The Green Pastures – (1936; b/w) An all black cast headed by Rex Ingram (taking the roles of De Lawd, Adam, and Hezdrel) retells in folkloric fashion tales from Scripture’s Old Testament reset in the Old South, beginning with Adam and Eve in Genesis, including Noah (Eddie Anderson) – who argues with De Lawd about how much liquor he needs aboard – and his ark (the pairs of animals are taken from a circus passing through town), Moses taking his people from Egypt to the Promised Land, and Hezdrel teaching God the meaning of faith, suffering, and mercy. De Lawd confesses to Gabriel, “Even being God ain’t all a bed of roses.” For years I’d believed this film’s title was the same as one I’d seen as a child and found hilarious, but this isn’t it. The one I vaguely recall, similar theme and from the ‘30s, had God engaging in a funny dialogue, probably along the lines of Amos and Andy. (Might the movie I'm looking for be Cabin in the Sky? It was directed by Vincente Minnelli in 1943 with Eddie “Rochester” Anderson and Lena Horne.)

Click here for links to places to buy or rent this movie in video and/or DVD format, or to buy the soundtrack, posters, books, even used videos, games, electronics and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

Copyright © 2007 Patrick Ivers. All rights reserved.
Reproduced with the permission of the copyright holder.

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