Directed by
Minnelli, Vincente, American, 1903 - 1986
Subject of
Waters, Ethel, American, 1896 - 1977
Anderson, Eddie, American, 1905 - 1977
Horne, Lena, American, 1917 - 2010
Armstrong, Louis, American, 1901 - 1971
Ingram, Rex, American, 1895 - 1969
Moreland, Mantan, American, 1902 - 1973
Dandridge, Ruby, American, 1900 - 1987
Ellington, Duke Orchestra, American
Ellington, Duke, American, 1899 - 1974
Bubbles, John, American, 1902 - 1986
Polk, Oscar, American, 1899 - 1949
Best, Willie, American, 1913 - 1962
Owned by
D.C. Public Library, American, founded 1896
Date
1943
Medium
acetate film
Dimensions
Duration (Reel 1): 18 Minutes
Length (Film): 650 Feet
Duration (Reel 2): 39 Minutes
Length (Film): 1400 Feet
Duration (Reel 3): 33 Minutes
Length (Film): 1200 Feet
Caption
Cabin in the Sky was the first 'All-Negro Musical" produced by MGM, starring Ethel Waters, Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, and Lena Horne in 1943. The film follows Little Joe, played by Anderson, as he battles a gambling problem despite the pleads and prayers of his loving wife, Petunia. Framed as a classic "good verses evil" narrative, Cabin attempts to visualize the perils of sin and temptation in order to champion for pious living. The song from the film "Happiness is a Thing Called Joe" was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Song.
This film was a part of the Washington D.C. Public Library's circulating 16mm film collection housed at the Martin Luther King Jr. Central Library. The collection is particularly noted for the wide variety of African American and African diaspora content.
Description
A musical comedy with the title Cabin in The Sky. It consists of three (3) reels of black-and white 16mm acetate film with optical sound.
The film follows Little Joe Jackson (Eddie Anderson) who has a gambling problem and is killed in a shootout with gangsters. While on his death bed, Little Joe is visited by agents of God and Satan who both entice him to heaven and hell respectively. God grants Little Joe six more months on Earth to prove himself worthy and enter heaven.
Place used
Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America
Place filmed
Los Angeles, California, United States, North and Central America
Collection title
DC Public Library Film Collection
Classification
Time-based Media - Moving Images
Type
sound films
black-and-white films (visual works)
feature films
16mm (photographic film size)
Topic
Actors
Film
Hollywood (Film)
Music
Musical films
Race films
Singers (Musicians)
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2017.55.59.1abc
Restrictions & Rights
Restrictions likely apply. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5416cb2e4-fff0-43c7-bfc9-a008364195c6

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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