Film Forum

(1943, Vincente Minnelli) Mortally shot at a crap game, Eddie “Rochester” Anderson gets a six-month Heavenly reprieve thanks to prayers from his wife and True Believer Ethel Waters, but Rex Ingram’s “Lucifer Jr.” has a secret weapon in the ensuing battle for Anderson’s soul: Lena Horne’s sultry sweet Georgia Brown. But Ethel proves to have “everything you’ve got and a whole lot more.” Minnelli’s first major movie musical features some of the top African American talent of the day, including John Bubbles, Louis Armstrong, and Duke Ellington and his Orchestra. But it’s above all a showcase for top-billed Waters’ enormous singing, dancing, comedy, and acting talents. 35mm. Approx. 98 min.