Cabin in the Sky

Overview

This film tells the story of Joe, a shantytown denizen torn between the affections of faithful wife Petunia and slinky seductress Georgia. Seriously injured in a barroom brawl, Joe dreams that he is the centerpiece of a celestial power struggle between a heavenly emissary and Lucifer Jr.

Product Details

Release Date:	08/02/2016
UPC:	0888574432447
Original Release:	1943
Rating:	NR
Source:	Warner Archives
Presentation:	[B&W]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono, Dolby Digital Stereo]
Language:	English
Time:	1:39:00
Sales rank:	23,155

Special Features

Closed Caption; Commentary by Evangela Vincente Minnelli (An American in Paris, Gigi) and stars Ethel Waters, Eddie "Rochester" Anderson; Fayard Nicholas Black Cultural Scholars Todd Boyd and Drew Casper, with Interview Excerpts of Lena Horne; Vintage Pete Smith Specialty Short Studio Visit; Audio only bonus Louis Armstrong "Ain't It the Truth" Outtake; Theatrical Trailer

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Ethel Waters	Petunia Jackson
Eddie Anderson	Little Joe Jackson,Little Joe Jackson
Lena Horne	Georgia Brown
Louis Armstrong	The Trumpeter
Rex Ingram	Lucius/Lucifer Jr.
Kenneth Spencer	Rev. Green, The General
John 'Bubbles' Sublett	Domino
Oscar Polk	The Deacon/Flatfoot
Mantan Moreland	First Idea Man
Willie Best	Second Idea Man
Fletcher Rivers	Third Idea Man, Moke
Leon James	Fourth Idea Man, Poke
Bill Bailey	Bill
Ford L. 'Buck' Washington	Messenger Boy
Butterfly McQueen	Lily
Ruby Dandridge	Mrs. Kelso
Stewart Nicodemus	Dude
Ernest Whitman	Jim Henry
Duke Ellington	Actor,Composer
Archie Savage	Dancer
Harold Arlen	Composer
Roger Edens	Composer
George Bassman	Composer
E.Y. Harburg	Composer

Technical Credits

Joseph Schrank

Arthur Freed	Producer
Vincente Minnelli	Director
Joseph Schrank	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

Cabin in the Sky was an auspicious directorial debut for the young Vincente Minnelli and provided Ethel Waters and Lena Horne with an excellent showcase for their considerable talents. Although the film is often criticized for what today are regarded as stereotypical characteristics (e.g., a weakness for gambling, a childish world view, oversimplified religious beliefs, etc.), overall Minnelli treats the story as the simple folktale it essentially is. His finely honed visual sense is evident in the careful compositions he creates for the camera and in the precise attention to detail in the sets and costumes. Minnelli also keeps the pace moving at a nice clip, although he's not afraid to slow things down when necessary -- as when Waters lovingly and deliberately intones the beautiful "Happiness Is Just a Thing Called Joe." Waters is wonderful throughout, creating a clearly drawn portrait of a woman whose love for two things -- her man and her religion -- will get her through anything. She punches home her laugh lines like the seasoned pro she is and demonstrates in "Taking a Chance on Love," and the title song, why she was one of the finest singers of her day. Horne matches her every step of the way, exuding an exquisite sultriness and demonstrating in her own numbers that hers is not a voice to be taken for granted. Eddie "Rochester" Anderson is a lovable and winning Joe, and the rest of the cast is quite good. The film's surprise critical success helped Minnelli land the job of directing the classic Meet Me in St. Louis the following year.