The Green Pastures (1936)

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

1 win.

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	...	Moses (as Frank Wilson)
George Reed	...	Mr. Deshee
Abraham Gleaves	...	Archangel
Myrtle Anderson	...	Eve
Al Stokes	...	Cain
Edna Mae Harris	...	Zeba (as Edna M. Harris)
James Fuller	...	Cain the Sixth
George Randol	...	High Priest
Ida Forsyne	...	Noah's Wife
Ray Martin	...	Shem
Charles Andrews	...	Flatfoot (as Chas. Andrews)
Dudley Dickerson	...	Ham

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.

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Plot Keywords:

depiction of god | based on the bible | black cast | color in title | african american | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 August 1936 (USA)

Also Known As:

Auf grüner Aue

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The original Broadway stage production won the 1930 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It opened February 26, 1930, at the Mansfield Theatre in New York, and ran for 640 performances. Juanita Hall, who later played "Bloody Mary" in the stage and film versions of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II's classic South Pacific (1958), appeared in the original stage production.

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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.

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Quotes

Gabriel: Gangway for the lord god, Jehovah!

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Connections

Version of The Green Pastures (1957)

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Soundtracks

Hallelujah, King Jesus!
(uncredited)
Traditional spiritual
Performed by the Hall Johnson Choir

User Reviews

A Must-see Treat!

I realize that many modern audiences might be turned off by this film due to the politically correct times we live in--probably moreso for the religious references than for the racial stereotypes. Nonetheless, it's a genuine feel-good movie full of love, kindness, and yes, morality. I'd first read the play for a drama class many years ago, and I was absolutely stunned by it, although I figured that I'd never get to see a production of it. Imagine my delight finding it in the video store and actually taking all of it in. BTW--regarding the racial issues here: it continually amazes me how so many people in the African-American community would find this film and "Song of the South" offensive, yet these same people praise Nelly for "Pimpin'" and Ludicrous touting "Ho's in the bedroom." Maybe I'm missing something here, but I don't like itwhen whites tout ghetto stereotypes, and it's just as offensive to me when blacks do it. Yet, we MUST protect the children from "Green Pastures" and "Song of the South" because they perpetuate "racist stereotypes." Okay, I'm off my soap box--rent this film--it's a masterpiece.