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Stormy Weather

  • 1943
  • Approved
  • 1h 18m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
3K
YOUR RATING
Lena Horne and Bill Robinson in Stormy Weather (1943)
Stormy Weather: That Spells Trouble
Play clip2:13
Watch Stormy Weather: That Spells Trouble
1 Video
99+ Photos
ComedyDramaMusicRomance

The relationship between an aspiring dancer and a popular songstress provides a retrospective of the great African-American entertainers of the early 1900s.The relationship between an aspiring dancer and a popular songstress provides a retrospective of the great African-American entertainers of the early 1900s.The relationship between an aspiring dancer and a popular songstress provides a retrospective of the great African-American entertainers of the early 1900s.

  • Director
    • Andrew L. Stone
  • Writers
    • Frederick J. Jackson
    • Ted Koehler
    • H.S. Kraft
  • Stars
    • Lena Horne
    • Bill Robinson
    • Cab Calloway and His Cotton Club Orchestra
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.3/10
    3K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Andrew L. Stone
    • Writers
      • Frederick J. Jackson
      • Ted Koehler
      • H.S. Kraft
    • Stars
      • Lena Horne
      • Bill Robinson
      • Cab Calloway and His Cotton Club Orchestra
    • 54User reviews
    • 30Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win total

    Videos1

    Stormy Weather: That Spells Trouble
    Clip 2:13
    Stormy Weather: That Spells Trouble

    Photos102

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    Top cast62

    Edit
    Lena Horne
    Lena Horne
    • Selina Rogers
    Bill Robinson
    Bill Robinson
    • Bill Williamson
    Cab Calloway and His Cotton Club Orchestra
    • Cab Calloway Orchestra
    • (as Cab Calloway and His Band)
    Katherine Dunham and Her Troupe
    • Dance Troupe
    Fats Waller
    Fats Waller
    • 'Fats' Waller
    The Nicholas Brothers
    The Nicholas Brothers
    • Dancers
    • (as Nicholas Brothers)
    Ada Brown
    Ada Brown
    • Singer
    Dooley Wilson
    Dooley Wilson
    • Gabe Tucker
    Cab Calloway
    Cab Calloway
    • Cab Calloway
    Katherine Dunham
    Katherine Dunham
    • Katherine Dunham
    The Tramp Band
    • The Tramp Band
    Doris Ake
    • Dancer
    • (uncredited)
    Juliette Ball
    • Dancer
    • (uncredited)
    Lucille Battle
    • Dancer
    • (uncredited)
    Matthew 'Stymie' Beard
    Matthew 'Stymie' Beard
    • Stagehand
    • (uncredited)
    Talley Beatty
    • Dancer
    • (uncredited)
    Lennie Bluett
    • Dancer
    • (uncredited)
    • …
    Anise Boyer
    • Singer
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Andrew L. Stone
    • Writers
      • Frederick J. Jackson
      • Ted Koehler
      • H.S. Kraft
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews54

    7.33K
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    10

    Featured reviews

    7secondtake

    As a movie it's without plot or form, but as a collection of great music it's fabulous!!!

    Stormy Weather (1943)

    Don't watch this movie for its plot--it doesn't really have one. But in the style of more narrative musicals of the day, the many song numbers (20 of them) are strung together with a hint of a plot.

    DO watch this movie, however. It has really amazing music, a lot of it adapted numbers by some of the best African American musicians from the time (Lena Horne and Cab Calloway star). You'll also see dancer Bojangles, and move lovers will recognize Dooley Wilson (from "Casablanca"). Jazz lovers might appreciate the Fats Waller presence for its history most of all.

    And Horne, who sings and dances through much of the film, including a fabulous long arrangement of Stormy Weather that is somewhere between the great Arthur Freed/Gene Kelly choreographies and good old Busby Berkeley. In black and white.

    You might think it's a shame the movie isn't more of a movie, holistically, but once you get over it and just realize its about some astonishing music, you're glad there isn't more stupid plot. The music sweeps everything else away.
    10ptb-8

    singin in the rain

    A sensational treat for anyone who does NOT love musicals to re wire their brain into why 40s dance musicals are often a major discovery. In Australia in 1944 - and I am sure many other Anglo countries, this awesome musical was NOT released! It was considered 'not for us' by the dim censorship board of the time. It was seen in a major release in Sydney in the late 80s and scored a bullseye with modern audiences immediately. Other commenters here will fill you in on the storyline and some sneer pointlessly, but take the general consensus that this is the major showcase of black talent on film from the time. Seen in a cinema the audience nearly loses their mind (and seats ) during the finale with the Nicholas Brothers. I like the woman listed here who showed it to high school kids who loved it...and that is the real test of a great old' film. I have had the same unforgettable experience in cinemas showing this film. It is absolute dynamite! Teenage boys especially watching this get the shock of their young minds at a genuine 1943 rap scene on board a paddleboat. The 90s rap performer EEK-A-MOUSE definitely got his look from this film!
    jaykay-10

    Thanks for the memories

    To criticize this picture for its lack of plot, strained dialogue and (some) stiff performances is, I think, to miss the point. Here are a number of legendary performers captured for the ages on film. As great as they were, none appeared in more than a handful of movies - and performed "specialty" numbers in virtually all of those.

