film is the showcasing of Black talent before a larger audience indicated by the OVER-THE-SHOULDER, CLOSE-UP shot of the dedication (1 minute 26 seconds into the film): “Celebrating the magnificent contribution of the colored race to the entertainment of the world during the past twenty-five years.”
both as a way to cope with the pain of bigotry and as a way oppressors further perpetuate harm, what are some examples in media where you see this occurring today? • Where is the line between appreciating culture and appropriating culture? The Black Sambo caricature seen on the back of the sunflower hats derives from the 1899 children’s book The Story of Little Black Sambo written by Helen Bannerman. Initially, the story was heralded for positively portraying Black characters. In 1932, the Black writer and social activist Langston Hughes criticized the book for its images, drawn in the “pickaninny” style. The characters’ names (Black Sambo, Black Jumbo, and Black Mumbo) have been used as racial slurs for dark- skinned people since the mid-nineteenth century.
is it paired with the images on screen? • Describe your reactions to the specific images of the cakewalk and Black Sambo sunflower headdress. Two Black performers apply blackface makeup for their act (43 minutes 51 seconds into the film). This routine is played by comedians Flournoy Miller and Johnny Lee. They portray “the Coon” character, a cinematic stereotype defined by historian Donald Bogle: “Ineffectual and lazy, the Coon stereotype was a foolish, jive-talking simpleton who would do anything to avoid work.” This scene appears in the movie with no set-up, and the characters are nameless. This is an example where the only context for theirpresence is for entertainment purposes only.
of all critical sense of reality allowing viewers to immerse themselves in a staged world.
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The advent of sound recording technology in movies opened the way for musical performers to expand their visibility to wider audiences. While Stormy Weather is more of a musical revue, that is, a series of performances on stage sets rather than song and dance that emerge directly from the action on screen, we still see relationships between characters evolve through the performances. At a time when it was difficult for Black actors and performers to land leading roles, the musical performances in this film allowed an all-Black cast to take center stage. In one notable scene, Selina, played by Lena Horne, sings the film’s namesake song, “ Stormy Weather ,” bringing the audience closer to her feelings of heartbreak after making the choice to forgo domestic life with her love interest Bill, played by Bill Robinson. Let’s look closely at a few performances in Stormy Weather .
Explore: Group discussion
• Why was this the right historical moment for this film to be released?
• Reflect on the idea of Black joy, a term used to highlight acts, experiences, and expressions of joy for Black people. How can Black joy be an act of resistance against the control of predominantly white societies? Find moments in the film that demonstrate this for you.
Activity: Individual writing reflection
Explore: Group discussion
REPRESENTATION
Rewatch the cakewalk dance sequence and then:
• This routine was considered funny in 1943. How did you or did you not relate to the humor in it? What stands out to you about this particular performance? • Consider contemporary movies or episodic shows. Can you think of any that feature characters using similar self-deprecating humor? • Think of some movies or shows with characters whose function is strictly comic relief. Do these characters propel the story forward or not? What role do you think this type of character plays in media? • As you reflect on contemporary fictional characters and unique traits currently appearing in movies or shows, do you see the potential for new stereotypes? • How can we avoid harmful stereotypes from developing as we see characters evolve.
While Stormy Weather is celebratory in nature, it’s still seen through the lens of white people recognizing Black people mainly as entertainment. All the creators of the film were white, so images were controlled to satisfy the sensibilities of white audiences. For example, we see Black performers using exaggerated emotions and cartoonish facial expressions. Stereotypes from minstrel shows pop up in the movie, such as the dancers performing a CAKEWALK in Little Black Sambo headdresses (14 minutes 27 seconds into the film).
• Think about the Sambo image presented in the joyful dance routine. After learning more about where this image came from, what reactions and feelings does it bring up for you? • Notice the music being played during the performance, particularly the banjo solo line. Does that sound evoke any associations? How
Song
Lena Horne’s rendition of “ Stormy Weather ” draws us into the emotional experience of her character. Every aspect of the performance—the song’s tempo, the set design, the costumes, and the richness of Horne’s voice—establishes a mood. In this scene, we can see how movies can create a sense of escape for both the characters on screen and the audience in the theater.
The cakewalk scene in Stormy Weather , 1943
The cakewalk was developed by enslaved people in the mid-1800s to mock the ceremonies of their white owners. The dance was introduced to a wider audience during the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial celebration in a plantation setting. Performers in minstrel shows added the cakewalk to their roster of acts, and it became popular on that circuit. This is an example of an appropriation of a cultural expression. The original purpose of the dance was to give Black people joy in the mocking of their white slave owners. Then white people took the dance and used it to stereotype Black people.
Explore: Group Discussion
• Describe some of the ways the filmmakers use what some call “the magic of movies,” or rather specialized techniques only possible through PRODUCTION DESIGN and the mechanics of cameras and editing, to bring this performance to life. • Why is this particular performance so significant to the movie’s plot? How does it build the story? Dance Among the twenty-plus performances in this film, there are two standout dance sequences near the end. One is Katherine Dunham’s choreography during
GENRE: MUSICALS
The musical is a film and theater genre that utilizes song and often dance to communicate plot points and move the narrative forward. The enjoyment of musicals often requires what is called in filmic terms a “suspension of disbelief” on the audience’s part, the willing abandonment
Reflect
Film still of Flournoy Miller (left) and Johnny Lee in Stormy Weather ©1943 Twentieth Century Fox. Courtesy of the Academy Film Archive, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
• Reflecting on the use of cultural appropriation
*Words set in ALL CAPS are defined in the Glossary of Key Terms and Concepts (section F of this guide).
*Words set in ALL CAPS are defined in the Glossary of Key Terms and Concepts (section F of this guide).
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