Stormy Weather (play)
"Stormy Weather" is a musical film that serves as a showcase for prominent African American artists of its time, featuring notable performances from stars such as Fats Waller, Cab Calloway, Katherine Dunham, and the Nicholas Brothers. The film loosely follows the story of Bill Williamson, played by the legendary dancer Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, who is a returning World War I soldier. His romantic interest, Selina Rogers, portrayed by a young Lena Horne, performs the title song, which became her signature piece.
Despite its intention to celebrate African American talent, "Stormy Weather" is critiqued for perpetuating racial stereotypes. However, it stands out for portraying African Americans in a romantic context, illustrating them as successful professionals in a progressively liberal American society of the 1940s. The film received critical acclaim for its depiction of African Americans thriving in an urban, egalitarian setting. Recognized for its cultural significance, it was selected for preservation by the Library of Congress in 2001.
Stormy Weather (play)
Identification All-black musical film
Director Andrew L. Stone (1902-1999)
Date Released on July 21, 1943
This progressive mainstream movie musical celebrated the achievements of black entertainers of the period.
Stormy Weather was created as a showcase for the most illustrious African American performers of the day. Although well intentioned, the film still managed to perpetuate racial stereotypes; nevertheless, its twenty musical numbers featured outstanding performances by such famous black artists as Fats Waller, Cab Calloway, Katherine Dunham, and the Nicholas Brothers. The story line about a returning World War I soldier is loosely based on the life of its lead, renowned dancer Bill “Bojangles” Robinson. Robinson plays Bill Williamson, whose romantic interest is a singer named Selina Rogers, played by a young Lena Horne. Her rendition of the title musical number was such that it became her signature song.
In addition to the performances commemorating the accomplishments of contemporary black entertainers, Stormy Weather was unique at the time for its presentation of African Americans in a romantic context. Although the romance ultimately fails, both principals are presented as successful professionals in an emerging, liberal American society.
Impact
Winning high critical praise, Stormy Weather depicted African Americans excelling in an urban, egalitarian society of the 1940’s. In 2001, the film was selected for preservation by the Library of Congress.
Bibliography
Cripps, Thomas. Making Movies Black: The Hollywood Message Movie from World War II to the Civil Rights Era. New York: Oxford University Press, 1993.
Knight, Arthur. Disintegrating the Musical: Black Performance and American Musical Film. Durham, N.C.: Duke University Press, 2002.
Lamothe, Daphne. Inventing the New Negro: Narrative, Culture, and Ethnography. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2008.