This movie is the proof that the world is becoming a sick and dumb place

Let's be realistic.

Fantastic!

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

Was put off seeing 'Clean Pastures' due to its low rating and that it's one of the "Censored 11" cartoons withheld from syndication for being deemed as having offensive content.However, as somebody who also trusted those defending the cartoon, due to them being from people well-respected by myself and also as somebody who has actually enjoyed some of the "Censored 11" cartoons, 'Clean Pastures' got the benefit of the doubt with an open mind treatment. While one can absolutely understand why some would be offended or dislike it now, to me it is one of the better "Censored 11" cartoons.There are "Censored 11" with far more offensive stereotypes, such as 'Angel Puss', 'Hittin' the Trail for Hallelujah Land', 'Jungle Jitters' and 'All This and Rabbit Stew'. There are also far duller ones than 'Clean Pastures', again 'Angel Puss' and 'Hittin' the Trail for 'Hallelujah Land', and ones that forget to entertain like all three of the cartoons just listed as cartoons more offensive.Not that 'Clean Pastures' is perfect. The Steppin Fetchit-like angel character is disastrously executed. Not just because of the character being racially offensive, with an agreed "I hate my race" vibe but the character is also very obnoxious, unfunny, ineptly lazy (which is a common stereotype of the time with the portrayal of black people admittedly, but it is one that's overused, unflattering and to me it's not true either) and poorly drawn. Am not a fan of exaggerated character features usually, and 'Clean Pastures' is not an exception, the big lips for example just look gross and ugly.Most of the animation is very good indeed, much of it is beautifully drawn and meticulously detailed in the backgrounds and vibrant use of colour. The best thing about 'Clean Pastures' is the soundtrack, which is incredibly infectious (jazz is a very catchy and quite sexy style of music) and just an amazing soundtrack on its own. Regarding the issue of racism, only the Steppin Fetchit caricature is in poor taste, compared to the stereotypes of 'Jungle Jitters' for example and considering the context this is one of the tamer "Censored 11" cartoons outside of that character.'Clean Pastures' makes up for this issue by being very entertaining, especially with the soundtrack and recognising the caricatures and their roles in the story, instead of forgetting to entertain like 'Angel Puss' for example did. In fact, it is most in common with 'All This and Rabbit Stew' where there is a character that significantly brings the cartoon down but the cartoon is still very funny and clever, very like 'Clean Pastures'. As well as being one of the most energetic along with 'Coal Black and De Sebben Dwarfs' and 'Goldilocks and the Three Jivin' Bears'. The voice acting is very good.In conclusion, not a bad cartoon at all and one of the better "Censored 11" cartoons. 7/10 Bethany Cox

CLEAN PASTURES is a play on words, as the year before this film debuted, a film with an all-Black cast, GREEN PASTURES, was released in theaters to White and Black audiences alike.This is one of the so-called "Censored 11"--Looney Toons cartoons that were pulled from the market in the 1960s because of racist stereotypes of Blacks. While the general feeling of the reviewers is that this isn't offensive or that offensive, I can see how calling Heaven "Pair O Dice" could easily offend, as showing Black men as shiftless gamblers was a common stereotype of the age. As for the people who are parodied (mostly Black jazz musicians), I don't think this was intended as offensive and I bet most of them (such as Cab Calloway and Louis Armstrong) were probably flattered by the attention. Throwing in a Steppin Fetchit-inspired character, though, is inflammatory as he is practically the poster child for the "I hate my race and will whore myself out for money" club. The bottom line is that there are elements of this film that can't help but offend. This is sad, as because with a few minor changes, this could be a more acceptable and widely enjoyed cartoon.My advice is that this and all the Censored 11 cartoons should not be shown on broadcast television unless they are shown with some sort of prologue that could explain the context and reasons they offend. Having them continue to be available on the internet (when you can find them) isn't a bad thing, however, as I am loathe to ban any sort of speech and it is an unfortunate but important part of our history. And if we eliminate EVERYTHING that might offend from our history, then we are left with,...well,...nothing!

The cartoon opens in Harlem. People are dancing, drinking, gambling and generally making merry. Up in heaven (or Pair O' Dice as it is called here), a Black angel despairs that they are losing souls to Hades. He sends an angel (a caricature of Steppin-Fetchit) to teach people to resist temptation. Not surprisingly, he is unsuccessful.Then a group of angels (caricatures of Fats Wahler, Jimmie Lunceford, Louis Armstrong and Cab Calloway) tell the head angel that they need to update the message. The angels go to Harlem and sing "Swing for Sale." It works, and soon they are leading hordes of ex-sinners into Pair O' Dice. Even the devil begs his way in to enjoy the new swinging good news.Many modern viewers will be offended by the caricatures in this cartoon, particularly the lazy, inept Steppin-Fetchit angel. Despite this legitimate criticism, "Clean Pastures" does a commendable job of reinforcing the fact that swing music was, in fact, African-American music. No Pat Boone/Vanilla Ice rip-offs here. "Clean Pastures" presents this wonderful music in all its ethnic and, yes, revolutionary glory to a primarily White audience. This is quite an accomplishment, considering that the real musicians portrayed in this cartoon would have had to enter and exit a White club by the rear entrance, if they could get in at all! Tragically, "Clean Pastures" has been blacklisted (no pun intended). WB has refused to release it on TV or home video. It is worth tracking down however, as it deserves more respect than its current status allows it.

This 1937 Merrie Melodies short is one of the Censored 11. Fats Waller, Cab Calloway, Jimmie Lunceford, and Louis Armstrong as angels, they go down to Harlem and bring back some folks to heaven (I still don't understand this). Cameo by Al Jolson as he walks into a nightclub singing "I Love to Singa"