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16 out of 18 people found the following review useful:
Rare Glimpse of Early 1940s Black Entertainers, 4 May 2005
7/10
Author: gftbiloxi (gftbiloxi@yahoo.com) from Biloxi, Mississippi

Vaguely based on the life of Bill "Bojangles" Robinson himself, STORMY WEATHER offers the story of a WWI vet who falls in love with a singer--and under her influence goes into show business, only to find that their careers draw them in different directions. As a story, it is pretty slim stuff... but as a collection of musical turns by some of the early 1940s best black talent, it simply can't be beat.

Robinson was, of course, one of the truly great dancers of his era. Made late in his career, this film doesn't really manage to capture the scope of his talents, but he remains a constant joy to watch. A very young and remarkably beautiful Lena Horne also offers several enjoyable songs, including one that she would go on to perform with increasing sophistication and ultimately make entirely her own: the title tune "Stormy Weather." In addition to Calloway and Horne, STORMY WEATHER offers great performances by such under-filmed artists as Cab Calloway, Katherine Dunham, Fats Waller (performing his signature tune, "Ain't Misbehaving"), the brilliant Nicholas Brothers, and Ada Brown, as well as the popular comic actor Dooley Wilson. Expect nothing from the story or production values, but you won't be disappointed by this rare glimpse at some truly remarkable talents.

Gary F. Taylor, aka GFT, Amazon Reviewer

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18 out of 24 people found the following review useful:
Entertainment Is The Name Of This Tune, 23 December 2005
8/10
Author: ccthemovieman-1 from Lockport, NY, United States

Music, not story, is the name of the game here. The film provides an avenue for black singers, dancers and musicians of the mid-1940s to show off their talents. Too bad it was that way but at least putting these acts on screen in a movie format wasn't just black folks "preaching to the choir." This film gave a lot of white folks a chance to see some great talent they might never have seen and, hopefully, helped some of these entertainers in their careers.

Bill Robinson and Lena Horne are the stars of the film, or should I say the main entertainers. Robinson is wonderful to watch throughout. He's not just a great dancer but an extremely likable guy. He comes across that way, anyway, and has in every film I've seen him. Horne has a good voice and a pretty face that became famous for almost never aging, but her songs are too slow and boring for my tastes, frankly.

Since I prefer a little more up-tempo, Fats Waller, Cab Calloway and The Nicholas Brothers filled the bill nicely. They were awesome. What little story there is centers around Robinson's character trying to break into show business. En route are also some funny lines and characters.

I'm glad to hear this is being put out on DVD in a few months. I'll pick up a copy.

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9 out of 9 people found the following review useful:
singin in the rain, 6 April 2004
10/10
Author: ptb-8 from Australia

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!

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10 out of 12 people found the following review useful:
A gem, 20 May 2001
Author: BLG-2 from Jacksonville, FL

I remember watching this for the first time when I was a kid. I was blown away by the Nicholas Brothers' dance, especially when they jumped down those stairs . . . and it still blows me away! Slim storyline, and Bill Robinson was way too old to play a romantic interest of the young Lena Horne, but a great look at some of the biggest African-American stars of the day: Katherine Dunham, the great Fats Waller (who died later that same year,) Cab Calloway. I could have done without the blackface makeup of the comedy team, even though their skit was amusing. And look for a young adult Stymie Beard (of the Little Rascals) with two lines as a stagehand who is directed by Bill Robinson to call half hour to showtime for the performers.

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7 out of 8 people found the following review useful:
Great music makes a great movie, 19 August 2000
8/10
Author: Oaktown Charlie (seekeroftruth@home.com) from Oakland, California

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.

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5 out of 5 people found the following review useful:
Stormy Weather, 9 May 2006
Author: Michelle Cusano from United States

After watching the film Stormy Weather (1943), it was clear that the Hollywood movie making industry was headed toward a new era. The new era being that colored actors were recognized and not only that, spiced up the industry. This movie shied away from the usual parts actors of color would normally play, parts in which they were slaves or butlers and servants.

