Despite its exploitation of black stereotypes, this musical fantasy by Vincente Minnelli has been praised by contemporary black writers for providing an imaginative showcase for such outstanding black artists as Ethel Waters, Eddie “Rochester” Anderson, Lena Horne, Duke Ellington and His Orchestra, Louis Armstrong, Rex Ingram, and the Hall Johnson Choir. The story is an adaptation of Lynn Root's morality-fable, its naivité balanced by the wit and exhuberance of actors and director. Eddie Anderson plays Little Joe Jackson, husband of the devoted, God-fearing Petunia (Ethel Waters in a memorable performance). With his weakness for dice and liquor, and his strong appreciation of women like the temptress Georgia Brown (Lena Horne), Little Joe is a natural quarry in the struggle between the General of Heaven (Kenneth Spencer) and Lucifer Jr. (Rex Ingram), who wage their battle over his soul.