Stormy Weather (1943)
Don't watch this movie for its plot--it doesn't really have one. But in the style of more narrative musicals of the day, the many song numbers (20 of them) are strung together with a hint of a plot.
DO watch this movie, however. It has really amazing music, a lot of it adapted numbers by some of the best African American musicians from the time (Lena Horne and Cab Calloway star). You'll also see dancer Bojangles, and move lovers will recognize Dooley Wilson (from "Casablanca"). Jazz lovers might appreciate the Fats Waller presence for its history most of all.
And Horne, who sings and dances through much of the film, including a fabulous long arrangement of Stormy Weather that is somewhere between the great Arthur Freed/Gene Kelly choreographies and good old Busby Berkeley. In black and white.
You might think it's a shame the movie isn't more of a movie, holistically, but once you get over it and just realize its about some astonishing music, you're glad there isn't more stupid plot. The music sweeps everything else away.
Don't watch this movie for its plot--it doesn't really have one. But in the style of more narrative musicals of the day, the many song numbers (20 of them) are strung together with a hint of a plot.
DO watch this movie, however. It has really amazing music, a lot of it adapted numbers by some of the best African American musicians from the time (Lena Horne and Cab Calloway star). You'll also see dancer Bojangles, and move lovers will recognize Dooley Wilson (from "Casablanca"). Jazz lovers might appreciate the Fats Waller presence for its history most of all.
And Horne, who sings and dances through much of the film, including a fabulous long arrangement of Stormy Weather that is somewhere between the great Arthur Freed/Gene Kelly choreographies and good old Busby Berkeley. In black and white.
You might think it's a shame the movie isn't more of a movie, holistically, but once you get over it and just realize its about some astonishing music, you're glad there isn't more stupid plot. The music sweeps everything else away.