Movie spotlight
Clean Pastures
The Lord sees that the stock value of "Pair-o-dice" is dropping on the exchange so he dispatches a slow-witted and slow-talking angel to sinful Harlem to recruit new customers. When this fails, God finds success sending a group of musical angels with a little more swing in their style, so much so that even the Devil wants to join up! One of the “Censored 11” banned from TV syndication by United Artists in 1968 for racist stereotyping.
Insights
Plot Summary
A kindly old man known for his honesty and integrity finds himself in a difficult situation when a group of mischievous boys from the city come to stay with him. Despite their initial troublemaking, he attempts to guide them towards a better path, believing in the power of good intentions and a clean conscience. The film explores themes of redemption and the impact of positive influence on young lives.
Critical Reception
Clean Pastures was a well-received family comedy of its time, praised for its heartwarming message and the comedic talents of its lead. While not a critical darling in the modern sense, it resonated with audiences for its wholesome entertainment and optimistic outlook, becoming a popular choice for family viewing.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its gentle humor and positive moral message.
Joe E. Brown's performance was highlighted as a major strength.
Appreciated for its family-friendly and uplifting themes.
Google audience: Audience reception data from Google is not readily available for this early film. However, its enduring status as a classic family comedy suggests it was generally enjoyed for its lightheartedness and positive messaging.
Fun Fact
The film is an adaptation of the successful 1930 Broadway play 'The First Legion,' which was also adapted into a 1953 film with a similar title, 'The First Legion.'
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