Cabin in the Sky with Ethel Waters: DVD Cover
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Cabin in the Sky Director: Vincente Minnelli Cast: Ethel Waters, Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, Lena Horne, Louis Armstrong

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  • DVD Release Date: 01/10/2006
  • Original Release: 1943
  • Rating: Not Rated
  • Sales Rank: 9,803

Viewer Rating: (2 ratings)

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Features

Closed Caption; Commentary by Evangela Anderson and Eva Anderson (wife and daughter of 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

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Scene Index

Disc #1 -- Cabin in the Sky
1. Credits and Foreword [2:09]
2. Talent for Gambling [3:59]
3. Li'l Black Sheep [2:57]
4. Trouble [3:34]
5. Lucifer Jr. [4:39]
6. The General [4:49]
7. Little Joe's Reprieve [3:08]
8. Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe [3:31]
9. Roll of the Dice [3:09]
10. Cabin in the Sky [6:28]
11. Hotel Hades Idea Dept. [5:13]
12. Georgia Moseys [1:39]
13. Happy Birthday [2:07]
14. Taking a Chance on Love [4:41]
15. News Worth Reading [3:54]
16. Georgia on His Mind [4:49]
17. Life's Full of Consequences [2:01]
18. Petunia's Breaking Point [2:58]
19. Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe Reprise [2:24]
20. Duke at Jim Henry's [3:40]
21. Domino Johnson [1:39]
22. Shine [3:04]
23. Grand Entrance [1:53]
24. Honey in the Honeycomb [1:29]
25. Blossoming Petunia [3:42]
26. Honey in the Honeycomb Reprise [2:21]
27. Stormy Weather [2:44]
28. Devilish Demotion [4:10]
29. Stairway to Heaven [2:41]
30. Taking a Chance on Love Reprise [2:47]

Scene Index

Editorial Reviews

MGM knew it would take a bath on its all-black musical Cabin in the Sky (few Southern theaters of 1943 would touch the film), but the studio still provided its standard A-plus production values to the film; besides, it served as a training ground for up-and-coming director Vincente Minnelli. Based on the Broadway musical by Lynn Root, John LaTouche, and Vernon Duke, the film tells the story of Joe (Eddie "Rochester" Anderson), a shantytown denizen torn between the affections of faithful wife Petunia (Ethel Waters) and slinky seductress Georgia (Lena Horne). Seriously injured in a barroom brawl, Joe dreams that he is the centerpiece of a celestial power struggle between a heavenly emissary (Kenneth Spencer) and Lucifer Jr. (Rex Ingram, who ironically had played "De Lawd" in The Green Pastures). Joe is given another chance to redeem himself on Earth, lest he fall into the clutches of the Devil's little boy. Louis Armstrong briefly shows up, appropriately cast as "The Trumpeter." Song highlights include "Taking a Chance on Love," "Happiness Is Just a Thing Called Joe," "Life's Full of Consequences," and the title song. A troubled production thanks to the on-set rivalry between Ethel Waters and Lena Horne, Cabin in the Sky is nonetheless an excellent first feature effort from Vincente Minnelli. Thanks to his careful treatment of the material, the expected patronization of the black characters does not impede latter-day enjoyment of the film as much as it might have. Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Customer Reviews

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  • Ratings: 2Reviews: 2

Cabin in the Skyby Anonymous

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February 24, 2004: Even my 12 year old son loves it! A DVD must must must must must be made of this film! Stormy Weather, too!

This review was written about the VHS edition.

Cabin in the Skyby Anonymous

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December 30, 2003: I read the TV Guide review for Cabin in the Sky before I watched it. The movie was given three out of four stars, but was described as 'dated'. If this movie is dated, then 'Gone With the Wind' is dated. It's a wonder how one movie can be described as dated, yet another movie is described as a 'classic'. 'Cabin in the Sky' is a classic. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and will recommend it to anybody.

This review was written about the VHS edition.