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Cabin in the Sky

Play trailer Poster for Cabin in the Sky 1943 1h 38m Musical Play Trailer Watchlist
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81% Tomatometer 48 Reviews 80% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
When compulsive gambler Little Joe Jackson (Eddie "Rochester" Anderson) dies in a drunken fight, he awakens in purgatory, where he learns that he will be sent back to Earth for six months to prove that he deserves to be in heaven. He awakens, remembering nothing and struggles to do right by his devout wife, Petunia (Ethel Waters), while an angel known as the General (Kenneth Spencer) and the devil's son, Lucifer Jr. (Rex Ingram), fight for his soul.
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Cabin in the Sky

Cabin in the Sky

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Critics Consensus

Cabin in the Sky's racial stereotypes are impossible to ignore -- but so are its irresistible musical numbers and brilliantly talented cast.

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Critics Reviews

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Marjory Adams Boston Globe 12/16/2020
[Cabin in the Sky] is one of the most charming, entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable pictures that Hollywood has sent out in some time. Go to Full Review Wanda Hale New York Daily News 12/16/2020
3.5/4
It is something for you to go out of your way to see and hear. Go to Full Review Mildred Martin Philadelphia Inquirer 12/16/2020
The chief fault, it seems to us, is the unimaginative direction of Vincente Minnelli who never takes full advantage of the motion picture medium's facilities for creating fantasy... If Minnelli has fumbled his opportunities, Miss Waters has not. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy 02/10/2024
3/4
Despite the tomfoolery on view, the story manages to build to a moving finale. Go to Full Review Harry Levette California Eagle 12/16/2020
As a whole it is excellent entertainment, and has proven to be a fine vehicle for the talents and versatility of the notable cast. Go to Full Review Moira Wallace San Francisco Examiner 12/16/2020
Ethel Waters has great emotional power not only in her singing of "Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe" and "Taking a Chance On Love," but in every gesture and mood she portrays. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Horror fan 4 @Horrorfan4life Apr 22 An amazing movie that feature's a all black cast. Great songs sung by wonderful people drive this story about little Joe and all his bad habits. Tim Treakle See more Tamara K @Tamarak 10/08/2023 One of the most enjoyable movies I have seen. Actually I have probably watched it four or five times. It's a pity that so many people never got to see it since it was originally banned in the south for having an all black cast. See more Thomas M @TMProofreader 01/27/2019 The best, GREATEST musical romance movie ever made! With the best movie song ever sung: Happiness Is Just a Thing Called Joe! See more 06/29/2018 Really cute. Lena Horne, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and of course the main stars, Ethel Waters and Eddie "Rochester" Anderson with his wonderful scratchy voice. What a plethora of talent! See more 01/17/2017 Worth watching for many different reasons - just browse the credits. Though the plot this musical seems a bit contrived (& likely played better on the stage), it works OK as a movie. Just a shame that so many of these actors never became household names. See more 01/18/2016 Important all-African-American cast adaptation of the Broadway musical with a Faustian, gospelized and Wizard of Oz twist(er). Early Lena Horne The great cast includes Louie Armstrong and Duke Ellington as well. Ain't it the truth. See more Read all reviews
Cabin in the Sky

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Cast & Crew

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Vincente Minnelli

Director

Busby Berkeley

Director

Ethel Waters

Petunia Jackson

Eddie "Rochester" Anderson

Joe Jackson

Lena Horne

Georgia Brown

Louis Armstrong

The Trumpeter

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Cabin in the Sky

Cabin in the Sky (1943) Cabin in the Sky (1943) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis When compulsive gambler Little Joe Jackson (Eddie "Rochester" Anderson) dies in a drunken fight, he awakens in purgatory, where he learns that he will be sent back to Earth for six months to prove that he deserves to be in heaven. He awakens, remembering nothing and struggles to do right by his devout wife, Petunia (Ethel Waters), while an angel known as the General (Kenneth Spencer) and the devil's son, Lucifer Jr. (Rex Ingram), fight for his soul.
Director
Vincente Minnelli, Busby Berkeley
Producer
Arthur Freed
Screenwriter
Marc Connelly, Lynn Root, Joseph Schrank
Distributor
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co
Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Genre
Musical
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 9, 1943, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2009
Runtime
1h 38m