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Cabin in the Sky Overview:

Cabin in the Sky (1943) was a Musical - Fantasy Film directed by Vincente Minnelli and Busby Berkeley (uncredited) and produced by Arthur Freed and Albert Lewis.

SYNOPSIS

Vincente Minnelli's first feature (he also directed this on Broadway) is a patronizingly simple fable from the vaunted Freed musical unit at MGM. The gloss bestows some dignity on some truly great performers. Musical highlights include Waters singing "Happiness is a Thing Called Joe" and the swinging Duke Ellington Orchestra.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

Academy Awards 1943 --- Ceremony Number 16 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best Music - SongMusic by Harold Arlen; Lyrics by E. Y. HarburgNominated
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Cabin in the Sky BlogHub Articles:

Cabin in The Sky (1943)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Sep 21, 2023 From 4 Star Films

Like Stormy Weather, it’s a slightly unnerving form of mimesis as Cabin in The Sky sets about depicting the lifestyle of Blacks. There’s not a white folk to be seen, and yet there’s no doubt they have been integral in developing this musical fantasy out of a Faustian-like folk tale... Read full article

Cabin in the Sky (1943)

By Beatrice on Sep 27, 2014 From Flickers in Time

Cabin in the Sky Directed by Vincente Minnelli Written by Joseph Schrank based on the book of the musical play by Lynn Root 1943/USA Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Repeat viewing/Netflix rental If one can look past the racial attitudes of the era, Vincent Minnelli’s debut film is a cornucopia of rich... Read full article

Musical Monday: “Cabin in the Sky” (1943)

on Sep 8, 2014 From Comet Over Hollywood

It’s no secret that the Hollywood Comet loves musicals. In 2010, I revealed I had seen 400 movie musicals over the course of eight years. Now that number is over 500. To celebrate and share this musical love, here is my weekly feature about musicals. This week’s musical: “Cabin in the Sky&#822... Read full article

Cabin in the Sky, Happy Anniversary! Premiered April 9, 1943

By C. S. Williams on Apr 9, 2014 From Classic Film Aficionados

Cabin in the Sky was directed by Vincente Minnelli, with one scene staged by Busby Berkeley (the “Shine” sequence), Sidney Wagner was the cinematographer, screenplay by Joseph Schrank based on the book of the play written by Lynn Root. Cabin starred Ethel Waters, Eddie ‘Rochest... Read full article

Cabin in the Sky, Happy Anniversary! Premiered April 9, 1943

By C. S. Williams on Apr 9, 2014 From Classic Film Aficionados

Cabin in the Sky was directed by Vincente Minnelli, with one scene staged by Busby Berkeley (the “Shine” sequence), Sidney Wagner was the cinematographer, screenplay by Joseph Schrank based on the book of the play written by Lynn Root. Cabin starred Ethel Waters, Eddie ‘Rochest... Read full article

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Cabin in the Sky Quotes:

Petunia Jackson: [after she runs Jim Henry and his crony off] Oh, Lord! Please forgive me for backsliding, but sometimes when you fight the Devil you've got to jab him with his own pitchfork!
The Trumpeter: Give a man money and watch him act funny.
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Cabin in the Sky Facts
Apart from the "Shine" sequence, this was Vincente Minnelli's first sole directing assignment. Minnelli had been directing on Broadway, which gave this film a feel that had nothing of the typical "Hollywood Studio System" in it.
A scene showing Lena Horne singing "Ain't It the Truth" while taking a bath was cut, but later appeared in Studio Visit.
Cabin In The Sky opened at the Martin Beck Theater on October 25, 1940 and ran for 156 performances.
MGM recycled some of its tornado footage from The Wizard of Oz for a key scene in this movie.
This film is generally credited with the first appearance of the "moon walk" dance step. It is performed by Bill Bailey, brother ofPearl Bailey.
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