IMDb >
Way Down South (1939)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsWay Down South (1939) More at IMDbPro »
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
21 July 1939 (USA)
more
Tagline:
HELP YOURSELF TO HAPPINESS! HERE'S A WHILE SHOW-FULL! (original poster - all caps)
Plot:
In the pre-Civil War South, a plantation owner dies and leaves all his possessions, including his slaves...
more
| add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Executor
|
Plantation
|
Mistress
|
Inheritance
|
Louisiana
more
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar.
more
User Comments:
Decent Race Film
more (4 total)
Cast
(Complete credited cast) | Bobby Breen | ... | Timothy Reid Jr. |
| Alan Mowbray | ... | Jacques Bouton |
| Ralph Morgan | ... | Timothy Reid Sr. |
| Steffi Duna | ... | Pauline Dubini |
| Clarence Muse | ... | Uncle Caton |
| Sally Blane | ... | Claire Bouton |
 | Edwin Maxwell | ... | Martin Dill |
| Charles Middleton | ... | Cass - Plantation Foreman |
| Robert Greig | ... | Judge Louis Ravenal |
| Lillian Yarbo | ... | Janie |
| Matthew 'Stymie' Beard | ... | Gumbo (as Stymie Beard) |
| Hall Johnson Choir | ... | Musical Ensemble |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
61 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Victor System)
Certification:
USA:Approved |
USA:Passed (National Board of Review)
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Soundtrack:
Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (4 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Way Down South (1939)Recommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Gone with the Wind | Gun Play | Cattle Raiders | Under Fiesta Stars | The Good Earth |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| IMDb Crime section | IMDb USA section | Add this title to MyMovies |
Way Down South (1939)
** 1/2 (out of 4)
Interesting race picture from RKO features two black writers (Clarence Muse, Langston Hughes) doing the screenplay. Set before the Civil War, a plantation owner dies leaving his farm and slaves to his young son (Bobby Breen). Soon an executive comes into play and tries to sell the slaves but the young kid won't stand for this as the slaves are his only friends. It's interesting to see a Hollywood picture from this era treating blacks with any sort of respect and in many ways it's more respectful than many of the other race pictures that I've seen, which were made by black directors. The film only runs 61-minutes so the drama of slavery isn't ever really looked at and the film would later be criticized by the NAACP for showing "happy slaves". The films main goal is to have a spotlight for the young Breen and he's pretty good here, although his musical numbers aren't anything special.