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The Green Pastures (1936)

Approved | | Drama | 1 August 1936 (USA)
The Green Pastures Poster
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3:48 | Trailer

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God, heaven, and several Old Testament stories, including the Creation and Noah's Ark, are described supposedly using the perspective of rural, black Americans.

Directors:

Marc Connelly, William Keighley

Writers:

Roark Bradford (suggested by: Southern Sketches "Ol' Man Adam and His Chillun'"), Marc Connelly (a fable by)

Stars:

Rex Ingram, Oscar Polk, Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson | See full cast & crew »
Reviews
1 win. See more awards »

Videos

See all 1 video  »

Photos

See all 11 photos »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rex Ingram ... De Lawd / Adam / Hezdrel
Oscar Polk ... Gabriel
Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson ... Noah (as Eddie Anderson)
Frank H. Wilson Frank H. Wilson ... Moses (as Frank Wilson)
George Reed ... Mr. Deshee
Abraham Gleaves Abraham Gleaves ... Archangel
Myrtle Anderson Myrtle Anderson ... Eve
Al Stokes Al Stokes ... Cain
Edna Mae Harris Edna Mae Harris ... Zeba (as Edna M. Harris)
James Fuller James Fuller ... Cain the Sixth
George Randol George Randol ... High Priest
Ida Forsyne Ida Forsyne ... Noah's Wife
Ray Martin Ray Martin ... Shem
Charles Andrews Charles Andrews ... Flatfoot (as Chas. Andrews)
Dudley Dickerson ... Ham
See full cast »
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Storyline

God, heaven, and several Old Testament stories, including the Creation and Noah's Ark, are described supposedly using the perspective of rural, black Americans.

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

depiction of god | based on the bible | black cast | color in title | african american | See All (10) »

Genres:

Drama

Certificate:

Approved | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

Add content advisory for parents »
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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 August 1936 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Auf grüner Aue See more »

Filming Locations:

Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros. See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Banned in many countries. See more »

Goofs

One of Noah's son's rides a zebra that is clearly a donkey or mule made to look like a zebra. Two real zebras are loaded while he rides the fake. See more »

Quotes

Gabriel: Gangway for the lord god, Jehovah!
See more »

Connections

Version of BBC Sunday-Night Theatre: The Green Pastures (1958) See more »

Soundtracks

Have You Got Good Religion (Certainly, Lord)
(uncredited)
Traditional spiritual
Performed by the Hall Johnson Choir
See more »

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User Reviews

 
One of a Kind
12 June 1999 | by gbheron – See all my reviews

The Green Pastures enacts Old Testament Bible stories as seen through the eyes of rural black children. The movie begins in a ramshackle church, generations ago, presumably in the Deep South. As the Sunday School teacher relates the Bible stories we are transported to Heaven to witness the Creation, the Banishment from the Garden of Eden, the Flood, and the Exodus. An all-black cast, speaking in the rural idiom, and set in modern day (1930s) surroundings makes for one of the most unique movies you will ever see.

All the pieces fit together perfectly. It's a joy to watch, deeply spiritual, and the gospel choir accompaniment is an added treat. Grade A.
36 of 39 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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