were not roles of servitude such as maids, butlers, pimps, prostitutes, and other lesser characters of society when the movie was shown in the south.
Green Pastures, a film worth watching, is a testament of the talent of Black actors in the era, as well as a documented fact of the distorted perceptions of white people about Black people in 1930s America.
Movie Review: Lessons of life
Summary: 5 Stars
I have watched this movie numerous times & still marvel at the creativity, the actors, the powerfulness of its message, & the racism of a nation. I love the black, gospel music that is wonderfully performed by the Hall Johnson Choir. I, myself can see heaven with singing angels like these!! Rex Ingram, who plays several roles,but the major role as 'De Lawd. Has such a kind face that I truely can picture the LAWD as him!! Several major points in the BIBLE are acted out through the rumination of a little boy in Sunday School. Yes, the visions of heaven as a "fish-fry" & stereotypical thinking of 1930s racism, that throw the mental capabilities of the African Americans into the "challenged" category, makes you want to scream. But, the underlying lessons learned of corruption, disobedience,sexual immortality, & more sins against the LAWD are certainly prevelant today. This movie is brilliantly produced for its time. It still remains one of my favorite. But, who's to say that they DIDN'T get the portrayals all correct. I certainly havent walked in heaven. I know of no one who has. So who's to say that it isnt just a fish fry with a bunch of good ole boys & friends???!!!