Film Review
Wow, here's a treat for all lovers of early American jazz, a film that
showcases some of the greatest African-American entertainers of the
1940s - all at the top of their game in a revue-style extravaganza that
is cooler than an Antarctic iceberg in Nike trainers.
Stormy Weather was one of two
lavish Hollywood musicals with a predominantly black cast made in 1943,
the other being MGM's
Cabin in the
Sky. At a time when African-Americans rarely appeared in
American films, and virtually never in leading roles, it was extremely
daring and forward-thinking for the two major Hollywood studios to make
a film of this kind. The film is confidently directed by Andrew
Stone, who would become well-known for his hard-hitting thrillers of
the 1950s, such as
Highway 301
(1950),
The Steel Trap (1952) and
A Blueprint for Murder (1953).
Stormy Weather may have one
or two shortcomings (a plot that is conspicuous by its absence
and some wooden performances being its biggest weaknesses), but who cares when it
delivers such a glorious celebration of African-American song and dance
talent from the golden age of jazz. Legendary tap dancer Bill
"Bojangles" Robinson and singer Lena Horne head a cast of jazz
monoliths that includes Cab Calloway, Fats Waller and Dooley Wilson
(who famously played it again for Bogart in
Casablanca).
The film has great historical significance since this was the
last time that Robinson and
Waller appeared on screen (the former died in virtual poverty six
years later, the latter died from pneumonia just a few months after the film
was released).
With twenty meaty musical numbers somehow squeezed into the film's
slender 78 minute runtime, there isn't so much as a dull
nanosecond. The alluring Horne may get to sing the title number
Stormy Weather (in one of the most
imaginatively staged numbers of any Hollywood musical), but it is
Waller who steals the show with his most soulful rendition of
Ain't Mishavin'. The
visual highpoint of this veritable feast of entertainment is a stunning
dance routine performed by the Nicholas Brothers, which Fred Astaire
described as the finest piece of tap dancing ever filmed. If this
film doesn't get you tapping your feet, nothing will. This is
jazz heaven, folks.
© James Travers 2010
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.
Film Synopsis
On his return to America after serving in the First World War, Bill
Williamson sets his sights on becoming a dancer but has difficulty
finding work of any kind. With the help of a beautiful singer
named Selina Rogers, he gets his first spot, but loses his job soon
afterwards when he out-stages the star of the show. Bill's
shoeshine buddy Gabe Tucker comes to his rescue when he tries to mount
his own show without funds and in no time Bill is a dancing
sensation. But by now he has a new passion in his life,
Selina. Alas, she is more interested in her career than in settling
down with him...
© James Travers
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.