Way Down South (1939)

In the pre-Civil War South, a plantation owner dies and leaves all his possessions, including his slaves, to his young son. While the deceased treated his slaves decently, his corrupt ... See full summary »

Directors:

Leslie Goodwins, Bernard Vorhaus

Writers:

Clarence Muse (original story and screenplay), Langston Hughes (original story and screenplay)

Stars:

Bobby Breen, Alan Mowbray, Ralph Morgan

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

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

Storyline

In the pre-Civil War South, a plantation owner dies and leaves all his possessions, including his slaves, to his young son. While the deceased treated his slaves decently, his corrupt executor abuses them unmercifully, beating them without provocation, and he is planning to sell off the father'e estate--including the slaves--at the earliest opportunity so he and his mistress can steal the money and move to France. The young boy doesn't want to sell his father's estate or break up an of the slave families, and he has to find someone to help him thwart the crooked executor's plans.

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Plot Keywords:

executor | plantation | mistress | inheritance | louisiana | 

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Taglines:

HELP YOURSELF TO HAPPINESS! HERE'S A WHILE SHOW-FULL! (original poster - all caps)

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Genres:

Crime | Music

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 July 1939 (USA)

Also Known As:

La strada del sud

Filming Locations:

Rancho Providencia, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sol Lesser Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

61 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"Some Folks"
(1858) (uncredited)
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Foster
Sung by Bobby Breen, Steffi Duna and others at Boulon's celebration

User Reviews

Weird and politically incorrect but entertaining...

"Way Down South" is based on a story by Langston Hughes and the screenplay was written by Clarence Muse--who also was a major character in the film. "Way Down South" is bound to play a lot differently today than when it debuted in 1939. The notion of happy and well-fed slaves is far from politically correct and I am sure many will blanch at this antiquated view of the Old South. While I am sure some slave owners were more benign in how their treated blacks, they still were slaves!! Oddly, Hughes and Muse were black men and, in an odd way, the film was progressive for its time as it promoted fair treatment of blacks...but they still were slaves!!

The film stars one of the more unusual stars in Hollywood history, Bobby Breen. Breen was a child star who only appeared in nine films--though they were starring roles. His AMAZING voice cannot be described--you just need to see and hear him for yourself. The films he made were mostly pleasant but forgettable pictures--though it's easy to like the boy in the films as he always seemed incredibly nice.

When the film begins, Bobby is very happy and the family's slaves on the plantation are equally happy. In fact, Bobby's best friend is one of the slaves (Stymie Beard of the Our Gang films)! But, when Bobby's father dies unexpectedly, his father's executor comes in and dramatically changes the place--selling slaves and beating them soundly. But Bobby can't stand to see his friends treated that way. Plus, what he doesn't know is that the executor actually is planning on taking EVERYTHING for himself! What's to happen of Bobby and the happy slaves?! This is an odd film in that it IS entertaining but it is a bit uncomfortable as well due to the odd subject matter. Well made but weird...that's for sure!