Clean Pastures

Was put off seeing 'Clean Pastures' due to its low rating and that it's one of the "Censored 11" cartoons withheld from syndication for being deemed as having offensive content.

However, as somebody who also trusted those defending the cartoon, due to them being from people well-respected by myself and also as somebody who has actually enjoyed some of the "Censored 11" cartoons, 'Clean Pastures' got the benefit of the doubt with an open mind treatment. While one can absolutely understand why some would be offended or dislike it now, to me it is one of the better "Censored 11" cartoons.

There are "Censored 11" with far more offensive stereotypes, such as 'Angel Puss', 'Hittin' the Trail for Hallelujah Land', 'Jungle Jitters' and 'All This and Rabbit Stew'. There are also far duller ones than 'Clean Pastures', again 'Angel Puss' and 'Hittin' the Trail for 'Hallelujah Land', and ones that forget to entertain like all three of the cartoons just listed as cartoons more offensive.

Not that 'Clean Pastures' is perfect. The Steppin Fetchit-like angel character is disastrously executed. Not just because of the character being racially offensive, with an agreed "I hate my race" vibe but the character is also very obnoxious, unfunny, ineptly lazy (which is a common stereotype of the time with the portrayal of black people admittedly, but it is one that's overused, unflattering and to me it's not true either) and poorly drawn. Am not a fan of exaggerated character features usually, and 'Clean Pastures' is not an exception, the big lips for example just look gross and ugly.

Most of the animation is very good indeed, much of it is beautifully drawn and meticulously detailed in the backgrounds and vibrant use of colour. The best thing about 'Clean Pastures' is the soundtrack, which is incredibly infectious (jazz is a very catchy and quite sexy style of music) and just an amazing soundtrack on its own. Regarding the issue of racism, only the Steppin Fetchit caricature is in poor taste, compared to the stereotypes of 'Jungle Jitters' for example and considering the context this is one of the tamer "Censored 11" cartoons outside of that character.

'Clean Pastures' makes up for this issue by being very entertaining, especially with the soundtrack and recognising the caricatures and their roles in the story, instead of forgetting to entertain like 'Angel Puss' for example did. In fact, it is most in common with 'All This and Rabbit Stew' where there is a character that significantly brings the cartoon down but the cartoon is still very funny and clever, very like 'Clean Pastures'. As well as being one of the most energetic along with 'Coal Black and De Sebben Dwarfs' and 'Goldilocks and the Three Jivin' Bears'. The voice acting is very good.

In conclusion, not a bad cartoon at all and one of the better "Censored 11" cartoons. 7/10 Bethany Cox

This 1937 Merrie Melodies short is one of the Censored 11. Fats Waller, Cab Calloway, Jimmie Lunceford, and Louis Armstrong as angels, they go down to Harlem and bring back some folks to heaven (I still don't understand this). Cameo by Al Jolson as he walks into a nightclub singing "I Love to Singa"

Merrie Melodies short, directed by Friz Freleng, notable today for being one of the Censored Eleven. For those who don't know, the Censored Eleven are cartoons that were withheld from syndication because they were considered to be too offensive due to their use of racial stereotypes and imagery. Its title is a take on the 1936 film Green Pastures, which was a wonderful movie that told familiar Bible stories with an all-black cast. The story here has angels trying to save the people of Harlem from their sinful ways by using jazz music to lure them to the side of Heaven (called Pair-O-Dice here...get it?). Pretty offensive to many today, this is actually one of the better Censored Eleven cartoons. That's in large part because of the bits of great jazz music that play throughout. The animation is also good for its time, if one can look past the grotesque depictions of black people. Animation buffs and anyone interested in jazz or black culture from the period might want to seek it out. But, for obvious reasons, it's not something your average person will enjoy today.

Yes, Friz Freleng's "Clean Pastures" is full of racial stereotypes. But like many Warner Bros. cartoons, the images accompany some great music. I always get the feeling that the WB animation directors really liked jazz and swing. In this case, the owner of a club in Heaven called Pair-O-Dice is wondering what to do about the jazz dancers on earth. The cartoon features caricatures of Cab Calloway, Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller, and more*. I figure that as long as we understand the content, we can appreciate the cartoon's look at 1930s popular culture. It must have been absolutely incredible to go to some of those clubs. I recommend it.

*In Chuck Jones's "Knight-Mare Hare", Bugs Bunny mentions Count of Basie, Duke of Ellington and Satchmo of Armstrong.

This cartoon, one of Warner Bros. 'Censored 11', is one of the funniest ones I have seen and it is such a shame a wide audience are denied the chance to see it.

The premise is that Pair-O-Dice (geddit?) a place where the angels congregate, is suffering from those sinners just heading for Hades instead. So ... with the help of Al Jolson, Cab Calloway, Louis Armstrong, and Fats Waller, and 'Swing for Sale', is it possible to turn around the fortunes of the holy land? The caricatures of the great musical personalities are great and the title (a parody of 'Green Pastures') is inspired. Highly recommended if you can get to see it.