This truly showed the breakthrough of African Americans in entertainment and paved the way for how successful many have presently become. Specifically in this movie, it told the story of how a man of color worked his way literally from the bottom up. It began with Bill Williamson who came home from war in France, and was working in a basement restaurant when fate stepped in and reunited him with his love interest. It was because of Selina that he was working in the city hoping to step foot into the dancing business. When she recognized him, she insisted to the show's producer that he be put in the show. This was Bill's break that got him out of a basement restaurant to the "top" of a tree in production. This is where Bill made the most of this opportunity and showed off his abilities but in turn got him fired from the show. But that was all he needed and he was on his way to stardom.

Twentieth Century Fox really broke the mold with this movie in response to FDR's urging. It finally gave actors of color the chance to show off their tremendous talent also allowing them to have more of an equal role in society. Although there still were laws restricting the interaction between whiles and blacks in films, it certainly brought them out of the repetitive demeaning roles of slaves and servants. It was thrilling to be able to see the talents of these actors and all the skills offered through their dancing and singing abilities. All of the dance numbers and costumes really represented the time period. The way the dancers moved were both creative and unique, especially the indisputably impressive Nicholas Brothers.

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5 out of 5 people found the following review useful:
Thanks for the memories, 30 June 2000
Author: jaykay-10

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.

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4 out of 4 people found the following review useful:
Full of Music and Dance. A Real Treat., 1 May 2003
8/10
Author: music_is_magic from USA

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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4 out of 5 people found the following review useful:
My Review for the Totally Confused, 14 February 2007
7/10
Author: rooprect from New York City

OK, I admit it. I have no cultural class. I don't recognize any of the performers in this movie except for Dooley Wilson (who played/sang the role of "Sam" in Casablanca) and Lena Horne whom I had the rare treat of seeing in Philadelphia when I was a tot. So I can't give you an educated critical review of this film.

But I can tell you there's some GREAT talent showcased. There are some tap dancing scenes that would make Fred Astaire hang up his hardshoes in shame. And for those of you sticklers who always stare at the musicians' fingers to see if they actually know how to play, THEY DO.

Sure, the plot is weak and cursory. But since when are musicals supposed to have a plot? The story was just enough to chain these performances together while not distracting from the show. And that's what this movie is all about; consider it an early American version of "American Idol" except with talent.

Most of all, it's just a fun ride. Lotta smiles throughout. It's a highly nostalgic trip through a sadly-overlooked corner of early American music (blues, ragtime, jazz). And from a cinematic standpoint, the presentation is very nice. The scene of trombonists with their long shadows cast against the stage walls is very memorable to me, as is the rousing title performance of "Stormy Weather" which, in Picasso-like cubist fashion, passes through 3 different planes of existence: the stage, the backstage, and the backstage dream. Very artistic.

If you weren't totally confused when you began reading my review, I hope you are now. Go watch the film already, you dork.

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1 out of 1 people found the following review useful:
Lena and Bojangles shine in Stormy Weather, 14 February 2008
9/10
Author: tavm from Baton Rouge, La.

Well, here's another review of a Lena Horne picture after I just commented on Cabin in the Sky. She's quite luminous throughout the movie especially during the "Digga Digga Doo" number. The man she's falling for, however, is a bit old for her. He's Bill 'Bogangles' Robinson, basically playing himself as the famous tap-dancer who made it to the movies. Despite that, they looked good dancing together. Dooley Wilson, who was just gaining fame as Sam in Casablanca, has some funny scenes as Bill's old Army buddy, Gabe. Also appearing are Cab Calloway, Fats Waller (in his last film appearance before his untimely death), singer Ada Brown, dancer Katherine Dunham, and The Nicholas Brothers who are way awesome jumping on those steps. In fact, they're all good. I didn't like that comedy team that had to black up their faces but other than that, Stormy Weather was musically excellent from beginning to end. P.S. It wasn't until I looked at the cast list here that I found out Matthew 'Stymie' Beard had a part as a stage hand. Thanks for one of the commentators for identifying him as the one who says "Half-hour" to distract the chorus girls. And that the guy who played Chick Bailey was Emmett 'Babe' Wallace who I last saw with Nina Mae McKinney in The Black Network (which also had The Nicholas Brothers when they were much younger).

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