Cabin in the Sky (1943)

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1. 

   Siskoid

   Cabin in the Sky is a rare treat, a black cast musical from the '40s, and it's a real charmer, devotional in spirit, like a church choir come alive to tell a story, with great songs, fun dance numbers, and an unexpectedly apocalyptic climax. The conceit is a fantastical one, angels and devils vying for the soul of an inveterate gambler who's willing to repent and reform for the love of his pious wife. He's given a reprieve after getting shot, and from there, supernatural entities that only we can see play try to sway him and others to their side. There's both comedy and drama in the premise, and while the very end hasn't aged well in terms of tropes, it still works in the context of the story. African-Americans got so little representation in old Hollywood that even the slightest negative or caricatured portrayal would draw criticism, but I feel the film is balanced between the baddies and the goodies, that it has a lot of love and sympathy for all its characters, and that the ultimate message is an elevating and universal one. 4 years 3 months ago
2. 

   gerryt

   Devilish Satchmo playes a mean trumpet 11 years 3 months ago
3. 

   TomReagan

   After watching Stormy Weather (also released in 1943) first, I was disappointed with this one. Maybe it’s not fair to compare them, since this came out first and Stormy Weather has more lively performances (specifically with Bojangles, Cab Calloway and the *Nicholas Brothers* in one the greatest dance finales of all time). Cabin in the Sky does have a better plot, though, and it’s still worth watching for film history buffs. But for my money, Stormy Weather is the one to watch. 2 years 9 months ago

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