    Their greatest work was doubtless performed in stage shows and night clubs, but at least we have "Stormy Weather" - a variety show with its acts strung together by the thinnest of plots (typical, by the way, of many musicals of its time) and featuring the most talented black entertainers of generations.
    8Oaktown Charlie

    Great music makes a great movie

    Stormy Weather is a must see, if for no other reason than to view our past. The music is tops - the story line corny - the dancing is fantastic. Lena Horne's costumes are truly amazing - it would be nice if the movie has been in color to see this beautiful lady.
    8music_is_magic

    Full of Music and Dance. A Real Treat.

    Stormy Weather with Lena Horne, Cab Calloway, Katherine Dunham, and the Nicholas brothers is a wonderful "dance vacation" for Vintage, Swing and Tap dancers. It was also a rather rare opportunity to see Katherine Dunham on Video. The video I watched was clear and had excellent sound. It was an uplifting and delighful "Smorgasbord" of music and dance of the highest order. I presented it to a high school group for an historical event. They were amazed and fascinated with the performances. The guys especially were impressed by the Nicholas brothers dancing.

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    Related interests

    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Prince and Apollonia Kotero in Purple Rain (1984)
    Music
    Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)
    Romance

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Final film of Fats Waller. On December 15, 1943, less than five months after the film's July 21 opening in Manhattan, Waller, age 39, died of pneumonia on a train stopped at Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri. Having fallen ill during an engagement at the Zanzibar Room in Hollywood, he had boarded the Santa Fe Chief in Los Angeles and was headed for New York City.
    • Goofs
      The first time Selena says "Bill Williamson" (in the first scene, before her character has met him) her mouth quite clearly says "Bill Robinson. Bill Robinson played Bill Williamson.
    • Quotes

      Blackface Comedian #1: [Part One of the routine; Car breaks down] Whoa!

      Blackface Comedian #2: What's wrong with it?

      Blackface Comedian #1: Well, I'd...

      Blackface Comedian #2: Where'd you have it fixed?

      Blackface Comedian #1: I just had it worked on.

      Blackface Comedian #2: Who worked on it?

      Blackface Comedian #1: The man that's got the garage...

      Blackface Comedian #2: Well, he ain't no good. The man you want is the man...

      Blackface Comedian #1: I had him. He's the one that ruined it.

      Blackface Comedian #2: Well, I see you got plenty water, but is you outta gas?

      Blackface Comedian #1: No, it ain't that. I think maybe it's...

      Blackface Comedian #2: Oh, it couldn't be that.

      Blackface Comedian #1: Well, there ain't much wrong with it.

      Blackface Comedian #2: What you need is some of them new gadgets. You know, the kind that you buy...

      Blackface Comedian #1: I just bought some.

      Blackface Comedian #2: Oh, not them. I mean the kind what fastens where they fits. A whole dozen'll cost about...

      Blackface Comedian #1: That's too much money. I can't afford it. I got to get some that don't cost no more...

      Blackface Comedian #2: You can't get 'em that cheap.

      Blackface Comedian #1: Well, we can get the car fixed up good maybe for around...

      Blackface Comedian #2: No, what you need is a new car.

      Blackface Comedian #1: Yeah. The kind like my uncle had. He made a trip out...

      Blackface Comedian #2: Did he go out there?

      Blackface Comedian #1: Sure. I thought all the time he was gonna go...

      Blackface Comedian #2: He did, but not that time.

      Blackface Comedian #1: Well, what's he doin' now?

      Blackface Comedian #2: Since he been back, he's been very busy gettin' ready for what he thinks...

      Blackface Comedian #1: Is that so?

      Blackface Comedian #2: Sure.

      Blackface Comedian #1: Well, I guess like all bachelors, he's...

      Blackface Comedian #2: No, no. Not him. He gonna get married.

    • Crazy credits
      Written below the final credit screen, 'The End', is a promotional for buying war bonds. The plug states "For Victory - U.S. War Bonds and Stamps. Buy Yours In This Theatre".
    • Connections
      Edited into American Pop (1981)
    • Soundtracks
      Rang Tang Tang
      (uncredited)

      Music by Cyril J. Mockridge

      Lyrics by Bill Robinson

      Danced by Bill Robinson and children

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    FAQ16

    • How long is Stormy Weather?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 17, 1943 (Sweden)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Der Tänzer auf den Stufen
    • Filming locations
      • Stage 14, 20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA(Studio)
    • Production company
      • Twentieth Century Fox
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 18m(78 min)
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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