Tempestade de Ritmo

After watching the film Stormy Weather (1943), it was clear that the Hollywood movie making industry was headed toward a new era. The new era being that colored actors were recognized and not only that, spiced up the industry. This movie shied away from the usual parts actors of color would normally play, parts in which they were slaves or butlers and servants.

This truly showed the breakthrough of African Americans in entertainment and paved the way for how successful many have presently become. Specifically in this movie, it told the story of how a man of color worked his way literally from the bottom up. It began with Bill Williamson who came home from war in France, and was working in a basement restaurant when fate stepped in and reunited him with his love interest. It was because of Selina that he was working in the city hoping to step foot into the dancing business. When she recognized him, she insisted to the show's producer that he be put in the show. This was Bill's break that got him out of a basement restaurant to the "top" of a tree in production. This is where Bill made the most of this opportunity and showed off his abilities but in turn got him fired from the show. But that was all he needed and he was on his way to stardom.

Twentieth Century Fox really broke the mold with this movie in response to FDR's urging. It finally gave actors of color the chance to show off their tremendous talent also allowing them to have more of an equal role in society. Although there still were laws restricting the interaction between whiles and blacks in films, it certainly brought them out of the repetitive demeaning roles of slaves and servants. It was thrilling to be able to see the talents of these actors and all the skills offered through their dancing and singing abilities. All of the dance numbers and costumes really represented the time period. The way the dancers moved were both creative and unique, especially the indisputably impressive Nicholas Brothers.

To criticize this picture for its lack of plot, strained dialogue and (some) stiff performances is, I think, to miss the point. Here are a number of legendary performers captured for the ages on film. As great as they were, none appeared in more than a handful of movies - and performed "specialty" numbers in virtually all of those.

Their greatest work was doubtless performed in stage shows and night clubs, but at least we have "Stormy Weather" - a variety show with its acts strung together by the thinnest of plots (typical, by the way, of many musicals of its time) and featuring the most talented black entertainers of generations.

My summary is advice for what to do if you watch this film today, as if you are not 100% prepared, you might blow a gasket! This is because although the film is a nice retrospective of black American entertainers of the day, it also has a lot of race elements that would offend and embarrass a lot of folks today. So be prepared when you see some of the minstrels, outrageous costumes and the ways that a few of the acts behave...this was the time in which the film was made. I'm not excusing it--just explaining about the times. And, although the film sure has its flaws, compared to the way blacks were treated in many previous films, it's actually a good deal more sensitive than it might have been. In other words, watch the movie and understand it in its context. If you do this it should be a lot easier to appreciate the production.

Speaking of appreciation, the film is an amazing assemblage of talent including Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson, Lena Horne, Cab Calloway and his orchestra, Fats Waller and the Nicholas Brothers--and quite a few other wonderful entertainers from the era. And, if you didn't have films like this and a few shorts, there would be little record of these acts. Are these the very best performances by these folks? In some cases, not--probably because the studio wanted a 'nice' product (in other words, highly sanitized) for widespread consumption by black and white audiences alike. And, there isn't a lot in the way of plot development here. However, if you'd like more representative works of the acts as they would have actually appeared in real life on stage, you might try watching many of the old Vitaphone short subject films--with many of these same folks starring in them.

Stormy Weather is a must see, if for no other reason than to view our past. The music is tops - the story line corny - the dancing is fantastic. Lena Horne's costumes are truly amazing - it would be nice if the movie has been in color to see this beautiful lady.

Admirers expected Lena Horne to live forever, and her recent passing shocked those who thought she would always be with us. Thanks to her films, especially "Stormy Weather," she will be there whenever we spin the DVD of that 1943 Fox musical. A loose pastiche of musical numbers hanging from a thin thread of Bill Robinson's reminiscences, "Stormy Weather" is a priceless trove of talent. Director Andrew Stone wisely lets the performances play out without intrusion, and what performances they are. Beyond Lena Horne's unforgettable rendition of the title song, which became her signature, the film showcases Bill Robinson's incomparable dancing, Cab Calloway's song and dance routines, and Fats Waller's "Ain't Misbehavin'." Left breathless after these great musical numbers, viewers will gasp when the incomparable Nicholas Brothers top everyone and stop the show with one of their best performances on film. Only Astaire and Kelly were in the same league with Fayard and Harold Nicholas, arguably the finest sibling dancers ever. Fortunately, DVDs do not wear out and allow countless replays of the brothers' stylish and effortless dancing up, down, and around two flights of stairs.

Lena Horne surmounted the occasionally unflattering hairstyles in vogue during World War II and remained luminescent throughout the film. Her dazzling smile and comforting voice are missed when she is off screen. Although Bill Robinson is not a convincing romantic partner for Horne, small quibbles do not spoil this musical delight, whose only major flaw is its short 72-minute running time. With legendary performers at their peaks, "Stormy Weather" should have been twice as long. If 20th Century Fox could unearth outtakes from this film, the discovery would be the find of the century and a fitting coda to this plethora of now-gone talent that was sadly under-utilized during Hollywood's heyday.