Clean Pastures

Clean Pastures

Year: 1937

Runtime: 8 mins

Language: English

Director: Friz Freleng

AnimationMusicComedy

When the Lord sees the ‘Pair‑o‑dice’ stock falling, He sends a dim‑witted, slow‑talking angel to Harlem to recruit customers. After his failure, a troupe of musical angels arrives, their swing so tempting the Devil wants to join. The short cartoon was among United Artists’ “Censored 11,” barred from TV syndication in 1968 for racist stereotypes.

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Timeline & Setting – Clean Pastures (1937)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Clean Pastures (1937). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1930s

The action unfolds during the Jazz Age in Harlem, a time of vibrant Black culture, nightlife, and musical experimentation. The story references popular performers and musical styles of the era, shaping its energy and humor. The heavenly sequence and revival spectacle sit atop the era's cultural context, blending sacred and secular imagery.

Location

Harlem, New York City, Pair-O-Dice (Heaven)

Harlem serves as the bustling backdrop of nightlife and dance, where bars, clubs, and dancing fill the streets. Heaven's Pair-O-Dice is depicted as a satirical paradise that contrasts earthly vices with a chance at redemption. The story shifts between a lively Harlem world and the otherworldly casino-like heaven, using music and performance to bridge the two realms.

🎶 Jazz culture 🗽 Urban life 👼 Afterlife satire

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:53

Main Characters – Clean Pastures (1937)

Meet the key characters of Clean Pastures (1937), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Saint Peter

The heavenly gatekeeper who reads the earthly headline and tries to steer the chaos toward redemption. He dispatches Gabriel to stage a musical intervention that lures the living toward paradise. He embodies a playful heavenly bureaucracy with a sense of humor about sin and salvation.

👼 Heaven's gatekeeper 🎭 Satirical authority

Gabriel

An angelic messenger who relays orders and orchestrates the earthly-celestial crossover. He positions himself by a sign and assists in the plan to redirect souls through music and revival. His presence anchors the blend of sacred and secular imagery in the story.

👼 Messenger ✨ Divine intervention

Al Jolson / The Devil

A dual-identity caricature blending the Jolson persona with a devilish foil. He acts as comic instigator and catalyst, adding mischief while remaining a figure of temptation. Voiced in the short by the listed cast as a notable celebrity impression.

🎶 Musical 😈 Mischief

The Four Blackbirds

A vocal group that provides the backing harmonies for the film's musical numbers. Their presence strengthens the musical backbone and underscores Harlem's authentic jazz sound.

🎤 Vocal Group 🎶 Jazz Influence

Louis Armstrong (caricature)

Caricature of the famed trumpet player performing with exuberant energy, contributing to the film's jazz-driven atmosphere. The gag highlights Armstrong's distinctive style as a source of rhythm and charisma.

🎺 Trumpet 🎷 Jazz Icon

Cab Calloway (caricature)

Energetic caricature of the showman known for dynamic performances and lively stage presence. His numbers help propel the revival and draw crowds toward Pair-O-Dice.

🎷 Showman 🎶 Swing

Fats Waller (caricature)

Caricature of the witty pianist delivering piano-driven numbers that anchor the musical sequence. His presence adds flavor and tempo to the narrative.

🎹 Pianist 🎶 Jazz Legend

Jimmie Lunceford (caricature)

Caricature of the bandleader whose swagger and ensemble energy push the story forward through rhythm and dance. He contributes to the project's big-band mood.

🎺 Bandleader 🕺 Showmanship

Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson (caricature)

Caricature of the renowned dancer whose precise footwork and stage presence injects movement and humor into the scenes.

🕺 Dancer 🎩 Stage Presence

Harlem Crowd

The Harlemites whose dancing, cheering, and energy drive the narrative forward, embodying the culture and vitality of Harlem's nightlife.

🗽 Harlem 🎉 Crowd Energy

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:53

Major Themes – Clean Pastures (1937)

Explore the central themes of Clean Pastures (1937), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕊️ Redemption

Redemption sweeps through the plot as sinners are offered salvation through communal music and revival-like spectacle. The halos granted at the end symbolize transformation achieved through rhythm and shared joy. The piece uses humor to critique vice while affirming the redemptive power of art.

🎭 Racial Caricature

Caricature and performance are central to the humor and commentary, with exaggerated depictions of Black jazz icons and minstrel traditions. The film uses satire to explore cultural representation within the constraints and opportunities of early animation. The revival setting reframes stereotypes through music and spectacle.

🎶 Music as Narrative

Music drives the plot, turning numbers like Swing for Sale into milestones on the journey from Harlem clubs to Pair-O-Dice. The score anchors the story and influences pacing, energy, and audience response. The animation relies on rhythm and song to carry emotion and progression.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:53

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Clean Pastures Summary

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Clean Pastures Summary

Clean Pastures Timeline

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Clean Pastures Timeline

More About Clean Pastures

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