Stormy Weather

 

 

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The plot of this story might be thin about the fictionalized life of Bill `Mr. Bojangles' Robinson, and his on again/off again romantic relationship with a love interest but I found it to be one of the single most exhilarating films I've ever seen.

This all black film may not be a masterpiece in terms of its cinematic technique, but it captures more than a dozen performances, each of which can itself be termed a masterpiece. Horne rendition of "Stormy Weather" is singularly, powerfully erotic. Robinson is great and has several fantastic numbers (he's obviously getting old, but he still has a ton of energy). Many other great black performers grace the screen, among them Fats Waller Katherine Dunham, Ada Brown, and the Nicholas Brothers, who deliver a dance that equals anything either Astaire or Kelly accomplished. Dooley Wilson does not sing, but he has a very funny supporting role (the film delivers big time in laughs, including a very amusing blackface scene). As many hugely entertaining performances there are in the first three-quarters, the film shifts into high gear when Cab Calloway shows up. I absolutely love this guy, one of the weirdest and most original stylists that ever existed in America. But it's not just his appearance that ups the ante. The film has an amazing sense of pace, and it builds steadily to a musical finale which can only be described as orgasmic. It was thrilling to be able to see the talent actors and all the skills offered through their dancing and singing abilities. All of the dance numbers and costumes really represented the time period. The way the dancers moved were both creative and unique, especially indisputably impressive Nicholas Brothers.

"Stormy Weather" is a testament to black art of the first half of the 20th Century, and the achievements must not be forgotten. Twentieth Century Fox really broke the mold with this movie in response to FDR's urging. It finally gave actors of color the chance to show off their tremendous talent also allowing them to have more of an equal role in society. Although there still were laws restricting the interaction between whites and blacks in films, it certainly brought them out the repetitive demeaning roles of slaves and servants. This may very well be the best place to go if you want to discover them.

"Stormy Weather" is a musical extravaganca that still enthralls today after more than 65 years after its' intial release.This picture also has turned into a valuable musical historical treasure,showcasing some of the best black talents of the 20th Century.It is like an animated museum piece but there's no dust or relics here,brother.This film is still alive and vibrant and each performance still gives out and has as much to say now as it did in 1943.
The plot is a trifle to be sure.The star Bill Robsinson is sitting on his front porch with some young relatives reminiscing about his career,which is told in extended flashbacks.Each flashback is filled with various musical numbers by his co-stars and/or himself.This continues unabated until the pictures' closing moments.
The producer and director give all acts ample time to showcase their talents throughout and in most cases are given at least two numbers each;in Bill Robsinsons'and Lena Hornes' cases it is multiple numbers.Of course we all know the legend of Bill Robinson,his superior terpsichorean abilities and the inspiration he gave(and still gives)to so many dancers throughout the years,both black and white.Lena Horne was just coming into her own and she is showcased beautifully throughout the film with several numbers to her credit.Each song is sung in her intimitable style along with the famous title song.
Several other acts appear here,some well known others not.The vaudeville team of Miller and Lyles puts in a funny appearance doing their broken down car sketch.The background group of dancers are the Katherine Dunham Dance Troupe.Katherine herself sings and leads the troupe visibly in every number.Legendary Fats Waller drops by to sing a song with famous songstress Ada Brown and one with his band.After witnessing Bill deck a rival for Lena's hand,Fats utters his famous line"One never knows do one".It's a delight.Cab Calloway is on hand to lend some "jumpin' jive'" to the proceedings in his patented zoot suit and his band is definitely hot.Near the end of the film come the dancers with no peer The Nicholus Brothers.And as usual they absolutely astound with their acrobatics on the dance floor.A phenomenon and a force of nature;when they're on they literally stop the picture.Throughout the film Dooley Wilson, fresh off his high profile appearance singing "As Time Goes By" in Casablanca,is on hand as Bill Robsinsons' old friend.
Technically the print used in this transfer does have its' flaws and in some spots more than others and could have used a bit better clean up.But all in all it's more than adequate.
Included with this is an audio commentary and two things you are not told about elsewhere.First is a folded insert by tv writer Sylvia Stoddard on the film and four 5"X7" repro lobby cards,a nice touch.
In concluding this is a film that will appeal to many,many different people on several differents levels.If you are a dancing fan you will love Katherine Dunham and her troupe along with the Nicholas Brothers and its star Bill Robinson.If you like good music there is Lena Horne,Cab Calloway,Ada Brown and Fats Waller.If you like musicals this has everything you could ever want."Stormy Weather" is 77 minutes of pure dynamite and a lasting testament to the talent involved.Get yourself a copy and bring some real sunshine into your life.

