In New Orleans, a Christian teacher tells Biblical stories to his "Sunday School" children. From then, we see a series of sequences depicting events from The Bible. One of the kids asks, "What does God look like?" The explanation is, "God appears in many forms to those who believe in Him. Thousands of Negroes in the Deep South visualize God and Heaven in terms of people and things they know in their everyday life. 'The Green Pastures' is an attempt to portray that humble, reverent conception."
A condescending attitude can be read into this "Negroes in the Deep South" fable, but you can sense the intended dignity in the overall production. "The Green Pastures" was based on a successful collection of stories and stage play. It was well-received at the time, and considered a positive reflection of "Colored People" and Christian values. Admittedly, many "People of Color" did not envision a "Heaven" would include cigars, whiskey and other jive. But, the reverence seems sincere.
"The Green Pastures" was included in several "Ten Best" lists, including three of the biggest - those complied by "The New York Times" (which placed it at #7), "The Film Daily" (at #9), and "The National Board of Review" (at #10). As "De Lawd" and others, Rex Ingram and the cast make the most of a relatively rare motion picture project. Through the years, there has been understandable criticism leveled at this film. But, on balance and in context, there is enough to admire.
****** The Green Pastures (7/16/36) Marc Connelly, William Keighley ~ Rex Ingram, Oscar Polk, Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson, George Reed
A condescending attitude can be read into this "Negroes in the Deep South" fable, but you can sense the intended dignity in the overall production. "The Green Pastures" was based on a successful collection of stories and stage play. It was well-received at the time, and considered a positive reflection of "Colored People" and Christian values. Admittedly, many "People of Color" did not envision a "Heaven" would include cigars, whiskey and other jive. But, the reverence seems sincere.
"The Green Pastures" was included in several "Ten Best" lists, including three of the biggest - those complied by "The New York Times" (which placed it at #7), "The Film Daily" (at #9), and "The National Board of Review" (at #10). As "De Lawd" and others, Rex Ingram and the cast make the most of a relatively rare motion picture project. Through the years, there has been understandable criticism leveled at this film. But, on balance and in context, there is enough to admire.
****** The Green Pastures (7/16/36) Marc Connelly, William Keighley ~ Rex Ingram, Oscar Polk, Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson, George Reed