Way Down South (1939)

User Rating:

5.4/10   

Director:

Bernard Vorhaus

Writers:

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

Release Date:

21 July 1939 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Music

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...

Plot Keywords:

Executor | Plantation | Mistress | Inheritance | Louisiana

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

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

Runtime:

61 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor System)

Certification:

USA:Approved | USA:Passed (National Board of Review)

Filming Locations:

Rancho Providencia, California, USA

Company:

Sol Lesser Productions

Soundtrack:

Some Folks

Enjoyed it

I liked everything about this forgotten, unpretentious, good-natured, well-made film ahead of its time regarding "the race problem". It delivers far more solid good time than many a famous films. It's a thrill to see nothing but unknown actors, all of them good. Bobby Breen is also an exceedingly confident and accomplished singer.