Format: Black & White
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox
Video Release Date: May 20, 2003

Director: Andrew L. Stone

Cast:

Lena Horne
Bill Robinson
Cab Calloway
Fats Waller
Dooley Wilson
Katherine Dunmam and her troope
Nicholas Brothers
Ada Brown
and others

This is an old Black and White, originally copyrighted in 1943, copyright renewed in 1971 by Twentieth Century Fox from a screenplay by Frederick Jackson and Ted Koehler.

Lena Horne was young and beautiful, playing a singing star who met a soldier returning from the First World War (Robinson), and they fell in love, but she doesn't want to give up her singing career to get married and settle down. They go their own ways. The story continues through the beginning of the Second World War, when they finally finalize their dreams.

No one ever sang Stormy Weather like Lena Horne.

This film is great for the music and dancing, and because of the energy the cast puts into it. It is an out-and-out musical, with an all black cast. Fine entertainment. If the film were made today political correctness would prevent some of the language, because of "ebonics" rather than epithets or bad language, and the minstrel scenes with colored people using blackface in their acts would never be tolerated today, although they, too, were innocent.

Too bad we've gone so far that we've lost our sense of humor in our attempt to placate the super-sensitivity of a few.

Lena Horne has to be one of the great singers of the last century.

Joseph (Joe) Pierre

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4.0 out of 5 stars Black & White never looked so good.
The 1943 Fox classic Stormy Weather introduced Lena Horne to the world and gave a wide range of delightful talent a chance to 'strut their stuff'. Read more

Published on Jan 8 2004 by Craig During

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding
This is wonderful. I wish these folks were around, young, and
on the Radio and Screen today. Put this on DVD PLEASE, my VHS tape will wear out from
introducing todays... Read more

Published on Nov 23 2002 by Stephen J. Hawkins

4.0 out of 5 stars "If you buy the premise..."
...as my mother used to say, "you buy the bit." Because movies of the 1940's featuring black artists playing actual characters and not specialty acts were still a rarity (America... Read more

Published on Nov 22 2002 by Chris Aldridge

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic picture of African-American History
Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, Lena Horne, Cab Calloway, and Fats Waller. That line up alone is a historic line-up. Read more

Published on Oct 25 2002 by rodog63jr

5.0 out of 5 stars Where is the DVD?
This movie is a wonderful testament to the talent of African Americans who had great difficulty finding quality vehicles to show off their talent and genius. Read more

Published on Aug 26 2002

5.0 out of 5 stars Silly Plot, but what GREAT Performances!
The focus here is less on a brilliant story told than on showcasing the talents of many African American entertainers, who at the time (1943) found little opportunities to bring... Read more

Published on Aug 9 2002 by Michael Mathena

5.0 out of 5 stars The biggest storm of 1943.
This was one of my favorite African American films. Bill Robinson was great as usual. Lena Horne was fab-u-lous in her rendition of a broken hearted heroin, singing about her long... Read more

Published on July 5 2002

4.0 out of 5 stars A Rare Glimpse At Early 1940s Black Entertainers
Vaguely based on the life of Bill "Bojangles" Robinson himself, STORMY WEATHER offers the story of a WWI vet who falls in love with a singer--and under her influence... Read more

Published on May 14 2002 by Gary F. Taylor

3.0 out of 5 stars okay but who are the other singers?
The movie was okay. A typical fun musical with not much plot. But I was surprised. Cab Calloaway could really sing but I heard of him before. Read more

Published on Mar 30 2002 by Beth

5.0 out of 5 stars A great treasure of musical and dance talent.
Although it is nearly 60 years old this is still a very enjoyable film. My only regret is that it isn't on DVD with special features like Spotlight on Location, Production Notes,... Read more

Published on Aug 2 2000 by Rodney Eveland

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