The Green Pastures (film)
Encyclopedia
The Green Pastures is a 1936 film
depicting stories from the Bible
as visualized by African American characters. It starred Rex Ingram
(in several roles, including "De Lawd
"), Oscar Polk
, and Eddie "Rochester" Anderson
. It was based on the novel Ol' Man Adam an' His Chillun
by Roark Bradford and the subsequent Pulitzer Prize
-winning play of the same name by Marc Connelly
.
1936 in film
The year 1936 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*May 29 - Fritz Lang's first Hollywood film Fury, starring Spencer Tracy and Bruce Cabot, is released.*November 6 - first Porky Pig animated cartoon...
depicting stories from the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
as visualized by African American characters. It starred Rex Ingram
Rex Ingram (actor)
Rex Ingram was an American stage, film, and television actor.-Early life and career:Born near Cairo, Illinois on the Mississippi River, Ingram's father was a steamer fireman on the riverboat Robert E. Lee...
(in several roles, including "De Lawd
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
"), Oscar Polk
Oscar Polk
Oscar Polk was an American actor, best known for his portrayal as the servant "Pork" in the 1939 film Gone with the Wind. On January 4, 1949, he was fatally struck by a taxi cab as he stepped off a curb in Times Square. At the time of his death he was scheduled to have a major role in the play...
, and Eddie "Rochester" Anderson
Eddie Anderson (comedian)
Edmund Lincoln Anderson , also known as Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, was an American comedian and actor. His most famous role was that of Rochester van Jones, valet of Jack Benny, on his radio and television shows.-Early life:Anderson was born in Oakland, California...
. It was based on the novel Ol' Man Adam an' His Chillun
Ol' Man Adam an' His Chillun
Ol’ Man Adam an’ His Chillun is a collection of folk tales written by Roark Bradford and published in the United Kingdom and the United States in 1928. The book was later adapted for a play and film by Marc Connelly....
by Roark Bradford and the subsequent Pulitzer Prize
Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
-winning play of the same name by Marc Connelly
Marc Connelly
Marcus Cook Connelly was an American playwright, director, producer, performer, and lyricist. He was a key member of the Algonquin Round Table, and received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1930.-Biography:...
.
Cast
- Abraham Gleaves as ArchangelArchangelAn archangel is an angel of high rank. Archangels are found in a number of religious traditions, including Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Michael and Gabriel are recognized as archangels in Judaism and by most Christians. Michael is the only archangel specifically named in the Protestant Bible...
- Al StokesAl StokesAlbert John Stokes [born Albert John Stocek] was a backup catcher in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Boston Red Sox. Listed at 5' 9", 175 lb., Stokes batted and threw right-handed...
as CainCain and AbelIn the Hebrew Bible, Cain and Abel are two sons of Adam and Eve. The Qur'an mentions the story, calling them the two sons of Adam only.... - Eddie Anderson as NoahNoahNoah was, according to the Hebrew Bible, the tenth and last of the antediluvian Patriarchs. The biblical story of Noah is contained in chapters 6–9 of the book of Genesis, where he saves his family and representatives of all animals from the flood by constructing an ark...
- Edna Mae HarrisEdna Mae HarrisEdna Mae Harris , was an American actress, born in Harlem. She was the premier black film actress during the late 1930's and early 1940's....
as Zeba - Frank WilsonFrank WilsonFrank Wilson may refer to:* Frank E. Wilson , U.S. Representative from New York* Frank H. Wilson , American actor* Frank J...
as MosesMosesMoses was, according to the Hebrew Bible and Qur'an, a religious leader, lawgiver and prophet, to whom the authorship of the Torah is traditionally attributed... - George ReedGeorge ReedGeorge Robert Reed, CM is a former American college football and Canadian Football League player. Reed, along with Mike Pringle and Johnny Bright, is one of the players most often mentioned as being the greatest running back in CFL history...
as Mr. Deshee / AaronAaronIn the Hebrew Bible and the Qur'an, Aaron : Ααρών ), who is often called "'Aaron the Priest"' and once Aaron the Levite , was the older brother of Moses, and a prophet of God. He represented the priestly functions of his tribe, becoming the first High Priest of the Israelites... - Myrtle Anderson as EveEve (Bible)Eve was, according to the creation of Abrahamic religions, the first woman created by God...
- Oscar PolkOscar PolkOscar Polk was an American actor, best known for his portrayal as the servant "Pork" in the 1939 film Gone with the Wind. On January 4, 1949, he was fatally struck by a taxi cab as he stepped off a curb in Times Square. At the time of his death he was scheduled to have a major role in the play...
as GabrielGabrielIn Abrahamic religions, Gabriel is an Archangel who typically serves as a messenger to humans from God.He first appears in the Book of Daniel, delivering explanations of Daniel's visions. In the Gospel of Luke Gabriel foretells the births of both John the Baptist and of Jesus... - Rex IngramRex Ingram (actor)Rex Ingram was an American stage, film, and television actor.-Early life and career:Born near Cairo, Illinois on the Mississippi River, Ingram's father was a steamer fireman on the riverboat Robert E. Lee...
as De Lawd / Adam / Hezdrel