Yesterday night I watched Stormy Weather (1943) and put it simply, it was absoutely fantastic from start to finish. I decided myself to review the film.
This film was one of two musicals released with an All-African American cast, the other being Cabin In The Sky (1943). This was such a great decision to be made, because I'm all for talents in different racial groups. I loved almost everything in this film, I can thank this movie for introducing me to such marvelous people. I really loved Lena Horne a.k.a Selena's singing, it sounded so heavenly. I also admired Bill Robinson's tap-dancing. The dialogue and interactions are also really great too, they feel like real interactions and it just makes it all the more fun.
While there isn't too much storyline, it makes up for it's great musical numbers and acting alone, so why need a deep narrative? There was alot of moments I could recall that were enjoyable, I love Cab Calloway and Fats Waller and never saw them interacting before, I really liked it. Jumpin Jive was also in this movie and still continues to be my favorite songs, alongside Waller's excellent performance with his song Ain't Misbehavin'. I also liked the soothing calmness and sudden intensity of the Stormy Weather song.
All the other songs were just great, a few I actually moved along to, Diga Diga Doo in particular is too good. There was one weak spot I didn't love from this film and that was that one minstrel show act where their car was busted, didn't felt entertaining to me, but at least it was short so I didn't complain too much.
The final bits of the film were easily the best moments because it's mostly Cab Calloway and his geniuely cool style, the zoot suit bit was like nothing I ever seen in other performances, and his singing is powerful to the extent. I could listen to him sing and scat all day and never get sick of it. For being a black and white film the house in the Ain't That Something sequence looks gorgeous.
It ends with everyone joining along and dancing, this has got to be the most exaggerated way to end a movie I ever seen.
So, that's my final thoughts on Stormy Weather, this was a magnificent work of art, a true virtuoso, a real gem of talent. I'm easily giving this a 10/10. Movies like this are important to me, they're really easy to appreciate with it's good vibes and spirited energy, these are films I enjoy the most and this movie is a perfect example of that.
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