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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Banned in many countries.

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Goofs

When Noah is loading animals onto the ark, 4 sheep enter, not 2. Genesis 7:2 says that Noah was to board 2 of every "unclean" animal and 7 of every "clean" animal. Sheep are considered "clean."

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Quotes

Gabriel: Gangway for the lord god, Jehovah!

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Connections

Featured in Of Black America: Black History: Lost, Stolen or Strayed (1968)

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Soundtracks

Lord, I Don't Feel Noways Tired
(uncredited)
Traditional spiritual from Hampton and Its Students (1872)
Performed by the Hall Johnson Choir

User Reviews

"There's no hiding place down here!"

Marc Connelly co-directed and penned this adaptation of his play, based on Roark Bradford's stories of "Ol' Man Adam and His Chillun'", about Louisiana Sunday School youngsters imagining a fanciful Heaven of fish fryin', choir singin', and the Lord God Jehovah performing miracles--including the creation of Earth to drain off all the fermentation! "De Lawd" creates man and woman, but is soon displeased with the way the human race is carrying on, flooding the world after making a pact with poor preacher Noah. All-black variation on Biblical stories might strike some today as a stunt, yet the gloss and professionalism of the Warner Bros. studio is in full evidence. Lots of good humor and intentionally broad strokes make the holy teachings vivid and entertaining--and still their message comes through clearly. "De Lawd" likes his ten-cents cigars, and a little liquor is OK, but He wants to see the folks in church on the Sabbath and not gambling or messing about! Highly enjoyable movie-making, with a hypnotic edge that touches the viewer and tempers the exaggeration in the acting and writing. *** from ****

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 August 1936 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Green Pastures

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