Way Down South (1939)

Directors:

Leslie Goodwins
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
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Willie Best	...	Chimney Sweep (uncredited)
Stanley Blystone	...	Slave Auctioneer (uncredited)
Mildred Boyd	...	Dancing Slave (uncredited)
Don Brodie	...	Slave Buyer (uncredited)
Jack Carr	...	Luke (uncredited)
Ed Cassidy	...	Slave Trader (uncredited)
Jack Clisby	...	Servant (uncredited)
Charles Dixon	...	Drummer (uncredited)
Ruby Elzy	...	Singer in Hall Johnson Choir (uncredited)
Louise Franklin	...	Dancing Slave (uncredited)
Freddie Jackson	...	Servant (uncredited)
Lillian Randolph	...	Slave (uncredited)
Blue Washington	...	Slave (uncredited)
Marguerite Whitten	...	Lulu (uncredited)

Directed by
Leslie Goodwins
Bernard Vorhaus

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

Produced by
Sol Lesser	....	producer
Barney Briskin	....	associate producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
Victor Young		(uncredited)

Cinematography by
Charles Edgar Schoenbaum		(photography) (as Charles Schoenbaum)

Film Editing by
Arthur Hilton		(film editor)

Art Direction by
Lewis J. Rachmil

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
John Sherwood	....	assistant director
Lee Sholem	....	assistant director (uncredited)

Sound Department
Richard Van Hessen	....	sound technician

Special Effects by
Vernon L. Walker	....	special effects (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Albert Deano	....	wardrobe (as Albert Deanno)

Music Department
Hall Johnson	....	vocal arranger
Victor Young	....	musical director

Other crew
Clarence Muse	....	dance director (uncredited)
Clarence Muse	....	technical advisor (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Sol Lesser Productions

Distributors

• RKO Radio Pictures (1939) (USA) (theatrical)
• RKO Radio Pictures (A/SIA) (1939) (Australia) (theatrical)
• RKO Radio Pictures (A/SIA) (1939) (New Zealand) (theatrical)
• RKO Radio Pictures (A/SIA) (1939) (Malaysia) (theatrical)
• RKO Radio Pictures (1939) (UK) (theatrical)
• RKO Radio Pictures (1939) (Trinidad and Tobago) (theatrical)
• RKO Radio Pictures (1939) (Philippines) (theatrical)
• RKO Radio Pictures del Peru (1939) (Peru) (theatrical)
• Radio Pictures of Panama (1939) (Panama) (theatrical)
• RKO Radio Pictures de México (1939) (Mexico) (theatrical)
• RKO Radio Pictures Near East (1939) (Egypt) (theatrical)
• Variety Film Distributors (1946) (USA) (theatrical) (re-release)
• Screencraft Pictures (1948) (USA) (theatrical) (re-release)
• Reel Media International (2004) (worldwide) (VHS)
• Hollywood's Best (2005) (USA) (DVD)
• Hollywood's Best (2005) (USA) (VHS)
• Critics' Choice Video (2005) (USA) (DVD)
• Roan Group, The (2005) (USA) (DVD)
• Reel Media International (2007) (worldwide) (all media) (non-theatrical)
• Synergy Entertainment (????) (USA) (DVD)

Also Known As:

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 (PCA #5414) | USA:Passed (National Board of Review)

Filming Locations:

Rancho Providencia, California, USA

Company:

Sol Lesser Productions

Soundtrack:

Oh, Dem Golden Slippers!

High Peaks

At times this movie is brilliant beyond my powers of description to note. At other times it turns stupid. Langston Hughes' poetry and powerful images dominate some scenes. At others we have the sight of Clarence Muse in a dress and veil, or Bobby Breen advancing the plot while Alan Mowbray does his best to make it interesting by a little judicious mugging. Even the musical numbers are erratically choreographed. The last may have been an attempt to either appease white audiences who would never see this movie or a choreographer utterly ignorant of jazz dancing. In 1939? It doesn't make sense. Perhaps it was shot, edited, tested and then someone else went back to do some ham-handed reshooting.

The problems I have with the execution of this movie cannot be denied, but its strengths are undeniable. Take a look at it and bear in mind that this was released in he same year as GONE WITH THE WIND.