STORMY WEATHER

US, 1943, 77 minutes, Black and white.
Bill Robinson, Lena Horne, Fats Waller, Ada Brown, Cab Calloway, Katherine Dunham and her Dancers, Eddie Anderson, Flournay Miller, The Nicholas Brothers, Dooley Wilson.
Directed by Andrew Stone.

Stormy Weather was made in 1943, directed by Andrew Stone, director of some '50s thrillers, The Steel Trap, Julie, Cry Terror, The Decks Ran Red as well as the inflated musicals Song of Norway and The Great Waltz. However, the film is essentially a negro film. It has marvellous stars of the '30s and '40s and gives them the opportunity to perform.

The slight plot framework consists of a tribute to Bill Robinson as he looks at a magazine with a group of children and remembers the past. It is an excellent opportunity to see Bill Robinson with his engaging personality as well as with his dance skills. The other star of the film is Lena Horne who has an opportunity to sing several numbers, especially 'Stormy Weather'. There is a small romance theme between the two (she being the sister of Bill's World War One buddy who died, their meeting over many years in showbiz contexts, the parting of the ways when she does not want to settle down and he does). There is a somewhat implausible happy ending between the two.

There are also some valuable and enjoyable set pieces from the supporting cast, most especially from Fats Waller who sings, amongst other songs, 'Ain't Misbehavin. Cab Calloway and his orchestra also feature well. There is a dance sequence from Katherine Dunham and her Dancers to 'Stormy Weather'. The Nicholas Brothers do yet more of their exceptional and athletic dances. Eddie Anderson and Dooley Wilson are also in the cast.

The film is virtually an all-black revue - and is interesting as a film of the '40s.

It became something of a cult film in the '80s.